A Rideshare Journey that Almost Happened
A Late-Night Rideshare Decision
It’s 1 AM on a Friday night, the bars are closing, and the Fourth of July weekend is in full swing at the Delaware Beaches. Just as I’m wrapping up my current rideshare trip, my phone buzzes with an unexpected Trip Request.
The trip is a hefty 3 hours and 17 minutes, with a fare of $225.41. I only have about 15 minutes to get to the pickup location, leaving me with mere seconds to think. In a moment of spontaneity, I hit “accept” to buy myself some extra time to ponder the logistics.
As I finish up my last drop-off, I hear a voice from the backseat—my current passenger, a cheerful drunk guy, exclaims, “Atlantic City? No shit! Are you gonna take it?” His enthusiasm adds to my curiosity about this unusual request.
As I finish up with my current passenger, he’s clearly excited. “Atlantic City? No shit!” he exclaims. “Are you gonna take it?” I nod, “I am for now,” I reply, needing to gather my thoughts. “Nice!” he responds with that unmistakable Philly accent, adding a little more energy to the mix.
What’s the Story Behind the Trip?
The question lingers in my mind: why would someone want to go from Dewey Beach—known for its chill vibes and bar-hopping—to the bustling entertainment scene of Atlantic City? They’re hours apart, with totally different atmospheres. Dewey is laid-back, while Atlantic City is all about nightlife, nightclubs, and gambling. It’s a stark contrast, and I can’t help but wonder about the passenger’s mindset.
I can’t help but wonder what my passenger's vibe will be like. Is it a young Gen Z female, perhaps in a drunken party state, eager to blast music all the way to AC? I can almost hear her telling her friends, “I’m telling you! We could make serious money! Let’s go!” Just a couple of hours earlier, a stranger at the bar had confidently shared his “winning tips” for blackjack, and now she’s buzzing with excitement. “I already ordered the Uber!” she exclaims, urging her friends to leave before they have second thoughts. “I’ll tip the driver in chips; maybe he’ll vibe with us tonight, too!”
But what if she’s not in a party mood? Perhaps she’s exhausted and simply needs a ride back home after a fun day in Dewey. If she has work tomorrow, she might even doze off in my backseat, turning our three-hour journey into a quiet one. The truth is, the reasons behind this trip could be anything, and I was curious to uncover this late-night adventure.
The Decision
Despite the allure of this unexpected journey, I ultimately decided to cancel the Trip Request. Sleep is a priority, and as much as I wanted to embark on this journey, I knew my timing just wasn’t right. The fare was decent, and I could easily secure a ride back from Atlantic City to Philly, but my plans for Saturday at the Delaware Beaches loomed large.
If this request had come in on Saturday night, I might have driven north to Wilmington anyway! I could have arrived in Atlantic City around 4:30 AM, then made the hour-and-a-half drive back home, settling into bed just after 6 AM. Not the most ideal scenario, but it was definitely a tempting thought.
Reflecting on the Weekend
As I look back, I realize I was still able to make nearly $200 between 1 AM and 4 AM that same night by staying local. Sometimes, the best adventures are the ones that don’t happen, and I’m grateful I made the right call for my well-being.
With my eye sockets still intact from the weekend’s escapades, I think it might be wise to take the upcoming weekend off. Yet, I’ll always remember that late-night Trip Request to Atlantic City and the adventure that almost was. Who knows? Maybe next time, I’ll be ready to embrace the unexpected journey!
