Logistical Nightmare

My Spanish speaking Uber driver at 7am this morning was very confused when I told him there will be no human present in the car. I had tried a service named Uber Courier — which allows you to ship items in Ubers at a steep discount to the cost of a typical Uber.

After sending last night’s blog, I checked my email for 2 reasons — partial email addiction + check the blog sent properly. And against all odds of a useful email coming in at that hour, I had received news that would have been problematic had I received it this morning.

Today I had a video shoot at Tribeca 360 Rooftop. Breastcancer.org charity luncheon. What I didn’t know about this shoot is Business Professional Attire. For whatever reason when I started my sublease in the city I had assumed I would not need a suit with me. That assumption lasted 7/8 weeks, but smack in the middle of week 8, I am scrambling to solve this problem. With the fortune of living within driving distance of my family house, I instantly thought I could solve the problem with Uber Courier.

Fast forward to this morning. Bag is packed with my outfit. From Syosset to Lifetime 23rd St, Uber Price is $95, and Uber Courier is $38. What a steal! Issue is drivers wouldn’t take the $38 ride during rush hour. Not worth their time. So I quickly realize I have to order an Uber X for my bag.

Look on a rainy day, crazy things happen with Uber. I was already preparing to LIRR home to pickup the bag and bring it back into the city.

Rather fortunately this guy said yes to a ride and by the time he gets to the house, he’s fully expecting me to be outside - rightfully so. Obviously I’m 60 miles away as this is happening.

As anyone would, I write him a detailed explanation that there will be no human entering the vehicle. Just the bag.

The response I see: I’m on top of your driveway (translated from Spanish).

That was a major red flag.

My big concern here was not the Spanish, but rather a cancellation. During rush hour, the supply of drivers willing to drive into the city is low.

And on top of all of this, I’m traveling on subways as this is happening, so cell signal keeps cutting in and out. What a mess.

I call my dad. Fortunately he was home and he goes outside to the uber driver

I give the uber driver a call and tell him, in Spanish (some may argue is broken), that my dad will be handing the bag to him and no human will be entering the vehicle.

Notification: Ride Started - 8:52 ETA.

8:47 he arrives at LifeTime 23rd St. Early!

-$120 Win.

-Jack