Harry Kyng:
Cheemap:
Have they stopped the bonus altogether or just reduced it? If there’re no targets, what did they base the bonus on? By having no targets, it definitely reduces the need to rush around and allows you to take care whilst out on the road. I would do so regardless but you do see those maniacs on the road and don’t give a [zb] about others!
Do they still do that incentive if you work overtime called rapid response?
I also hear that they keep patrols on roads and contract out motorway jobs?
I can’t think of any other questions ATM but just want to get a feel for what the job involves and if the package that they give is good. Thanks
Bonuses used to be paid on ‘one shot’ jobs ie taking the member all the way if long distance. Also on ‘two car’ ie one on the back and one in the spec lift. Then there was towing mileage for trailers and caravans (my favourite), all of that has gone. We use garaging (outsourced) because we have more jobs than trucks, trucks aren’t kept off the motorway in the way you suggest. Garaging is based on other factors like the need for equipment we don’t carry.
No rapid response (PPJ), though I will ask drivers to come in earlier if there is a job waiting and a truck free. No driver is asked to rush, ever, they aren’t even asked to run at top on the motorways because member security and safety comes first.
As I’ve said elsewhere, the job itself is great and I miss being on the road. Changes in the last year or so have put unnecessary pressure on drivers but it may all settle down once the new managers sort themselves out. Who knows?
If I was coming into the job new I’d probably stick to trunking.
Thanks Harry. I’ve been away so sorry for delayed response.
With all those bonuses being taken away, I can see why old drivers are ‘peed’ off and it does ,take its shine away from the role. As for newbies joining, I think as they wouldn’t know any different, maybe they would find the terms ok to work with? The only question mark is the shift pattern as I’ve heard a lot of patrols have left recently due to not being able to adapt to these as they interrupt your family/social life.
I’m not one of these who can keep driving up and down a motorway and straight into a depot(I find it boring) hence why this job appeals to me. Meeting different people every day and no 2 days are the same along with a variety of driving (mixture of roads and motorways).
Cheemap:
Thanks Harry. I’ve been away so sorry for delayed response.
With all those bonuses being taken away, I can see why old drivers are ‘peed’ off and it does ,take its shine away from the role. As for newbies joining, I think as they wouldn’t know any different, maybe they would find the terms ok to work with? The only question mark is the shift pattern as I’ve heard a lot of patrols have left recently due to not being able to adapt to these as they interrupt your family/social life.
I’m not one of these who can keep driving up and down a motorway and straight into a depot(I find it boring) hence why this job appeals to me. Meeting different people every day and no 2 days are the same along with a variety of driving (mixture of roads and motorways).
As you say, if you’ve never had it then you wont miss it. The rosta change didn’t interrupt our social life, it annihilated it, you no longer have a life - honestly. Apart from that it does offer variety in all its forms and if you live to work then it is perfect 
Harry Kyng:
Cheemap:
As you say, if you’ve never had it then you wont miss it. The rosta change didn’t interrupt our social life, it annihilated it, you no longer have a life - honestly. Apart from that it does offer variety in all its forms and if you live to work then it is perfect
Honest reply to that is, I live for my family not for work but got to earn a living in order to provide for my family. I’m not scared of putting a shift in and working long hours however, you do need a fine balance when required and now I’m starting to wonder if this job is all one way traffic.
I’m wondering if, with the number of patrols leaving and the main reason sounds like the rosters, if management have a light bulb moment (quite rare I know) and decide to change things. In my last office job, if a number of people started to leave, we would certainly look into why and try and think of alternatives if it pointed to the same thing providing it had no direct impact on customers.
i passed the phone interview for the same position down here in cornwall this afternoon. the mentioned it was shift work but there has been no mention of hours or pay i assume that will all come up at the next interview stage?
ill have to get my dcpc renewed etc, its been a while lol.
i think if the pay is ok it would be a good move for me. i cant stand my current job, but its stable and pays ok (for down here).
Cheemap:
Honest reply to that is, I live for my family not for work but got to earn a living in order to provide for my family. I’m not scared of putting a shift in and working long hours however, you do need a fine balance when required and now I’m starting to wonder if this job is all one way traffic.
I’m wondering if, with the number of patrols leaving and the main reason sounds like the rosters, if management have a light bulb moment (quite rare I know) and decide to change things. In my last office job, if a number of people started to leave, we would certainly look into why and try and think of alternatives if it pointed to the same thing providing it had no direct impact on customers.
I can honestly say it’s one-way. One recent response to the drivers leaving was “at least we didn’t reduce their rest time yet, which we can”. There is no consideration to the added stress of the job above that of driving.
Harry Kyng:
Cheemap:
Honest reply to that is, I live for my family not for work but got to earn a living in order to provide for my family. I’m not scared of putting a shift in and working long hours however, you do need a fine balance when required and now I’m starting to wonder if this job is all one way traffic.
I’m wondering if, with the number of patrols leaving and the main reason sounds like the rosters, if management have a light bulb moment (quite rare I know) and decide to change things. In my last office job, if a number of people started to leave, we would certainly look into why and try and think of alternatives if it pointed to the same thing providing it had no direct impact on customers.
I can honestly say it’s one-way. One recent response to the drivers leaving was “at least we didn’t reduce their rest time yet, which we can”. There is no consideration to the added stress of the job above that of driving.
I’m quite shocked if that was said. A national organisation like the AA, I would’ve assumed would want to treat their employees well and in turn that gets passed down to the customers through excellent customer service. Seems like the current crop of management are ruining the name.
Also another question Harry, I heard that trying to book time off is also a pain in the backside. Can you shed any light on that please? Thanks
Cheemap:
I’m quite shocked if that was said. A national organisation like the AA, I would’ve assumed would want to treat their employees well and in turn that gets passed down to the customers through excellent customer service. Seems like the current crop of management are ruining the name.
Up until 1999 the AA was a Mutual Company, then it became a private limited company, and was floated in 2015, I think.
The current management style is not likely to be a passing phase…
Franglais:
Cheemap:
I’m quite shocked if that was said. A national organisation like the AA, I would’ve assumed would want to treat their employees well and in turn that gets passed down to the customers through excellent customer service. Seems like the current crop of management are ruining the name.
Up until 1999 the AA was a Mutual Company, then it became a private limited company, and was floated in 2015, I think.
The current management style is not likely to be a passing phase…
A plc is first and foremost ran in the interests of the shareholders. How they treat their people is irrelevant and no concern to them
Cheemap:
Hi All,
Questions i have are: whats it like working for the AA?
Is recovery good to get into and boost future prospects in regards to career and pay?
Thanks
As no one else has answered the question I’ll give it a shot!
Recovery work is split into two parts; the roadside technician and the recovery driver. The technician needs to be able to cope with most vehicles at the roadside possessing a good knowledge of diagnostics using a van or spectacled vehicle. The other part is the recovery vehicle which I do. Recovery appealed to me as a classic car enthusiast and having shifted vehicles for folk on my own trailer for many years. i enjoy the work… when and if - working for garage recovery firms pay will simply be per job.
Prospects in the AA are excellent you are paid by the hour (about £25k-30k p.a.) and you still get pay if there is a quiet time. The negative is that one has to live within 25 miles of the depot which rules it out for me.
The business negative is shifting cars (for which a load of one man bands are available with a transit low loader for small/medium cars) i.e. folk with a clutch problem need the car taken to a local garage for repair. The true Recovery vehicle 10-14T are equipped for transporting but also shifting burnt out wrecks, and hauling out of dykes. I love the job but it’s £20 a job plus mileage. Heavy recovery is much more fun and that’s where a firm makes money - getting a truck out of a ditch is well into four figures.
So career wise; you start with simple collection and delivery, progress onto minor crash damage (like broken rear axle and using slips and skates), Using snatchblocks for motors in ditches and other equipment, and progress onto heavy recovery. You’ll have to learn a whole load of methods to cope with situations like cars fitted with go-faster spoilers conveniently covering the front and rear tow hitch (if fitted). You’ll also receive a good introduction to BMWs - very low and despite their reliability claim - you’ll probably find half your jobs in a week will be BMWs!
Future prospects - well as motors get more complicated so there is more to go wrong and need to be transported to a garage. But more and more firms have got into the business. When I had my first car 30 years ago; cover was offered by AA, RAC, Britannia and Green Flag - now the number is into high hundreds.
One blessing is working domestic and EU rules - no need to use the tacho unless outside 62.5 mile (100 km) radius of base as crow flies). But on call for 24 hours.
So you’ve joined the AA and you’ve done very well - whatever any one else says you get paid whether you have a recovery to do or not!
that makes me feel a lot better about the career.
i used to run my own 7.5ton recovery lorry on a private basis draggin my own and families cars about and taking my challenge truck (modified discovery) and sports cars to events. with only very basic kit (a winch and ■■■■■■ blocks and a few bow shackles) i would have to use my lorry to do some seriously tricky recovery offroad when i’ve knackered all the winches on the landrover.(for example) so i have a fair idea on how to do the job.
i’m getting more and more narked off with my current job. i just want a change, and on top of that the minimum pay (according to the advert) is more than £1k more than i earn at the moment. win-win. 
kcrussell25:
Franglais:
Cheemap:
I’m quite shocked if that was said. A national organisation like the AA, I would’ve assumed would want to treat their employees well and in turn that gets passed down to the customers through excellent customer service. Seems like the current crop of management are ruining the name.
Up until 1999 the AA was a Mutual Company, then it became a private limited company, and was floated in 2015, I think.
The current management style is not likely to be a passing phase…
A plc is first and foremost ran in the interests of the shareholders. How they treat their people is irrelevant and no concern to them
During my time in recovery there have been at least 5x distinct times where the AA have changed their T&C’s with regards to the frontline operatives, this has always been to the detriment of the operatives.
As is the case in many different vocations, a percentage of people pack up there bags & walk away, only to be replaced by people who think the new T&C’s are manna from heaven.
It’s a management style that has become ever more popular since they smashed the unions & polluted the very word “socialism”. You can even buy ‘self help’ books that lay out the techniques & principles.
It’s called “Race To The Bottom”.
So you’ve joined the AA and you’ve done very well - whatever any one else says you get paid whether you have a recovery to do or not!
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Thanks for your in depth reply Jesse.
I haven’t joined the AA yet, I’ve just passed the telephone interview stage and I’m awaiting to be called in for a recruitment day.
I’ve done self employed work as a van driver before and found it stressful in regards to having enough work to pay for the van and take home pay, maintenance issues, sickness (being off the road), holiday cover etc. I rather much prefer being employed and sleep well at night (pressures off work anyway!).
I do like the sound of recovery and that’s why the AA job appealed to me. As well as the actual job itself, a company like the AA will have (I assume anyway) A benefits package in place like sickness pay, death in service etc (after a qualifying period). If anything was to happen to me, at least my family will receive something for my services.
As I’ve mentioned in a previous post, driving from A to B wouldn’t motivate me even though it’s easy. I prefer to have a variety and no day the same as to say
Good luck to ya I wouldn’t go back I did six years for the aa and you are a number
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