To expect a breakdown/recovery service to get dh home in reasonable time?

[runnyhabbit]

Dh has a works van. Driving home (which is South Wales) from Cornwall/Devon, the van breaks down on the A30?. As an ex-mechanic, he knows its the timing belt (=new engine) Van is VW, only 1yr old.

This happened at 8pm tonight. He still hasn't been picked up. VW contract the recovery to RAC, who subcontract out to local firms. The local firm won't travel to South Wales. Can offer him a courtesy car, but dh has a transporter (transit size) and will not be able to fit his equipment in it. Dh can't afford to leave van with such expensive stuff in it, and besides, they'd have to go back there tomorrow to unload in, and wait for it to be recovered.
Recovery people said that it will be 4 HOURS before they can get a tow truck there!!!
Hang on..Dh has just rung and told me that his boss has got them to get a truck there within an hour and half. Still

Just needed to have a rant.

Thing is, I can't sleep unless I know he's ok. Apparently, they did get someone to tow him to a services, so he can have something to eat etc.

I'm sorry it is causing you to worry.

A young single man is not very high up the prioity list compared to single women/kids/elderly people in cars.

I do hope it doesn't take too much longer.

Yep, I know. And he knows that too. At least he hasn't been left on the side of the road.

Think we're more annoyed that it's taken until now to get someone to agree to tow him home.

Hey runny - where is he? What town is he near or what services?

Sorry to hear it Runny. I think you are being totally reasonable to be annoyed. If you pay a company for recovery cover of this kind, they should make sure they have someone who can do it, even if that means paying someone some standby money or something. I'm glad his employer is helping him. Hope the company will also complain to VW as presumably the cost of this cover is included in what they pay for vehicles.

Hi up

Not sure exactly. Think he was going to have a bit of a doze, and chill out, if he can.

We both said that if it was a choice between getting him home, or someone more vulnerable (pregnant, children etc) then he'd want them to be seen to first.

But no-one would guarantee anything. Its been all "well mr runnyhabbit, we will try and get you home, but it could take up to 4hrs" etc

Ds1 asleep in our bed, ds2 sleeping in his cot. Guess I should be asleep too.

Sorry i was asking cos I live on the a30 but if he's going to wales he'd have gone the wrong way if he was on my bit! You're not being unreasonable at all.

x-post elkie

He's actually made a list of who he spoke to, and what they said. His boss is livid.

Oh shit, I've just remembered, dh is working tomorrow.

Sorry to hear that Runny, hope he gets home soon.
Try and get some sleep, while you're waiting. Easier said than done I know. I always wait up for DH because I can't sleep properly til I know he's home.

Thinking of you.

UP - I could've sent him round for coffee

I know there are worse things that can happen, its just pita. Absolute pants.

what time did he get home runny?

He finally got home at 3.39am this morning. Safe and sound.

I'd say that is an unacceptably long time for him to wait, I bet you are both exhausted.