I'm a part-time Uber Eats driver with a 5-star rating who starts my days at 4 a.m. I've figured out how to get good tips but wear protective gear and a body cam because I fear for my safety.

Sat, 05/06/2023 - 07:45

Omar Ford, 47, works part time as an Uber Eats and DoorDash driver.
He said being picky with orders and providing great customer service are the keys to good tips.
He said he worries about racism and his safety, which is why he wears protective gear and a body cam.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Omar Ford, a 47-year-old part-time Uber Eats and DoorDash driver in South Florida who moved there after retiring from a career in New York City. In 2022, he made about 1,778 deliveries and earned $19,804 in take-home pay from Uber Eats, according to a document viewed by Insider. Documents were also provided to verify the tips and trip figures mentioned in the story. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.