Actual Earnings of a Part-Time Uber Driver

Summary

The video documents a week-long experiment to determine Uber's part-time earning potential, particularly focusing on Thanksgiving week, known for high earnings. The driver shares daily experiences, including rides, earnings, and Uber's new trip preview feature. Despite challenges like being signed out prematurely and unpredictable demand, the driver earned approximately $757 over 24.5 hours, averaging nearly $28/hour. The video concludes that while Uber's earnings have decreased since last year, it remains a viable side gig, especially for those willing to work peak nights.

Takeaways

• 🚗 The driver committed to a week-long experiment to determine Uber earnings, focusing on Thanksgiving week for its high-earning potential.
• 🎯 The first day involved driving from 5:30 AM to 10:00 AM, with nine trips earning $90 and spending $12 on gas, highlighting the early morning rush.
• 📉 On day two, the driver experienced delays and technical issues, including a suspected account hack, affecting the number of rides and overall earnings.
• 🧩 Day three was Thanksgiving Eve, known for high earnings due to increased bar activity. However, the driver was signed out of the app just before peak time, possibly missing out on earnings.
• 🤔 The driver questioned Uber's motives for signing them out of the app, suspecting it might be to avoid paying a promotion bonus.
• 🦃 Despite Thanksgiving Day being a holiday, the driver went out to complete rides to reach a promotion goal, but faced difficulties in getting requests.
• 🛌 On day six, the driver unintentionally missed driving due to oversleeping, emphasizing the need for self-discipline in gig work.
• 💤 The driver chose to rest instead of driving on a potentially profitable Saturday night, showcasing the flexibility and personal choice involved in Uber driving.
• 📊 Day seven showed slow earnings due to a rainy Sunday morning, but the driver still managed to earn a decent hourly rate for part-time work.
• 📉 The total earnings for the week were $757 after 24.5 hours of driving and $72 on gas, averaging to almost $28 per hour, a decrease from previous years.
• 🔑 The driver concluded that while Uber earnings have decreased, the platform now offers more driver information and control, which can improve safety and scheduling.

Q & A

What was the purpose of the video and the experiment conducted by the narrator?

The purpose of the video was to determine how much one could earn part-time driving for Uber, specifically during the week of Thanksgiving, which includes one of the busiest bar nights of the year.

Why did the narrator choose the week of Thanksgiving for the experiment?

The narrator chose the week of Thanksgiving because it includes Thanksgiving Eve, which is considered one of the busiest bar nights of the year, potentially leading to higher earnings for Uber drivers.

How did the narrator's first day of driving go, and what was the outcome?

On the first day, the narrator drove from 5:30 AM to 9:30 AM, completing nine trips and earning ninety dollars, minus twelve dollars spent on gas, and was back home by 9:30 AM to start their day.

What change has Uber made that the narrator found helpful?

Uber now shows rides before drivers accept them, which the narrator found extremely helpful for managing their schedule and avoiding long trips that could delay their return.

What was the narrator's experience with an unaccompanied minor during their second day of driving?

On the second day, the narrator had a drop-off that made them realize the girl in their car was an unaccompanied minor, which was a surprising and concerning situation.

Why was the narrator frustrated on the night of Thanksgiving Eve?

The narrator was frustrated because they were signed out of the Uber app right after 2 AM, which they suspected was to prevent them from earning a 55-dollar bonus that would have been paid out of Uber's pocket.

What was the narrator's strategy to maximize earnings on Thanksgiving Eve?

The narrator's strategy was to drive during peak hours, especially on Thanksgiving Eve, which is known for high demand due to it being the busiest bar night of the year.

Why did the narrator decide to drive on Thanksgiving Day?

The narrator decided to drive on Thanksgiving Day to fulfill the requirement of one more ride to hit a promotion that they were close to achieving before being signed out of the app the previous night.

How did the narrator's earnings compare between the weekdays and the weekend after Thanksgiving?

The weekdays, especially Thanksgiving Eve, yielded higher earnings per hour compared to the weekend after Thanksgiving. The narrator made $176 on a slow Friday night and had a low hourly rate on a rainy Sunday morning.

What was the narrator's overall hourly earnings for the week-long experiment?

The narrator's overall hourly earnings for the week-long experiment were almost twenty-eight dollars an hour, which included cash tips and promotions earned over the course of 24 and a half hours on the road.

What was the narrator's conclusion about driving for Uber in 2023?

The narrator concluded that Uber is a better option now than it was in the past due to improvements like providing drivers with ride information before selection, making them feel more in control and safer. However, they noted a decrease in earnings compared to a previous experiment, attributing part of this to less promotional money offered by Uber.