Gr Rideshare Adventures Podcast

We would love to hear your feedback!EP 266 News LinksEver wondered what happens when a gig worker has to jump a fence during an Amazon delivery? Or how Nashville became home to some of the highest airport rideshare fees in America? The Gig Economy Podcast dives deep into these stories and more as we explore the increasingly chaotic landscape facing today's drivers.When Nashville International Airport implemented a combined $12 round-trip surcharge for rideshare vehicles while simultaneously forcing drivers to use confusing parking garage drop-offs instead of terminal curbsides, it highlighted the growing tension between traditional services and the gig economy. Meanwhile, autonomous vehicles continue their march into mainstream transportation, with Tesla expanding its robo-taxi service from Austin to California's Bay Area—though their boast of 7,000 miles without incidents drew chuckles from hosts who regularly exceed that distance in mere months of driving.The darker side of the gig economy emerges

We would love to hear your feedback!The gig economy landscape is rapidly transforming with technological advancements and policy changes affecting both drivers and customers alike.Ep 265 News Links• Waymo autonomous vehicles are gaining popularity in Atlanta, where riders cancel multiple human drivers to secure a driverless experience• Amazon is eliminating backdoor and side door deliveries by August 2025 to enhance driver safety• $175 million settlement for rideshare drivers in Massachusetts, guaranteeing $33.48/hour minimum pay for active driving time• Tesla is offering $33/hour positions for robo-taxi safety coordinators as they expand autonomous vehicle testing• Amazon is launching its "most significant grocery expansion ever" with same-day fresh food delivery to over 1,000 cities• Drone delivery is facing economic challenges at $1,350 per delivery compared to $2 for traditional vehicle delivery• DoorDash is partnering with Ace Pickleball Club as their official delivery platform and championship

We would love to hear your feedback!The gig economy landscape continues to evolve with DoorDash reaching a $100 billion valuation and expanding globally through strategic acquisitions.• DoorDash overcharged a California bakery by applying a 30% commission instead of the contracted 13% for eight years, resulting in over $100,000 in excess charges• Disturbing videos show children as young as 10 delivering packages for Amazon Flex and DoorDash drivers, raising serious safety concerns• DoorDash is testing drone delivery programs, hiring workers at $18/hour to transport food from restaurants to drone loading stations• Walmart Spark is implementing geo-fencing to prevent drivers from camping out in store parking lots, with no offers sent to drivers within 150 feet of pickup areas• A rapper stranded with car trouble was driven 10 hours to his show by an Uber driver after their vehicle hit an object on the highway, puncturing the gas tank• Waymo autonomous vehicles continue to experience issues, with a recent video s

We would love to hear your feedback!We dive into the alarming story of a DoorDash driver whose car was vandalized by a customer who tracked her to her home address. The incident raises serious questions about driver safety and privacy in the gig economy.• Discussing best practices for DoorDash drivers when marking arrivals at restaurants and waiting for orders• Analyzing a viral news story about a driver whose windshield was smashed by an angry customer• Examining discrepancies in the news reporting and questioning how the customer obtained the driver's address• Sharing frustrations about content monetization on TikTok when covering news stories• Exploring the challenges of platform-specific rules for content creators• Addressing safety concerns for online creators, especially women• Discussing strategies for maintaining privacy while building an audience• Highlighting the importance of boundaries in parasocial relationships with followersIf you enjoyed this episode, follow us for more content about the

We would love to hear your feedback!The gig economy continues to evolve with new features, challenges, and opportunities for drivers navigating rideshare and delivery platforms. We discuss market-specific strategies and ways to adapt when conditions change.NEWS LINKS EP 263• Lyft introduces "favorite driver" feature, but only for scheduled rides, limiting its usefulness for most drivers• DoorDash driver experiment: accepting every order for 12 hours yields $215 for 221 miles• WAG pet service files for bankruptcy after being valued at $650 million• Two Waymo autonomous vehicles crash into each other at Phoenix airport• Driver shares $505 "unicorn" ride for approximately 100-mile trip• Former nursing home employee charged with stealing $2,688 from patient through Uber Eats• Octopus tablets offer a passive income opportunity for rideshare drivers• Importance of pivoting between different gig apps as market conditions change• Every market is different - what works for one driver may not work f

We would love to hear your feedback!In this episode of The Shift Hustle Show, we dive headfirst into Uber's confusing "Advantage" and "Exclusive" modes—what they actually mean (or don’t), and whether they’re worth chasing. Spoiler: cherry pickers, you might already be winning.Plus, we explore Sniffspot, the “Airbnb for dogs,” where you can turn your backyard into a money-making dog park. Is it a genius side hustle or a recipe for poop-filled chaos?Also featuring shout-outs to Bubba Sue, Traveler, thoughts on the grind of solo content creation, fruit flies, and why gig apps just love to keep us guessing.Support the showEverything Gig Economy Podcast Related: Download the audio podcast Newsletter Octopus is a mobile entertainment tablet for your riders. Earn 100.00 per month for having the tablet in your car! No cost for the driver! Want to earn more and stay safe? Download Maxymo Love the show? You now have the opportunity to support the show with some great rewards by becoming a Pat

We would love to hear your feedback!We explore Lyft's new favorite driver feature and discuss how it only works for scheduled rides, limiting its usefulness for many drivers.Ep 262 News Links• Lyft's new favorite driver feature only works for scheduled rides• Amazon Flex provides varied experiences, with some blocks containing very few packages• Returning to rideshare work feels good, but pricing issues remain frustrating• Lyft and Uber are known to lower prices when drivers attempt to accept rides• A food delivery driver was caught on camera taking bites from a customer's order• Spark is introducing photo verification to prevent account sharing or selling• Amazon is changing Fresh blocks to include both tip and non-tip eligible orders• Restaurant owners struggle with high delivery app fees, driving some to create their own apps• Waymo autonomous vehicles still have glitches, including driving on the wrong side of the roadCheck out the Octopus tablet for your rideshare vehicle - it's compl

We would love to hear your feedback!We explore various gig work options to combat the summer slowdown, focusing on Skip Cart, Amazon Flex, DoorDash shopping, and the emergence of portable benefits legislation across multiple states.• Skip Cart is a last-mile delivery service handling food, groceries, retail, pharmaceuticals, and electronics• Skip Cart integrates with Shopify and frequently features 7-Eleven deliveries in many markets• Amazon Flex can pay $28/hour with 4.5-hour blocks, often completed in 3 hours• Using the FlexAlert app helps secure Amazon Flex blocks through auto-refreshing• Organizing packages effectively in your vehicle is crucial for efficient Amazon Flex deliveries• DoorDash shopping doesn't require Platinum status, but has separate Pro Shopper metrics• Meeting Pro Shopper targets (92%+ original items found, 99%+ total items found) can earn 30% higher pay• Shopping orders provide more control over your time compared to restaurant pickups• Portable benefits legislation is spreading, w

We would love to hear your feedback!News links from Ep 261We discuss how Uber and Lyft are pushing back against third-party apps like Maximo, Maestro, and GigU that allow drivers to cherry-pick more profitable rides. These apps have become essential tools for maximizing earnings, but platforms claim they violate the terms of service.• Uber and Lyft are threatening to ban drivers who use apps that help them filter ride requests• Security footage capturing a delivery driver assaulting a 67-year-old customer who questioned her package delivery• Problematic AI customer service bots completely misunderstand basic customer complaints• Financial analysts recommend Lyft stock despite skepticism from actual drivers• Uber is testing a feature that allows women riders to be paired with women drivers• Amazon package deliveries by drone and the potential HOA backlash• The potential for tax-free tips for gig workers with a possible new federal tax deductionJoin our Telegram group to connect with other gig workers, share ex

We would love to hear your feedback!We explore new developments in the gig economy landscape, from testing out Amazon Flex after a long absence to examining DoorDash's push for "portable benefits" legislation similar to California's Prop 22.• Completed a $107 Amazon Flex route after finding Walmart Spark deliveries too slow• DoorDash emails promoting "portable benefits" that would provide healthcare, PTO, and retirement options without employee classification• Introduction to the Gig Spot app for mystery shopping with tasks ranging from $9 gas station audits to $65 apartment shopping evaluations• Discussion of a California gig worker earning $2,700 in one week, with $1,759 coming from Prop 22 adjustment pay• Reddit story about a driver holding a passenger's keys hostage for an increased fee, eventually resolved with police intervention• Brief look at whether mystery shopping gigs provide comparable value to food delivery for similar payJoin us on Wednesday at 7 pm Eastern fo

We would love to hear your feedback!The DoorDash outage and customer service failures highlight the vulnerabilities gig workers face when relying on a single platform for income. Tonight, we explore recent challenges facing delivery drivers and strategies for thriving in uncertain gig work environments.News Links Ep 260• DoorDash's widespread service outage left thousands of drivers without income for over five hours• Having multiple apps is essential to avoid complete income loss during outages• Philadelphia sports venue rides face issues with drivers cancelling rides when surge pricing activates• Uber Eats customer support repeatedly misunderstood a customer trying to increase their driver's tip• Rideshare customers get frustrated with AI or script-based support systems that don't listen• A Florida grandmother delivering for Uber Eats suffered severe injuries from a dog attack• Safety precautions all delivery drivers should take include assessing the surroundings before exiting the vehicles•

We would love to hear your feedback!We dive into several hot topics affecting gig workers today, from messaging customers during delays to the heated debate about electric versus gas vehicles for delivery work. A potential tax break on tips up to $25,000 is discussed, though we're still seeking confirmation on this exciting possibility.• Exploring whether messaging customers during restaurant delays affects tips and ratings• Debating the most efficient strategy between deliveries: park and wait or drive to busier areas• Examining the economics of electric vehicles for gig work and why they face resistance• Sharing common driver pet peeves, including speakerphone calls and last-minute arrivals• Investigating a new service called Gig Shield that offers a points system for vehicle maintenanceDigital Disruption with Geoff Nielson Discover how technology is reshaping our lives and livelihoods.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showEverything Gig Economy Podcast Related: Download the audio po

We would love to hear your feedback!The tightrope between platform profits and driver welfare grows more precarious as Uber's CEO suggests tipping should be based on service quality, not necessity.• Only 20% of Uber riders tip compared to an estimated 90% for food delivery• Seattle implements groundbreaking 14-day notice requirement before driver deactivation, despite DoorDash's $3 billion quarterly revenue• Milwaukee driver strike fails when protesters block other drivers from working, resulting in police intervention• Waymo expands to offer driverless rides to teens 14-17, potentially offering parents peace of mind about driver safety• Instacart introduces "priority delivery" in as fast as 30 minutes and "no rush delivery" for cost-conscious consumers• Sleepwalking woman discovers she ordered just a honey mustard sauce from DoorDash at 1 AM• Fight between Uber driver and Atlanta sports reporter escalates to physical violence after disagreement about air conditioning• Baltimore

We would love to hear your feedback!The gig economy presents unique challenges for workers navigating safety concerns, rider expectations, and platform transparency across DoorDash, Uber, and specialized rideshare services.• Taking the DoorDash safety survey which claims 99.99% of deliveries occur without incident• Exploring the in-app safety tools most dashers never use or don't know about• Revealing personal lifetime earnings of $5,896 across 739 DoorDash deliveries• Examining the shift toward more "shop and deliver" orders rather than food delivery• Discovering "Just Her Ride Share," a women-only rideshare service operating in the Carolinas• Debating whether Uber drivers are obligated to keep trunk space available for passengers• Discussing vehicle cleanliness standards and how they impact the rider experienceRemember to rate, review, and subscribe to The Shift Hustle Show where I help you own the hustle and navigate the plot twists.Support the showEverything Gig Economy Podcast Re

We would love to hear your feedback!Returning from a Nashville meetup, the team shares wild stories of plastic horse racing, bar games, and questionable Uber experiences, while diving into significant developments in the gig economy.News Links from Ep 258• Nashville meetup featured a plastic horse racing game, bar gambling, and friendly socializing• Jason reaps profits from the weekend games while Faith organizes an entertaining scavenger hunt• Several Uber drivers encountered during the trip had dirty cars, no AC, or falsely claimed to be deaf• Jason recounts a $175 Traverse City run that required negotiation with Curri• New York Taxi Commission now requires rideshare companies to give 72 hours' notice before driver lockouts• An impostor Uber driver in Florida convinced a passenger to switch seats before being caught by police• Uber Eats customer service quality has drastically declined since the platform's early days• Atlanta becomes the fourth city to implement robot deliveries for Uber Eats• Dir

We would love to hear your feedback!Tesla Robotaxis Launch in Texas

We would love to hear your feedback!The Shift Hustle Show breaks down DoorDash safety, Spark updates, and platform perks you probably missed.The Shift Hustle Show debuts with host Jason breaking down new features and updates across major gig economy platforms to help drivers maximize earnings and improve their experience. Safety kits, rewards programs, and policy changes from DoorDash, Uber, and Spark are explored while revealing hidden perks many drivers don't know about.• DoorDash is offering $20 off safety kit bundles that include a Birdie alarm and branded merchandise• Uber is sending notifications about vehicle recalls and implementing a tiered rewards system (Blue, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond)• DoorDash's new Platinum Pass allows drivers to bank "free weeks" of status to use during vacations• Spark delivery is changing its Round Robin offer system to prioritize customer ratings over parking lot proximity• Background checks are being conducted regularly by platforms as a safety measur

We would love to hear your feedback!Waymo Prices Skyrocket & Riders Shrug

We would love to hear your feedback!Keep Your Hands Out of Your Pants While Delivering! | Faith gets salty at Rude Customer | Ep 255Episode show linksWe explore the evolving world of gig work through strange customer interactions, technological advances, and bizarre delivery mishaps that define the modern delivery landscape.• Faith, one of our super fans, responds to a rude customer by correcting their delivery instructions about a yellow fire hydrant they insisted was red• Navigating the challenges of alcohol deliveries, including dealing with absent customers and mandatory ID verification requirements• Exploring Walmart's partnership with Wing to expand drone deliveries to 100 new stores, with drones capable of cruising at 65mph• Discussing the awkward "hands in pants" controversy caught on a customer's doorbell camera• Analyzing communication barriers with non-verbal delivery drivers and the challenges they create• Examining Lyft's new safety features including PIN verification, wo

We would love to hear your feedback!The gig economy landscape continues to evolve with new features and bizarre incidents shaping how drivers and customers interact in this space.• Uber Eats introduces new heat maps showing busy areas and high-demand restaurants to help drivers maximize earnings• Uber and Lyft launch senior-focused accounts with larger text, simplified interfaces, and caregiver options• Gen Z increasingly skipping driver's licenses, with only 25% of 16-year-olds licensed in 2019 compared to 46% in 1983• A DoorDash driver in Washington State returned to a customer's home with a gun, demanding a cash tip• Viral video captures an Uber Eats delivery being made by kayak through London canals• Waymo self-driving car attempts to drive through flooded street, demonstrating challenges for autonomous vehicles in adverse weatherJoin us for our Nashville meetup on Saturday, June 28th. Time and location to be determined, but we'd love to see you there for dinner and drinks!Links from Ep 254