Pros
Steady and easy pay, flexible schedule for those that need it; if you need to make any sort of money on short notice, it’s a good move. As long as you can pass the driving test, it’s very quick and easy to be onboarded.
Cons
The high level of service that was there before Alto became a Uber fleet partner in LA instead of an Uber competitor is not there (water, chargers, music, etc.). Therefore, riders see a downgrade in service which will likely result in lower tips. They tell us we can’t hook up our own phone for music and to stick to radio. Listening to commercials for half your ride is not only depressing, but it kills the mood for the drivers as well. Even though I always tip rideshares from everything I’ve seen, witnessed, and read online, only about 25% of people tip. The hourly pay is also lower than before. A decent hourly pay ($20+) under the old structure is why I would choose them as a rider (showed they cared about their employees compared to Uber). I go to training and learned that it’s now minimum wage, which is disappointing. The most tip I’ve received on an 8 hour shift is around $80, and that was highly unusual. I’ve also received $0 in tips. There’s just no good way to know. In training, they tell you to offer superior service for tips, but I found that it really doesn’t make a huge difference. The onboarding is subpar. While the trainer was engaging and knowledgeable, on your first day driving don’t expect the same engagement. They rush you through everything with no discussion about the car itself. You have to be in your car and driving in 7 minutes. They should at least offer you 30 minutes of paid time for someone to walk you through the process, ask if you questions, walk around the car to make sure you understand all the features; to me that will translate into a better ride and experience for the riders. I have no idea who my boss is and it’s about a 50% chance you’re gonna get someone that wants to help you if you have questions. If your car has issues, the Uber app malfunctions, or you need assistance from dispatch, you can be waiting for a while further help. You also have zero control over where you take breaks or lunch because the app automatically accepts rides that can send you well out of your way even after you’ve scoped out a good spot. Lastly, they give us CHEAP wired earbuds to listen to dispatch but they are known to break immediately, and we have to replace them out of our own pocket. Why not just provide quality equipment instead of expecting drivers to buy their own knowing that we make the bare minimum. Lastly, expect to come in early and leave nearly 30 min later with no pay to park and get your car from the Hollywood depot. It does tandem parking with just 1 valet for dozens of cars.
