Uber: Yay, Nay?

"Mercedes Streeter" (smart)
10/19/2016 at 12:57 • Filed to: Uber

Looks like the cheapest way for me to get to O’Hare on Saturday will be Uber. Since they offer a $22 discount on the first ride, my ride to O’Hare will be about $20...which is a price I can easily stomach.

Funny enough, Lyft would have been even cheaper, but of course, they don’t have any suburb coverage.

Is Uber any good? :)

DISCUSSION (16)

Tripper > Mercedes Streeter
10/19/2016 at 13:00

I like it! I use it whenever I’m drunk and want to go home.

mazda616 > Mercedes Streeter
10/19/2016 at 13:02

I’ve used it twice. First time was a creeper in a clapped out ‘97 Camry with a dying power steering pump and blown rear struts. He spent the entire ride ranting about how no women will date him.

Second time was an older gentleman in a Lincoln Aviator that smelled of Old Spice. He was very nice and professional and never lost his patience even in psycho Nashville traffic.

JGrabowMSt > Mercedes Streeter
10/19/2016 at 13:04

I use Uber Black in NYC and the surrounding areas. I dont use any other Uber options ever. Its almost always been a licensed taxi thats picked me up. Its all I trust. Ive never had a bad experience myself. YMMV.

EL_ULY > Mercedes Streeter
10/19/2016 at 13:07

where ya flying buddy?

Bourbon&JellyBeans > Mercedes Streeter
10/19/2016 at 13:08

I use Lyft almost daily if not daily. It’s better than Uber in my opinion. I’ve talked to a lot of drivers who’ve left Uber for Lyft.

Mercedes Streeter > Bourbon&JellyBeans
10/19/2016 at 13:12

I would have used Lyft had they had coverage in my town. But their Illinois coverage is sadly, kinda nil.

Mercedes Streeter > EL_ULY
10/19/2016 at 13:12

I’m going to be headed to SoCal! Really close to Long Beach, to be exact.

facw > Mercedes Streeter
10/19/2016 at 13:13

Much better than a cab, both in price and service. Occasionally a little weird (last guy who drove me to the airport spent a few minutes giving me a pitch for some electric air freshener he imports, though I’d say that was more him being an enthusiastic entrepreneur as opposed to trying to take advantage of a captive audience). No one who seemed likely to kill me though. Drivers are far more professional than taxi drivers, and the cars tend to be cleaner and nicer, though smaller (I’d guess not a concern for a smart driver). You can see the fare before you even request the ride so you know exactly what it will be (and don’t have to worry about the driver taking a route that makes them more money, as opposed to being direct.

random001 > Mercedes Streeter
10/19/2016 at 13:15

I still just want to say that this road trip is awesomesauce. Totally something I would do.

EL_ULY > Mercedes Streeter
10/19/2016 at 13:17

wow radness!!! Have lots of fun and enjoy the flight!

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Mercedes Streeter
10/19/2016 at 13:20

I’ve used Uber on all of my business trips and have never had any issues. I’ve not used Lyft so I can’t compare, but most of my Uber drivers have been awesome.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Mercedes Streeter
10/19/2016 at 13:28

I’ve had to use uber a few times for my grandpa to get to doctors appointments. No problems at all. Drivers were really nice and friendly. Right on time. And so much cheaper than a regular cab.

Uber seems to do a pretty good job screening drivers and making sure their cars are okay. From what I’ve seen, it’s mostly the passengers who are the problems.

fourvalleys > Mercedes Streeter
10/19/2016 at 13:34

Whatever you do, make sure you leave enough time for hiccups. O’Hare can be cruel sometimes, even on a Saturday morning. At the very minimum, I’d plan to arrive to O’Hare at least two hours before your flight.

You never know if there will be an accident or other traffic (the last time I drove to O’Hare there was traffic at 12:30AM on a weekday), or if the security line will be slow, or if you’ll have to walk across the entire airport (probably not, but that can take 20+ minutes by itself). And if you’re taking a ride-sharing service, make sure you’ve got a contingency plan if there are no cars in your area, or (worse) if the drivers near you all decline your ride.

I travel quite a bit and I generally enjoy flying (hah) by the seat of my pants, but missing a flight is awful . Have a safe trip.

Frenchlicker > Mercedes Streeter
10/19/2016 at 14:06

In my area it seems Uber is a better choice over Lyft. The cars tend to be a bit sketchier with Lyft.

B/Xmrrmvr > Mercedes Streeter
10/19/2016 at 14:06

Uber’s great, at least in NYC. I believe there’s an option now to schedule a trip in advance.

Jonee > Mercedes Streeter
10/19/2016 at 14:29

Congrats on the new Smart! That’s awesome. I’m so glad that worked out. Are you driving it back to Illinois? I love the idea of that long a road trip in a Smart. I’ve always wanted to drive a Subaru 360 cross country. A Smart will be much easier. Are they picking you up at the airport?