No! I am NOT “George_The_Uber Driver”

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That’s my son, sky-diving instructor, EMT’ing George II who has been written-up by Forbes and you can see the article over here for handing our a “ride menu” when he’s delivering people in the Seattle area.

Talked to G II this morning and he’s finding the whole uproar of going viral both wonderful but also slightly nuts.  “It’ll pass in 72-hours, or so…” he assured me.  I wouldn’t be so sure.

George II has been working part-time as an EMT and driving for Uber because driving pays (on an average day) more than EMT work, even in a wage-driven city like Seattle.

When he gets back from a “special project” in Eastern Washington in a few days, he’ll be back on “the Uber calls.”  But, he also will be adding even more special services for his Uber customers.  He’s already providing bottled water and he keeps a complete inventory of cell-phone charging cables.  Next, he’ll be adding candy *(and maybe chips) for those interested; small packs of StarBursts and such.

There are four lessons from G-II’s moment of viral fame.

  1.  Plan to monetize in advance.  So far, he’s been a bit frustrated that he didn’t have monetization plan in place, so a quick “GoFundMe” to replace his nearly 5-year year old black four-door Versa was the only quick-launch idea he had.
  2. Second, try to find some way to turn fame into more business.  With Uber, you can’t request George…you get the driver Uber sends.
  3. Try not to be out of town on a “special project” when fame comes knocking.
  4. But still, as he reminded me when we talked about it this morning, “Cream always rises to the top.”

George is not planning to make a career of Uber driver.  When he gets to his (still pending a start date) new job in North Dakota with Indian Health Services, he plans to get “nose to the grindstone” to finish up a paramedic cert and then on to a physician’s assistant.  In the meantime, living in North Dakota, where land is still affordable, may give him the opportunity to put some of those home-building skills to work.  He worked for a short time as a commercial roofer somewhere in his early history, so he carries the family “do-anything” skills gene.. Not a fun summer job, lol.

Congrats to G II and no, I am NOT :George_the_Uber_Driver.”  That’s my boy.

I am proud as hell, too.  Seem the nut doesn’t fall far from the tree, after all.

5 thoughts on “No! I am NOT “George_The_Uber Driver””

  1. George, you should be proud. He has taken the bull by the horns & moved forward successfully. That is what our country is about. I wish him the best with Go Fund Me so he can get a new car. Never leave behind an opportunity to monetize fame. A job well done. There is nothing better than to see your kids succeed.

  2. You know, you can be a driver without being uber. Sort of like a lower-class limousine service. People just keep his number and call him when they need a ride.

    • Good point, but G2 runs his life on HIS schedule – which is why the Uber affil instead of going indy

  3. George

    OK, your son is part of the great Jitney taxi business.

    Has he had to handle his first drunk customer?

    Their lots of fun, NOT!

    I handled many of them in my four year stint as a taxi owner for Service Cab of Metairie in Jefferson Parish La..

    I always had to remind myself that’s why we had a CPNC when the cops loaded a drunk into my cab. That’s a Certificate of Public Necessity and Convience. We were there to serve the public.

    One time I even had to pressure wash the back seat of my cab after the drunk exited.

    You take the bad with the good. It did give me the flexibility to catch classes at the University of New Orleans.

    Good luck to your son! I hope he’s carrying heat!!!

  4. I hope you’ll pass this on to him:

    His menu was a creative and brilliant professional choice, but I love it for a different reason. I thought it demonstrated a staggering amount of sensitivity and kindness. Yes, it offers customers fun and entertainment — an excellent business idea. It also offers customers a clearly defined interaction. As an EMT I’m certain he’s aware many people have social phobia, PTSD, and other conditions that can make interactions challenging. This menu is a rectangle of graciousness. To go the extra mile and offer compassionate listening as an option — to explicitly offer kindness — moved me. If your son carries this into his career as an EMT and skydiving instructor, he must be amazing. If he’s like his father, I hope your proud of yourself, too.

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