Yes, cabs drivers can actually fit very closely with the ideal independent contractor model because they can pick people up at the curb and pocket full money from the trip after taxes.  Uber on the other hand dispatches 100% of the work to their drivers  and takes a direct cut every time.<p>They both have a lot of flexibility and let people work any time of day or night.  But, Uber has much tighter controls on work location and performance. Where a cab company only cares if service is terrible and someone calls to complain, Uber wants more than that and fires people for so-so performance.<p>In the end Uber pretends to be setting up a market, however they act like drivers are employees.