Recent Experiences Post Pandemic
#46
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: Jun 2004
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And even if there is, there is simply no way to guarantee everyone wears an effective mask (most people wear little more than a surgical mask which is known to do nothing).
Lastly wearing a mask is uncomfortable and impractical for people like me who have a breathing difficulty doing physical exertion in the best of times.
Since coronavirus is contagious for days prior to any symptoms, nobody knows that they don't have it.
Last edited by sethb; Jul 8, 2020 at 2:28 pm Reason: typo
#47




Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: UA MM
Posts: 1,608
Anti-maskers seem to make all sorts of excuses and rationalizations for what basically comes down to a lack of respect for others. I would not consider getting in a car with a maskless stranger. Question: If I call for an uber and then the driver isn't wearing a mask so I won't get in, is there still a way to complain? Technically I have not taken a trip.
#48
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: Top Tier with all 3 alliances
Posts: 19,979
Anti-maskers seem to make all sorts of excuses and rationalizations for what basically comes down to a lack of respect for others. I would not consider getting in a car with a maskless stranger. Question: If I call for an uber and then the driver isn't wearing a mask so I won't get in, is there still a way to complain? Technically I have not taken a trip.
#49
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
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I've ridden in a dozen or so Ubers/Lyfts since the pandemic, all in Atlanta. The experience has been the same as pre virus except they wear a mask and I wear a mask. Vehicle cleanliness and driving navigation remain as hit or miss as before.
#50




Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: JFK LGA PBI BOI
Posts: 928
Most NYC Uber/Lyft have clear shower curtains between the front seat row and the back. Every trip I've taken the driver is compliant and also wears a mask.
I've also asked for the A/C to be off and to open windows. Not that A/C gets to the back much with some of these shower curtains as some are very well secured top to bottem and some are just call it sneeze guards and open and the edges.
Of course when in traffic ind 90 degree humid weather with windows open or raining is not much fun.
I've also asked for the A/C to be off and to open windows. Not that A/C gets to the back much with some of these shower curtains as some are very well secured top to bottem and some are just call it sneeze guards and open and the edges.
Of course when in traffic ind 90 degree humid weather with windows open or raining is not much fun.
#51
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Paris & Scotland (Laird), "Suite on the World"
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Posts: 592
Which completely defeats the purpose of the mask and ought to count as not wearing one.
If surgical masks are "none to do nothing" why do surgeons wear them, and continue to do so for decades?
So your comfort is more important than someone else's health and
They still cut your emissions by more than that, so masks primarily protect other people.
it.
If surgical masks are "none to do nothing" why do surgeons wear them, and continue to do so for decades?
So your comfort is more important than someone else's health and
They still cut your emissions by more than that, so masks primarily protect other people.
it.
#52
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,856
I rode a Lyft back from RDU this week. The driver wouldn't take the hint that I didn't want to talk and informed me on his thoughts about rioting and "Chicago". Minus the masks it was just like the old days
#53




Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: New England
Programs: DL, UA, AA, B6, 2V, Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt
Posts: 6,129
I commute with Uber and Lyft, and it has been hell during the pandemic to get a ride. Wait times of over half an hour are typical. I've ridden with some Lyft employees (They work for Lyft but also drive) and they told me that it's a combination of many factors.
- Less demand means that drivers don't think they can make a lot of money to make it worth their time. This has caused the supply to fall faster than the demand. I was told that the trick to getting a ride was to try to request the rides around the time of hospital shift changes, as that's when the supply increases from a perceived demand.
- Unemployment. Part time drivers with other jobs are most likely furloughed at this time, and are collecting unemployment benefits. Since the pandemic unemployment compensation program adds $600 a week on top of their regular unemployment, there's no incentive to go out and risk their health to drive. Full time drivers are also eligible for pandemic unemployment benefits in some states, so if they can get by on that, then they will, instead of going out to risk their health driving. If they can't get by on that, they can collect the benefit while still driving.
- Due to some government systems being down during the early months of the pandemic, Uber and Lyft were not able to run background checks. Drivers who did not have their background check before the shutdown weren't allowed to drive, and drivers who were allowed to drive while their background check was in progress were deactivated.
I'm curious to see what happens in a couple weeks when the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (as part of the CARES Act) ends.
- Less demand means that drivers don't think they can make a lot of money to make it worth their time. This has caused the supply to fall faster than the demand. I was told that the trick to getting a ride was to try to request the rides around the time of hospital shift changes, as that's when the supply increases from a perceived demand.
- Unemployment. Part time drivers with other jobs are most likely furloughed at this time, and are collecting unemployment benefits. Since the pandemic unemployment compensation program adds $600 a week on top of their regular unemployment, there's no incentive to go out and risk their health to drive. Full time drivers are also eligible for pandemic unemployment benefits in some states, so if they can get by on that, then they will, instead of going out to risk their health driving. If they can't get by on that, they can collect the benefit while still driving.
- Due to some government systems being down during the early months of the pandemic, Uber and Lyft were not able to run background checks. Drivers who did not have their background check before the shutdown weren't allowed to drive, and drivers who were allowed to drive while their background check was in progress were deactivated.
I'm curious to see what happens in a couple weeks when the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (as part of the CARES Act) ends.
#54
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: Top Tier with all 3 alliances
Posts: 19,979
I haven't used the service for 4 months now, but I check occasionally and it seems indeed availability is not good. I would recommend pre-scheduling the rides, if that's still an option, for important occasions.
#56
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: Top Tier with all 3 alliances
Posts: 19,979
Back before covid I would occasionally double call rides from both apps, especially when time-sensitive, because I had such a high ride drop rate (even with a near 5 rating), it was infuriating, so I had to.

