[joe_the_user]

Ex-taxi driver,

Taxi’s maybe have been shit but that does not in anyway justify Uber breaking the law to conquer the market (btw, now that they’ve done that, they’ve also turned to shit because it was unsustainable).

Literal or not, taxi companies really are as a rule something akin to local Mafiosos. They break the law all the time. The extent to which Uber screwed over it's drivers and to an extent risked the safety of it's riders bothers me. That Uber flouted local regulations intended to keep taxis services in the hands of local politicos' scumbag friends bothers me not in the least.

And as Uber rose, lots of drivers would drive both taxis and Uber, with each having advantageous and disadvantageous. And I also remember finally checking tire pressure on a cab I'd been paying to use for a bit - random amounts between 10 psi to 40 psi with half the tires bald. Taxi companies are filth and I laugh to hear any of them out of business. Sure Uber isn't much better but the point is Uber vs local Taxi company isn't a fight where people should be routing for a side. Tossing bottles at both sides, sure but not taking a side.

[1vuio0pswjnm7]

"Tossing bottles at both sides, sure but not taking a side."

In the 1920s, Yellow Cab and Checker Cab engaged in shootouts on the streets of Chicago. A guy named John Hertz owned Yellow Cab. He also owned racehorses. In 1923, he bought a rental car company. In 1929, arsonists targeted his stables. He then sold Yellow Cab.

However the story told by this Uber leak is not about one company versus another. The sides in this battle are (a) Uber and (b) the people, as represented through the state or government.

[MWil]

Given what we know about Chicago gangs historically - is that really indicative of the national business model of taxicab companies or is that just what the Chicago gangs invested in and where they chose to flex their might?

[hourago]

> Literal or not, taxi companies really are as a rule something akin to local Mafiosos.

Uber is NOT better. Read the article. They just take a bigger chunk from drivers and do not pay taxes.

I want Uber to disappear because their uncontrollable power, they use ride data to spy politicians, they avoid paying taxes, they mistreat their "employees", ...

Both sides are the same is false, and it is false in almost all situations. (Vote!)

[bighead777]

Wtf are you smoking, you want Uber disappear because you think it has too much controllable power?

You can say that to literally every fortune 500 companies.

[Terry_Roll]

And you dont think some traditional taxi firms do this already?

They are one of many eyes and ears on the ground, tracking people's movements.

[Scarblac]

This really depends on where you are, taxi laws and companies are not the same everywhere, Uber mostly is.

[blobbers]

Appreciate the driver insight here! We often play off “the good old days” before tech took over industry X.

Nice to know history isn’t all roses and sugar in reality.

[joe_the_user]

I should admit that I drove for only a month but I also have known quite a few longer-time drivers. And in my defense, the industry was setup so most people stayed for that short time and only a few people, who actually bought their cabs, stayed for longer, literally ate and slept in their cars and made a chunk of money over, who knows, five years but also quit but in better shape financially (and worse shape physically, I'm sure).

[zasdffaa]

Was in an uber once, driver told me he did 14 hour days and was very happy with the money he was making. From memory, 4k £ (UK) though maybe I misremember.

14 hour days, eh? I didn't ask if he thought that was safe. Uber should never let that happen but clearly they were ok with it, or with carefully not looking.

[brutusborn]

4k monthly?

[zasdffaa]

Sorry, you're right, monthly

[noptd]

You should include this disclaimer as you commented below

>I should admit that I drove for only a month

so that readers can properly weigh your experiences when forming an opinion.