Down and Out in The Florida Keys: An Uber 4th of July

Rideshare Garage Episode: https://www.youtube.com/live/wMTUNFoWoEI?si=7YMYduUZcIGScz3v

Welcome back to another vlog, this time capturing my 4th of July adventure. The holiday fell on a Thursday in 2024, and like many others, I headed to Key Largo and Isla Morada, hoping to salvage some earnings from what has been the lowest-paying week in Uber history. Despite the sunny South Florida weather, the rideshare scene was a struggle. The usual hustle of Miami gave way to a slow, disappointing grind in the Keys, where even drivers with Teslas were seeing abysmal fares.

The highlight of my trip was attempting to activate Uber Eats down in Key Largo, reminiscent of last year's $27 McDonald's run. Despite the proactive preparation of bringing a towel for wet passengers and avoiding early car washes, the ride scene was stagnant. The new dash cam installations by Hertz on their Tesla rentals added an Orwellian twist to the day, as discussed on Vinny’s Rideshare Garage podcast.

Navigating the busy streets of the Keys, I experienced the highs and lows of Uber and Uber Eats. From delivering personal pizzas and 7-Eleven orders to battling with rideshare competitors, the day was filled with unexpected turns. The influx of people in the Keys for the holiday provided a mix of challenging rides and some lighthearted moments, like meeting a local bar manager reminiscent of a character from Roadhouse.

Despite the slow fare, meeting interesting characters and seeing the picturesque views of the Keys made the trip worthwhile. In the end, a final ride with the rich kids I had been complaining about took me back to Coral Gables, just five minutes from my house, paying $86 and breaking my $200 goal for the day. I ended up making $230, which wasn't bad at all! Thanks for joining me on this journey, and here’s to better days ahead!

0:00:00 - 4th of July in Key Largo
0:00:48 - Uber fares at an all-time low
0:01:16 - Heading to the Keys in my mom's Ford Escape
0:02:04 - Censorship on YouTube and cursing
0:02:43 - Preparing for wet passengers in the Keys
0:03:07 - Beautiful day in South Florida
0:03:19 - Quick fill-up before heading south
0:03:36 - Showing my apartment last night
0:03:59 - Breaking news about mandatory dash cams
0:05:08 - Orwellian measures in Hertz rentals
0:06:19 - Podcast with Vinny and the rideshare community
0:07:29 - Low earnings from airport runs
0:08:09 - Comparing last year's 4th of July weekend
0:10:42 - The new $2.74 fare rate
0:11:46 - Competing with Lyft and inDrive
0:12:12 - Giving rides to homeless people
0:13:06 - Inflation vs. Uber fare rates
0:14:26 - Time to improve the mood for 4th of July
0:15:12 - Expensive gas in Florida City
0:15:55 - Cheap gas with the Sunoco card
0:16:19 - Iconic blue wall on the way to the Keys
0:17:14 - Reflecting on last year's earnings
0:18:03 - Uber in the Keys and reminiscing vacations
0:18:55 - Traffic and boaters in the Keys
0:19:33 - Categories changed, activated in Key Largo
0:20:22 - Driving south through Key Largo
0:20:50 - Considering Key West for the vlog
0:21:45 - Finding shade in Islamorada
0:22:42 - Roadhouse movie memories
0:24:11 - Real life in the Keys vs. TV
0:25:11 - Founder’s Park fireworks location
0:26:05 - Parking at Hog Heaven
0:27:08 - Group chat discussions on fares
0:27:27 - Tempted by Key West earnings
0:28:47 - Doctor’s appointment tomorrow
0:30:17 - Uber Eats pizza delivery to Tavernier
0:31:42 - Double orders and tips confusion
0:32:10 - Quick food delivery for $12
0:33:08 - Reflecting on the vlog style
0:34:48 - Checking Uber Eats earnings
0:36:21 - Heading to Enrico’s Pizza again
0:37:10 - Comparing food delivery and rideshare
0:39:24 - Irony with Rocky poster and customer
0:40:47 - Food delivery kindness
0:43:00 - Long rides with good earnings
0:45:19 - Sunset reflections and personal time
0:47:19 - Driving through rich neighborhoods
0:48:41 - Kids on golf carts and safety concerns
0:50:08 - Picking up a ride near Hog Heaven
0:52:37 - Key Largo and Uber earnings
0:54:14 - Group chat fun and tips delay
0:56:11 - Waiting for rides in Key Largo
0:58:10 - McDonald’s $5 meal deal
0:59:59 - Driving at night and visibility issues
1:01:01 - Fireworks traffic and safety
1:02:32 - Reflecting on 4th of July celebrations
1:04:43 - Rethinking strategies in the Keys
1:07:07 - Key Largo vs. Islamorada vibes
1:08:17 - Picking up attractive young ladies
1:10:47 - Inconsistent ride lengths and payments
1:12:37 - Long ride reflections and earnings
1:14:14 - Heading south for more rides
1:17:19 - Night rides and resort pickups
1:19:40 - Driving around and finding rides
1:21:26 - Hip recovery and long drives
1:23:11 - Cancelled ride due to too many passengers
1:24:46 - Heading back home with mixed feelings
1:28:28 - Disappointment in the Keys
1:29:09 - Picking up from Sharky’s
1:30:28 - Another cancelled ride of 5 passengers
1:32:02 - Long trip back to Miami
1:33:35 - Final thoughts on Ubering in the Keys
1:35:10 - Wrapping up the vlog with reflections