Posted on 01/25/2016 9:24:19 AM PST by SeekAndFind
When Carol Sue Johnson, 73, wheels her silver Mazda S.U.V. out of her driveway in suburban Minneapolis, she doesn't know how much money she will make driving for the ride-hailing service Uber, but she's sure she will have an adventure.
Her passengers run the gamut, she said, from three visiting Chinese business executives who were surprised to see a female driver, to teenagers needing a ride to hockey practices or games.
When one group of teenagers "started to get too rowdy," said Ms. Johnson, who goes by Sue, "one of them told the others to stop because 'Grandma's in the car.'"
Ms. Johnson is among a growing number of older Americans who are driving for Uber or its competitor Lyft to augment their retirement income. Some drivers say it is a great chance to be independent and earn extra cash on their own schedule. But others, including some drivers, say it is exploitation of older people who work as independent contractors, without any benefits, because their age means they have a harder time finding full-time employment.
Many retirees, like Ms. Johnson, drive part time, about 20 to 30 hours a week; others may drive full time, which in many ways takes them out of the fully retired category.
Drivers are in such demand that last July Uber and Life Reimagined, a subsidiary of AARP, the organization for people over 50, formed a partnership to recruit more people as drivers.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Just from the headline, I’m trembling in fear of my 90 year old Father in Law taking this up...
“Doing jobs Somali do badly”
As another retired American, I agree with you. It is my decision, as to whether I want to be “exploited” or not, and I can always quit if I do not like it. Indeed might consider doing this, it might be kind of fun!
Key line is here: Life Reimagined, a subsidiary of AARP, the organization for people over 50.
Thus a Democrat party affiliated organization is exploiting old folks.
Typical NY Times article. Now comes the clarion call from elected liberals that something “must be done” and calls for regulations.
If they can't find jobs, it's discrimination. If they can find jobs, it's exploitation. Libs can only see the negative side of everything.
I turned in my CDL (quit while ahead) and starting driving with UBER....works for me...(passed my shelf life at 74)
Explain to me why an older person, who is already retired needs retirement benefits? If they have medicare why do they need medical?
Lets understand that driving people around is a low-skill job. It is never going to be a highly-paid profession.
It seems to me that this is a perfect fit for retired people who can work part-time, on their own schedule, and make some extra income. A great way to provide jobs for those forced out of the job market by their age.
And, if it throws a bunch of low-skilled, dog-eating, moon god worshiping, surly immigrants out of work, they can go back where they came from.
Yes, AARP is Democrat Party all the way.
Check your auto insurance policy. Mine was amended so that our vehicles are NOT insured if they are used in any ride share program.
Just from the headline, I’m trembling in fear of my 90 year old Father in Law taking this up...
...
My dad has trouble staying in his lane. Most people that age should be using Uber rather than driving for them.
My comment was a jest, more so if you knew my FIL.
You would need to be a tiny bit tech savy to sign-up for and use Uber.
He literally has never even read an email from a computer. He would only look at it if you printed it out on paper and handed it to him.
Uber provides excellent, free collision and liability insurance while driving to pickup a passenger and while the passenger is being transported. You still need your personnel insurance when not working for Uber. It’s actually a fun job and the pay is pretty good. No boss except for your customers. Just turn the Uber app on when you want to work and turn the app off when you want to stop. Money shows up in checking account every Thursday. That’s it. Really easy.
How safe is driving for Uber????
I user Uber regularly on my travels around the nation.
The best drivers for Uber are over 60 years old IMHO.
Not only are they more interesting than today’s “all about me generation”, they also don’t mind working hard.
All depends on what you’re packing.
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