Does it inconvenience anybody to call AAA assistance on a holiday?
November 28, 2013 12:38 PM Subscribe
A friend mentioned they were not to call AAA today about their car problems because it's a holiday and they don't want to inconvenience anybody. Would this really inconvenience people?
I know someone who does roadside assistance for AAA and several other companies. They are paid by the call, so I think they will be glad for the work. My acquaintance never seemed to complain about any call.
posted by jayder at 12:43 PM on November 28, 2013 [4 favorites]
posted by jayder at 12:43 PM on November 28, 2013 [4 favorites]
Disclaimer: my information is quite a bit out of date, and so may not be accurate.
Many years ago, I worked radio dispatch for AAA. Yep, drivers and tow companies were paid on a per-call basis. On holidays, the majority of the tow services providing AAA service gave the dispatchers a list of drivers who would be on-call, and we'd contact the drivers directly, usually at home. You're not inconveniencing anyone any more than they expect to be inconvenienced, in that they know they'll be likely be called out for one or more emergency calls.
posted by hanov3r at 1:08 PM on November 28, 2013 [2 favorites]
Many years ago, I worked radio dispatch for AAA. Yep, drivers and tow companies were paid on a per-call basis. On holidays, the majority of the tow services providing AAA service gave the dispatchers a list of drivers who would be on-call, and we'd contact the drivers directly, usually at home. You're not inconveniencing anyone any more than they expect to be inconvenienced, in that they know they'll be likely be called out for one or more emergency calls.
posted by hanov3r at 1:08 PM on November 28, 2013 [2 favorites]
I think it would be an inconvenience if it was something stupid that didn't need a AAA call, but that's the same for any other day.
People who work on holidays (usually) volunteered for the shift, and they're getting holiday pay. I don't know if the same applies to pay-per-calls, but if they're on call at a mechanic's shop or something they might be getting holiday pay to sit around and wait.
(My mom always volunteered for holiday shifts when we were growing up, and we never took it as an inconvenience to celebrate holidays a day or so later.)
posted by mibo at 1:08 PM on November 28, 2013 [1 favorite]
People who work on holidays (usually) volunteered for the shift, and they're getting holiday pay. I don't know if the same applies to pay-per-calls, but if they're on call at a mechanic's shop or something they might be getting holiday pay to sit around and wait.
(My mom always volunteered for holiday shifts when we were growing up, and we never took it as an inconvenience to celebrate holidays a day or so later.)
posted by mibo at 1:08 PM on November 28, 2013 [1 favorite]
And if they were to find out mid-meal that their host had committed one of the classic Turkey Hotline blunders and cleaned the turkey with bleach, but unlike the hotline story didn't call to ask how to best clean the bleach off, would they refrain from making an ER visit so as to not inconvenience the nurses and doctors?
There are some sectors where 24/7 coverage is mandatory and can't stop for the holidays. Emergency Wrecker Service is one of these jobs. People who go into those lines of work know what they're getting into.
(Posted from work.)
posted by radwolf76 at 1:21 PM on November 28, 2013 [3 favorites]
There are some sectors where 24/7 coverage is mandatory and can't stop for the holidays. Emergency Wrecker Service is one of these jobs. People who go into those lines of work know what they're getting into.
(Posted from work.)
posted by radwolf76 at 1:21 PM on November 28, 2013 [3 favorites]
A lot people who work holidays need the money and could use the business.
posted by 445supermag at 1:29 PM on November 28, 2013 [6 favorites]
posted by 445supermag at 1:29 PM on November 28, 2013 [6 favorites]
Yeah I've worked holidays in a bar and the only inconvenience you would have done me was not coming in and spending your money. Pay-per-call truckers surely feel the same way.
Even aside from that, businesses staff based on demand. Reducing usage doesn't do workers any favors.
posted by phearlez at 1:32 PM on November 28, 2013 [2 favorites]
Even aside from that, businesses staff based on demand. Reducing usage doesn't do workers any favors.
posted by phearlez at 1:32 PM on November 28, 2013 [2 favorites]
If the choice is between inconveniencing an on-call tow-truck driver, who will be paid, and inconveniencing a friend or relative, who will not be paid -- it might be best to choose the paid person.
posted by amtho at 2:20 PM on November 28, 2013 [5 favorites]
posted by amtho at 2:20 PM on November 28, 2013 [5 favorites]
There are two types of jobs where people work on holidays: essential services, often reasonably compensated, and service jobs, often not.
Those in the service jobs aren't thrilled to be stuck working the holiday because their boss decided to be open, but they need the money coming in, and so hours are better than none. The few these days who happen to get time and a half REALLY appreciate that half - it makes them feel at least a slight bit appreciated for working that day. Of course, it's not like the customers will treat them any better just because it's a holiday...
Tow truck and the associated kind of straddle those two types: they're often called upon by essential workers, but they're frequently paid at, and certainly have the status of, the service employees. If they're on call, it's even more fun - but at this time of year, they're going to be glad for the $$ - and they know they're in for a winter of work yet to come, dealing with people who just 1) broke their transportation, or 2) wrecked their transportation, or 3) had their transportation taken away by law enforcement.
In other words: just plain BE NICE and in general, they're not going to feel inconvenienced. Be a jerk, though, and he/she will be wishing they could leave you in a snowbank.
posted by stormyteal at 2:48 PM on November 28, 2013 [1 favorite]
Those in the service jobs aren't thrilled to be stuck working the holiday because their boss decided to be open, but they need the money coming in, and so hours are better than none. The few these days who happen to get time and a half REALLY appreciate that half - it makes them feel at least a slight bit appreciated for working that day. Of course, it's not like the customers will treat them any better just because it's a holiday...
Tow truck and the associated kind of straddle those two types: they're often called upon by essential workers, but they're frequently paid at, and certainly have the status of, the service employees. If they're on call, it's even more fun - but at this time of year, they're going to be glad for the $$ - and they know they're in for a winter of work yet to come, dealing with people who just 1) broke their transportation, or 2) wrecked their transportation, or 3) had their transportation taken away by law enforcement.
In other words: just plain BE NICE and in general, they're not going to feel inconvenienced. Be a jerk, though, and he/she will be wishing they could leave you in a snowbank.
posted by stormyteal at 2:48 PM on November 28, 2013 [1 favorite]
i'm unclear is your friend needs a wrecker or phone support. if it's the second one, i worked tech support many a holiday - the only inconvenience getting calls presented was that i had to put down my smuggled in booze for a minute and fill out the ticket.
posted by nadawi at 2:59 PM on November 28, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by nadawi at 2:59 PM on November 28, 2013 [1 favorite]
Considering AAA membership is something you pay for--why not call if you need assistance?
posted by Ideefixe at 3:07 PM on November 28, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Ideefixe at 3:07 PM on November 28, 2013 [1 favorite]
If I were working an emergency roadside assistance job, I think I'd find those shifts more rewarding, not less. It's much more likely that the people out traveling are on their way to visit family, perhaps one of the few times they get on the road all year, and by helping with that tire/battery/lockout/towing emergency, they're helping to prevent it from ruining that customer's holiday. And, as mentioned above, they're probably getting holiday pay while they're at it.
posted by ceribus peribus at 3:51 PM on November 28, 2013
posted by ceribus peribus at 3:51 PM on November 28, 2013
Best answer: Well, I have actually driven a tow truck on Thanksgiving day, more than once, so I suppose I am qualified to answer. The first thing to know is, tow truck drivers are not all compensated in the same manner. Some are on standby, paid by the call, and others are being paid by the shift. (A lot depends on the size of the shop and locale). If you are on standby, it is not all that fun being called out. The money on standby is not so great that you would likely be thrilled, but hey, it is part of the job. If I am already in the truck or shop working a shift then it is no bother at all to go out and help someone.
Would I have rather not gone out on Thanksgiving? Yes. Did it feel good to help people stuck on the holidays? Yes. Would I call AAA on a holiday if I needed help? Absolutely.
TL;DR Just call them, no need to overthink it.
posted by jcworth at 5:00 PM on November 28, 2013 [4 favorites]
Would I have rather not gone out on Thanksgiving? Yes. Did it feel good to help people stuck on the holidays? Yes. Would I call AAA on a holiday if I needed help? Absolutely.
TL;DR Just call them, no need to overthink it.
posted by jcworth at 5:00 PM on November 28, 2013 [4 favorites]
I have worked both at AAA in the emergency road service department call center and also at a towing company as a dispatcher.
You are not inconveniencing anyone, even if you call at 2 a.m. :) Call away. :)
Edited to add: The person in the call center is getting double time and a half (if they still pay the way they did when I worked there) and the tow truck driver and/or dispatcher (usually they just forward the calls to the person on call) has probably already taken at least 10 calls from people who locked themselves out at the gas station with the car running and three children in the car (who won't unlock it ;), and the tow truck company is paid by the call (not much by AAA, but all of those calls add up, and that is how they make their money).
What's more, the tow truck company, if it is not AAA fleet, is taking loads of calls from all the other road service services out there. They're out there working already and you're just one more.
posted by AllieTessKipp at 6:07 PM on November 28, 2013 [3 favorites]
You are not inconveniencing anyone, even if you call at 2 a.m. :) Call away. :)
Edited to add: The person in the call center is getting double time and a half (if they still pay the way they did when I worked there) and the tow truck driver and/or dispatcher (usually they just forward the calls to the person on call) has probably already taken at least 10 calls from people who locked themselves out at the gas station with the car running and three children in the car (who won't unlock it ;), and the tow truck company is paid by the call (not much by AAA, but all of those calls add up, and that is how they make their money).
What's more, the tow truck company, if it is not AAA fleet, is taking loads of calls from all the other road service services out there. They're out there working already and you're just one more.
posted by AllieTessKipp at 6:07 PM on November 28, 2013 [3 favorites]
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posted by windykites at 12:42 PM on November 28, 2013 [11 favorites]