they had this feature
unfortunately, NOBODY LEAVES SAN FRANCISCO so it's pointless, you'll be waiting for someone to want a ride south for a very long time
they've since removed that feature because it hurts your bottom line to use it
Why would you wait long? It's not like the system doesn't know where you are. Just start driving back, and if someone is around that needs a ride that direction, deliver it to someone already heading back to home territory in the same direction. Worst case you don't get anyone and drive back without any fares. All it should take is a slight bias towards those traveling back from long drives if it's going the same direction.
Because while there ARE people that are driving south, other Uber drivers are closer than me to them.
> Just start driving back, and if someone is around that needs a ride that direction, deliver it to someone already heading back to home territory in the same direction.
I tried that. Every single time I did it, I ended up home before Uber found anyone. The only time the feature was useful is getting closer to the freeway that I was going to take.
It seems like this is something they could help with. Can't they mark your home territory and try to schedule you rides that take you the right direction? If not immediately, maybe after a few rides in that area that don't take you too much farther away? It seems like this should be one of the main points of using Uber or Lyft, smart driver scheduling in areas where there's enough demand..