Uber coming to OKC

[BBatesokc]

They can pickup and drop-off at the airport. I use them all the time for it.

It's amazing how many cities don't allow it for various reasons.

I think OKC is unique in the fact we have a tiny airport and traffic is not currently an issue.

[king183]

I think OKC is unique in the fact we have a tiny airport and traffic is not currently an issue.

But I don't think that's why. I've recently been to three airports, two of which were smaller than OKC's and one the same size, and none of them allowed Uber at the airport. Only taxis were allowed to pick up there--and there was virtually no traffic.

[Pete]

I think it has more to do with how much cities make off of airport fees from taxi companies.

They all pay for the right to operate at an airport and it can be expensive. Most cities guard those fees and the taxi companies because they want their money.

I remember seeing the amount OKC charges for taxi service at the airport and it wasn't that much. Uber either pays something similar or the city just lets it slide.

[BBatesokc]

I think it has more to do with how much cities make off of airport fees from taxi companies.

They all pay for the right to operate at an airport and it can be expensive. Most cities guard those fees and the taxi companies because they want their money.

I remember seeing the amount OKC charges for taxi service at the airport and it wasn't that much. Uber either pays something similar or the city just lets it slide.

That sounds like a reasonable explanation also. I'd bet its a combination of the two. If either was a rub then the city would crack down.

[dankrutka]

^

Thanks.

That matter was bitterly debated in Los Angeles and I still don't think they can pick up.

Yes, they can pick up at LAX. I just took a Lyft (which I prefer because of their less crazy surge pricing) from and to LAX last week.

I know that both DFW and Love Field allow Uber and Lyft. I travel a decent amount and I can't remember an airport recently that did not allow ride-sharing services.

[sooner88]

Last time I was in Chicago they definitely did not allow it. There were signs everywhere and anyone wanting to take the taxi vs. the rail queued in one line.

[dankrutka]

Yeah, in any city with a good metro I pretty much always take it so I don't think I tried in Chicago or DC recently. Another city I did use Uber recently is New Orleans.

[adaniel]

Last time I was in Chicago they definitely did not allow it. There were signs everywhere and anyone wanting to take the taxi vs. the rail queued in one line.

Really? That must be recent. I picked up an Uber from O'Hare in 2014 and took an Uber to Midway last year.

[sooner88]

Really? That must be recent. I picked up an Uber from O'Hare in 2014 and took an Uber to Midway last year.

This was in September of 2015 at Midway. It looks like it is now available, but you have to be in a staging area before you can accept a ride and it's the same FIFO line as the taxis .

http://www.uberpartnerschicago.com/airports/

[Bellaboo]

PHX allows Uber.

[Laramie]

The current taxi services like Airport Limousine, Thunder Cab, Yellow Cab etc., at WWRA are struggling because of the newly constructed parking garages; when the garages opened, more passenger now drive to the airport and park.

[kevinpate]

I've only used Uber once so far, but I ponder how on earth anyone at the airport would know if I was stepping out of an Uber driver's vehicle or one belonging to a friend or relative or my own with someone else driving.

Now, if a Lyft driver is using those silly pink 'staches on the front, yeah, that would be a giveaway.

[dankrutka]

I've only used Uber once so far, but I ponder how on earth anyone at the airport would know if I was stepping out of an Uber driver's vehicle or one belonging to a friend or relative or my own with someone else driving.

Now, if a Lyft driver is using those silly pink 'staches on the front, yeah, that would be a giveaway.

Ubers do have a big "U" sticker on the front windshield.

[Plutonic Panda]

^

Thanks.

That matter was bitterly debated in Los Angeles and I still don't think they can pick up.

They can now.

[gopokes88]

I've only used Uber once so far, but I ponder how on earth anyone at the airport would know if I was stepping out of an Uber driver's vehicle or one belonging to a friend or relative or my own with someone else driving.

Now, if a Lyft driver is using those silly pink 'staches on the front, yeah, that would be a giveaway.

They can't. That's why when you login it finds your location, and denies the request. Happened to me in la before they allowed uber.

[kevinpate]

Ubers do have a big "U" sticker on the front windshield.

Dinna notice a sticker. But then, I wasn't looking for one. My one experience was a gather me up at the house and drop me in OKC. As no one else was expected that morning, a different car in the drive at the appointed time was enough of an ID.

Nice driver, very clean small car. Didn't have a clue that a little PT cruiser came so well appointed or rode as smoothly as that ride turned out.

[no1cub17]

Not all Uber drivers put the "U" on their windshield. That's entirely optional AFAIK.

Chicago just recently started allowing Uber pickups. Until recently the workaround was that you move the pin outside the airport, request, call driver, and have him/her pick you up at the airport, or take the airport train to the remote parking lot. Not speaking from experience or anything! Has never been an issue taking an Uber TO the Chicago airports, it's just that airport pickups were prohibited until recently.

The airport police found ways to nail Uber drivers - the phone on the windshield and the passenger either getting into (or out of) the backseat when there were no other passengers were giveaways. So of course drivers and pax wised up. Thankfully becoming less of an issue.

[HOT ROD]

SEA allows it, so I guess we must also be a small town like OKC.

[Plutonic Panda]

SEA allows it, so I guess we must also be a small town like OKC.

Like I said, Los Angeles allows it as well.

[baralheia]

Not all Uber drivers put the "U" on their windshield. That's entirely optional AFAIK.

Chicago just recently started allowing Uber pickups. Until recently the workaround was that you move the pin outside the airport, request, call driver, and have him/her pick you up at the airport, or take the airport train to the remote parking lot. Not speaking from experience or anything! Has never been an issue taking an Uber TO the Chicago airports, it's just that airport pickups were prohibited until recently.

The airport police found ways to nail Uber drivers - the phone on the windshield and the passenger either getting into (or out of) the backseat when there were no other passengers were giveaways. So of course drivers and pax wised up. Thankfully becoming less of an issue.

Having trade dress (the Uber logo) on the windshield is required in some states or cities, but not everywhere. Oklahoma law, AFAIK, does not require it, and I think the rideshare companies encourage it but don't require it. For what it's worth, the few times I've used Uber/Lyft here, none of the drivers had it posted on their vehicles. Here's Lyft's help page on State & City regulations, for reference.

In general, the regulations for rideshare companies here are much more lax than places like Chicago or elsewhere. I mean, compare Lyft's help page for WRWA vs Chicago O'Hare.

[Bits_Of_Real_Panther]

Has anyone else had this happen recently, its looking like its some sort of shady-ness going on....

Recently called a ride, with uber, with a **6** minute arrival time, then right after I clicked it, the arrival time changed to 16 minutes...what the hell. seems like they are underestimating the arrival times to make it seem like its ubiquitous, when it really isn.t. ugh

[BBatesokc]

Has anyone else had this happen recently, its looking like its some sort of shady-ness going on....

Recently called a ride, with uber, with a **6** minute arrival time, then right after I clicked it, the arrival time changed to 16 minutes...what the hell. seems like they are underestimating the arrival times to make it seem like its ubiquitous, when it really isn.t. ugh

Wouldn't surprise me. They've had issues in the past with 'ghost ubers' that would appear on the map but in reality did not exist. Makes it appear that their coverage is better than it really is - so, I doubt it was a 'mistake' and instead on purpose.

[Pete]

When you request a ride, it shows the nearest active driver.

But a Uber drive can refuse a ride request. Sometimes people forget to go inactive and then get a ride request, refuse it, and go to inactive.

That may be what is happening here.

[BBatesokc]

Uber CEO explains why arrival time on the app is never accurate

From the article....

it’s worth mentioning that all of the vehicle icons users typically see when they open up the Uber app aren’t necessarily there. Rather, they’re intended to provided a simulated portrait of available Uber drivers in real-time. In other words, the cars on your Uber app may not actually exist.

[turnpup]

We Ubered for the first time this weekend. With all three rides the drivers showed up within literally a minute of making the pickup request. Our experience may be skewed, however, as we were downtown where maybe more drivers were likely to be stationed.

Question for those of you more familiar with the system--are we *really* not supposed to be tipping the drivers? Or do we need to bring cash and tip them off the books?