Then again, we have someone like Sam Nunez, who, in his New York Post column wrote thusly:
EXCERPT:
I drove a yellow taxi for more than 10 years, and it was a constant struggle to make ends meet. I was always stressed about the fact that I couldn’t spend enough time with my family and wondered how I’d pay the bills each month.
I was earning between $30,000 and $40,000 a year. I thought that finding a job that allowed me to earn enough to support my family and give me time to pursue my dream of becoming a singer and spend time with my children would be impossible — until two years ago, when I found Uber.
The difference between driving a yellow taxi and partnering with Uber is like day and night.
With Uber, I make about $60,000 a year — and right now, I’m only working three days a week. Friday nights are incredibly busy for both taxi riders and Uber riders. When I was driving a yellow taxi, the most I could take home on a Friday was about $200 — and I had to work until 4 a.m. With Uber, I can make up to $600.
And last year, there were several instances when I made $7,000 in one month alone. The earning potential along with the flexibility and freedom is incredible.
I certainly don’t miss those grueling 12-hour shifts I was forced to work when I drove a yellow cab. I started off every day owing the medallion owner money. I barely slept. I barely saw my family. I always had a medallion owner breathing down my neck, and I was unable to take a vacation or else I would risk losing my right to lease the vehicle. I had no control over my life or my time.
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Either this guy is a paid hack for Uber or he is telling the truth, or he must be one of those early Uber drivers before there was a lot of competition.
Yes, I’ve heard that in the beginning people were making a killing. There are so many unemployed people who are doing this. I commend Uber for giving these people a chance - and they’re pretty undemanding as long as you don’t kill anyone. But, no, I don’t think you can make this much and still have any free time today. I’m certainly not against Uber. I’d do it myself but GPS confuses me and I’m not very good with the general drunk public, lol. People use Uber often because they can drink.
Either this guy is a paid hack for Uber or he is telling the truth, or he must be one of those early Uber drivers before there was a lot of competition.”
His story is almost identical to the one I heard from a regulated taxi driver in Philadelphia last year. He and a partner each worked 12-hour shifts, so the taxi was on the road continuously except for gasoline fill-ups and bathroom breaks. That was the only way they could afford to pay the pay the “nut” to the medallion owner.