one quick question

Whats wrong with the steering column.

Im not sure, my aunt has the car and I know it is making a loud squeeling noise and its a little hard to turn the wheel, but she plans on driving it like that on a 7hr drive, and im worried that something might happen and i am trying to talk her out of going until she gets it fixed first.

From your description it doesnt sound like a bad steering column.It sounds like the belt tenisor is going bad making the belt squeal and causing the power steering pump to not work properly.I would have it fixed or there going to get stranded when the tenisor fails.