Local gas chain is looking for employees who carry guns.

SunnySlopes said:

. . . and the job pays $35/hr.

Click to expand...

Woah! That's got to be 3-4x what a cashier makes.

I have to wonder how their corporate liability insurance is handling that. I'll bet they are going to be state-certified armed security.

SunnySlopes said:

https://www.tulsaworld.com/news/loc...cle_a23f522c-c10d-57f3-8458-ac9101fc967c.html

Quick Trips are all over Oklahoma and have had a bunch of robberies of late. Now they're looking for employees with security/military/law enforcement background who carry guns.

This quote was interesting:

They're calling them "hybrid" employees and the job pays $35/hr.

Click to expand...

Wow! I would take that deal any day!

The owners at my workplace are rabid Antis who would ban us from having guns in our cars
if there wasnt a state law specifically protecting the practice.

Many of us carry on the job anyway, in violation of company policy. In fact, we have an informal "security response team" which has discussed action plans in the event of robbery, active shooter, or civil disturbance.

We pretty much all hate our owners anyway. If they came around more often, I doubt anyone would work for them at all. Lol.

NIGHTLORD40K said:

Wow! I would take that deal any day!

Click to expand...

Really? They're hiring armed employees, and paying them high wages, because they've been the target of a spate of robberies. Would you literally put your life on the line for $35/hr.? I wouldn't.

AlexanderA said:

Would you literally put your life on the line for $35/hr.? I wouldn't.

Click to expand...

Military personnel and most LEOs (at least in my part of the country) do it every day for a hell of a lot less.

SunnySlopes said:

https://www.tulsaworld.com/news/loc...cle_a23f522c-c10d-57f3-8458-ac9101fc967c.html

Quick Trips are all over Oklahoma and have had a bunch of robberies of late. Now they're looking for employees with security/military/law enforcement background who carry guns.

This quote was interesting:

They're calling them "hybrid" employees and the job pays $35/hr.

Click to expand...

That's refreshing stance most businesses rather have their employees comply and pray that robber doen't injure or kill them. It's less expensive that way because insurance covers any losses.

Big big difference with sworn personnel working for a government entity and someone working in the private sector... Me? I'd be very leery of doing a job that encouraged me to be armed in the private sector... I'd want it spelled out in writing, exactly what the employer's obligations were to me in the event I did have to use a weapon on the job - and their obligations to any such employees if they were injured or killed on the job...

This sort of stuff is why most police outfits (and I, myself personally...) advised any off duty and/or out of jurisdiction officers that their obligation to intercede in a violent incident off the job was more than satisfied by getting to the nearest telephone and calling it in - then being a good witness.... More than one off duty or out of jurisdiction officer was absolutely not supported by their agency after the fact - particularly when it came to any retirement or other benefits that would normally be in place if hurt or killed on the job....

In my own career I did intervene and even make both off duty arrests in my own jurisdiction and once or twice "citizen's arrests" outside of my own jurisdiction (in one case for a robbery in progress -without firing a single shot... ). When I was a young cop I always thought that I had an obligation to act - even though my outfit discouraged direct involvement when not on duty... Years later when I had a lot more experience I came to understand just how great a danger I'd placed myself in at the time (not because of any physical danger - but because it could have cost me my job - or worse yet my career - if I were injured doing "the right thing".. with no compensation whatsoever...).

A lot to consider about the possible stuff involved in this kind of a private sector arrangement... No doubt the business would benefit -but the possible costs to the employees involved - that's another matter entirely...

Smart concept for the gas station. It combines the security guard job into a position that creates value for the chain. On top of that criminals can't tell if the store has an armed guard on duty or not at any given time and should assume an employees are armed and capable of defending the store. Of course that assumes the criminals are aware of the policy.

I worked for a chain that has a number of stations in the Tulsa areas and the crime down there is rampant and not just from the customers. There were months where $10,000 worth of cigarettes and beer would walk out the door at individual stores. There's no way that happens without employees being in on it.

I wonder what the employees are trained to do if someone walks in and demands cash? It would be a huge liability if a 250 lbs "unarmed gentle giant" walks in and demands money and ends up getting shot due to his unlawful behavior. I don't agree with the concept of not allowing employees to defend themselves, but I also understand that often times the best outcome is to just give into the criminals demands and hand over the cash without causing a big commotion.

AlexanderA said:

Really? They're hiring armed employees, and paying them high wages, because they've been the target of a spate of robberies. Would you literally put your life on the line for $35/hr.? I wouldn't.

Click to expand...

The average employee is doing basically the same thing for $10 to $15 an hour. Assuming the armed position is full time that's $70,000+ a year. I'm guessing the average pay for many police officers, fire fighters and others who put themselves into harms way in the Tulsa area is less than $70,000 per year.

lemaymiami said:

Big big difference with sworn personnel working for a government entity and someone working in the private sector... Me? I'd be very leery of doing a job that encouraged me to be armed in the private sector... I'd want it spelled out in writing, exactly what the employer's obligations were to me in the event I did have to use a weapon on the job - and their obligations to any such employees if they were injured or killed on the job...

Click to expand...

I don't disagree. I was only speaking to the idea of risking your life for a certain amount of money.

There are definitely multiple issues to consider here.

Arkansas Paul said:

I don't disagree. I was only speaking to the idea of risking your life for a certain amount of money.

There are definitely multiple issues to consider here.

Click to expand...

Statistically, there are many, many jobs that are just as dangerous and pay far less- especially when you include the cancer risk from exposure to chemicals and UV light. North Sea fisherman, Iron workers, miners, loggers, body shop guys, farm labor, auto mechanics, demolitionists, aircraft carrier deck crewmen.......not to mention firefighters, EMTs and LEOs.

So ya, for $35 an hour, full time w/benefits? Ya, I'd do it for a few years before investing my money and going back to something safer....

I'd do it.
I've never landed a job for half that, despite having to tell people with easier, higher-paying jobs how to do theirs after many issues.
Heck, I'm studying for mechanical engineering, and those jobs don't start near there these days.

Is the employer completely indemnifying the employees for a good or bad shoot? It's up to your local DA to determine which, and they fluctuate with whichever way the political wind is blowing at the moment. It's the difference between maybe having a life left after a shooting or being totally bankrupted. You could get sued down to your last nickel if not totally indemnified.

Even so, you are never going to get the benefit of the doubt in a shooting the way a LEO might, including by the police.

I carried a gun for the State of NY for 40 years, I would never carry one for a private entity.

Better take a look at the neighborhood it is in first, I guarantee it isn’t Marathas Vineyard

There are some areas in Columbus I wouldn’t even get out of the truck.

I bet you are not just dealing with petty theft/shoplifting. Not normal people that reason like you and I. Probably the kind that would follow you home if you hassle them. Not sure it would be worth $35/hour

My buddy is a manager for this company and have had quite a few conversations about his work environment. $70k a year is about what an assistant manager makes and after hearing the demands of his job I'd be asking for more. A job with the demands of cashier at that rate I might consider even with the requirement of carrying a gun. From what I know of QT they do back their employees as much as they demand of them and it would greatly surprise me they wouldn't have solid legal protection of their guards.

reddog81 said:

The average employee is doing basically the same thing for $10 to $15 an hour. Assuming the armed position is full time that's $70,000+ a year. I'm guessing the average pay for many police officers, fire fighters and others who put themselves into harms way in the Tulsa area is less than $70,000 per year.

Click to expand...

While that may be true, one of the job perks for the boys in blue is qualified immunity giving close to nil odds of having your weapon confiscated and spending the night or many nights in jail. It also assures the BB's will be investigated and "tried" by other police who will be at worst sympathetic. These people will be judged by a court of law and an adversarial prosecutor with his lawyer paid to the limit of the employer's insurance.

The employer's attitude is more in line with the spirit of the 2nd Amendment. I will give you that. The risk/benefit ratio better than the police? Not hardly.

AlexanderA said:

Really? They're hiring armed employees, and paying them high wages, because they've been the target of a spate of robberies. Would you literally put your life on the line for $35/hr.? I wouldn't.

Click to expand...

Many people will. I worked a job in the woods alone for 12 years, where there was a daily threat from multiple life ending threats including lighting, intense cold, intense heat, dangerous animal/predators, crazy people, dangerous domestic animals, illegal pot growers, and a very very real possibility of having dead trees falling on me that were killed by a bark beetle epidemic. I did it because I was passionate about the resource I manage. I have never, and have never been allowed by my employer to carry a firearm, even though three things on that list are much greater threats than people realize.

It was all for way less than $35/hour back then.

The big difference in compensation between $35/hr at the armed QT job and a local PD getting paid the same. Two words...Police Union. If one of the armed employees has to use their weapon, they aren't going to have the strong presence of the police union backing them in criminal and civil court.

Officers'Wife said:

While that may be true, one of the job perks for the boys in blue is qualified immunity giving close to nil odds of having your weapon confiscated and spending the night or many nights in jail. It also assures the BB's will be investigated and "tried" by other police who will be at worst sympathetic. These people will be judged by a court of law and an adversarial prosecutor with his lawyer paid to the limit of the employer's insurance.

The employer's attitude is more in line with the spirit of the 2nd Amendment. I will give you that. The risk/benefit ratio better than the police? Not hardly.

Click to expand...

FWIW Quick Trip is headquartered out of Tulsa and has plenty of resources. I wouldn't be surprised if they have a larger legal department than the city and or local police union. On top of that they are probably just as politically connected as the local police department. When you're one of the largest tax payers and employers in the area it's quite a big difference from John Q Public. I'd also assume they have discussed the arraignment with the local officials and they probably have some type of insurance in place for these employees. Multi-billion dollar organizations tend to fully vet ideas like this.

reddog81 said:

FWIW Quick Trip is headquartered out of Tulsa and has plenty of resources. I wouldn't be surprised if they have a larger legal department than the city and or local police union. On top of that they are probably just as politically connected as the local police department. When you're one of the largest tax payers and employers in the area it's quite a big difference from John Q Public. I'd also assume they have discussed the arraignment with the local officials and they probably have some type of insurance in place for these employees. Multi-billion dollar organizations tend to fully vet ideas like this.

Click to expand...

If that’s all true what you said, and I’m not denying it than kudos to QT supporting citizens ability to uphold the law. I would get everything I could in writing if I were to take the job.

How much are they losing in robberies? Most gas stations don't keep very much cash on hand. I see a huge increase in pay and insurance for the company with very little added business because of the armed workers. I could be wrong but on the surface it doesn't seem to make a lot of sense.

I'd take that deal.

shafter said:

How much are they losing in robberies? Most gas stations don't keep very much cash on hand. I see a huge increase in pay and insurance for the company with very little added business because of the armed workers. I could be wrong but on the surface it doesn't seem to make a lot of sense.

Click to expand...

Have you ever heard of The Shooter's Grill in Rifle Colorado? It's become a tourist destination, people support it just because the servers all carry (I'm sure the skin tight short shorts help too).

There are people who will only do their convenience store business with this company because the employees are armed.

PS I've worked as an armed security guard in situations where I was guaranteed to come into conflict with street creeps for about half of what they're offering

shafter said:

How much are they losing in robberies? Most gas stations don't keep very much cash on hand. I see a huge increase in pay and insurance for the company with very little added business because of the armed workers. I could be wrong but on the surface it doesn't seem to make a lot of sense.

Click to expand...

It is not just loss in product but loss in time and public opinion, again from talks with my friend that works there. A robbery with likely result in the rest of those employees shift being spent doing police reports instead of selling products. Also there is a noticeable downturn in foot traffic inside the store at locations that are known to be hot spots for armed robbery. QTs profit is largely from things sold inside and not from gas, can't tempt someone into a spur of the moment candy bar or pizza if customers don't even want to enter the store. QT has had a fairly pro armed presence for awhile now, they provide free coffee to on duty officers to entice them to be around occasionally as well as paying for overnight off duty officers in select locations. I wouldn't be surprised if they just find this as a more comprehensive and cheaper alternative to a cop part-time. I'm approaching this from the assumption that QT will continue to take care of their employees. If (and that is highly unlikely) I were to apply for this I'd read quite a bit of fine print and get my lawyer to read it as well before moving forward, I wish I would have done that before I joined my union...

The genius of this is that they don't have to hire very many. Make a big deal out of how you are hiring these guys, put a few on the payroll, and have the bad guys wondering if the store they attempt to jack will get them killed.