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Senior Citizens Hit the Road For Uber
HughPickens.com writes: Elizabeth Olsen writes at the NYT that a growing number of older Americans are driving for Uber or its competitor Lyft to augment their retirement income. Older drivers are prized because they usually own their own cars, have adequate auto insurance and, according to insurance statistics, have fewer crashes. For most senior drivers, the biggest advantage is the extra income. Many of those who continue working after 65 do so because they would be too poor otherwise, according to a new report from the labor-backed Economic Policy Institute that found the current retirement system inadequate. But driving for a ride-booking service, some retirees said, also can offer more than money. For George Cameron, a 65-year-old former marine in Mechanicsville, Virginia, retirement was not all it cracked up to be. Chiefly, it was dull. "Although I've got a few community things I'm involved in," says Cameron, "I sit at home and listen to the news. And my wife says I'm getting too close to the dog."
Some drivers say it is a great chance to be independent and earn extra cash on their own schedule. Retirees are insulated from many of the shortcomings of the gig economy. But critics say Uber vastly exaggerates the amount of money a driver can make driving full-time. Its workers are contractors, and don't receive benefits. As with most gig economy work, there's no such thing as a career path. But many seniors don't need (second) careers. Not all of them need full-time work. Forty million of them already have health insurance through Medicare. Some say it is exploitation of older people who work as independent contractors, without any benefits, because their age means they have a harder time finding full-time employment. "You have to work close to 50 hours a week to survive," says Musse Bahta who says he has to spend more time on the road since Uber lowered the per-mile fare to $1.35.
Some drivers say it is a great chance to be independent and earn extra cash on their own schedule. Retirees are insulated from many of the shortcomings of the gig economy. But critics say Uber vastly exaggerates the amount of money a driver can make driving full-time. Its workers are contractors, and don't receive benefits. As with most gig economy work, there's no such thing as a career path. But many seniors don't need (second) careers. Not all of them need full-time work. Forty million of them already have health insurance through Medicare. Some say it is exploitation of older people who work as independent contractors, without any benefits, because their age means they have a harder time finding full-time employment. "You have to work close to 50 hours a week to survive," says Musse Bahta who says he has to spend more time on the road since Uber lowered the per-mile fare to $1.35.
Some say it is exploitation of older people who work as independent contractors, without any benefits, because their age means they have a harder time finding full-time employment.
Why can't a thing just be for some money on the side, or something one does to keep active, or prevent boredom? Why is it that every arrangement between two people that even remotely has the possibility of money changing hands must be a viable way to support a spouse and two children? Why is there always a crowd of people who think there should be no middle ground between volunteer work and a full-time job with a "living wage" as they like to call it? This is a perfect example of why there should be such a middle ground, without this BS about exploitation and victimization that always creeps in to these discussions.
It's not about what he wants. It's what they think he should have.
but that doesn't mean there isn't one. There are lots and lots of people who just want to stop working at the age of 65. There are lots of people we really _need_ to stop working at the age of 65.
The other problem is what these people do to wages. It's funny how discussions about supply and demand go out the window when we talk about wages and standard of living going _down_. The phrase you're looking for is "The hollowing out of the middle class". They're driving down wages for drivers, which in turn means folks who might have been happy making a modest living driving are now desperately trying to find a career that pays them enough for food/rent. A few of 'em make it in other professions, like computer tech. Then the computer tech's wages go down and a few of those end up pushed into becoming programmers and systems analysts, driving down those wages. Here's another good phrase: "Race to the bottom".
This isn't the sharing economy. It's not the gig economy. It's the same old song and dance that happens when there's an over supply of labor without social programs to compensate. If you're one of the winners, bully for you. You got yours, fuck me (another popular phrase). But it's a winner take all economy. Like a lottery. Statistically if you're reading this you're not winning.
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here we have class of people who have, for the most part, worked hard their entire lives.
and they have shit. social security, medicare, and its not enough. no one will hire them.
except a company that rewards them $50 after a 10 hour day driving hipster assholes from A to B
you can call that a fair market trade if you want. i think its inhumane.