This Retiree's 'No-Brainer' Side Hustle Makes More Than $1,000 a Month — and Is About to Grant Him Another Life-Changing Perk The gig allows Larry Mack to meet new people and explore the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
By Amanda Breen Edited by Jessica Thomas
Key Takeaways
- Larry Mack diversifies his retired life with a Kansas City-style barbecue catering business and part-time gig driving with luxury ride-share app Alto.
- Mack praises Alto's employment model, which includes the use of an Alto-provided vehicle — a stark contrast to his previous negative experience with Uber.
After 30 years in law enforcement and crisis intervention, Larry Mack retired — but he wasn't done pursuing his passions just yet.
Nowadays, Mack runs a catering business serving Kansas City-style barbecue and has a side hustle driving part-time for Alto, a high-end ride-share app operating in Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami and Washington, D.C.
Mack started working with Alto in May 2019. "While at a QuikTrip, I noticed an Alto vehicle outside, and I stopped to talk to the driver about what Alto is," he recalls. "After our conversation, I looked up Alto online and learned they would give me a Buick Enclave to drive. With Uber and Lyft, you have to drive your own car, so that felt like a no-brainer to me."
The one time Mack drove for Uber in the past, somebody got sick in his car, and he was stuck with the bill — turning him off that particular side gig for good. But his conversation with Kevin Callahan, director of operations at Alto, put him at ease.
"I was excited to work at Alto because I wanted to learn more about the Dallas-Fort Worth area," Mack says. "I'm an explorer, and driving for Alto has allowed me to learn more about parts of DFW I didn't know existed."
During a typical week, Mack spends 20-30 hours on his driving side hustle, generally from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. He's off on Tuesdays and Sundays, which he spends with his family, and alternates between driving on Thursdays and Fridays. Sometimes, he helps train new drivers, too.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Alto. Larry Mack.
"I start the day at the Alto depot and get my pouch [including keys to the driver's assigned Alto, a phone with the Alto driver app, and earpiece to connect to Alto dispatch] and vehicle," Mack explains. "Once dispatch tells me where to stage, I check in with routes and traffic and wait to receive my first trip. At Alto we are paid consistently based on the hours we work, not the trips we complete, so we accept every trip we receive."
In the mornings, Mack always checks the weather and traffic forecast so he can advise passengers on an alternate route if necessary. "When a passenger gets in the car, I introduce myself, confirm their destination, and check the temperature and music preferences," he adds. "I love to engage riders in conversation and talk about food or sports."
Mack's continued his side hustle with Alto over the years because it's "fun" and allows him to explore.
"What more can you ask for?" He says. "I've seen places I didn't know even existed. I don't see it as work. It has taught me more about DFW. I haven't had one bad experience while driving for Alto. My goal now is to receive a Buick Enclave."
Alto drivers receive rewards for reaching certain milestones, and Mack will likely receive a Buick Enclave in the next year, according to the company.
