Deactivation: A Sad Reality

Maintaining a 5 Star rating appears to be the biggest challenge for drivers. If ratings drop below 4.6 drivers could face deactivation. Uber floods the market with drivers and are very happy to finance their new cars, at a cost of $125 a week and up, but if the driver rating drops below the high performance expectations it could mean game over for the driver.

Some tips on keeping high ratings.

Communication:
Contrary to what the training videos say, call the rider when you get the request as you are driving toward them. Sometimes the NAV apps are inaccurate so a call to confirm their pick up location betters your chances of a happy rider.

When you get to the pick up and they are not outside waiting, call them after a minute to say you are there, give your location, and switch on your emergency flashers.  Telling the rider you got the flashers blinking helps them to find you better.

Hospitality:
When the riders get in the car, welcome them and ask their name.  I usually say, "Welcome aboard (rider name), I am (driver name) and if there is anything I can do to make your ride more confortable please let me know.

Accuracy:
When you begin the ride confirm the destination. Do not rely on the NAV apps to get you there. Ask the rider if they would like to navigate you to the destination.

Snacks and water:
You do not get paid enough to supply snack and water. Also if you do airport runs you do not need to clutter up the trunk with a snack shop. I usually keep one bottle of water in the trunk for emergencies.

Safety:
The number one mission is to get the rider to the destination in a safe manner. Do not speed, obey the laws and drive defensively.

Know when to talk and when to shut up:
Sometimes riders are in the back seat conducting business on mobiles. Be observant of what they are doing and if they want to chat go ahead and do so.

Commit to driving:
If a driver can only work 4 hours a week, Uber is not for that driver.  All it takes is a 1 Star review from a rider to toss you out of the ball game if you only do 4 or 5 rides.  Uber will deactivate the driver, suggest a $60 class and a probationary period for the driver to bring up the ratings. If this happens to you and you wish to continue driving for Uber you must be ready to drive 25 to 30 hours a week to bring up and maintain high ratings.

I know of a case where a preschool teacher started driving during Spring break. She had 5 passengers one weekend, got 4 five star reviews and 1 one star review from a foreign business man who did not know the area and expected to be taken to his destination and a fraction of time that it normally takes. Her rating dropped way be low the average and got deactivated. She took the class, took up her ratings but after Spring break returned to teaching school with anticipation to drive Uber over the Summer break. Two weeks before the end of school she got a deactivation from Uber because she did not maintain her driving over the weekends.

Dealing with Uber is like the old "Computer Says No" sketch from Little Britain:

Sometimes the a trip to the local Uber office to plead your case may get the driver reactivated. Local staff are nice but they do not have the power to make any changes.