To: Thomas V. McKernan, CEO
Get AAA To Stop Homophobic Contractors
What steps will AAA take to ensure the companies with which it affiliates treats all humans with dignity, respect, and professionalism? According to your website, “at AAA, nothing is more important than building relationships with our members.” While we appreciate this sentiment, we look forward to hearing how this homophobic injustice will be rectified.
AAA has been in business for over 100 years (since 1902) and has 51 million members, which means it provides services to about 25% of the US's driving population.
Why is this important?
Recently, a California State University at Channel Islands student called AAA to tow his car after it crashed. Immediately, AAA responded by sending Eddie’s Towing truck driver, Bobbie, to the scene. Bobbie’s behavior towards the student was hostile. Bobbie verbally bashed him stating, “the world f****** hates you” and took pictures of the student with his cellular phone while continuing to yell homophobic comments. The AAA dispatcher could hear all of the abuse because the student was on his cell phone. The dispatcher said he would contact the supervisor and asked Bobbie to stop. Soon after this request, a furious Bobbie left the student at an IHOP parking lot in Newbury Park, roughly fifty miles short of his destination in Los Angeles. Before agreeing to unload his vehicle, Bobbie verbally threatened the student and refused to give him his car if the student did not give him any money. Furthermore, Bobbie’s behavior towards the student’s vehicle was violent as he was unloading it from the tow truck, until he realized the student was trying to record this on his now dead cell phone.