AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR UBER DRIVERS and prospective Uber drivers you must read this. Uber might look like a good deal up front drive a little bit and make a little side money have some money in your pocket whenever you need it back up and look again and the last year Uber has cut drivers earnings. Riders are being charged more and so they are tipping less Uber Uber is offering less opportunity for third payments when it's really busy. Up front Uber does not tell you about the hidden expenses of driving. You must buy your own gas you pay for your own oil changes pay for your own maintenance and upkeep pay for your own tires. Uber will offer you what they call bonus perks for paying for a little bit of gas or paying for a little bit of oil changes but if you look at where they want you to go to get these services they're always either the most expensive place in town or one that is very hard to get into and the discount you get it's not worth the time that you spend trying to get the service. Uber offers free snacks at 7-Eleven but look around you how many 7-Elevens do you see where I drive there are no 7-elevens. You will likely buy a set of tires every year at the $1,000 you'll probably have need of Mechanical Services like brakes maybe a transmission maybe an engine that's all on you and that's a lot of money. In the end you'll find out that you're working for around $10 an hour if you have a decent area to drive in. I've driven for Uber for over 4 years in that time my dog Danny has ridden with me for three and a half years I drive mostly on the Lawrence KU campus or in Lawrence itself and I drive on Thursday Fridays and Saturdays and do late nights so I deal with all the drunks and behaviors like that which I don't mind I don't mind doing that but I am making a third less money this year than I did last year my tips were way down and more expenses have not changed. I'm an older person I'm 73 again I've been driving for 4 years I have no accidents and no tickets and only two complaints that I know of out of 7th over 7,000 trips. I've always tried to present a good image for Uber unlike a lot of the other drivers that are driving in this area I feel complaints from passengers regarding other drivers they've ridden with quite frequently. I get lots of compliments from Riders around the University and lots of compliments about Danny riding with me the students love her I've got no complaints. Recently Uber deactivated my account when I asked why all they would tell me is that it's a violation of community standards in no way am I a violation of community standards my cars are always in good shape they run well and I make sure that people get what they're going safely and I turn down no rides. I questioned Uber about what standard I was violating and was never given a response and never told what it was they were taking action over I never had an opportunity to defend myself or offer an explanation. I'm left to believe that the soul driving force behind this action was because they reviewed my records noticed my age decided I was too old might be a safety risk and got rid of me without explanation. I'm putting this in here so you'll understand that yes I am upset with Uber over their action I feel it was unwanted and age discrimination. However if you look at the information I have enclosed in here it's true and it's probably only going to get worse if you work for Uber I recommend that you sign on with Lyft you'll make about the same money maybe a little more and you'll find them a lot easier to deal with. You might ask why I drive for Uber. I'm a retired SW. I like to stay busy and enjoy driving and working at night. I enjoy the students and have never had a problem with them. I hope through my driving that maybe I save someone's life. I may never know but maybe. As long as I can cover my cost it's worth it to me.