[ghshephard]

That used to be the common case (side deals with drivers) with Taxis on the Peninsula, but only because taxi dispatch was so horrible. - The value of Uber (at least for me) when you are in a Major metropolitan area is that it requires precisely zero advance preparation. Hit a button, walk out - and your Uber arrives precisely according to it's geo-tracking information.

While I'm sure there are people who strike side deals with drivers, I'd be surprised if that rose to anywhere near 5% of total volume.

Now - if you are having drivers calling you, or cancelling you (in 500+ Uber Rides, I've only had four cancellations after 60 seconds, and no driver has ever called to ask where I'm going) - it sounds like you live in a really crappy Uber dispatch area, so perhaps reverting back to side deals makes sense...

[hkmurakami]

Recently learned that there are Chinese drivers who have been in this business for decades in the peninsula, catering to Chinese families. Especially useful if you have an older relative who's not comfortable with English. It really does make sense for both sides.