Reference Guide for Drivers by Drivers

Being an Uber driver we have to be  knowledgeable about the best place for vehicle maintenance and repairs, and whatever else may come up.  This is a guide that is a work in progress for drivers, by drivers.

I've also added some helpful links for D-I-Y's
Link to My Auto Repair Advice


Apollo Paint & Body Shop - Collision repair shop
6890 Southwest Freeway, Houston, TX 77074
713-334-6400
www.apollopaintandbody.com
"They do great work, are fast and competitive.  They will tow your car and provide you with a free rental while they repair your car as well.  They work regularly with insurance adjusters and will often discount your deductible.  Good guys that I've used multiple times."

C.A.R.S. - Auto Services and Repairs
612 W Philips St, Conroe TX
936-242-8941
"Discounts, fast service"

Chile's Garage -  Collision repair and more. Oil changes, tune ups, brakes, minor mechanics, windshields and so much more
9611 Neuens Road, Houston, TX
832-934-4567
www.chilesgarage.com under construction
"They take really good care of Uber drivers and anybody in general. They're prices are very competitive in most cases, but their turnaround time on work is amazing. They are very professional."

Express Tire Shop and Auto Repair - Tires and auto repair
11375 Old Hwy 105 E, Conroe, TX 77301
936-756-3830
"Great guys.  Seem like honest folks.  I've bought 4 used tires from them between $40-45, mounted and balanced."

Uni Glass - Windshield Repair
1500 Hopper Road, Houston, TX 77093
281-449-0808
"These guys are fast and the best prices.  I've replace my Jeep windshield for $126, and a broken window for $90."

Velasquez Tire Shop - Tire Store
21620 Hwy 6, Manvel, TX 77578
281-489-7277
"There's a lot of great used tires for sale because of the flood. The vehicle may have been flooded but the tires are still good. Just got really good hankook tires are 70 each mounted and balanced. Date stamp 24 week of 17 and has 9/32 235-65/17"


Please keep us in the know.  If you have a great recommendation for Uber drivers, please hit up this link and fill out this simple Google Form.

Add to the Uber Driver Reference Guide

Meet Some of the Houston Area Uber Drivers

Hello again readers.  This is one of my favorite things to write about, which is on the coolness of others that I've had to pleasure to meet or cross paths with.  The Houston driver community is quite vast.  When I first became an Uber driver in July of 2015, we were up to 10,000 drivers in the city of Houston.  Today there are an estimated 65,000 Uber drivers combing the streets of Houston.  

Many come and go.  They try it out to see if they like it.  Some get deactivated.  Some move on.  The ones that stick around will do it either full time and make a science out of it.  Or part-timers like me, that have a full time job, but know how to work the market.  As a mom and full time employee, I really don't have time to waste.  So I'll turn on my app during peak times that work with my schedule.  

The Houston Uber Driver community converges together at first within Facebook groups.  There are several groups that support the Houston area.  In these forums, we get to know other drivers.  Many of us meet up and become friends.  And then there's quite a few drivers that create smaller intimate support groups.  I'm in one myself.  The purpose of our group is to key in what the airport queues are, where its busy, chit chat, and also, if one of us in in trouble and need help, another one of us can get to that person.  Some of us have even worked in other cities together and split hotel expenses.  

In my own little group, we're people from different walks of life, who came together for a common bond.  If it wasn't for Uber, I would have never met these people.  We could have easily passed each other on the street without a second glance.  One of the Facebook groups, that has over 3,000 drivers, is just an inkling of the entire driver population. We're as diverse a group as the population in the city of Houston.  Full timers, students, moms, dads, grandparents, retirees, service men and women, teachers, first responders, professional employed, limo drivers..........basically anyone who can have a driver's license that is over the age of 21.

And now, meet some of the drivers.....

Sharon M. - "I'm a Mom of three amazing children, living my life to the best adventures.  Love traveling and driving the streets of HTown! EMT extraordinaire giving back to my community when ever I am able to!"

• Has been driving for Uber since January of this year.
• Also drivers for Lyft, Fasten, private and other.
• Works as a care giver and E.M.T.

James P. - "Was in oil and gas.  Now drive full time."

• Has been driving Uber for 2 1/2 years.
• Also drives for Lyft and GetMe

Manny O.- "I'm in the middle of a career change and decided to drive in the meantime to earn some supplemental income...definitely like it and I'm trying to nail down that perfect rideshare shift."

• Has been driving for Uber for 5 months.
• Also drives for Lyft.

Shabana K. - "Hi I am Shabana I am 32 years old"

• Has been driving Uber for 2 months.
• Also Drives for Lyft.
• Works in an office full time.

Michael V. - "I'm a single father of two girls, originally from Chicago and now in Houston for the past 6 1/2 years. I am a former Owner of two limo companies in Chicago. I have been in the transportation industry for over 28 years. I know what customers expect when they order a car wether it is via  a rideshare app, personal driver request, etc. When I drive I am always dressed professionally, never wearing shorts or sandals or t shirts. If customer wanted that they would order a cab. I offer a very clean SUV that can seat 8 including myself plus lots of luggage. I specialize in Crusie Transfers, Airport Rides, Hourly, and point to Point trips."

• Has been driving for Uber 6 years.
• Also drives for Lyft, private driver and other. 

Eugene R.

Eugene R. - "Houston born,single theses days,US Miltary retired,college educated, homeowner, partime rideshare driver, bookworm, tech geek, steak lover, I love to travel,and make money,and meet people..."

• Has been driving Uber for 3 years.
• Also drivers for Lyft, Fasten, GetMe and other.
• Works as a substitute teacher and library technical clerk.

Chad B.

Chad B. -  "I'm originally from Baytown and now live in Katy. After getting laid off from my job in January, I joined Uber to help make ends meet. During that time I've worked on and off while doing other jobs but am now driving full time while looking for work in the legal field. I have over twleve years of experience in industrial work and plan to attend school in the spring to become a paralegal."

• Has been driving Uber for 7 months.
• Also drives for Lyft.

Gisela M.

Gisela M. - "I have 2 little girls and I'm a kidney transplant recipient..I received my new kidney 2 yrs ago and  Since getting my new kidney I've got a lot more free time in my hands so i decided to go back to school and drive."

• Has Been Driving Uber for 11 months.
• Also drives for Lyft and private driver.
• Is a Full-time Student

Joel W. - "Native Houstian, driving for Uber on my days off. Live in Tomball area."

• Has been driving Uber for 7 months.  
• Works in IT at Sysco Foods.

Christina W. - "Mother of a beautiful 9 year old, and wife to a rock star that plays with classic cars for a living. I love being able to accommodate my daughter and husbands schedule while helping the people of Houston get to and from their locations safely."

• Has been driving Uber for 3 months.
• Also drives for Lyft and private driver.

Karen R. - "Born and raised in Texas!! Live NE of Houston and love spending time with my family!!!"

• Has been driving Uber for 2 years.
• Also drives for Lyft.
• Works as a Teaching Assistant at Hogg Middle School.

Let us know who you are.  We would love to hear about you in your own words.  Just click on the link to a simple-easy-to-fill-out Google Form.

Google Form to Driver Profile

Bush TNC Lot Shut Down Again

Source (KHOU.com/Houston) - Drivers with Uber / Taxi Companies Clash on Road

If you go to the link above, and read the article, they have the video of that guy that was saying "fuck you Uber", but in the news they blurred his face. There's also another part in the online article and video, that follows detailing issues with BUSH TNC lot of more cars than parking spaces.

To close this part and I will add this tidbit in my article....

I called the BUSH main airport # (281-230-1300) and spoke to one of the agents that works there. She told me that they just closed the TNC lot....AGAIN! This was at noon too. When I asked her the causes, she told me that point blank, too much fighting and complaining among the drivers. They don't play that. So when someone puts in the call (probably hoping to get the group of people in trouble), you are actually causing the lot to get shut down affecting everyone there. She did tell me this happens 5-6 times a day. Her thoughts were....1) Too many Uber drivers, 2) Everyone wants to be an Uber driver, 3) Cars in poor condition - yes, the airport is aware of POS's driving with Uber decals.  Also, if something happens in the street by the TNC lot, it's not the airports problem, it's HPD. But inside the lot, that's their's to deal with.

At the end of the day, whether things are smooth or in crisis mode at the Uber TNC lots, we're going to get the same ping in the same amount of time despite our behaviors. So all you guys being assholes on the lot, let’s chill and wait our turn in peace.  Try being courteous civilians instead of animals for once.  Because when HAS has to shut down the TNC lots, it’s going to be that much longer and more difficult to score an airport trip for everyone.

I know it's hard to do, but "adulting" has to begin at sometime in our lives.  Remember this, those airport stickers are a privilege, not an entitlement.