The AA are crap.

[JayKay]

Got called out today with 2 Service Users and ended up taking them out on one of our works vehicles (Citroen Relay Minibus). Anyway, I had a few errands to run so did them then decided to catch up with my Service Users over some lunch so we stopped at a pub. Problem is, both of them are in wheelchairs and so require a tail-lift to get them on and off the minibus (consequently their wheelchairs get strapped into the bus with ratchet straps and trackers). Anyway, an issue with the lift meant it deployed but then wouldn't go up and down meaning they couldn't get off and I couldn't stow the lift to close the back doors - bit of an issue really, so on consulting our On-Call manager I was advised not to touch it (for insurance purposes in case there was any problems with it following me tinkering) and instead call the AA. No problems, I did this - at 5.30pm. The bus was undriveable at this point as the tail-lift was scraping the floor! AA due to 6.05pm. They rang me to advise of a delay and would now be turning up at 7.20pm, not a problem as the radio had said there had been a major accident blocking the main route to where I was so I gave them the benefit of the doubt. Then I had another phone call, to say they were further delayed, until 8.25pm (the accident had been cleared by this point and it was literally ten minutes away, not 1hr+. At this point I contacted our On-Call again to get another vehicle to us to take my Service Users (2 adults with severe Learning Disabilities) back home as it was starting to get cold and they were getting uncomfortable. After forcing the lift to work manually we got them transferred to another vehicle at 7.50pm and I settled in to wait for the AA. A further phone call said they were delayed AGAIN and would not be there until 9.10pm. Absolutely appalled at their service bearing in mind we had PRIORITY due to having 2 vulnerable adults on board. Regardless of whether I was allowed to touch the tail-lift or not I did a temporary repair (manually stowing it then securing it with wheelchair ratchet straps) before solving the problem once I was back at work and had tools from my car available. The AA got told not to bother and they cheeky gets even asked if the service had been adequate today! Rant Over

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[DanW@FastFord]

What's a Service User?

[JayKay]

Service User --> Client etc

Basically I work with Mental Health & Learning Disabilities so a Service User (to use the correct term) is somebody who falls within that category.

[tejy]

sign up with green flag..they done wonders for all the times ive broken down

[JayKay]

I'm with Green Flag for my own personal breakdown cover mate and agree, i've used them twice and they have been spot on. Unfortunately, it's a commercial contract and I have no say over it, all I know is our Transport Division have a contract with the AA and thats who we call when we break down etc ! All I do is drive the vehicles.

[DanW@FastFord]

Oh ok, just seems like a strange term. Respect for working with people with learning difficulties, is a very honorable profession!

[tejy]

oh i see..still u shuld make a complaint to the aa and get free breakdown for a year

[JayKay]

Dan, Indeed it could be classed as an odd term but end of the day its correct terminology so far as we are concerned these days (and you know whats its like with everything being politically correct etc!) - so called because they are users of the services we provide.

[DanW@FastFord]

Originally Posted by JayKay

Dan, Indeed it could be classed as an odd term but end of the day its correct terminology so far as we are concerned these days (and you know whats its like with everything being politically correct etc!) - so called because they are users of the services we provide.

I love PC terminology. I know a bloke who works for Amnesty International, he flipped his lid at me once as I said "ethnic minority" and not "minority ethnic". Apparently there's a difference!

[Iain Mac]

Originally Posted by tejy

oh i see..still u shuld make a complaint to the aa and get free breakdown for a year

Doesn't work.

I waited for over 4 hours for the AA to arrive on Princes Street, Edinburgh - with two kids in the car. To say they didn't give a shit doesn't begin to describe how uninterested they were before arriving, during the recovery, and after the event.

And that was using the Vauxhall cover that came with the car, I was a GM employee, and their contract was up for renewal at the time!

An individual stands no chance, but I'll wish you all the luck in the world if you go for it, though why you would want another year of shit service, free or not, escapes me?

[STAFFY OWNER]

Feed the info back to your transport division regarding the appalling service, who knows they may review who they use for breakdown cover in the future.

[JayKay]

Originally Posted by DanW@FastFord

I love PC terminology. I know a bloke who works for Amnesty International, he flipped his lid at me once as I said "ethnic minority" and not "minority ethnic". Apparently there's a difference!

LMAO!

Funnily enough, we've been enrolled on some stupid and utterly pointless course at work at the moment (to make our staff files look good i think) to do with Equality and Diversity and i'm sure the workbook mentions Ethnic Minority; do you think I dare bring the error of their ways to their attention

Iain - agree as to why you would want another year of crap service even if it was for free! It's the first time i've ever had to use the AA and tbh I will be reluctant to use them again, regardless of whether or not they are the contractors for work. I'm with Green Flag for my own personal cover (as mentioned) and will be renewing with them as they have been with us ASAP when i've used them and the operators have been excellent.

Staffy - written complaint already done, CC'd to Transport!

[Glenn.]

lol at ve vauxhall breaking down.only jokiing. Ive been with the AA for nearly 10 years. Ive used them about 3 times if that. Once was cause i fooked a tyre and didnt have a jack to change it and 2 other times were for other peoples cars.

[Iain Mac]

Surprisingly, the Vauxhall didn't break down - I ran over something in the road that broke the front wheel and burst both driver side tyres.

If it happened again, and I knew I had 4 hours to kill - I'd put the good rear wheel on the front, stick the space saver and the already damaged wheel on the back, and limp it as far towards home as I could manage.

[cossie col]

was with aa for 15 yrs and and used them loads with a cossie always been quite good till Jan. Van brake pipe split which was scary enough so phones them up to get (due to the recent bad weather we can not offer you a service in your area today) so had to drive 10 miles in 1st gear down back roads using hand brake to get to garage. Renewal through membership cancelled.

[KSA-Cossie]

Always been spot on for me and the mrs,she's called them out 5 times in 10 yrs lol,.

[tabetha]

Been ok for me, but when me dads SD1 broke down due to a buggered fuel pump, had to wait a while, it is an intank pump on these so no roadside fixy thing, they(AA) were told this(dad was hgv)mechanic, sent one van out to fix it, who was annoyed with the AA bosses for sending him when a no fix situation, as was the 2nd van they sent, eventually a truck arrived to transport the 5-7 miles home, breakdown was in Norfolk(Nearish to Norwich), truck came from Boston, had his wife and kiddie with him who ended up staying for tea!!
They wouldn't tow, not sure why maybe as no ps ?
tabetha

[dh2009]

Hi All
I work for the AA and happened to have read this thread. We welcome feedback, both good and bad and if you would like to discuss any issues with us further, can I invite you to call us on 0845 607 6727 - we would love to hear from you.

[mozzy]

Originally Posted by dh2009

Hi All
I work for the AA and happened to have read this thread. We welcome feedback, both good and bad and if you would like to discuss any issues with us further, can I invite you to call us on 0845 607 6727 - we would love to hear from you.

heres one for you, I was under the understanding that your patrols are trained to get into vehicles with keys locked inside, yet last night i was having a rest from my job parked in a layby at stonehouse, gloucester i sat for 40 mins watching the AA patrol trying to get in to his AA truck as he had locked his keys inside (just not a van actually one of te recovery trucks) then a van turned up to help him and 35 minuts later he just put the window through making me nearly piss myself at the cliche.

[cossiejay]

Originally Posted by mozzy

heres one for you, I was under the understanding that your patrols are trained to get into vehicles with keys locked inside, yet last night i was having a rest from my job parked in a layby at stonehouse, gloucester i sat for 40 mins watching the AA patrol trying to get in to his AA truck as he had locked his keys inside (just not a van actually one of te recovery trucks) then a van turned up to help him and 35 minuts later he just put the window through making me nearly piss myself at the cliche.

you seem to be in the right place at the right time i would have just stuck a brick through the window

[warrenpenalver]

used the AA twice in the last week. both times sent full recovery truck NOT the van as i said it cant be fixed. waited 30mins and hour.

Not too bad to be fair.

I left RAC for having loads of problems with them sending vans when id told them it cant be fixed at roadside and taking ages. One recovery i broke down at 10pm and didnt get home until 1pm the next day

[**caz**]

JayKay...could your company have not got another vehicle to you earlier when you had the initial problem?!

As a company we transport both child and adult service users, and if we have an issue with a vehicle another vehicle would be sent to rescue the service users and the driver left to wait for recovery?? or is this not viable where you work?!

[timrud]

I can't moan. I once was giving my mate a lift to London, got there and the gear linkage fucked up. Was about midnight, I wanted taking home but they told me it would take all night as would have to hand over to different trucks at each services. So they offered me and my other passenger a night in the hotel and they would tow me again in the morning to a garage, and pay for the part. I thought sweet.

So next day comes, they tow me to the garage. Later that day I get a call they cannot get the linkage (WTF I know ) so they put me up in another hotel for another night. Then I came home 2 days later. All for a £14 part!!!

[Toe Knee]

tbh depending how much u call then they all have problems!!

In the past ive used the RAC and most of the time despite telling them the problem and the car being fucked they still send a van out, to say they cant do it and then waiting for recovery.
Then the 1 day i tell them specifically to send a van as a clutch cable had snapped and they have the repair kits on them to have a spec turn up, whom turned round and refused 2 tow it due to it being lowered, to then ring again demanding a van, to eventually get a low loader 3hrs later!!!

Recently calledd the AA out and they arrived in good time in a van, explained the cable had snapped in this one, he said no its more likely the ratchet so afte giving up discussing it as he could have tried a temp repair i just let him tow me home!!!

Was actually surprised as it was free with my insurance policy and he towed me probably 15-20miles home!!

[ronf42]

I have only used the AA once and that was a few years back. My works van had a puncture and I had to call them out as the company didn't want us changing tyres. I was a tad embarassed about having to get them out. I was told within 30 mins, but the guy was there in less than 10 mins as he was just passing by at the time, so no complaints from me.

[cosevo]

had a few call outs from the AA ver the last year, time keeping isnt the best, and the office updates also really bad, but cant complain the drivers that arrive do their jobs quick and professionally, seems its more like lack of staff causing long delays possibly