Rideshare Experiences: Weed, Vapes, Bongs, and Near-Death Experiences

” What is the problem ? »

” The window is open. What is the problem ?

I was asked this question on a recent ride in response to someone smoking weed after asking the rider if I smelled weed.

This wasn't the first time I'd heard this question from a driver answered from the backseat of my car.

Over the years, people who vape, smoke cigarettes, weed, and other products while driving have tried to appeal to my logic.

So what's the problem ?

Their logic.

The smoke and odor will dissipate and leave the vehicle if the windows are open during travel, even if it is 22 degrees Fahrenheit outside.

In the past, I have tried to reference community rideshare policies prohibiting smoking or drug use in the vehicle for both drivers and passengers. Half the time this approach worked. For the other half, runners reluctantly quit smoking and vaping, with an air of resentment and disappointment.

A potential setup for a poor driver rating.

For example, the driver's complaint might be “The driver had a bad attitude” or something like that.

I try to appeal to the rider's better nature when I want him to stop ingesting it.

I share with them several stories of bikers who got in the car after someone might have stinked up weed or smoked on the ride before them. They smelled the vehicle and filed a complaint with the rideshare company. In several of these complaints, I lost my ability to drive for several days until the complaint was addressed and I was allowed to drive again.

Indeed, I opposed their logic with my logic.

I usually appeal to their respectful nature. This tends to work very well. I believe most people don't want a driver to lose their ability to work.

Bongs, medicine containers, vaping products

It's relatively common for people to leave items in the car after a rideshare.

In most cases, the driver or passenger reports the lost item on the rideshare app, then a connection is made with the parties to determine how to return the item to the owner.

Most lost items are cell phones, glasses, umbrellas, credit cards, clothing accessories, prescription medications and wallets.

These lost items are returned within a few days.

Other items are generally not claimed.

These would include drug paraphernalia, such as pipes and bongs. As well as vaping products, and medication bags or containers.

However, several riders have contacted me to return such items.

“Hey man, I think I left a bottle of my meds in the backseat of your car earlier today. Can I have it back?

The phone call started the process of securing the return of the bottle.

Sure enough, I found the bottle of weed that had rolled under the back seat on the passenger side of the car.

We arranged to meet and he was very grateful to have his lost item back.

In another situation, I made a bang.

It was a memorable carpool and the bang was a new purchase.

I took the rider and a friend to a store in town that sells accessories. They got out and, a few minutes later, got back into the car very excited.

“Check out this technology. It's crazy!”

I looked back before hitting the road.

He took his new prized possession out of the bag to show and explain how the bong worked.

“There are several water-cooled sections and the smoke you inhale is smooth as butter,” the pilot exclaimed out loud. “There's even a little spinning top that makes the smoke look like a tornado. How cool! »

For the rest of the ride, they both took turns telling me about the wonders of their new bong. They were both eager to arrive at their destination and try out their incredible technologically efficient paraphernalia.

We arrived at their final destination and they left the vehicle.

Without their bang.

It was my last ride, so I closed my app and went home.

In a very short time, I received a call.

“I’m really sorry man, but we left the bong in your car. Remember us? When can you bring it to us? We are sorry for the big problem. I'll give you a tip.

I like the word tip, so I turned around.

They collected the tool they needed and I received my tip.

Another happy customer, another story and another recap on another day.

“Wake up! Hey, wake up!

In the world of ride sharing, it is relatively common to be used as transportation in what appears to be drug trafficking.

For example, I often pick people up at a local subway station, drive them to a building, parking lot, or gas station, and they run inside. They come out a few minutes later, sometimes with a full backpack, or without a backpack.

In most cases, they return to the metro station.

In other similar situations, the person returns to the car after their first stop and smells weed or another chemical.

There is often also an obvious change in behavior. Sometimes the person who was talkative after the first pick-up returns to the car more “relaxed”. Or vice versa, initially silent and super conversational after they stop.

On one of these trips, I had an extremely disturbing experience.

I picked up a person who organized a return trip.

The first half of the trip was pleasant. The young man had a good sense of humor and we had a great conversation.

When we arrived at the first stop, in the warehouse district, the passenger left my vehicle.

Five minutes later the person returned and we returned to the original pickup location.

No conversation.

I asked: “How is it going there?”

The rider muttered something.

I increased the volume of my voice, “Hey man, are you okay?”

No answer.

I looked in my rearview mirror. Head down and chin on chest.

I parked the car and walked around the car to the passenger door.

I opened the door. The person was cold.

I shouted from the backseat, “Wake up!” Hey, wake up!

No answer.

I then walked over to my front seat and grabbed my air horn.

I pointed the horn at the unconscious rider.

“WAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!”

The honking could be heard for blocks.

“What, huh, what, what???”

Semi-conscious and breathed a sigh of relief.

“Hey man, I was worried about you. You didn't answer.

“I'm fine. Should I go out? I'm fine. I'm fine.”

I said, “We’re only two minutes from your destination.” »

“Okay, okay, Cool.”

I finished the trip and the person crawled out of my car and headed toward the street.

That afternoon, I bought a two-dose spray can of Narcan.

It lives in my glove section next to my stash of face masks.

*****

My blog “Rideshare by Robert” continues with new stories based on my published book, “Rideshare by Robert: Every Ride's a Short Story.” The book and blog are short stories about real-life journeys, observations, revelations and reflections on the carpooling experience. I hope you find the writings informative with humor and compassion for the human family.

So hop in, buckle up and enjoy the ride.

Welcome to “Rideshare by Robert”.

A place where anything can happen and usually does.

Disclaimer

I have tried to ensure the anonymity of all people depicted in my writing while maintaining the integrity of the story. Names have been changed to protect the innocent. And, in some cases, the least innocent. I substituted characteristics of individuals into my writing to further my attempt to maintain anonymity. Conversations and other details are based on my best memories and notes. Although I have spent time driving with many celebrities and public figures over the years, I have intentionally omitted their names and journeys from my writing. Actual locations, as well as other details such as time and location of rides, have been changed to maintain my goal of passenger privacy and anonymity.