Yeah, I’ve noticed the same thing. Used to be, you’d call and someone would pick up right away. Now, it’s a lot of waiting and sometimes the reps don’t seem to know what’s going on.
That’s exactly how it felt for me last time I needed a tow. I still think their coverage is decent for the price, but the hassle factor is creeping up. Maybe they’re just understaffed, but it’s definitely not as smooth as it used to be.“it took forever to even get a real person. Used to be so quick, now it feels like calling the cable company.”
Yeah, I get what you mean. Used to be, AAA was the gold standard—call 'em up, and someone was on it right away. Lately, it does feel like you’re stuck in a loop, waiting for a real person, and when you finally get through, sometimes they seem just as confused as you are. I had to get my old Mustang towed last month and it took almost an hour just to get a dispatcher. Didn’t help that the guy on the other end kept asking if it was a “classic” or “antique” and then put me on hold to check what that meant for coverage.
Still, for the price, I haven’t found anything better, but the hassle is definitely creeping in. Maybe it’s just a staffing thing, or maybe they’re trying to push everyone to use the app (which, honestly, I’m not a fan of). I miss when you could just call and talk to someone who knew cars, not just someone reading off a script.
Yeah, I totally get where you’re coming from. Used to be, you’d call and the person on the other end actually knew what a carburetor was. Last time I called, I had to explain what a “bench seat” was to the dispatcher. Still, I stick with them because the alternatives seem even more of a gamble. Maybe it’s just the times changing, but I do miss that old-school know-how.
Yeah, I hear you on the shift in knowledge base. It’s not just nostalgia—there’s been a real change in the kind of training folks get these days. Here’s what I’ve noticed from the inside:
- The old-school dispatchers and adjusters often came from hands-on backgrounds. They’d worked in shops, or at least grew up around cars. Now, a lot of new hires are coming in with customer service experience, but not much mechanical know-how.
- Training has shifted to focus more on process and less on technical details. That means they’re great at following scripts and protocols, but if you mention something like a “bench seat,” you might get a blank stare.
- Technology’s a double-edged sword. The systems are faster and more efficient, but they don’t always leave room for the kind of personal touch or deep knowledge you used to get.
That said, I wouldn’t write off the newer folks completely. Some of them pick things up quick, and there are still a few veterans around who know their stuff. But yeah, it’s not as common to get someone who can talk carburetors or drum brakes off the top of their head.
One thing that helps: if you need to explain something technical, try to use the terms they’ll see in their system (like “front bench seat” instead of just “bench seat”). It can speed things up, even if it feels a bit clunky.
I get why you stick with them—switching can be a headache, and the grass isn’t always greener. But I do wish there was more emphasis on real-world car knowledge in training again. Maybe it’ll swing back around someday... or maybe we’ll all be explaining what a “manual transmission” is next.
Yeah, I’ve noticed the same thing. I called in last winter when my car wouldn’t start, and the rep kept asking if I had “pushed the start button.” My car’s from ‘98—no button anywhere. It’s wild how much has changed. I do miss talking to folks who actually know what a timing belt is, not just where to click in the system. Still, for the price, I stick around... but I sure do double-check everything they tell me now.
