Picking trips is hard, and here's a little bit of how I pick trips, so take a look at what I'm doing.

Know Your Worth

First off, it's essential to understand the worth of each trip. I set guidelines and parameters for my trips, like only accepting rides from five-star passengers or aiming for high-surge neighborhoods. It's crucial to avoid areas that aren't profitable, not just for safety reasons but because the rides there may not add value to your bottom line. Remember, never take a trip that will cost you more than it earns because that's a surefire path to losing money. You have to evaluate what truly matters to you.

For me, time is not just money, it's invaluable.  

The Time Factor

I value my time significantly – it's non-renewable, and every minute counts. Rather than purely focusing on miles, I concentrate on the time factor. This involves calculating how much money I can make per hour instead of distance-driven. When I measure profitability, I consider the base fare, average tips, and bonuses and subtract costs. This gives me a clear picture of what I truly earn per hour. For instance, with my calculations, a $17 trip translates to around $25 per hour after considering tips and bonuses. The key takeaway is that focusing on time is often more valuable than just miles when assessing profitability.

Simplifying Decisions

In the dynamic world of ridesharing, decisions must be made quickly – typically in seconds. That's why I keep my method straightforward. I add an average of $3 (tips and bonuses) to each trip, then consider the fare ratio to the time taken. Ideally, I want a dollar per minute – a ratio of 1. But it's not just about the numbers. I prioritize understanding where the trip takes me. Neighborhoods matter hugely, as do passenger ratings and trip types. Trust me; those factors can sway your decision in seconds.

Real-Life Scenarios

Here are real snippets from my decision-making: if a trip offers a $7 base fare and a great time ratio, I'm likely to take it, even if it's in a slightly odd neighborhood—because the numbers make sense.

Similarly, a $39 trip that ends up a 0.5 on the ratio isn't worth the hassle, and I'd rather wait it out for something better. And speaking of opportunities, if there's a surge in the area due to high demand, I'll wait a bit longer for the perfect ride with a high bonus attached. Patience pays off!

Developing Your Strategy

Ultimately, every driver needs a solid strategy. One that's personal and refined over time. My current favoritism leans toward reservations and planned rides, as they offer stability and good ratios. Plus, they allow me to plan my schedule smartly. This strategy gives me a sense of control and empowerment in my rideshare driving.

The bottom line? Make intentional choices rather than opting into what the app suggests. Use the ratio plan, hone in on your ideal neighborhoods, and devise your own criteria for acceptance. Remember, it's about driving the way that suits you, not what benefits the app's algorithms. This approach will give you a sense of confidence and control in your rideshare driving.