This North Carolina Uber driver earns $28,000 by rejecting most rides

A 70-year-old Uber driver from North Carolina, United States, recently shared his unconventional approach to earning extra income in retirement. Instead of accepting most ride requests, he revealed that he had accepted less than 10% of them and canceled more than 30% of the rides.

The main reason for his selective approach was his desire to use his time efficiently, choosing only those requests that he considered worthwhile. Last year, he managed to earn $28,000 (equivalent to Rs 22 lakh based on the 2022 average conversion rate) by canceling almost 1,500 trips.

Earlier, the man would work 40 hours a week but due to the reduction in surge, the time had now come down to 30 hours a week now.


He explained, "I spend a lot of time saying no. I don't work unless we have a surge."

To maximize his earnings, the Uber driver employed specific strategies. He positioned himself in busy locations like bars and airports between 10:00 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Additionally, he avoided taking "one-way rides." He recalled an instance when he drove a customer for nearly two hours, covering a significant distance, and received only $27 (approximately Rs 2,246) in payment.

While his approach carries some risk, as Uber discourages drivers from refusing or canceling trips based on the destination, the man remained committed to his strategy. He emphasized that he drives not out of necessity but for the enjoyment of it, stating, "I drive to get out and don't need the money. I love it."