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When children are locked in AAA member's cars it is rare that we don't get a truck dispatched and over there in around 15 minutes. It's the only time we drop everything and proceed even without a ticket to go on.

The only real trouble of late has been the new security systems that respond to any attempts by a lockout tool to enter their domain by shutting the engine system down. Whoops. This is starting to happen more and more but anytime I have something happen three times in six months I cry plague.

Lauren the calltaker called to tell me there was a lady with THREE kids locked in a car and I assured her I would get right on it.

The garage is already sending a driver when I received the ticket and the news is even better. A Ford Focus. I think I could get into that with just a wooden ruler (in my dreams). Somewhat annoying is that the car is at the member's home. No spare key?? There are a couple of good reasons for that but it won't made any difference in about 10 minutes.

I even call the lady to advise her WHO is coming. Smiling as I devote extra attention--customer satisfaction and brownie points. I can see her spreading the gospel of AAA to any and all.

She is calm which is pleasing but she is anxious to tell me something.

"Sir?!!"

"Yes ma'am."

"I'm sorry the lady I spoke to misunderstood me. We have three KITTENS locked in the car not kids."

I choke a burst of laughter and assure her we'll still be on the way. Weather is fine so no heat problems to worry about there.

Attention to details indeed as I'm always cautioning the Long Suffering One.

The calltaker does not have the decency to be embarrassed. I move on.

The other incident happened on day shift. A car needed to be towed out of a member's garage. There was nothing special about the tow and things were progressing nicely.

Until the garage roof caved in.

Or rather the drywall and wood beam false ceiling built above the car.

Which contained for mysterious reasons approximately 15 cinderblocks stored up there and I'm still puzzling why anyone would go to the physical labor of lifting those things UP there in the first place.

Which did not hit the car.

Or the driver. Priorities.

Or even the member.

The motorcycle next to the car is another manner.

As a dispatcher I liken it to God's love for fools--he must love them He made so many of them.