Hello Everyone. Today
is Part Duece of what goes down at the Bush and Hobby TNC lots. For those of you that are not drivers and
unfamiliar with our jargon, the Houston Airport System (HAS) has designated
waiting lots for Uber drivers at IAH (Bush) and HOU (Hobby) Airports. TNC comes from the term “Transportation
Network Compliance” which used to be when drivers were regulated by the City of
Houston. Hence the name “TNC Lots”.
The Good Ole Days
Once upon a time (circa 2014), the TNC lots used to be a nice friendly
place for drivers to hang out while waiting on an airport fare. People could meet up with other drivers that
they’ve become familiar with from the Houston Uber Facebook Groups. Friendships were made. Lunches were shared. Drivers got some occasional nap time in. Some read books. Some brought their computers. People cleaned their cars. Some were students and did homework. Some drivers even brought their prayer
rugs. Someone occasionally came by to
sell snacks and beverages. It was
basically, a simple casual meet up place while waiting for a trip. The lots had no marked parking areas or much
signage. The only complaints were the
garbage not getting collected or the porta-potties cleaned on a regular
basis. The queues went fairly quickly.
Hell on Earth
Fast forward to 2016.
With more and more drivers onboarding, the number of drivers grew to
over 10,000 in Houston alone, the TNC lots began to get packed like
sardines. Waiting for an airport trip
took much longer. This is also
attributed to Uber significantly dropping rates to such low levels, the drivers’
preference for airport fares grew astronomically. Drivers started forming gangs to claim
territory and rule over the lots, thus harassing other drivers and making many
uncomfortable. Fake GPS apps came into
play more and more. Cell phone jamming
occurred on occasion (until recently where it got much worse). Garbage littered the lots. Urine smells from drivers whipping it out and
pissing outside by their cars. Fights
breaking out. Occasional fender
benders. People parked anywhere and
everywhere blocking others in. It
became a zoo. Not to mention a number of
drivers started displaying very poor hygiene.
Actual Footage taken at IAH TNC lot in September of 2017
HAS responded at the IAH & HOU TNC Lots by putting up
fencing, installing signage, putting up metal posts, painting in the parking
spots, and creating entrance and exit lanes.
On the plus side they installed more porta potties, started to regularly
clean them and empty trash, as well as installing non-potable water stations
with soap, water, and paper towels. Things
got a little better until the TX bill that was signed by Govenor Abbott in May 29, 2017, thus
abolishing the City of Houston TNC laws.
Drivers now can drive anywhere and did not have to submit to a strict
background, health, or vehicle safety checks.
The Houston driver population quickly skyrocketed to over 65,000 on
boarded drivers.
However, with some of these changes at the airports, things still continued
to go to shit when the lowest of drivers started using the non-potable water
stations as their personal bathing station.
I’m really not shitting you, though I wish I was. There are actually drivers with really bad
hygiene. I don’t know how passengers
stand it.
 |
| "Yo...you in the mini van. WTF happened to you?" |
 |
| Friday Night Lights |
Actual (Unedited) Comments from drivers in the Houston Uber
Facebook Groups
“Im keeping my head out of it. It's really disgusting some
of the things I see in the tnc lot and I stopped going because I am not
profiting. Just be careful, this is the kind of stuff that leads to body bags
and law suits. But what do I know.”
“I drop off and then I drive through to get in the queue.
Then I go to the convenience store, McDonald's, Jack in the box or go get gas.
Then I drive through the geofence area again to stay in the queue. Sometimes I
get a ride, if it's short I drive back to keep myself in the queue. If it's
long then so be it. If I'm still around by the time I'm down to about 21-30
then I go to the lot. One time out riding around I did a pickup to take someone
to Hobby from Humble. I spend as little time in the TNC lot as possible.”
“After being physically hit (on my leg) by another car at
the Bush TNC lot I decided to make fewer trips there. They are a bunch of con
men getting rich off shenanigans while we get the short trips. Not to mention
the rudeness towards women.”
“A lot of folks are using Fake GPS programs to place
themselves in queue and stay at home until it's almost time for their ride or
use another ride share app to take other rides.”
“Is it just me or is the queue jacked up....I pull into the
lot and my app says 31-40 and there are at least 100 cars in the lot. Happening
a lot lately”
“I had a guy come and hit the top of my car because I slide
in a parking spot before he did. I politely informed him the next thing he'll
be hitting is the cement if he does that again.”
“about a year ago I had the unpleasant honor to see a guy
jacking it as I walked by to the crappy porto potty smh”
“You know the group of men that hang out right as you drive
in the lot....check the next time you go in and see if there are any there with
multiple phone”
“My car has been keyed”
“So I don't have a story about what you asked about and I
try to avoid bush as much as I can, but I do need to nag about a group of
individuals who I always see the times I've been there. They all hang out by
the fence and act like they run the show there . Dictating who and who cannot
park against their little hang out wall. One time one of them literally stood
behind an older man's van, started pounding at the back and when the man went
back to ask wth was going on, this dude was about to kick his behind was it not
because his friends stop him.”
“Was hearing today that there are a couple who frequent the
IAH TNC staging area who walk around and use cell phone jammers....then my
phone coincidentally lost all signal for about 10 minutes. Now that is dirty.
I'm legitimately not upset I lost my place in que because I didn't want to be
out there today anyways. Gave me a reason to say fuck it and come back home.”
So there you have it. TNC Lots are definitely no joy. It's only a matter of time before they bring in drug dealing and prostitution.
On a side note..... I just celebrated my One Year Anniversary at my full time job. The cupcakes were delish! Tune in for tomorrow's final part to the TNC Conundrums.....Part Three - (It's a surprise!)
Want to drive Uber? https://partners.uber.com/i/x1zcnue
Want to drive Lyft? https://www.lyft.com/drivers/JENNIFER643082
If you want to become a driver on either platform, and haven't tried SWAGBUCKS. Join SWAGBUCKS for credits towards free gift cards first so you can get a LARGE number of swagbuck points when you sign up for Uber or Lyft.
No comments:
Post a Comment