Massachusetts population growth slowing tremendously (wage, living, cost of living)

[Shrewsburried]

Originally Posted by redplum33

That may be the case for some people, but a lot of people do it as a 2nd job. And I think many choose to do it because it allows them to work on their own terms.

A 2nd job because they are under-employed. People with "careers" do not drive for Uber/Lyft ... period.

[redplum33]

Originally Posted by Shrewsburried

People are driving for Uber/Lyft precisely because they cannot find full time employment.

Originally Posted by redplum33

That may be the case for some people, but a lot of people do it as a 2nd job. And I think many choose to do it because it allows them to work on their own terms.

Originally Posted by Shrewsburried

A 2nd job because they are under-employed. People with "careers" do not drive for Uber/Lyft ... period.

You don't know everyone's situation. I'd bet plenty of people with "careers" do it for a couple hours at night to help pay off student loans or whatever.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by Shrewsburried

A 2nd job because they are under-employed. People with "careers" do not drive for Uber/Lyft ... period.

My last Uber driver worked as a broker during the day, so that claim is DOA.

[Shrewsburried]

Originally Posted by massnative71

My last Uber driver worked as a broker during the day, so that claim is DOA.

Unless you’re seeing these peoples W2, your personal anecdotes don’t invalidate the overwhelming evidence suggesting drivers are generally low income and under employed. Valid research suggests that, after operating costs, actual pay is 8.55-11.77 per hour. View capable of making a middle class living are driving rideshare unless they’re desperate or financially illiterate.

My uncle drives for Lyft and I’m sure, given what he projects to his own family, he tells all his rides he’s a “real estate investor, landlord, and/or financial advisor”. While there’s some truth there, the reality is he’s on the cusp of bankruptcy and struggling to maintain his debt obligations. He’s not doing it by choice, but he’ll certainly suggest otherwise.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by Shrewsburried

Unless you’re seeing these peoples W2, your personal anecdotes don’t invalidate the overwhelming evidence suggesting drivers are generally low income and under employed. Valid research suggests that, after operating costs, actual pay is 8.55-11.77 per hour. View capable of making a middle class living are driving rideshare unless they’re desperate or financially illiterate.

My uncle drives for Lyft and I’m sure, given what he projects to his own family, he tells all his rides he’s a “real estate investor, landlord, and/or financial advisor”. While there’s some truth there, the reality is he’s on the cusp of bankruptcy and struggling to maintain his debt obligations. He’s not doing it by choice, but he’ll certainly suggest otherwise.

Hahahaha, NO...I had a long conversation with this guy, it was one of those small word stories. I am very familiar with the company he works for, turns out he knew a couple of the guys I knew from that same office I deal with. I believe he was going through a divorce, was driving on the weekends to help with his legal bills, etc. and planned on ceasing it once he got through the storm. That's not an uncommon story, and I'm sure there's all kinds of unique situations like that with people looking for extra cash with that kind of flexibility. I'm sure there are plenty like your uncle as well. I'm just pointing out the invalidity of these blanketed claims you often make. Why do you toss out words like "period" when you truly aren't all that familiar dude?

[Bridge781]

I think more people are drivers for Uber and Lyft than you realize. And they have added to the traffic problem in Boston. Think about it, it’s easy money. You just sit there and drive and get paid to do it.

[Snapshoot]

Originally Posted by massnative71

LMAO! You are proven wrong so you move the goal posts and post an article from 2015. A lot has changed since then "dude", and yes much of it is due to immigration.


https://www.thestar.com/halifax/2019...-the-rise.html
https://www.cicnews.com/2019/12/reco...html#gs.uatky5
https://business.financialpost.com/n...uoyant-economy

you dont really understand the issue. Canada is importing people BECAUSE ITS POPULATION GROWTH IS NEGATIVE. the problem persist. population loss its still there. the GOV is artificially maintaining the populations levels with mass immigration. People are not having children and emigrating to the west while the GOV imports people to replace them.

if you have a car with a hole in the gas tank, losing gas. do you solve the problem by putting more gas?

[redplum33]

Originally Posted by Shrewsburried

overwhelming evidence suggesting drivers are generally low income and under employed.

Nobody has argued otherwise. But that's not what you said earlier.


"People with "careers" do not drive for Uber/Lyft ... period."


And don't think you're immune from being in a position where you're struggling to make ends meet and need to do this type of work for a few hours a night. Heck, your husband could leave you tomorrow and all of a sudden your household goes from double income to single income.

[Shrewsburried]

Originally Posted by massnative71

Hahahaha, NO...I had a long conversation with this guy, it was one of those small word stories. I am very familiar with the company he works for, turns out he knew a couple of the guys I knew from that same office I deal with. I believe he was going through a divorce, was driving on the weekends to help with the legal bills, etc. and planned on ceasing it once he got through the storm. That's not an uncommon story, and I'm sure there's all kinds of unique situations like that with people looking for extra cash with that kind of flexibility. I'm sure there are plenty like your uncle as well. I'm just pointing out the invalidity of these blanketed claims you often make. Why do you toss out words like "period" when you truly aren't all that familiar dude?

You do realize your story literally validates the narrative I'm painting here, right? When I made the "period" statement I obviously did not mean it in absolute terms.

My original comment was addressing the notion that Uber/Lyft was creating a shortage of workers at the low end, which is an objectively false narrative as there are plenty of underemployed teens and low skill adults (the data says so). Whether you're driving Uber to back fill a 30hr retail job or to cover bills as a broker, either scenario satisfies the definition of "underemployed".

Workers with "careers" ... generally speaking ... do not pursue ride share for additional income. They'll seek OT, part time jobs in their scope of knowledge, side work (particularly in the trades), or promotions within their field. Yes, I'm sure there are ride share drivers who supplement reasonably high incomes, but these (financially illiterate or desperate) temporary workers do not represent the median situation. Most making 25/hr+ possess enough critical thinking to know ride share income is a pittance wage by the time overhead is paid.

You guys are pointing at trees here, while I'm suggesting you acknowledge the forest ... ride share drivers are, as a whole, financially desperate and it's popularity among most demographics of workers is largely fueled by underemployment/lack of opportunity.

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by Bridge781

I think more people are drivers for Uber and Lyft than you realize. And they have added to the traffic problem in Boston. Think about it, it’s easy money. You just sit there and drive and get paid to do it.

It's not easy. Some of my good friends and my partner did it (small business owner, and there are some bad months). Even if they're on top of things and factor in depreciation, the return is dismal. Not worth it at all except on bonus weekends. It's a cash flow thing for many, just trying to make ends meet.