Lifestyle6 min(s) read
Published 13:53 24 Sep 2019 GMT
Uber drivers have saved us on many nights out, but no matter how many rides we hitch, there's still so much we don't know about these loyal service providers. Needless to say, with transport now so readily available, Uber drivers have encountered some weird and wonderful characters. From inflatable passengers to others who've revealed a lot more of themselves (quite literally) than they expected, it's safe to say Uber drivers have seen and heard it all.
[post_page_title]Touchy-Feely Couples[/post_page_title]
A common occurrence for Uber drivers is picking up frisky couples who just can't wait to reach their destination before getting it on. One driver said that he'd picked up one amorous couple who were passionately making out for their entire journey. They were so caught up in the moment that a cell phone was left behind. Being a kind driver, they picked up the phone to call its owner, only to find a string of text messages and missed calls from an angry wife who was wondering where her husband was. Awkward.
[post_page_title]Homicical Riders[/post_page_title]
Many people fear that cab drivers are crazy, but few have thought about crazy riders. One Uber driver was left fearing for his life when his rider asked them a series of terrifying questions. These included what they'd do if they suddenly grabbed the steering wheel and drove the car into a building and how they'd react if a gun was put to their head. That driver was probably left wishing he worked for a traditional cab company.
[post_page_title]Illegal Cargo[/post_page_title]
One Uber driver found themselves in the middle of a drug deal after a rider got into their car with a backpack they were holding onto a little too tightly. He soon discovered that inside the bag was a marijuana plant complete with a ceramic pot. I bet they were happy when their passenger reached their destination!
[post_page_title]The Walk Of Shame[/post_page_title]
Uber drivers have encountered some pretty weird sights on the first of November. But one driver picked up an unusual pair with some very interesting costumes. A young woman who'd been dressed as Pulp Fiction's Mia Wallace and another who'd been dressed up as David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust. According to the driver, the former looked more like a drug addict than her character ever did in the movie and the latter resembled a Japanese prostitute in her skimpy kimono.
[post_page_title]Unconscious Riders[/post_page_title]
One of the main advantages of Uber is that anyone can use it easily, including those who're on the verge of falling unconscious after a night out. Uber drivers have said it's one of the worst situations they, unfortunately, find themselves in on a regular basis. Should they call 911? Or take their rider to their destination anyway and hope that there's someone else in the house?
[post_page_title]Throwing Up Into A Hangbag[/post_page_title]
Uber drivers get to see how well dates have gone on a regular basis. But one told us about how a seemingly promising date took a drastic turn for the worst in their car. Two women got in, having just been for what they said was a delicious meal. Fifteen minutes into their journey, one of them began to look a little queasy, and without saying anything, she tried (and failed) to subtly be sick into her handbag. The driver said her date looked sympathetic when they arrived at their destination.
[post_page_title]An Assault[/post_page_title]
Domestic abuse is horrific, but one Uber driver became a hero when he helped a woman who was assaulted in the back of his car. The driver said he'd picked up a couple who were in the middle of a heated argument which continued for most of their journey until she was hit by her partner. The Uber driver pretended to continue to drive them to their destination but instead went to the nearest sheriff's office. Not all heroes wear capes.
[post_page_title]The Toilet Cab[/post_page_title]
We all know what it's like to desperately need to pee after a night out and Uber drivers have found themselves unknowingly providing a toilet service to many of their passengers. We spoke to drivers who told us that it wasn't uncommon for them to have to get their seats thoroughly cleaned after picking up drunk passengers who just couldn't hold it in for any longer.
[post_page_title]The Chase[/post_page_title]
It might be bad to accidentally end up with some questionable cargo in your Uber, but one driver found himself driving a man away from his angry wife who'd taken it upon herself to chase his Uber for a solid twenty minutes. It was a game of Grand Theft Auto that the poor Uber driver never asked to play.
[post_page_title]A Big Tip[/post_page_title]
Amidst the many horror stories revealed by Uber drivers, one got an unexpectedly large tip from a rider. It was the middle of the night and this driver was about to get a well-deserved sleep when a final request came through. They picked up a rider who told them that their girlfriend was in the hospital. Before arriving at their destination, the rider asked them to stop at an ATM and when he got back into the Uber handed his driver $200.
[post_page_title]The Flasher[/post_page_title]
Everyone knows that Uber drivers sometimes hear a bit too much information about their rider's personal lives, but one driver was flashed by a rider who'd forgotten she'd already paid for her journey by card. She told him that she didn't have enough money left after a wild night out to pay and, before the driver had a chance to say she was in an Uber, she'd flashed him.
[post_page_title]The Foursome[/post_page_title]
If you thought the driver who was flashed got more than he bargained for, another heard a lot more about his rider's plans for the rest of the evening than he ever expected to when two couples came into his car. Like other passengers who've gotten a bit too frisky in front of their Uber drivers, these couples spent their journey planning a foursome.
[post_page_title]An Arrest[/post_page_title]
When Uber drivers get called, they have absolutely no idea who's calling them and what they've just been up to. One driver found himself in a very sticky situation when he arrived at a bowling alley that had just been robbed. The culprits had clearly planned on using an Uber to get away but decided against it last minute. The cops saw the Uber and handcuffed the driver thinking they were the culprit. Yikes!
[post_page_title]The Leather-Clad Rider[/post_page_title]
We've all heard stories about people engaging in wild sexual acts behind closed doors, but one Uber driver found themselves picking up a rider dressed entirely in a leather bodysuit wearing a gimp mask. Apparently he and his partner had just had an argument and he was kicked out before he got a chance to change out of his outfit.
[post_page_title]The Blow-Up Rider[/post_page_title]
It's not uncommon for people to call Ubers for their friends, especially on nights out. However, this Uber driver arrived to find out that they were transporting a blow-up sex doll from one location to another. They didn't say anything and treated her like any other passenger. Each to their own, I guess.
[post_page_title]Frisky Uber Drivers[/post_page_title]
Some Uber drivers are happy to hook up with their passengers. One even admitted to keeping condoms in his car in case any of his riders wanted to go for a different kind of ride. Another said that he worked as an Uber driver so that he could cheat on his wife without her questioning his whereabouts. Shady.
[post_page_title]A Driver With Many Personalities[/post_page_title]
An Uber driver can be anyone they want to be. Literally. The great thing about meeting new people all of the time is that you get a chance to constantly reinvent yourself. This is something that one Uber driver enjoys, admitting that when their riders ask them questions about their life, they make up different stories each time. It's a job where people can get creative.
[post_page_title]Riders In Animal Onesies[/post_page_title]
It's one thing to pick up riders doing their Halloween walk of shame, it's another to pick up riders wearing outfits so good they can't be seen in public. One Uber driver revealed that they picked up riders in animal onesies who told them that they were going to a party but couldn't go out in public with their outfits on, so decided to hide them under onesies. The possibilities of what they were wearing underneath are endless...
[post_page_title]Don't Bring Your Kids Without A Baby Seat[/post_page_title]
Not all riders annoy their Uber drivers directly, sometimes it's the people looking after them, which is often the case with babies. One Uber driver explained that passengers have no right to get mad at them for declining to complete their journey if they turn up with a child but without an appropriate car seat. That's fair enough. Safety first!
[post_page_title]Or Eat In The Uber[/post_page_title]
Sure, we've all eat in cabs, but there's a line, and as is the case with everything in life, being polite will get you places. So, it doesn't matter how desperate you are to tick into your large cheese pizza, at least have the decency to ask your Uber driver first. It's their car, after all. And if you're polite enough to ask, they're more likely to assume you'll be considerate when eating your food - and not devour it like a hungry animal.
[post_page_title]Don't Sit In The Front If You're Not Chatting[/post_page_title]
When you get in an Uber alone, you have a choice of whether or not you sit in the front or the back. Don't choose the front seat if you're not willing to make small talk with the driver. Seriously. Their job is hard enough at the best of times, without you creating an awkward situation.
[post_page_title]Be At The Pickup Point[/post_page_title]
The Uber app has a pickup point for a good reason. Uber drivers are just trying to make a living like everyone else, which is why it's so important that you're where you said you'll be when they turn up. Otherwise, it's going to take you both longer to get from A to B.
[post_page_title]We Won't Drive Faster For You[/post_page_title]
On the subject of the length of journeys, even if you're in a rush, this is the one thing that you should never ask your Uber driver to do. Don't ask your driver to speed on your behalf. This is their job and any points on their license could put it at risk. Instead, manage your time better so that this situation doesn't arise in the first place.
[post_page_title]Check It's Your Uber[/post_page_title]
Ubers are called to order, but that doesn't stop impatient people from failing to check the license plate and jumping in the first car that rolls up near to them. This is especially the case at busy places like airports and train stations, which can create a nightmare situation for the Uber driver, whose earnings could be tied to the credit card of someone who's not even in their cab!
[post_page_title]Don't Ask About The Worst Riders[/post_page_title]
So, if you've learned anything from this list, it's this: there are a lot of awful Uber riders out there. But drivers don't like to think about them, least of all when they're working. So keep your curiosity to yourself when you're in their cars, and if you want your fix of terrible rider stories, just hunt down articles like this one!
