[NAGDU] Uber Driver Fired!

[Buddy Brannan]

After an access denial I had on Sunday, an Uber driver was suspended from the Uber driver app and can no longer drive for them. Here's what happened.

Thursday, I had to take Jasper (cat) to the vet, so got an Uber. When Cheryl accepted the ride, I texted with:
"I have a cat in a bag...any allergies?"

She called me and asked me to cancel the ride, because she had a cat allergy. I told her I was willing to do that. Then she asked how far I was going. Told her not far, she said she'd take me after all since she wasn't far. A car drove up and passed me. She called and asked if Iwas the guy with the dog. When I told her I was, she said she "would need me to cancel because she didn't want to end up breaking out in hives and going to the hospital". I told her this wasn't a problem, I'd cancel, but that she should be aware (since she asked about my dog) that in future, if she got a rider with a service animal, she could not refuse transport. In this case, I understood, since I also had a cat, which isn't a service animal, and I had no problem canceling, but she needed to understand for future reference if she ever got someone else who just had a service dog. She said she understood, made more noises about her allergies and hospitals. I assured her I didn't want her in the hospital either and got another ride.

Fast forward to Sunday. I'm coming home from the Home Depot, call for an Uber, and get Cheryl. I don't forget anybody. When she called and asked where I was, I told her and went outside, as she said she'd be with me in about 4 minutes. After a while, a car drove by, and the Home Depot employee said, Oh, I think that's her...oh wait, maybe not, she just drove past". Then, I got the cancellation. No comment, no nothing. So I got another ride home.

So I reported her, this time, for a service animal denial. There isn't much space in the app, so when they asked for clarification, I told the whole story, in detail, in order. They started an internal investigation. Heard from Susie on Wednesday, told her the story, in order, again, just to be sure. She said they'd talk to the driver and look into it, but I felt confident in the outcome. 

I was proved correct this morning when i got the notice that Cheryl was being suspended from the app and could no longer access. 

So, if you have an access problem with Uber and your guide dog, file with them under the "I have a service animal issue" category. Briefly outline what happened. When they write back, give as much detail as you can, including times and driver names and what happened. If you have video (I didn't), and/or a screenshot of the trip confirmation screen, send that in the follow-up email. No such thing as too much detail. Also, forward all correspondence between you and them to
telder at trelegal.com

They want to keep track of denials and of resolutions, in case Uber isn't honoring the terms of the settlement. Be sure you also send Tim the final resolution, or let him know if they don't give you the outcome of the investigation. 

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Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
Phone: 814-860-3194 
Mobile: 814-431-0962
Email: buddy at brannan.name







--
Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
Phone: 814-860-3194 
Mobile: 814-431-0962
Email: buddy at brannan.name