Page 42 - AAA Magazine – AAA Ohio Auto Club – May 2020

AAA experts share their views on AAA today
In my current role as an executive officer of
AAA Ohio Auto Club, I take great pride in telling our members that we are always with them. We were built on the foundation of providing safety, security and peace of mind since our founding in 1902.
In July 2002, I filled out a job application at AAA and stated my interest in securing employment as a travel agent. Looking back, with it being just 10 months post-9/11, it was surprising the hiring manager didn’t pass on my resume, thinking I was oblivious to what was going on in the world. Perhaps AAA recognized ambition in a young 20-something who was seeing the world in a more positive light. Fortunately, I was granted an interview and was then offered an entry-level position as a member service counselor. Although it wasn’t the position I had my heart set on, which wasn’t available at the time, I accepted the offer.
Why had I set my career hopes on AAA? Maybe you could call it a matter of family trust.
My parents were longtime AAA members – and they still are – when they bought me a membership when
I was in college. They knew I could contact AAA if I ever needed road service, whether I was driving my dad’s 1989 Buick Century or traveling with friends. The AAA membership had me covered, and that helped settle their fears of me being gone from home.
So fast forward to the spring of 2020 and here we are finding ourselves struggling through the COVID-19 pandemic, another period of uncertainty. We are working remotely while teaching school-age children, placing grocery orders and missing interactions with family, friends and our AAA Ohio members.
At times it seems like the news is changing by the hour and other times a day feels like a full week.
More than a year ago, my family booked a Disney cruise, scheduled to depart on March 23, 2020. At the beginning of March, I declared my intent to hold onto those travel plans. Perhaps I was reverting to my younger self when I was such a resilient traveler and world events would not interfere with my plans.
We had made payments on our trip with our AAA Travel agent for close to a year, so I was determined to see this long-awaited vacation come to fruition. But, like many of you, our departure was canceled as a result of COVID-19, and we were given the option to receive a refund or reschedule. We chose the latter.
Our trip postponement can’t be compared to what people are experiencing in the world today, but I share
Krista Whorton
Senior Vice President, Member Experience, AAA Ohio Auto Club
my travel story because there is hope in the future and we will travel again.
We can all still dream about our next destination or experience, which is why we still published this issue of AAA Magazine, our club publication known for exciting travel stories and featured destinations.
We hope this issue of AAA Magazine finds you and your family healthy. Whether it be close to home or far away, AAA is with you every step of the way.
AAA emergency road service, which is the No. 1 reason most people join AAA, will continue to
provide exceptional experiences every time. And
we anticipate fulfilling all your travel needs when you are ready. Whether it is exploring the great state of Ohio or the world, we are here for you.
Thank you for your membership loyalty.
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