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A startup founder questioned Uber after an airport ride left four passengers sharing space with their suitcase because the cab’s boot was taken up by a CNG cylinder
His complaint has sparked a wider debate. (LinkedIn/Vik Gambhir)
A startup founder has questioned Uber after an airport ride left him carrying his suitcase on his lap because the cab’s boot was occupied by a CNG cylinder. Sharing his experience on LinkedIn, he said he had booked an Uber Premier expecting enough luggage space for an early morning airport trip.
The incident has started a discussion online, with many users saying they have faced similar problems and suggesting that cab aggregators should clearly mention luggage capacity while booking.
Founder Vik Gambhir shared the experience in a LinkedIn post, explaining why he felt the service did not meet expectations for an airport ride.
Founder Questions Airport Ride Experience
Gambhir began his post by asking Uber, “Dear Uber Am I not supposed to carry luggage while going to the airport?” He explained that he had booked an Uber Premier because it was listed as a sedan with a boot.
However, when the cab arrived, he found that the entire boot was taken up by a CNG cylinder. “I booked an Uber Premier specifically because it’s a sedan with a boot. There were four of us travelling with just one suitcase, yet it couldn’t fit because the entire boot was occupied by a CNG cylinder. We had to carry the suitcase on our laps all the way to the airport,” he wrote.
Gambhir said the situation could have been much worse if they had been travelling with more luggage. “Imagine if we had two or three suitcases, like most people travelling to the airport do. What unnecessary hassle would that have created for a 5:30 AM airport ride?”
He also pointed out that the ride had been booked more than 12 hours in advance and questioned why passengers are not informed if a vehicle has limited boot space. “This was a pre-booked ride made over 12 hours in advance. If a sedan’s boot is rendered unusable by a CNG cylinder, why isn’t that disclosed while booking? An airport ride without space for even one suitcase is absurd.”
Adding a touch of sarcasm, Gambhir wrote, “Maybe Uber should rename it ‘Premier (Boot Not Included).’” He ended his post by saying, “If a sedan can’t accommodate even one standard suitcase because the boot is occupied by a CNG cylinder, it has no business being offered for airport rides.”
Users Suggest Possible Solutions
The post received plenty of responses from LinkedIn users, many of whom said they had faced similar issues during airport trips.
A user wrote, “In Delhi, the scene is this: Rapido: Terrible, terrible drivers. Pathetic cars. Dangerous for women. It’s like you need to be a tobacco chewer, smoker, batameez and dirty to be able to qualify as a Rapido cab driver in Delhi.”
Another suggested, “Always hire uber XL for airport. They don’t have CNG fitted.”
A person commented, “I can totally relate with this issue.” Another user felt the problem might not be entirely Uber’s fault and wrote, “Great point out up by you, but I think there might be a possibility wherein the driver might have intentionally listed his car over uber premier even after not having the required eligibility for it, although I’m not so sure. This gives Uber a chance to do some research and improve themselves. I understand as customers we do have a choice to switch easily but let’s give them a chance. It’s a brand and it keeps learning everyday.”
One commenter also suggested a feature that could help avoid such situations: “Agree completely. Maybe the cab aggregator companies can have a check box which the passengers can tick if they need trunk space. And then match accordingly with the vehicles? It will be a simple way to avoid such instances.”
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