Tag: female drivers

12-HOUR SHIFTS WITH RIDESHARE || YAY OR NAY

So I decided two weeks ago to do a small experiment on implementing shift work in the gig economy seeking to figure out the following. 1. Will it increase earnings. 2. Is it a better method in regards to granting an individual more time on the back end. 3. Can you be just as strategic. At the end of it all my conclusion actually surprised me in the oddest way.

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So I began this experiment on a Thursday and it was in my opinion an utter fail from the start. Did I make a lot of money over the course of those 4 days, well yes of course, but I made the same amount just a little more than usual. In short my findings proved that working 12-hour shifts doing one solid platform be-it Uber, Lyft, of Door Dash is pointless unless in odd situations whereas the demand is an all time high, but that is rare. I will maintain my firm belief that strategy out weighs work hours in exchange for higher earned income.

First issue with working 12-hour shift, if there is dead time you’re stuck and left to just wait it out when in fact if you stay to strategic split shifts you in turn can make more of a profit, have more time to expend on what you want, and incorporate a nice mix of other gigs. Second issue with working 12-hour shifts, SLEEP deprived! This by far was exhausting and for someone like me that likes to be mobile and fluid in my day-to-day activity this limited me severely. Sitting in a vehicle just isn’t sustainable and extremely unhealthy. As a holistic wellness coach I notice I got more lazy, I started to swell up, and my eating was off big time. A big factor to consider with rideshare or any gig for that matter, for the most part the demands come in waves. Staying logged on in down-time is literally a waste of time, as a business owner you’re best investing that time in other endeavors and contributing more time to resting up. Third with 12-hour shifts, irritability and lack of mental clarity and sharpness. It seemed as if my days were running in to one big lump. I literally felt like a slave to the road, which defeats the point of doing this gig. I refuse to be an employee to it. I work on my rules, terms, and when I wanna.

The surprising overall effect! So after a day or two of recouping I noticed after a few days I was able to work longer hours effortlessly. Working the 12-hour shifts caused me to become adapted in a new way in regards to how I went about doing rideshare. I use to space out my time hoping off and on and not following through on time when logged in. I seen myself declining fewer rides and trusting the process. When logged in I was committed for the long haul. My work time went from averaging 4-5 hours a day to 7-8 hours a day. I was more targeted and strategic in my earnings. I made more money is less than the time I had when working those 12-hour shifts. In all the greatest thing taken from those twelves is I was able to push myself more seeing what I was capable of doing. Me being uncomfortable those few days was enough to quickly condition me to work more efficiently.

So in my humble opinion if your only option is rideshare and you don’t seek to do anything else and don’t mind long dead time then it just may work out for you, but I can guarantee it is not suitable for the long time. If you’re an entrepreneur like myself this is like dying a slow and painful death completely tormenting to the entrepreneurial soul because we seek to be profitable every waking moment. Wasted time is dollars, taking away from us committing time in other avenues.

RIDESHARE SAFETY FOR WOMEN RIDERS & DRIVERS

Is a female driver really better to have than a male driver? Do you feel safe as a female rider and/or driver? What can you do yourself to ensure your own safety? Are there tools to help reinforce our safety and are you using those tools?

My questions and suggestions are endless! This blog couldn’t possible contain them so I’ll be revisiting this subject matter over and over again from various viewpoints and perspectives. For the pass week or two the subject matter with riders is about the young college student in South Carolina horribly murdered by someone who she thought was her UBER driver. I will not be diving into the issue, but I must be clear to express that matter is least likely to happen to any of you. This lone individual that committed this heinous crime was an opportunist, a monster, on the prowl and took the opportunity to carry out his sick drive.

Some of you may know, but I have almost 14+ years in law enforcement serving in multiple capacities having dealt with all types of criminals as an officer. If there is anything I can say about most criminals it’ll have to be they often commit their crimes due to the individuals taking control of this situation. If you give them an inch they damn sure will take a mile and then some! Now ladies I will first have to help you get out of your mind that male rideshare drivers are creepers. Don’t carry around that notion. I know plenty of great male drivers that would never violate you. That also go for female rideshare drivers, do not fear being victimized sure some men will overstep their boundaries, but ultimately you have control and you must know how to own that control.

It is my goal to show both you women rideshare drivers and riders how to ensure your own safety. Today we are going to focus on two aspects of being able to do so and here they are.

  1. PRESENCE!
  2. VERBAL COMMANDS!

Ladies anytime I’ve been somewhat victimized it was on a micro level. No one has ever put their hands on me, but they have been pushy and in aggressive in their approach sexually. Often these men have had a bit too much to drink, but never was I not able to assert myself and speak up for myself to take control of the situation. Don’t just limit these suggestions to rideshare, but use it in your everyday dealings. I am not one to be easily offended, but I refuse to be disrespected. In this day not even passive aggression should be tolerated, nip it in the bud ASAP!

Presence, is a very powerful weaponry. In my years of law enforcement one thing was clear to of those that were victimized and that is they lacked presence, they had no situational awareness and was a bit to carefree. Predators look for this so that they have full advantage of taking advantage of you. As a female rider and driver, assert your presence, make eye contact always, speak clear, and don’t engage in conversation that is not professional. Sit straight up and always appear to be attentive. Head up, shoulders back, and get your face out of your cell phone. If you are a female rider pay attention to the navigation and don’t go to sleep in the car. Verbal Commands, speak up and assert your voice, not don’t be mean but be direct in your tone. If anyone tries to divert the conversation to a more sexual flirtatatous context, quickly assess the situation and avoid any form of response that will have them to think they can pursue the conversation further. Vocalize you’re not interested nor do you entertain such conversations. Be weary of those that overly compliment your beauty, features, clothing, etc. Always take control of the situation and be prepared to stand firm on your standards, establish firm boundaries and never allow them to be crossed by NO ONE! Some people will try to violate you and honestly believe they did nothing wrong because you chose to avoid speaking up for yourself. They will literally say “well they never said nothing”.

One time I had a CoCa-Cola executive who had been drinking get way outta line. It was a long trip from like Atlanta to Duluth on a Thursday night or so. At first I took his advances as typical drunk guy talk and I casually dismissed it. He then leads into suggesting sex for pay and how he’s willing to tip me greatly ($200-$300 bucks whatever I like) for “extra service”. I kept acting dumb because I literally wanted him to make clear of what he was asking. Once tired of his shit I quickly took control of the situation and began reading his ass his last rights so to speak. I advised him of the rules and how someone especially of his caliber should not be doing this. The irony is his wife called in the middle of all this! I told him I’d have to stop the trip if he continued. His drunk ass for the last 10 minutes of the ride of so kept apologizing, he then realized I wasn’t some dumb little girl looking to trick off to make some extra cash. I think some of these jerks think we are desperate for money and willing to do anything so they passively try to take advantage of those in rideshare. He clearly grew fearful of me opening my mouth, I even think he used the CoCa-Cola corporate account so surely he didn’t want this to get back to them. He asked me to drop him off down the street from his house (guess he forgot the address is in the app), so I did so, rated him a 1 and left clear notes on the rider in the app.

When I ruminate on the incident I know where I messed up, I allowed his conversation to go to far assuming he’s drunk, he’ll pass out, he don’t know what he’s saying when in fact he was fully conscious of his actions! I was a bit to friendly and should’ve addressed the matter ASAP! I felt dirty and as if I knew better, I wanted to rip that dudes face off after thinking about it more. I grew angry at myself for underestimating him and being to passive in my approach. Sometimes it’s the mental aftermath that is damaging causing you to question yourself over and over again, so don’t let that be you! Take control, have a firm presence, meaning be in the moment and fully aware, and vocalize anything you do not like or agree with regardless of the consequences!