In the summer of 2024, I received a check-in phone call from a dear friend and retired US Navy Master Chief. He was working as an Uber driver and said he was on the way back home from San Antonio after dropping off a passenger in Austin. On the way home, he was jamming out to some praise and worship music, and he was prompted to call me up and check in. He’s the kind of guy that cheers you up whenever you talk to him. We caught up, but he got me thinking about Uber driving. As the Service Advisor of an Independent European vehicle repair center at that time, I knew some people who did it either full time or part time. For retired military guys like my friend and I, we are grateful recipients of a pension and some other veteran benefits. But finding extra and fun ways to make money are handy, especially when raising a family.
I had known other Uber drivers and started asking them about their experience. Being around a lot of car guys in my family and friend circle along with my natural enjoyment of driving peaked my interest. So after completing a grueling two-year graduate degree program from 2023-2024, I downloaded the Uber app and started driving in January of 2025. The process of Uber driving requires the initial submission of the necessary documentation to ensure that only properly qualified and safe drivers operate. The type of vehicle a driver registers also plays a factor in their categorization as a driver along with the amount they can be paid as well. The share drive ecosystem consisting of apps like Uber and Lyft are well-run and extremely convenient for users.
The administrative, operational, and technical features of Uber driving take time to master. The utilization of satellite navigation combined with street smarts and situational awareness are the main ingredients of a good driver. Uber also utilizes a telematic feature that analyzes the driver’s habits and overall performance. This feature is similar to other analytics that are used for example by insurance companies. They are programmed into vehicles by policy-holders, via a mobile app in most cases, in order to lower their insurance premiums. The purpose of these features is to monitor speeding, braking, and acceleration habits, and ultimately encouraging safer driving.
But despite all the technical adventures one can experience by driving as a rideshare operator in a big city, what has endured me most to this work is the sense of humanity and connection. Since I’ve bene doing this, I have also been able to witness so much of San Antonio and its iconic institutions that I’ve only seen in photos or videos.
Sometimes, certain passengers will ask me how long I’ve been driving Uber, how is the pay, and if I do anything else for work. In terms of maximizing your earnings, a good strategy combined with patience and grit are very helpful. Keeping a clean car, providing a neat and clean personal appearance, and being kind and friendly always raises the chances of getting good tips. People always want to be in a clean space and treated like they are highly valued.
For me, the highlight of driving Uber is the human connection and stories that are shared between myself and passengers. For an outgoing person like me, I greatly enjoy listening to people and their life stories or personal circumstances. I transport people from every demographic, and to and from every environment. Sometimes I transport medical patients to clinics and hospitals as well as students to their schools. Other types I’m taking people to and from the airport. Some people are very quiet and just want to listen to music whereas others clearly want to engage. Sometimes I’ve transported people with their pets and other times I’ve picked up people with all their groceries at a store to head home. Sometimes, I believe there are supernatural forces at work in someone’s life as they ride in my car.
Safety is the top priority for me as driver. I’ve sometimes joked with the drivers in the middle of a conversation that I need to remain mindful of my route and pay proper attention. It’s always fun when you can share moments of genuine camaraderie and laughter with a stranger. As an app, Uber is very good at monitoring drivers and passenger’s safety. One time, I transported a young lady from her home to the rodeo at the Frost Bank Center. She was a street-smart girl and worked as a bartender in downtown San Antonio. We got stuck in traffic while going through a poorly lit neighborhood near her drop-off spot. Her and I agreed for her safety that instead of just getting out of the vehicle and walking those few blocks in a dimly lit street, she would patiently remain in the car until we arrived at a location that was better illuminated and with more people walking. We finally got to a good spot, and she got out and met her friends. The Dad of two girls myself, and Anti-terrorism operator in me was thinking and at work. However, the app was checking on us due to the time delay because of the traffic. Most drivers and passengers alike appreciate those safety measures.