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I casually drove for Uber during the week to and from work at one point. Made about $75 extra per week for my particular commute. Almost used it as a way out of a very toxic work culture. It has its uses, just don’t expect it to be a suitable permanent, full time job and you’ll be okay.
Yea.. Because, if doing Uber doesn't work for you, then there is no way others can make it work for them
When this bad idea unravels, Amazon will be hurt as much by it, as the workers who tried it. The whole thing sounds very undependable and impossible to tightly organize. I'd compare it to trying to herd cats. If I spent big bucks on a new camera or some such thing, I wouldn't want an independent operator bringing it to me in a junker car that might not even keep running long enough.
I was a Domino’s delivery driver 30 some years ago. Dominos didn’t pay for gas or benefits either. They gave the standard Federal mileage deduction, which is what these drivers will get. I don’t think this is a good thing for the future of work, but it hardly started with Amazon.
When this bad idea unravels, Amazon will be hurt as much by it, as the workers who tried it. The whole thing sounds very undependable and impossible to tightly organize. I'd compare it to trying to herd cats. If I spent big bucks on a new camera or some such thing, I wouldn't want an independent operator bringing it to me in a junker car that might not even keep running long enough.
What on earth would make you think it was a junker car? It’s already begun, I’ve gotten many many packages already delivered by Amazon flex drivers and I’m in a rural area. You wouldn’t be responsible for anything that came damaged in any case, although there is hardly any reason to think that a flex driver would somehow be less careful that a UPS driver. Again, I don’t think this is a good idea for the future of work. We’re moving into a piecemeal work society rather than full-time with benefits work society. But I think there’s nothing wrong with the service on its face. It’s one thing to criticize the company, but I think it’s silly to criticize the drivers themselves or imply they aren’t competent enough to deliver a package.
Walmart is doing the same thing now. The last time I had Walmart groceries delivered, they had subcontract drivers I had a girl and her mother deliver my groceries in a van. They are no longer Walmart employees.
When this bad idea unravels, Amazon will be hurt as much by it, as the workers who tried it. The whole thing sounds very undependable and impossible to tightly organize. I'd compare it to trying to herd cats. If I spent big bucks on a new camera or some such thing, I wouldn't want an independent operator bringing it to me in a junker car that might not even keep running long enough.
I think amazon will go downhill anyway. Here's why:
There is a long thread about this already. A few people who drive Uber/Lyft gave some insight. It pays adequately for people who are in the right situation and understand the business.
I would submit that anyone who believes Uber is "paying adequately" does not understand the business, nor have they actually calculated all of their very real expenses.
The only way you can be in "the right situation" to actually make money at ride sharing is if you don't have to pay for your car, gas, insurance, maintenance, repairs, etc. from what you bring in. Once you factor in all of the costs, you don't actually make all that much. Barely even minimum wage.
As the months and years go by, I'm actually finding that there isn't that much that Amazon offers that I really want, and even less than I actually need. There are obviously some things that have considerable merit, but there an awful lot of second-hand "garbage" that the current owners are just trying to get rid of. I browse for a bit, but then the inevitable question arises: Do I want to add more junk to my household?
The answer, increasingly, is "No".
Disgusting trend of making paid/insured employees into "independent contractors", w/no benefits whatsoever. You reap what you sew...
As a rule, I try to purchase things that I need and sometimes hard to find items that I want. I've never had any issues with amazon, other than one particular item not working. The item was a desk top stone water fountain. The pump on the fountain was broken, but it wasn't a big deal, since I was able to quickly purchase a $7.00 replacement pump.
I would submit that anyone who believes Uber is "paying adequately" does not understand the business, nor have they actually calculated all of their very real expenses.
The only way you can be in "the right situation" to actually make money at ride sharing is if you don't have to pay for your car, gas, insurance, maintenance, repairs, etc. from what you bring in. Once you factor in all of the costs, you don't actually make all that much. Barely even minimum wage.
Funny, I explored 'drone pilot' as a part time job recently. That market has shifted greatly as the tech has lowered in cost (barrier to entry lower). No surprise there, gadgets are always getting better as materials (composites), batteries, cameras, and microprocessors continue to explode/massively improve YoY. That's all a drone is, those components. I'll pass on that, probably, though do like gadgets.
OTOH, I wonder if Amazon will need a fleet of ind. contractor (IC) drone pilots...haven't looked into that. As a sidebar business, in my town, since drones have limited range and all... it does sound a bit intriguing. Depending on lift capacity, what the FAA thinks of all this, and much more. Someone must have figured they could monetize it, though. Given sufficient downward pressure on drone costs per-hour, I bet it's "possible."
That kind of defeats the purpose of a drone, which is by definition "unmanned"
Drones will be automated and programmed, no need for a pilot.
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