Our son and his family are a quarter of the way over the Pacific now, heading for their home in Yokohama.I rented a van for the (too few) days they were with us and returned it near the airport. In the past, when Ive returned from a flight, Ive taken a taxi home from the airport. That seldom has been a pleasant experience. Today I thought Id try Uber. The young driver had some trouble finding me--I used Enterprise Rent-a-Car, and its facility is away from the airport in an area of confusing one-way streets. The driver and I talked about his studies (hes about to graduate with a degree in web design) and other things--quite different from the usually taciturn Eritreans who drive most of San Diegos taxis. Another contrast was that the Uber car was clean, and the driver didnt have a phone glued to his ear. My taxi rides home cost me about $45, which includes tip. (Yes, I give a tip for all but outright lousy service, on the principle that driving a taxi is a tough way to make a living, especially for drivers with no apparent personality.) The fee for the Uber ride was $19.51 for a slightly shorter distance--as I said, the Enterprise lot wasnt right at the airport--and Uber doesnt allow tips. So, I got to ride in a cleaner vehicle with a pleasanter driver for less than half the price. An after-ride e-mail I received from Uber tells me that I get a free Uber ride each time a friend signs up for Uber and takes his first ride--which also is free, up to $30. The offer is good anywhere in the U.S., so you dont have to live in San Diego. (Of course, you should live here for other reasons, but thats for another day.) My Uber referral code is v9whi. If enough of you sign up, I wont ever have to take a taxi again and wont even have to pay for my Uber rides home.
Posted on: Sat, 20 Sep 2014 23:27:14 +0000
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