Typically as an Uber driver is dropping off a passenger to the airport, they will check to see how many cars are in queue. You know...... to see if it would be worth sticking around before going about their merry way in the search of the next pax. They see a low queue count and think, "Cool! I will get a trip out in no time!" WRONG!
WARNING! WARNING! JAMMING DEVICES IN USE!
The reason why the queue looks so low when its really not is drivers are systematically being kicked off-line without warning. When you come in at 21-30 cars, you expect to be out of there in 30 minutes tops. Instead, you're going to be there well over 2 hours. We used to be able to gauge the wait time. For example 161-170 meant a 2 1/2 hour wait; 81-90 could mean 1 to 1 1/2 hour wait; 21-30 meant 20-30 minute wait. So everyone has the same queue number (like 50-60 drivers thinking they're in the 21-30 count queue). So be warned. The queue numbers are total bull shit. Don't fall for it!
What exactly is a cell phone jamming device?
These are pretty basic devices. The simplest have an on/off switch. Every jamming device has to have an antenna to send out the signal. On stronger devices, antennas are external to provide long range and be tuned for individual frequency. Jamming devices typically have a reach of 30-75 feet.
One time, I was pissed at waiting forever in the 1-10 count at Hobby and decided to leave and try my luck elsewhere. As soon as I drive out of the lot, I got a ping. This has also happened to me at other random times. I'm like... what the fuck?
A cell phone jamming device is a device used to overpower the cell phone by transmitting a signal on the same frequency and at a high enough power that the two signals collide, thus cancel each other out. Cell phones are designed to add power if they experience low-level interference, so the jammer must recognize and match the power increase from the phone. In other words.....You lose your place in queue, but put back in the same wait as this is systematically occurring to all the cell phones in your area. You think you can depend on your wi-fy or cell phone data. Think again. They can jam those signals as well.
"Who is doing this?" you ask. Well the Uber drivers known as "The Airport Mafia". These guys are typically seen trying to do traffic control, setting up shop in certain areas where other drivers are not allowed, parking in the middle of right of way passages and parking where ever the hell they want without regards to other drivers. They use group bullying intimidation practices. Sometimes they are walking around (probably with cell phone jammers in hand). There are several Airport Mafias. Below is one group where I got pictures from two different Uber driver sources. These fuck-wads are some of the known offenders.
Nigerian Mafia Headquarters
What can you do?
1) First be weary of abnormally low queue numbers. You know jammers are present.
2) Know that Federal law prohibits the operation, marketing, or sale of any type of jamming device. Contact the FCC at https://www.fcc.gov/general/jammer-enforcement.
3) Contact your cell phone provider to alert them. Jamming is seen as property theft, because a private company has purchased the rights to the radio spectrum, and jamming the spectrum is akin to stealing the property the company has purchased. It also represents a safety hazard because jamming blocks all calls including 911. Cell phone providers can pull the data to pin point the location of where the signal jamming is occurring.
4) The Uber queue gives you a generous amount of distance to park and drive around while remaining in queue. Avoid the Bush TNC lot and go where there are little to no cars in the area. There's plenty of room on Lee Road. The same goes at Hobby. Try to move around that area out of the TNC lot.
5) Some of your cell phone providers have cell phone signal boosters. You can also purchase a weBoost or a car cell phone booster at various prices from Amazon or Best Buy. Anything to keep your signal strong.... Right?
6) Get a bunch of people together with the same concern, and go to one of the Uber Green Light Hubs. See if you can talk to a manager or someone higher up about your experiences and concerns. Emailing won't work. You'll get either a generic response from India or a robo-email thanking you for your concern.
7) Let the Houston Airport System know. This is their signal space too and I'm sure signal jamming could be interfering with their operations as well. Hence this makes what's going on even more illegal as fuck.
This is a small series about the seriousness of the problems arising at the Rideshare TNC lots in Houston. It's time we take our business back and make sure we all have the same opportunity to make a decent profit without hindrance or terrorism tactics from others.
This is a three part article series. Stay in tune for tomorrow's blog. Part Two (TNC Lots from Hell)
https://transition.fcc.gov/eb/jammerenforcement/jamfaq.pdf
https://transition.fcc.gov/eb/jammerenforcement/jamfaq.pdf
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