[jonknee]

> Even if that's the case, why would someone contract themselves out for less than minimum wage, when any low-effort job would be paying more than that?

Because other low effort jobs don't let you start and stop whenever you want? Because other low effort jobs don't take anyone with a car and clean record? Because lots of reasons.

[danso]

Yeah, this is key. I've had countless drivers who were unemployed, either by choice (retirement) or circumstance. A few do try to make it a full-time job. But there's plenty who see it as a stop-gap, something to do when you have time and energy to help make ends meet, and that you can stop at any time, which is important when you're in job-interviewing mode.