While most people cringe at the sight of a tow truck, Rusty Hardy sees it as just another day on the job.
"We monitor properties so we can get cars parked illegally without a parking tag," said Hardy, a driver for Auburn Express Towing for the last four years.
"We will hook up the car, tow it to the lot, then the car will sit there until the registered owner comes and picks it up."
With about 70 different properties that Auburn Express Towing patrols, Hardy rarely finds a shortage of cars to tow.
"I am on call 24 hours a day," Hardy said. "I am normally the first one to the office, and I actually come in and get the office ready to be opened."
Once he arrives at a property, Hardy said he gets out of the truck and walks the lot to check for illegal cars rather than just driving through.
The main problem Hardy faces on a regular basis is dealing with irate car owners who walk up during the towing process and want their car back.
"I'm to the point now where it doesn't really bother me when someone gets angry," Hardy said. "I tune them out."
He said his best advice for people to avoid getting angry about having their car towed is to just be vigilant.
"When you pull on a property, you have to look for a towing sign," Hardy said.
However, if you do get your car towed by Hardy, expect a $100 fine and a trip to Opelika to pick it up.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
