Anyone use AAA Roadside Service? My first call...Top drawer!

[Don Ro]

A member since 2010.
This morning at a Home Depot I opened the back hatch of my Abarth and put my dog in there and dropped my keys inside so I could wash my hands a bit.
Closed the hatch and Boom!, my mind started to race...called AAA post haste - that took 6 mins or so...and then grabbed a white tarp at the store entrance and tossed it across the windshield...it was sunny and 94 degrees at this time. Got a call from AAA 4 - 5 mins. later that a unit was on the way.
Within 12 - 15 mins later a flatbed hauler showed up. He used a bladder to pry open the door enough to get a snake in there and pulled the door latch. As he was finished, another same rig showed up.
.
I called AAA just now to acknowledge their work...the dignitude with whom I spoke said that when a living being is locked in a vehicle, they send out two units and one unit has an EMT on board.
So for me, AAA emergency is worth the cost of admission.
BTW, Ollie was fine, panting like hell, though.
.
I've been meaning for months to put a spare key under the car...will do that today.
Thought I'd share.

[craigster59]

Been a AAA member for years, worth it's weight in gold. It's also a great gift idea, I think my first AAA card was a Christmas gift from my uncle.

Glad Ollie is safe and everything worked out. Now run back into HD and get that key made!

[Don Ro]

Originally Posted by craigster59

Been a AAA member for years, worth it's weight in gold. It's also a great gift idea, I think my first AAA card was a Christmas gift from my uncle.

Glad Ollie is safe and everything worked out. Now run back into HD and get that key made!

Thanks for Ollie.
How does one get these electonic keys duped, anyway, w/o buying at the dealer?

[craigster59]

The extra key for my Tacoma only unlocks the door, it doesn't have the chip to start the ignition. I keep the extra one with the chip in the glove compartment.

[Don Ro]

Hmmm....you smart boy. You been to college, I can tell.
TY!

[Seahawk]

Ollie, what a great name for a dog.

I am a AAA groupie: Any Minor World That Breaks Apart Falls Together Again

As a family we've had a few other calls. They have a great app, BTW.

[Evans, Marv]

Been a member for over a quarter of a century, and they've certainly gotten their money's worth from me. Having said that, I've been super happy to have their help the few times I needed it - like in the middle of Owens Valley with an over heated van from a clogged radiator. I have that extended plan which gives me 100 miles of free towing. Once in Riverside County, my fuel pump went out. I called & decided to have the car flat bedded to my repair shop near where I live. When we arrived I asked the guy how many miles. He said 97. That actually paid for my membership for a few years. I imagine you felt pretty panicked with the dog shut in the car. Glad it worked out OK.

[Don Ro]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Ollie, what a great name for a dog.

I am a AAA groupie: Any Minor World That Breaks Apart Falls Together Again

As a family we've had a few other calls. They have a great app, BTW.

Good story...a happy landing!

[Don Ro]

" I imagine you felt pretty panicked with the dog shut in the car. Glad it worked out OK."
.
Thanks. I kept looking through the tinted windows (AZ) and I could see his little tongue dripping. I was ready to break a window, if needed.

[craigster59]

And just a heads up, if you rent an RV and hit the open road, AAA will not help if you breakdown (ask me how I know). You can pay extra and get an upgrade to cover you.

For me in Caif, it's worth it just to do my registration and title transfers there instead of dealing with the DMV. They also do notary services at a very reasonable cost.

[Don Ro]

Most excellent. TY!

[Nostril Cheese]

I once had a AC compressor lock up and snap a serpentine belt going up the Grapevine into LA. AAA towed me something like 100 miles home. great service.

[vash]

Love it. I insure everything thru them.

The roadside stuffs saved me often. Lady time was also my keys locked in. Felt like a fool. This was my work truck.


Typos and bad grammar sponsored by iPhone!

[Head416]

Just out of curiosity, what do you guys think the time limit would be before putting a brick or a crow-bar through a window? Surely less than 30 min on a day that's 94 and sunny. Luckily that wasn't necessary in this case. I imagine Ollie getting impatient wih you: "c'mon! start the car already! why are you just standing there?!"

[Don Ro]

He did have that look of terror in his eyes...towards the end.
.
BTW, the best all time water dish is the Water Hole, Anti-Spill. I have had them in every vehicle for years now. But damn!, this car's dish was dry. What a dork, eh?
.
Amazon.com : P.S.I. Imports DPS5510 Anti-Spill Waterhole Small Animal Dog Dishes and Bowl : Pet Bowls : Pet Supplies

[URY914]

They have saved my azz many times. I had a 99 mile roll bed tow cost me $0.00 one time. Priceless piece of mine for my wife and daughter.

[dad911]

Originally Posted by craigster59

The extra key for my Tacoma only unlocks the door, it doesn't have the chip to start the ignition. I keep the extra one with the chip in the glove compartment.

First place a car thief looks is in the glovebox for the valet key. While at a dinner event about 5 years ago, when we came back out to the parking lot every lexus, bmw, mercedes and porsche had a broken window or drivers door lock. The cars with valet keys were gone.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by Head416

Just out of curiosity, what do you guys think the time limit would be before putting a brick or a crow-bar through a window? Surely less than 30 min on a day that's 94 and sunny. ...

AAA has come in really handy for me on a couple of occasions. That said, if I accidently locked one of my tail wagging buddies in a car/truck "here" during the summertime, I'd probably be breaking a window without hesitation within just a few minutes. Glass is freakin' cheap and replacable by comparison....YMMV.

[Baz]

Thanks for sharing, Don.

I signed up with AAA just a couple months ago as a first time member because of another thread here. Glad to hear they took care of you and Ollie today.

[rusnak]

Yup, I always re-new my AAA membership early.

I've locked myself out of the 1-ton so many times, they won't call a tow truck for me anymore. But it came in handy when I had the blowout.

Insurance is through USAA though.