A Gen Xer explains how driving for Uber and Lyft has helped him socialize and earn extra income after an injury forced him out of the workforce

• Jason McConahy found it difficult to socialize after an injury forced him out of the workforce. 
• He said driving for Uber and Lyft has allowed him to interact with riders. 
• Making money as a driver isn't easy, but the social interaction has been valuable, he said.

There are some months when Jason McConahy, a part-time Lyft driver in Las Vegas, drives as few as 10 hours. But the time on the road is well worth it.

That's because the 48-year-old gets more out of ride-hailing than some supplemental income and flexible working hours; it's provided him with a valuable source of social interaction.

McConahy is among many ride-hailing drivers who appreciate the multiple benefits of the job. For some, the interactions with riders are simply a supplement to their social lives. But for others, like McConahy, they've become more than that. As the US faces an "epidemic of loneliness and isolation," ride-hailing — and other forms of gig work — could provide a valuable social outlet for some people.

In 2001, McConahy suffered a serious back injury that forced him to spend most of his time at home. He tried a few jobs that he hoped would accommodate his physical limitations, but he said working was unsustainable. In 2007, he decided his best option was to be a stay-at-home dad for his two children and collect disability benefits while his wife worked full-time.

But he said this transition wasn't easy — and took a significant toll on his mental health.

"After I sustained my back injuries, I became a shut-in, which queues up lots of issues," he said, adding, "Depression kicked in, laziness followed."

It wasn't until 2016, when he and his wife felt their eldest child was old enough to babysit their youngest for short periods, that McConahy began actively exploring outlets for social interaction.

"I started looking for anything I could do to get out of the house," he said. "I was looking online for groups to join for like walks in the park or poker buddies or anything at all."

It was during this search that he found ride-hailing. He signed up for Uber and Lyft and began picking up customers at the airport in Spokane, Washington, where his family was based at the time.

"Most of the time, I would be cleaning dust off my car to keep it shiny," he said. "But, for a few days a month, I got to be out of the house for a bit."

In 2019, McConahy moved to Las Vegas, where he now drives solely for Lyft.

To be sure, not every interaction with a customer is positive. Several Uber and Lyft drivers have told Business Insider they've faced everything from rude comments to harassment while working.

The social interaction is more dependable than the income

Most customers prefer a "quiet ride," McConahy said, and their response to a question like "how are you doing?" will typically tell him if they're up for a chat. When they are, he said some passengers will ask him about his life story, while others will ask questions about the city.

"Regardless of the type of passengers, it's human interaction," he said, adding, "Driving for Lyft provides me with much-needed and appreciated social interactions outside my home."

He said the extra income is another reason he drives, though the earnings can be inconsistent. In 2022, he made just over $3,000 across 265 trips — which is the amount he earned after Lyft took its cut — according to documents viewed by Business Insider. In August and September of last year, he made over $500 across 23 trips, equating to roughly $22 an hour.

McConahy said his ride-hailing expenses include roughly $2 an hour in gas to operate his 2019 Chevrolet Equinox, $225 a year for state and country business licenses, $25 a month for insurance, and $20 for a monthly car wash. Accounting for just gas expenses, he said he earns roughly $20 an hour from ride-hailing.

He said his wife's income and his disability benefits have made it possible for him to limit his ride-hailing hours. While he loves the social interaction and flexibility of ride-hailing, he said he doesn't think it's sustainable as a full-time job. It can be frustrating to see Lyft take a significant cut of his earnings, he said, and he wishes he could negotiate his own rates.

But when it comes to his customers, he has no complaints.

"I've never had a bad experience with passengers," he said. "It's always been very pleasant to drive for people."

Are you a gig worker willing to share your story, including pay, schedule, and tipping? If so, reach out to this reporter at jzinkula@insider.com.