Date:         Tue, 18 Jan 2005 08:35:10 -0700
Reply-To:     jbrush@AROS.NET
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Anonymous Digest <jbrush@AROS.NET>
Subject:      Re: AIRS: [WetWesties] need help near Palm Springs
In-Reply-To:  <8F69BA7C-6906-11D9-AA1E-000502453125@eoni.com>

I am not in a position to help. I hope everything works out okay for our
friend, but his experience got me to thinking.....

Many of us know this, but  others may not be aware that AA + will  tow you
twice, or more, if your total distance exceeds 100 miles. This I know from
talking with them, not just hearing it from others.

Given AAA+, you can just let them tow you wherever they want if it gets
you off the freeway and to a place where you can gather your thoughts.
This beats 'going to war' with a beligerent tow truck driver on the side
of the road. Then, you can call AAA again and get towed up to another 100
miles. Also, it may not be obvious that you don't need to be towed to a
garage. You can get dropped at a motel or maybe even a camping area, given
a westy, or whatever, to allow you to compose yourself, get some rest, and
make those decisions under a little less duress.

Many of us know from experience that when you breakdown, its really
stressful, especially like this fellow on the side of the freeway, with an
idiot of a tow truck driver. Its kind of like medical emergencies and
other life-incidents, in that we are often unprepared to make decisions
from not having given it any prior thought. Most of us have probably gone
over the procedure in our mind in case we have an engine fire, need to
work on the CV joint on the side of the road, or how to pull the motor in
a truck stop and fix whatever goes awry  :-) but how many have gone over
the 'tow truck' scenario?

Accidents and breakdowns can frazzle the brain, so its a good idea to have
a plan ahead of time. Might help, can't hurt.

I am not second guessing this person who is having a  hard time, just
wanted to point out some things  that might make it easier on the  next
one. After all, if you pay for AAA+ make sure you know the whole package
and can use it to minimize the disaster if you can.  :-)

John