I use Uber a lot in LA, SF, and NYC, and only once got dinged with surge pricing. It was in SF, during a BART strike. Cost was 2X normal from hotel to SFO. I was a little bummed at the time, but it was made clear before I ordered the Uber.
I also recall last year getting an email from Uber that surge pricing would be in place for NYE. Considering that one usually pays 2X for food, drinks, etc on NYE, it doesn't bother me that Uber charges more. Then again, we stay home on NYE and avoid all the chaos.