6 November 2017

A day in the life of a Roadside Assistance Technician

A day in the Life of a Roadside Assistance Technician.

Roadside Assistance is something people only need when they are in distress, so i guess they are already having a bad day by the time they think about seeking assistance.  Seeing your Roadside Response technician puling up to manage your breakdown situation can be such a relief.  But have you ever considered what a it might be like to have a career as a assistance technician?  Meet Michael our lead Road Assist Technician in Sydney; as he talks about a typical day in the life of Roadside Response.

“Hi my name is Michael and I have been a Roadside Assistance technician for over 10 years.  Helping people out of sticky situations is hugely rewarding, and helps me get through those late nights and early mornings;  a critical part of the role.  It’s 7.00am and I receive my first call out of the day.  A lady on her way to work as woken up to find she has a flat tyre.  So i’m on my way to help her out. 

A puncture is one of our most common roadside rescue situations.  Depending on were the puncture is located, I’m able to repair the puncture in most cases, the alternative is to change over to her spare wheel.  Navigating the Sydney traffic, I give my customer a call to reassure her I am on my way to help.  I arrive and inspect the tyre, good news for this customer; a puncture repair is possible. 

Minutes later the tyre has been repaired and the customer is on her way to work, feeling much better about the day.  She told me she was a nurse; about to begin her shift, so its rewarding to be able to help in a small way to get her to the hospital, so she can help others.

24 Hours a Day 7 days  a week

Roadside Assistance for every Sydney Motorist | No Membership needed…ever!

No time to waste, i’m off to Mascot, where a customer has a flat battery.  They told me the current battery is approximately 3 years old and was working fine before they left for their flight to Melbourne yesterday.   Battery failure is the number 1 cause of breakdowns in Australia, which is why we carry replacement batteries on-board to suit all makes and models.  I find my customer in the short stay car-park.  Testing the battery, I’m able to ascertain that the customer has accidentally left an interior light on whilst they were away; causing the battery to go flat. 

A jump start later, and a quick explanation on how to put further charge into the battery and the customer is back on the way to their office to complete their day. 

I’m constantly amazed by the diversity of people I meet doing my job.  My next call out is for a ‘ furniture wholesaler’ who also needs a replacement battery.  At least that is what the Response team have diagnosed over the phone with them. 

Its a 30 minute drive across to Bass Hill to check on this customers Ford Transit van.  John, the owner, meets me as I arrive.  He seems flustered.  After a short introduction I learn that John is late for an important delivery of furniture and his customer has already called them to ask where he was!  I get to work replacing the battery.  I probably change over 50 batteries a week in this job and even more jump-starts caused by flat batteries; so this job is a breeze.  Although last week, I had to give the customer the bad news (who has self-installed a battery they bought from a shop) that he had been given an incorrect specification battery for his vehicle type.  He had a start/stop vehicle.  You know the ones that switch off the engine at traffic lights and then start again when you accelerate away. 

Because those vehicles require the battery to start the car hundreds of times a day – you need a special start/stop battery installed.  A standard automotive battery just isn’t up to the task!  Fortunately for John, his Transit Van is a straight forward installation and he’s back up an running in no time.  He gives me a wave and he leaves the car-park to deliver his furniture.  I can’t help but smile at the thought of his customer, also being happy with my work as well.

Time for me to take a short break, but I know my next emergency call out is not to far away.  I wonder what or who will need my help next?”

Considering a career in the Roadside Assistance Industry?

Don’t forget to ask for Michael | Sydney’s leading Roadside Assistance Technician

If you’ve ever considered a role like Michael’s then there are several ways you could go about becoming a Roadside Assistance provider.  One option is to talk to Roadside Response.  We provide suitable candidates with on the job training to ensure you become suitably qualified to attend and repair breakdowns.  It isn’t a job for everyone, as you can see, the hours of work are often anti-social; but helping people under breakdown distress can be a reward career choice.

We hope a breakdown doesn’t happen to you but the reality is you maybe Michael’s next customer?  Roadside Response customers don’t need to be a member with us to receive Roadside Assistance.  Our service is available to anyone, anywhere, anytime; not just in Sydney. So you can see why we are rapidly becoming Sydney’s Road Assist partner of choice for so many every days Sydney-siders.

If you do happen to breakdown and need assistance in Sydney (or anywhere else for that matter), call 1300 468 931 and ask for Michael.  You might just feature in his next blog about life as a Roadside Assistance Technician.