[cpks]

The Uber drvers I speak to have generally have had a much more positive experience.

One difference may be point-of-reference. A software engineer has much higher expectations for income, treatment, etc. than blue collar or unskilled workers do. The Radio Shack article a few weeks back is much closer to what happens to most people in the US.

When you talk to taxi drivers, the experience is much, much worse. They have to lease a medallion. The rates vary by market, but typical price might be $150 per day. Because they lease the medallion, they're generally forced to work insane hours. An 8 hour shift is a guaranteed money-losing proposition. Still, if they make less than $150 -- which happens on a bad day, they come out behind. If they have a good day, they'll make a bit over minimum wage. The income is incredibly variable -- a fixed $150/day cost, combined with variable revenue, guarantees that. That makes financial management tough.

It's a really tough, really bad business.

Compared to that, Uber and similar services are a breath of fresh air.