Tipping AAA? (for flat change)

[MM27]

I don't really consider AAA guys (or girls) to be mechanics per say. The ones I've dealt with have just towed me from point A to point B. I usually tip them because the 4 times I had to be towed I was pretty far from home. I rode in the truck with them. I know I don't have to tip, but I usually give them enough to stop and get some fast food for the way home because without fail I always end up having problems around dinner time.

 

[ratherbeatdisney]

I work for AAA. 95% of the time the person coming to tow your vehicle does NOT work for AAA. They are a contractor, they work for a tow yard. While they do appreciate tips, they are definitely not expected. Dont feel bad if you dont have the money or cant afford to, but if you feel like he did a good job, go for it.
And just a "tip", they service people just like a triage system, the person in the most danger gets service first. Someone stuck in the middle of the freeway is going to get service before the person who has a dead battery at home. Sometimes They will tell you 2 hours before you can expect a tow, and then a rush of very serious calls come in and your 2 hours becomes 3, its not the drivers fault, there are only so many tow truck drivers in any city at one time, and almost all of them work with AAA, if you have to wait longer its because someone in more danger needed service first, i know it still stinks to have to wait, but its in the interest of safety and getting people in danger out of harms way.

 

[tvguy]

You pay for pizza delivery and you still tip the guy don't you.

No, pizza delivery here is free, and the delivery guy is making minimum wage, so I would tip there.
I never thought about tipping a tow truck operator. They make pretty good money here. And an hour wait seems pretty long to me. I know here in California to get a permit to do service calls or towing on the freeway, tow operators have to agree to be on scene 20 minutes from the time they are called, or they are fined.

 

[NAB]

No, pizza delivery here is free, and the delivery guy is making minimum wage, so I would tip there.
I never thought about tipping a tow truck operator. They make pretty good money here. And an hour wait seems pretty long to me. I know here in California to get a permit to do service calls or towing on the freeway, tow operators have to agree to be on scene 20 minutes from the time they are called, or they are fined.

We have to pay for delivery here for our pizza. Almost $3.00 I think not sure anymore since we do walk in specials.

Most of the tow truck drivers you are talking about are independent and have there own trucks . We have them too here on our highway they sit just off the highway and wait.

CAA drivers do not make minmum wage but they don't make a killing that is for sure.

 

[ctinct]

I work for AAA. 95% of the time the person coming to tow your vehicle does NOT work for AAA. They are a contractor, they work for a tow yard. While they do appreciate tips, they are definitely not expected. Dont feel bad if you dont have the money or cant afford to, but if you feel like he did a good job, go for it.
And just a "tip", they service people just like a triage system, the person in the most danger gets service first. Someone stuck in the middle of the freeway is going to get service before the person who has a dead battery at home. Sometimes They will tell you 2 hours before you can expect a tow, and then a rush of very serious calls come in and your 2 hours becomes 3, its not the drivers fault, there are only so many tow truck drivers in any city at one time, and almost all of them work with AAA, if you have to wait longer its because someone in more danger needed service first, i know it still stinks to have to wait, but its in the interest of safety and getting people in danger out of harms way.

This is exactly how I figured it worked. I did know the tow truck driver is not an AAA employee. Good to know that I probably handled it just about right---I gave him a modest tip.

No, pizza delivery here is free, and the delivery guy is making minimum wage, so I would tip there.
I never thought about tipping a tow truck operator. They make pretty good money here. And an hour wait seems pretty long to me. I know here in California to get a permit to do service calls or towing on the freeway, tow operators have to agree to be on scene 20 minutes from the time they are called, or they are fined.

Actually, I thought the hour wait was pretty reasonable. The person on the phone did ask me where my car was. I had made it into my driveway before I heard that terrible hissing from my tire (turns out it was a MONSTER nail), so I really did not expect instant service. I have only used my AAA membership for a service call one other time, and that time I was on the side of the road with two kids in the car on my way to the airport. I have a feeling I was prioritized that time. The service was very fast.

 

[Handbag Lady]

I tip everyone and everything. Or so I thought until I read this thread.

It never would occur to me to tip them.

 

[tvguy]

We have to pay for delivery here for our pizza. Almost $3.00 I think not sure anymore since we do walk in specials.
I don't think I've seen a delivery charge here in years. We just have too many pizza places that deliver for free. Now, some don't honor coupons on delivery, but they don't charge a delivery fee.

Most of the tow truck drivers you are talking about are independent and have there own trucks . We have them too here on our highway they sit just off the highway and wait.
No, these are all companies because to get a permit to operate you have to have drivers on duty 24/7/365 and have a minimum number of trucks....not sure how many though.

CAA drivers do not make minmum wage but they don't make a killing that is for sure.

.

 

[BillSears]

I had a flat back in December and the AAA guy took care of it. It was a cold windy day and I tipped $20.