Yes and no with with regard to job allocation. I will frequently decline low paying trips several minutes out and get higher paying trips that are also closer seconds later. I can keep waiting it out until a desirable ping comes in.

Uber did previously put drivers on timeout for 2 min or more for declining too many requests. This backfired since it reduced available drivers which only prolonged surges. Often times this helped because surge was higher by the time I was able to log back in.

The problem is that Uber will continue to dispatch low paying rides from long distances hoping for a sucker to accept them rather than provide an incentive for accepting them (aka increased rates or minimum fare) I don't care about being pushed down the queue for pings if all that is being offered are crappy rides. There is literally no reward or having higher acceptance rates except for a measly bonus, so drivers who work smart and position correctly and accept their rides wisely make more money. This isn't like a taxi company where the dispatcher will throw you a bone for taking crap rides all day.