Uber CEO apologizes for dissing driver, says he needs to grow up

[FrodosNewPet]

Source: USA Today

Jessica Guynn Published 9:36 p.m. ET Feb. 28, 2017

SAN FRANCISCO A contrite Travis Kalanick issued an apology to employees at Uber and said he would seek "leadership help" after a video surfaced in which he has a heated exchange with an Uber driver over declining fares.

"Some people dont like to take responsibility for their own (stuff)," Kalanick says in the video published Tuesday by Bloomberg, then slams the car door. "They blame everything in their life on somebody else. Good luck!"

snip

"To say that I am ashamed is an extreme understatement. My job as your leader is to leadand that starts with behaving in a way that makes us all proud. That is not what I did, and it cannot be explained away," Kalanick wrote. "Its clear this video is a reflection of meand the criticism weve received is a stark reminder that I must fundamentally change as a leader and grow up.

snip

The video comes as Uber faces a growing public firestorm. In a little over a week, the company has been accused of sexist and discriminatory behavior by a former engineer, Google parent company Alphabet has sued Uber, alleging Uber stole driverless car technology, and a top Uber executive was forced to resign for failing to disclose an allegation of sexual harassment at his previous employer, Google.

snip

Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/news/2017/02/28/uber-ceo-apologizes-dissing-driver-says-he-needs-grow-up/98557278/

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Tough times for the Uber rich

[Finishline42]

1. And that's why they have to pay $500 for new drivers.

I really don't understand why they have to go so low on fares. The main competition is the cab companies and they aren't anywhere close. I think it's all about trying to drive Lyft out of business.

And even at rock bottom prices the people that really need Uber (and Lyft) can't afford the service. A $10 ride to and from work is equal to 3 to 4 hours take home pay.

[luvMIdog]

2. he didn't even care when the driver told him how much money he lost & that he went bankrupt

[Mickju]

3. He wasn't wearing a seatbelt.

[FrodosNewPet]

4. Seatbelts are an infringement on personal liberty

Travis does what Travis WANTS to do, That's the Ayn Randian way!
[hr]
Contempt for Rules Is Catching Up With Uber

https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2017-02-28/contempt-for-rules-is-catching-up-with-uber

By Leonid Bershidsky | Feb 28, 2017 6:50 AM EST

Uber is facing a perfect storm. Nothing appears to be going right for the ride-hailing company in recent weeks, and while each individual setback appears fixable, together they attest to a culture within the company that may be far harder to change.

~ snip ~

All these problems have something in common. They stem from a fundamental disrespect for rules. Uber's initial approach is to ignore rules and then to deal with them as a nuisance -- sometimes an expensive one -- once noncompliance becomes a problem. Kalanick said this about rules in an interview last year:

Any rule has the right to become an old rule and be replaced by a new one. Ultimately, all rules have to bend towards people and progress. Cities, states, countries that allow rules to move forward see quicker progress.

This is a sweeping generalization and, if applied literally, it covers rules on handling employment, safety, the work environment, gender equality, intellectual property, fair business practices, and dealings with investors and governments. Some of these rules may be obsolete, and all of them hold back the development of an international, multibillion-dollar business. Uber, with seemingly unlimited access to other people's money -- $11.6 billion in investor funds raised up until this point -- can afford to cut every possible corner and then try to deal with the fallout retroactively. The investors who are already in are incentivized to accept this, because they want Uber to start making money.

~ snip ~

[DeminPennswoods]

6. Uber ignored the PUC in PA

and got themselves, iirc, an 11M dollar fine.

[nitpicker]

5. Link to BBC

http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-39124096

[FSogol]

7. All of these libertarian companies are anti-worker. They should not be supported. n/t

[Scarsdale]

8. Grow up?

Maybe we could have him talk to tRump about growing up?

[HelenWheels]

9. I only use Union taxies nt