Posted on 04/08/2018 11:24:53 AM PDT by BBell
A man who ordered a Lyft to take him to Los Angeles International Airport this week was dropped off at a random parking lot instead after the driver realized how little money he would be making on the trip, according to a video recording of the incident.
Darryl, a pilot for a major airline who didn't want his last name used or his employer identified, was headed to LAX on Thursday morning for work when the incident took place.
He was on a tight schedule when the driver apparently realized it wasn't worth it financially for him to get the passenger to his destination and abruptly decided to abandon him.
Like many, Darryl had turned to the ride-hailing app when he needed to get to the airport.
His initial ride was canceled after the first Lyft driver realized he was already 15 minutes away from where Darryl was staying in Hermosa Beach. The second driver who responded happened to be coming from LAX when he went to pick him up, Darryl told KTLA in a Skype interview from Miami on Friday.
“He ... picked me up, I loaded the bag and we started to leave, and then I guess he looked at – the destination popped up on his phone at that time, and then he got very frustrated,” Darryl said. “He did not want to go back to LAX.”
Darryl, who was in his uniform at that time, told the driver he was a pilot and explained he needed to be at the airport by 7:30 a.m. to catch a flight. He even showed the young man his rank and wings.
Although the driver still appeared frustrated, he continued on with the ride, "gunning it" on South Bay surface streets and even "running stop signs," according to Darryl.
(Excerpt) Read more at ktla.com ...
“I used Uber half a dozen times in NYC at Christmas and the driver always knew the destination and had it in his GPS before we got into the car.”
I suspect that when they pick you up they click “pick up” or something of that sort and then it loads. I can’t imagine its any different here than it is in NYC. (My total cost displays when I place the ride. But, apparently, the driver doesn’t see that. I can imagine why as they’d all ignore small fares. Here, they just know to stay away from the university.)
We either use a crew cab, airport shuttle or a cab. Never depend on these people. Ever. Also we always allow for delays getting to the airport for our flights.
so the guys a pilot...late for his flight...why didn’t he just throw the guy an extra ten spot...this is one cheap pilot.
That’s funny right there! Spot on.
Because he’s cheap.
Insane. The driver knows where you are and where you are going before they pick you up. That one should be fired and flagged from being hired by the other service too. Holy Shiite, I was picked up a zillion times from Manhattan Beach (next to Hermosa where this guy lived) to go the very short distance to LAX. There was never any problem. So now the drivers don’t want short rides? Why not? More tips in anhour right?
Another reason to take a taxi or car service over Lyft etc: last time we took one, our destination changed. We told him we wanted to go to X but then we needed to suddenly get to my son’s school to pick him up. The guy had to drop us off at the first destination and we had to wait for another driver. They can’t be like the taxi who can stop and get you food, stop at a store, anywhere you want. And wait for you. Advantage taxi.
(Also I am apparently deathly allergic to car fresheners. I’m talking head out the window and still my throat closes up. After suffering one mile short ride I literally couldn’t get into another car who had sprayed or who had the tree in it. And you can’t ask for that before your ride! )
Best post of the thread.
Best post of the thread.
You sometimes run into people who are ill suited for their jobs, and this Lyft driver is obviously ill suited for his. Sounds as if he has difficulty envisioning the future consequences of his decisions. Being a Lyft driver working in the vicinity of LAX would mean a fair number of fares to and from LAX, to anyone with even a modicum of foresight. It’s my understanding that drivers see potential fares via the app and know what the destination will be, before accepting a given call for a Lyft driver and car, so really there’s no excuse. This driver needs to find another field of work, this one is clearly too complicated for him.
Darryl should have planned better and mangaed his time better to not be “on a tight schedule” getting to work. Sure hope he’s never my pilot.
My wife was partipating in a work phone call with ear buds, when she noticed the Uber driver turning up his AC/DC very loud. She asked him to turn down the music. He irately responded that she was bothering him and must terminate her phone call or he was going to force her out of the vehicle on the I75/85 shoulder in Atlanta.
Before or after the guy said he was going to dump him?
If he was in the act of dumping him somewhere short, I certainly would not have tipped him. I would have reported him to Lyft.
If they have a good attitude, then yea, I usually give them a tip through the app or in cash, if I have some small bills.
Sounds like the rude driver was frustrated with the traffic to me, and took it out on the customer.
I use Lyft and in fact on Friday Night I used it again. During my conversation with the driver, he told they do NOT know the destination until they actually pick you up. However, they can game the system by updating the status to “arrived” meaning they have arrived to pick you up. And then they see the destination. They are not supposed to do that. They are not supposed to know the destination until they actually pick you up. At which then they update to “arrived.”
Well, that’s what I was told. Never had a problem with Lyft. Never used Uber.
That’s my input here.
So you would have bribed him to provide the service he was contractually obligated to when he beat everyone else to accepting the ride in the app?
No wait -- not bribery -- extortion.
Or more....i tip at least 5$ on 10 to 15 minute rides and up from there...when weve hit heavy traffic or changed destinations mid ride ride ill throw them a $20 or more and literally out of hundreds of uber rides nver had a bad one and only onw i wouldn’t take again
Passengers get rated too and im willing to bet they keep notes on who tips...
Im willing pay for good service be it a ride, hotel, restaurant and always try and make that clear up front...and it works
When I have to go downtown I use uber. It is a lot better than trying to find a place to park! On my app you put in your destination and then it gives you the price. They usually pick you up in less than 5 minutes. Very convenient.
Agree with you. In taxis, Uber’s, Lyft, even shuttle drivers, it pays to be sensitive to a driver’s time effort and reward. Not saying it’s right but when you’re traveling it’s results that count and conducting an ego war is never productive.
When I get a call from a driver I understand the implication and react. So I immediately offera $5 tip for a short $6 trip.
Driving for Lyft/Uber is like a box of chocolates
You don't know who you will pick up
You don't know how to get there
And when you drop them off you don't know where the h@ll you are.
In any case driving a Prius can engage Ludicrous drive (power option) and burn rubber all the way to the destination.
"Pay the man."
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