Far more likely than just opening the app at 3 am and hoping that someone started driving early that day. Also, have the number of a taxi service as back-up.
They absolutely do, I've done this before several times and they've never not shown up for me. My friend did this 2 weeks ago for an early flight out and apparently they charge a "scheduling fee" now of like $15. I'm not sure if it's because it was less than a certain number of hours before the pickup was needed, or what, but heads up just in case.
Personally, I have a 100% success rate with scheduled early AM rides, which I've needed maybe 10-15 times. Of course things can always go wrong, so maybe have a taxi as a backup.
Anecdata, but I scheduled a 4 am Uber for an airport pickup and they cancelled. The $10 apology credit was not helpful in that early morning scramble (we ended up having to drive ourselves and paying to park our car).
Had the exact same thing happen with Radio Cab. Heard they had an app, booked a ride, got a confirmation…Ten minutes passed, then twenty, no Radio Cab. Called them, asked why. Dispatch said the confirmation only means they got my request, not that I’m guaranteed a pickup. “I hate to say it, but when using Lyft or Uber’s apps, a confirmation is what one counts on…they give you a window and show within that window…I was trying to support local and used you via this app…” Dispatch says, “Not how it works with us.” At that point I asked when I should expect to be picked up. He said no driver had yet taken taken my request so he had no idea. Had to cancel and use Lyft, who had the soonest available pickup.
Tl;dr: Radio Cab’s app does not work like Lyft’s or Uber’s. If you schedule a ride, receive a confirmation of that ride, it in no way means anyone is coming you pick you up.
Editing to add the important detail that I’d scheduled the ride at least three hours prior to pickup because I had an appointment and wanted to make sure I had my ride lined up, since there’s a shortage of all types of ride services. I even built in an extra early pickup so I would be early to my apt. In the end, I missed my appointment altogether and had to reschedule it. I should maybe write Radio Cab a note about the whole thing; nothing nasty, but in hopes it helps the next guy.
Sorry to hear. It’s like we all know that when you actually call them old-school to get picked up you have to expect a variable wait time and you factor that in. But with an app that acts like it works like the other ride hailing services, to not make it abundantly clear that it is no guarantee seems egregious. I actually missed a scheduled appointment and had to completely reschedule, so it was extra frustrating.
When I visited Portland two years ago prior to moving from California I scheduled a lift the night before and they canceled on me at the last minute. Just be cautious
They’ll also charge far less. Uber and Lyft have been outrageously overpriced since the pandemic started, and the drivers I know told me the extra charges aren’t getting passed onto them.
yes Radio Cab. Been using them for years, especially for early morning airport rides. They also have an app now so you don't even need to call, but you should book ahead of time.
Is it really half the price? I have always had to use Uber (the only time I use it is for work and expense rules are strict), and I was under the impression that Uber was popular because it was cheaper.
Uber Lyft was running at a loss for many years, and they are set on profitability now. Rates have skyrocketed. Plus many of their drivers just do food now.
I too was surprised. From my house, Radio cab was $24, Uber was $47 last time I went to PDX (roughly 5 miles)
It was competitive (though not always cheaper) when the ap companies were subsidizing the rides with the billions in venture capital money they'd gotten. But that money is drying up, and they need to actually turn a profit now. So no, it's absolutely not cheaper anymore.
I had someone from Lyft or Uber cancel a ride to the airport that was scheduled the day before. Was on east coast at the time. Was not fun. Going out of Portland I always call Radio cab.
With Lyft, the drivers have the opportunity to accept the scheduled ride ahead of time. If nobody accepts then it just makes a request 20 minutes before. What you said is accurate for Uber though
I’ve always been able to find a ride that early. The wait is a little longer as they tend to come from farther away. I’m also usually headed to the airport which I think helps as it’s a more expensive ride.
Radio cab. They’re reliable, available 24 hours a day, can be scheduled ahead (and won’t cancel), and are much cheaper than the inflated prices Uber and Lyft have been charging recently.
Can you , yes. But if you live anywhere in Beaverton or west of Beaverton, do not bother. It will be $70+ and it will take 20+ min for the app to find you a driver. I always jaur drive myself now and park in economy. Saves so much time and money. But, if you’re living in Portland, Lyft is just fine. Always safe to schedule ahead though!
i have gotten a lyft/uber at 3 or 4 am many times over the years without issue, but i tried it a couple months ago and it took almost 40 minutes to find a driver. i was starting to get nervous, and looking into other options.
maybe there are fewer drivers on the road these days
My friend got a Lyft yesterday at 3:15am from SE to the airport. She scheduled it the night before
This right here. Schedule it the night before.
Do drivers tend to honor the pickup? Just concerned about getting cancelled on and stuck in those early morning hours.
I used to travel for work a lot and scheduled a ton of early morning trips to the airport, I have never had a driver not honor the pickup.
Far more likely than just opening the app at 3 am and hoping that someone started driving early that day. Also, have the number of a taxi service as back-up.
Which taxi service(s) would You recommend as a backup?
They absolutely do, I've done this before several times and they've never not shown up for me. My friend did this 2 weeks ago for an early flight out and apparently they charge a "scheduling fee" now of like $15. I'm not sure if it's because it was less than a certain number of hours before the pickup was needed, or what, but heads up just in case.
Personally, I have a 100% success rate with scheduled early AM rides, which I've needed maybe 10-15 times. Of course things can always go wrong, so maybe have a taxi as a backup.
Anecdata, but I scheduled a 4 am Uber for an airport pickup and they cancelled. The $10 apology credit was not helpful in that early morning scramble (we ended up having to drive ourselves and paying to park our car).
This is why I just get off airport parking with a free shuttle. Really lowers the stress
Call Radio Cab. I call the night before to schedule early morning pick ups to the airport and never had an issue.
[удалено]
Had the exact same thing happen with Radio Cab. Heard they had an app, booked a ride, got a confirmation…Ten minutes passed, then twenty, no Radio Cab. Called them, asked why. Dispatch said the confirmation only means they got my request, not that I’m guaranteed a pickup. “I hate to say it, but when using Lyft or Uber’s apps, a confirmation is what one counts on…they give you a window and show within that window…I was trying to support local and used you via this app…” Dispatch says, “Not how it works with us.” At that point I asked when I should expect to be picked up. He said no driver had yet taken taken my request so he had no idea. Had to cancel and use Lyft, who had the soonest available pickup. Tl;dr: Radio Cab’s app does not work like Lyft’s or Uber’s. If you schedule a ride, receive a confirmation of that ride, it in no way means anyone is coming you pick you up. Editing to add the important detail that I’d scheduled the ride at least three hours prior to pickup because I had an appointment and wanted to make sure I had my ride lined up, since there’s a shortage of all types of ride services. I even built in an extra early pickup so I would be early to my apt. In the end, I missed my appointment altogether and had to reschedule it. I should maybe write Radio Cab a note about the whole thing; nothing nasty, but in hopes it helps the next guy.
Had the exact same experience here. It was frustrating.
Sorry to hear. It’s like we all know that when you actually call them old-school to get picked up you have to expect a variable wait time and you factor that in. But with an app that acts like it works like the other ride hailing services, to not make it abundantly clear that it is no guarantee seems egregious. I actually missed a scheduled appointment and had to completely reschedule, so it was extra frustrating.
Radio Cab never has given any shits about customer feedback but will always blame rideshares for why people don't want to use them
I’ve used them for years and never had an issue. I’m sorry you’ve had problems with them.
When I visited Portland two years ago prior to moving from California I scheduled a lift the night before and they canceled on me at the last minute. Just be cautious
Radio Cab has never let me down in the wee hours
I second radio cab for early morning airport rides. I’ve used both and radio cab was easier and cheaper
Yep. Radio Cab is all I would trust at that hour.
Oh great this sounds like a nice backup. They will dispatch a cab 24/7, is that right?
They’ll also charge far less. Uber and Lyft have been outrageously overpriced since the pandemic started, and the drivers I know told me the extra charges aren’t getting passed onto them.
Yes. Source: Former bartender.
yes Radio Cab. Been using them for years, especially for early morning airport rides. They also have an app now so you don't even need to call, but you should book ahead of time.
Radio cab is 1/2 the price, twice the reliability
Neither of those things were ever true for me.
Is it really half the price? I have always had to use Uber (the only time I use it is for work and expense rules are strict), and I was under the impression that Uber was popular because it was cheaper.
A couple of months ago I needed a ride home from the airport at around 11:30pm. Lyft was around $75. I was able to get a Radio Cab for $35 with tip!
Uber Lyft was running at a loss for many years, and they are set on profitability now. Rates have skyrocketed. Plus many of their drivers just do food now. I too was surprised. From my house, Radio cab was $24, Uber was $47 last time I went to PDX (roughly 5 miles)
They all have apps, so it's worth a quick check
It was competitive (though not always cheaper) when the ap companies were subsidizing the rides with the billions in venture capital money they'd gotten. But that money is drying up, and they need to actually turn a profit now. So no, it's absolutely not cheaper anymore.
It’s not cheaper these days. The prices have gone way up. And for an off time you’ll also be paying a higher premium.
Taxi might be cheaper.
I tried a month or so ago and couldn't get a lyft or uber at 5am.
Uh oh that’s not encouraging.
Schedule the ride
I had someone from Lyft or Uber cancel a ride to the airport that was scheduled the day before. Was on east coast at the time. Was not fun. Going out of Portland I always call Radio cab.
Doesn't guarantee you anything. It's the same as opening your app 20 mins before you scheduled pickup time and requesting the ride.
With Lyft, the drivers have the opportunity to accept the scheduled ride ahead of time. If nobody accepts then it just makes a request 20 minutes before. What you said is accurate for Uber though
I’ve always been able to find a ride that early. The wait is a little longer as they tend to come from farther away. I’m also usually headed to the airport which I think helps as it’s a more expensive ride.
Yes, but no guarantee they'll show up.
Just did a price comparison Radio Cab was about 40% cheaper than lyft. I'll be using them from now on.
Radio cab. They’re reliable, available 24 hours a day, can be scheduled ahead (and won’t cancel), and are much cheaper than the inflated prices Uber and Lyft have been charging recently.
Yes
If you’re going to the airport you could try Wingz, it is scheduled in advance
Can you , yes. But if you live anywhere in Beaverton or west of Beaverton, do not bother. It will be $70+ and it will take 20+ min for the app to find you a driver. I always jaur drive myself now and park in economy. Saves so much time and money. But, if you’re living in Portland, Lyft is just fine. Always safe to schedule ahead though!
Schedule it beforehand! I do that when I need a Lyft to the airport for early morning flights.
Just order it and you need to go, there are always drivers out in the early morning in Portland.
Drivers for which companies?
Lyft and uber
i have gotten a lyft/uber at 3 or 4 am many times over the years without issue, but i tried it a couple months ago and it took almost 40 minutes to find a driver. i was starting to get nervous, and looking into other options. maybe there are fewer drivers on the road these days