Not my phone number

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Today my UZURV app went off with a request I immediately identified as someone I regularly pick up.  So I tapped in and was immediately selected to pick up the reservation.

Almost as quickly a fellow driver who had also seen the request started questioning how that reservation could have been picked up so quickly.  When I explained to him he said, "Like, what's the point of using the app at all? Why not just give the person your phone number and go from there."

This is a common statement from other drivers - I'll just give them my phone number.  Sounds easy enough.  And I haven't found anywhere in the terms of service where it's a violation to give out your phone number directly to a passenger so yes, I guess you could go ahead and give out your number to anyone who requests.

Here's why I don't.

On Friday my daughter had ear surgery.  I was at the surgical center and I heard my UZURV app go off.  I saw that it was one of my regular customers who needed a ride within about an hour.  But I wasn't available, obviously.  I didn't need to worry about her because I knew that since the other drivers could see she needed a ride they would respond and she would select someone else to take her.

Had I given her my number I would have gotten a phone call at a very inopportune time leaving me the choice of (1) not answering giving her no explanation or (2) answering and telling her I could not help her out.  Then I would have felt obligated to find her another ride so I would have resorted to using our driver Facebook page to let others know she needed a ride and to contact her.  All of this while my daughter is in surgery.  Either way this is not how I would like to have my Uber / UZURV customers treated.

Funny thing about Uber, it trains people to think that you're just around the corner.  They think, hey I have my Uber driver's phone number so when we're ready to go I'll just call.  You, as the dedicated Uber driver that you are, will just drop everything and go take them to the bar. No advance planning on their part. Passengers don't stop to think that you might not be available.

In fact I know of drivers who get calls at their "real job" requesting a ride... and they can't fulfill that obligation.  And some passengers will call you in the dead of night, way early morning, while you're otherwise busy.  You have no idea of knowing which ones will take advantage and call you any hour of the day / night and which ones will show a bit more restraint.

In my mind driving for Uber offers a professional relationship between passenger and driver.  Giving my personal, private phone number out to passengers crosses that line.  Not to mention that, as a female, it's more secure.  How well do I really know the passengers? It's not like they had a background check.

The additional risk is that it's easier for the passenger to call you on the phone and then offer to pay you cash.  "My card is maxed out, can I just pay you for this ride?" What are you going to say when they are in the car, ready to ping for the ride and this happens?  Because you've crossed the line between professional and personal they (the passengers) now think of you as a friend and you're somewhat obligated to help them out.  And now you are in a really awkward spot.  No matter how you prepare them up front for expectations and etc. stuff happens.  And once this line is crossed, you have violated the Terms of Service and can be deactivated.

With a "UZURVation" my customers know that I am guaranteed (at risk of additional fee to me ) to be there.  I know that I have a guaranteed incentive to show up, an extra tip in advance and if they cancel I also get paid.  Realizing that your word is stronger than oak, these are guarantees you don't get with a phone number.

But fundamentally, these are not my friends (yes they are friendly, and I love the friendly conversations and banter, but let's not confuse the issue).  I only give my number to friends and business associates as needed, people who have a "need to know." Sorry but passengers, as much as I enjoy them,  just don't qualify.

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