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Uber bans open/conceal carry; criminals can now confidently carjack Uber marked cars

Alpine

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Aug 10, 2012
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Hat tip to Dave Workman.

http://www.examiner.com/article/did-uber-just-announce-victimize-me-policy-for-drivers-passengers


Now in Seattle if you are OCing Uber, like Lyft, will not allow you in the car. If you are CCing you are "not supposed" to get in the car and doing so could wind you up in hot water if there was a car accident and they pulled you from the wreckage and found your gun. After all, the only way to use Uber is to click the "I agree to terms and conditions" button before they let you summon a car. Yes, not many read them but that won't be a legal excuse.

Apparently they prefer their drivers and passengers to be victimized. I know several people including a close family member who have been near-victims of attempted carjackings in downtown Seattle.

Even more insane, Uber is doing this on the heels of one of their drivers with a valid carry permit in Chiraq helped stop a madman from slaughtering a crowd of people.

Lesson here to criminals: confidently carjack Uber or Lyft marked cars. You probably won't meet with resistance and even if you do, you can rest easy knowing that Uber and Lyft will ruthlessly punish any drivers or passengers who attempt to defend against you with a firearm.
 
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Maverick9

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Don't think a Uber car will be any more vulnerable than any other private car. I don't think they're externally marked. You summon one using the app.

A BG using a stolen phone might have some success, I suppose, but aren't most hijacked cars a spur of the moment thing?

If you are CC-ing and have to defend yourself, I think the law will overlook the trespassing while armed rule you might click on.

I think Uber put it in there to deal with potential insurance issues and costs.
 

Difdi

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Seattle, Washington, USA
Uber is a California company. Like many Californians, they start from the idea that 'all guns are evil, intended solely for murder, and there is no good use for one'.

Is it any wonder that they would prohibit carrying a gun even in states where guns are legal? After all, they don't want their drivers or passengers murdering anyone, and everyone knows criminals are called that because they scrupulously obey every law, so obviously banning guns will prevent murders!
 
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MAC702

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My friend was in the process to get started, had already passed his background check, and was about to get his car inspected. He's now telling them to F-off. Too bad more of their drivers aren't in a position or mindset to do so. They will keep this policy because not enough people care or can afford to care.
 

Alpine

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Don't think a Uber car will be any more vulnerable than any other private car. I don't think they're externally marked. You summon one using the app.

A BG using a stolen phone might have some success, I suppose, but aren't most hijacked cars a spur of the moment thing?

If you are CC-ing and have to defend yourself, I think the law will overlook the trespassing while armed rule you might click on.

I think Uber put it in there to deal with potential insurance issues and costs.

I didn't realize there are no external markers on Uber until I looked it up.

However, the other company also doing this, Lyft, requires this noticeable marking on the front grille.
Uber-Lyft-Hybrid_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg
 

Freedom1Man

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Uber has claimed to be a smart phone app and nothing more.
Your insurance will not cover damages and niether with Uber. Except under very limited circumstances.

Besides, all the drivers are contract drivers they are not employees. IMHO the disarming clause has no legal application. "We would like to contact you to make pillows at home, part of our requirements is that you cannot possess weapons while you make them."

Sorry, my car is an extension of my home.
 

WalkingWolf

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Uber has claimed to be a smart phone app and nothing more.
Your insurance will not cover damages and niether with Uber. Except under very limited circumstances.

Besides, all the drivers are contract drivers they are not employees. IMHO the disarming clause has no legal application. "We would like to contact you to make pillows at home, part of our requirements is that you cannot possess weapons while you make them."

Sorry, my car is an extension of my home.

+1 Just like Pizza delivery drivers, their car, their choice.
 

Maverick9

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According to a friend who has used Uber, they are a smartphone app, but you also have to give CC details, which they charge. So a BG would have to steal someone's smartphone -with- the Uber app installed, and since you give your name and a basic description (age?), if a 300lb guy uses 'debbie smythe's' phone app it might raise suspicion.

It's not impossible to use/target/hijack a Uber car, I suppose, but then the BG would have to hope they are abiding by the new rule, or haven't gone to some other SD option. Uber drivers can still look over their passenger when they drive by and decide to pick a different fare.
 
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Citizen

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Nov 15, 2006
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Fairfax Co., VA
I didn't realize there are no external markers on Uber until I looked it up.

However, the other company also doing this, Lyft, requires this noticeable marking on the front grille.
Uber-Lyft-Hybrid_jpg_800x1000_q100.jpg

Lyft requires a pink boa on the grille? Do they also require the Uber sticker on the windshield like the one in the photo? :)
 

Freedom1Man

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According to a friend who has used Uber, they are a smartphone app, but you also have to give CC details, which they charge. So a BG would have to steal someone's smartphone -with- the Uber app installed, and since you give your name and a basic description (age?), if a 300lb guy uses 'debbie smythe's' phone app it might raise suspicion.

It's not impossible to use/target/hijack a Uber car, I suppose, but then the BG would have to hope they are abiding by the new rule, or haven't gone to some other SD option. Uber drivers can still look over their passenger when they drive by and decide to pick a different fare.

The user then rates you as 1 star and you lose the contracting ability to ever work with UBER again.

[video]https://youtu.be/JXt0lG3IRZQ[/video]
 
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Alpine

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Idaho
Lyft requires a pink boa on the grille? Do they also require the Uber sticker on the windshield like the one in the photo? :)

I guess a lot of Uber's contractors also work for Lyft as well. However Uber is doing things to try and stop that.

The research I've done indicates that Uber cars are often unmarked, though some Uber drivers do put a sticker in their window, however the Lyft cars do sport the pink decoration on the grille that is mandatory.
 
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utbagpiper

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Jul 5, 2006
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Utah
I wonder if rules like this start to push the limits between "independent" contractors and actual employees.

Beyond that, the growing number of commercial gun bans is starting to remind me of something from history:

lunch-counter.jpg


Clearly, it is time for gun carriers to push for inclusion in anti-discrimination laws.

Charles
 

MSG Laigaie

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Jan 10, 2011
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Philipsburg, Montana
Uber works, or used to, in france. "Violent riots" led to this........

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-33281896

French government orders Uber taxi ban after protests
8 hours ago
The French government has ordered a ban on the Uber taxi service, following protests by thousands of taxi drivers around the country.
Uber was banned by a French court last October, but has still been operating while it challenges the decision.
Access to airports and train stations was blocked and cars vandalised during protests on Thursday.
 

MAC702

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Nevada
So France still surrenders immediately upon violence instead of enforcing freedom? Who would have thought?

(That statement is following a modern cliché. I actually have the highest respect for the French fighters of days gone by.)
 
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WalkingWolf

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I don't understand why these drivers hand over 20% to Uber, when they don't help with insurance, do not provide any benefits other than providing them with passengers. A domain is about 12 bucks, with that any person could access the site of a driver with a smart phone. Payment can be taken by credit card or paypal, shutting Uber completely out of the loop, and then the drivers can make their own rules.

Independent drivers can easily be found already on Craigslist, though that venue has earned a bad reputation, the idea is sound.
 
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nonameisgood

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When standing outside a restaurant and you need a car, you don't really want to be trying to find a ride. Uber and similar services provide a good and valuable service to drivers and passengers. It's worth every penny.
The problem with traditional taxis starts with an inability to summon one in good time outside of certain districts. And cab drivers notoriously do not take good care of their cars or drive with any care.


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WalkingWolf

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It's called planning ahead, besides that most people have neighbors that are willing to drive them for extra cash. Uber is taking both drivers, and passengers for a ride, IMO.

If I needed the service I would not give up my right to self defense, or think it appropriate for a private contractor to be told they do not have a right to self defense.
 

nonameisgood

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It might be nice to be in a situation where planning or relying on community is possible. Many of us live and work in places where such is simply not possible. Other times emergencies arise. The beauty of Uber is that it makes transportation simple and relatively safe. I know people who used to keep a driver's number handy, but that doesn't work when you're out of town or your regular driver is not available. The taxi companies have shown themselves unreliable so Uber and similar services have arrived.
I travel for work and typically have rent cars, or catch cabs in places where cabs are readily available. I will never again call for a cab in Dallas. The local cabs are almost exclusively run by Yellow, which is owned by crooked political operatives. The cabs are not clean and drivers are not professional. The dispatch is dysfunctional and getting a cab may take 45 minutes or longer. Pre-arranged rides may arrived hours late.
The market is ripe for a new entry, and the old medallion and city-awarded franchise systems are doomed.

As for carrying, if they post the state required notice in each vehicle, or hand me a card after they have picked me up, I may get out and leave them hanging, or I may simply say nothing since state law is, at best, fuzzy in Texas on restricting carry in private transportation for hire.


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WalkingWolf

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It might be nice to be in a situation where planning or relying on community is possible. Many of us live and work in places where such is simply not possible. Other times emergencies arise. The beauty of Uber is that it makes transportation simple and relatively safe. I know people who used to keep a driver's number handy, but that doesn't work when you're out of town or your regular driver is not available. The taxi companies have shown themselves unreliable so Uber and similar services have arrived.
I travel for work and typically have rent cars, or catch cabs in places where cabs are readily available. I will never again call for a cab in Dallas. The local cabs are almost exclusively run by Yellow, which is owned by crooked political operatives. The cabs are not clean and drivers are not professional. The dispatch is dysfunctional and getting a cab may take 45 minutes or longer. Pre-arranged rides may arrived hours late.
The market is ripe for a new entry, and the old medallion and city-awarded franchise systems are doomed.

As for carrying, if they post the state required notice in each vehicle, or hand me a card after they have picked me up, I may get out and leave them hanging, or I may simply say nothing since state law is, at best, fuzzy in Texas on restricting carry in private transportation for hire.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

As long as you hide your gun or go unarmed. Besides what do you do if no Uber drivers are available?
 
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