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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To put two 11 year olds in an uber?

151 replies

ohlookgreyvelour · 01/01/2022 19:55

Just had a message from one of my dcs friends mum inviting them both out for friends birthday next week, however we will all be back at work and are unable to take them directly to the place ourselves.

So I was I thinking that I could book them an uber to pick them up from home and drop them to the place, which is a 5-10 min drive depending on traffic.
Both dc are very sensible and are usually at home alone in the evening from 4.30pm until 6.30pm when do gets home from work, I don't usually get in until later.

The mum is unable to collect as she will be coming from work herself. So do you think that would be ok?
I don't want them to walk as it will be dark at that time and they would have to walk through quite a rough estate.

OP posts:
Throughabushbackwards · 01/01/2022 20:09

I think it's fine as long as they are supervised getting out at the other end.

DS has been getting taxis (local firm) from school to after school club since he was 9yo. Teacher put him in at one end and a member of AS club staff met him at the kerb other end to take him inside.

Invisimamma · 01/01/2022 20:09

Could they go straight home from school with the birthday child instead? Cutting out the need for ubers.

It's how they would deal with anything going wrong, the driver takes an unfamiliar route, they leave a phone in the taxi, they driver makes them feel uncomfortable, the taxi doesn't arrive to collect them, an accident etc. So many unknowns in the scenario that is really difficult to prepare them for. Also you are not available to collect or bail them out if soemthing does go wrong.

School bus for example, you would do a few practise runs on the route first. Acconpanied, then unaccompanied but you being available, buddied up with older student. You can run through what to do when things go wrong.

Couchbettato · 01/01/2022 20:10

I think Uber and most taxi companies have a usage clause stating they won't take any unaccompanied minors.

Ours certainly do.

Doesn't always stop them though.

FoggySpecs · 01/01/2022 20:12

Getting into a car with a stranger. I would ask a friend, WFH that day. Although Uber better than a local mini cab company as at least there is a digital footprint.

Original poster
ohlookgreyvelour · 01/01/2022 20:15

Actually I didn't think to ask if they could go home from school Grin anyone would think this is my first time Blush

OP posts:
Gorseinon22 · 01/01/2022 20:15

A taxi maybe, depending on the area and how good the council are with licensing. I wouldn't use an Uber, remember the blatant disregard for rules that they had in London, until they were found out.

iloveredpandas · 01/01/2022 20:20

Really interested in why some people are saying definitely not?

Faevern · 01/01/2022 20:24

@ohlookgreyvelour

Birthday child lives across the road from the location so will meet mum or be collected by her I assume.
I wouldn’t put them in an Uber and assume they would be met. But then I wouldn’t leave my 11 year old home alone until 6.30 either.
Darbs76 · 01/01/2022 20:25

Absolutely not

Offmyfence · 01/01/2022 20:25

@Darbs76

Absolutely not
Why not?
backtolifebacktoreality · 01/01/2022 20:28

No way would I let them.

AlwaysLatte · 01/01/2022 20:29

Really interested in why some people are saying definitely not?
Independent person we know nothing about in a car, just no.

WestendVBroadway · 01/01/2022 20:32

Sorry to completely derail the thread but I don't know much about Ubers. I live in a small town, and we don't have Ubers here. How do they differ from a taxi or mini cab?Confused

Offmyfence · 01/01/2022 20:34

@backtolifebacktoreality

No way would I let them.
Why not?
Antsgomarching · 01/01/2022 20:35

I would try to find a female driver at mini cab firm. I’ve met some quite creepy cabbies from when I was 15 ish.

Redannie118 · 01/01/2022 20:37

Its on the first page of your Terms and conditions that no one under the age of 18 is allowed unacompanied in a vehicle. As you are the account holder you will at the very least get a warning and a refusal to take the children, or very possibly a total ban from the platform.

Cantfindausernamethatsnottaken · 01/01/2022 20:37

2 young girls in an uber or taxi with a stranger is just not safe.Of course they may be,but i wouldnt take even a tiny risk.

strengthinnumber · 01/01/2022 20:37

I would do that. DD (now 16) and all her friends have been skirting round London on family Uber accounts for the last few years and it's been very safe. One driver once refuse to take her as she was under 18 (she says he saw a better fare pop up just as she was about to get in!) but they don't usually even ask. You can track their journey.

Original poster
ohlookgreyvelour · 01/01/2022 20:38

@Faevern I know they will be met, i meant i assume the birthday child will be being collected by their parent from home and taken to the venue.

And again they're more than ok to be left for 2 hours

OP posts:
Original poster
ohlookgreyvelour · 01/01/2022 20:39

I didn't say they were girls!

OP posts:
Offmyfence · 01/01/2022 20:42

@Cantfindausernamethatsnottaken

2 young girls in an uber or taxi with a stranger is just not safe.Of course they may be,but i wouldnt take even a tiny risk.
I don't think the Op said girls?
Sandinmyknickers · 01/01/2022 20:43

Yeah I would but I'm in london where uber is a lot more commonplace. Depends on the area

SpankyPankhurst · 01/01/2022 20:46

For those who say no, can I ask why?

What kind of answers are you looking for, OP?

Can't you use your imagination?

onlycustomers · 01/01/2022 20:52

@Offmyfence

Absolutely fine, don't forget they need masks!
Really? Does everything have to be about mask wearing?
Offmyfence · 01/01/2022 20:52

@SpankyPankhurst

For those who say no, can I ask why?

What kind of answers are you looking for, OP?

Can't you use your imagination?

No really, we don't know if the children are make or female, carrying expensive phones or not?

What do you actually think may happen?

Ubers are tracked, do they know who they've picks up etc, know when they've dropped off.