Don't question my passion

We recently found that an Ops person from Uber KC came to town to, ostensibly, introduce our new "Ambassador" to the community.  We don't have an Uber office here, just an individual who shows up randomly with little or no text warning.  Uber calls them an Ambassador. We call them useless, more on that later.

The Ops person (who I will call EP) and Ambassador (we'll call him AC) was picked up by one of our high ranking, most experienced Uber drivers, Renee (not her name).  Renee is sharp and she immediately noticed that EP had on a shirt with the "Uber" logo.  So Renee begins to question her about Uber's plans, specifically rates going back up in our area as we were promised when we received the "Winter Warm Up" propaganda.

Here is the response:

Yes, EP actually told Renee that if we aren't "passionate enough" as Uber drivers we should "re-evaluate" if Uber is for us.  

I don't know about all the drivers out there but I know myself and my fellow drivers here and all we've got is our passion.  

• We show our passion when we take the time to help other drivers learn the ropes and lift each other up when things go wrong.
  
  
• We show our passion for the job when we consciously decide to deal with the highly inebriated souls in a kind, ethical manner.
  
  
• We show passion when we keep spreading our referral codes to new people telling them what a great service Uber provides silently dying on the inside knowing how Uber feels about us.
  
  
• We show passion when we keep getting in our cars and treating passengers like guests in our homes despite being paid so little it's hard to keep our "home on wheels" looking and running great.  

Passion isn't just about getting the money we deserve, it's about being appreciated and treated with respect - and this is what we receive every single day from every person we pick up (well except the drunkards but we can forgive that behavior).

We are business people who use an app provided by Uber to make money.  We are not your slaves (Ms EP) - we are doing YOU a favor by driving.  If it weren't for us you wouldn't have a job.  And the pay we receive, well let's just say we know we can make more.  Which is why we confidently accept tips when offered while seeking out other, more creative ways to build our business.

You, Ms EP, will never fully understand the passion we drivers have because you have never had to depend on yourself to make a paycheck.  You, I suspect, have always had a job (and a parent or husband) that meets your every need. We are the pioneers of this on demand service.  You may not think we are a permanent part of this company, but we are a permanent part of society.  We now have a skill that we know we will be able to use far into the future:  good customer service and the ability to relate appropriately to a vast array of personalities and emotions.  Something you clearly lack in your response to the humble driver who gave you a ride when you needed it.

Take that for passion.

Click here to contact me with your questions :)