Anybody here have experience as a security guard?

[MitchSchaft]

The economy in my area is to the point where nobody wants to hire in the IT field. I'm thinking about looking into the security guard field as they are hiring with halfway decent pay. I also thought I could make use of my carry permit by being an armed security guard for a few more dollars/hr.
Does anybody here have experience being a security guard? What kind of stories can you tell me? I would also like to hear any advise.

 

[MitchSchaft]

Check out what I found by searching Google: http://www.philthesecurityguard.com/LifeInTheGuard.html . Stories about being a security guard .

 

[geegee]

I worked as a security guard for Brinks, while in college in Ottawa, Ontario during the mid '70's. It was a great job for a student-very flexible hours (they almost always needed someone at some hour of the day or night), pay was ok, and I met a lot of bank tellers . It was considered extremely safe in Ottawa, until one of our crews had a guard murdered. Mo Prudhomme was a very friendly, young father who was killed by a shotgun blast, for no reason at all. Like most guards, he would have gladly handed over the dough.

There was also an incident in 1976 when there was a big robbery in Montreal. The Brinks truck driver was reading his morning paper, while parked in the rear of a bank. A delivery van pulled up in front of the truck (while the crew was downstairs getting the morning delivery of deposits), and when the driver heard a rap on the window, he was instructed to look ahead at the van. When he did, he saw the doors open and a .50 cal. machine gun mounted in the van , pointed at him. Being a military veteran, he realized what that gun could do to an armored truck, so complied with the request to get out and wait for the rest of the crew. When they returned, the robbery took place.

AFAIK, the money has never been returned. Aside from these stories, however the job was pretty routine. geegee

 

[e5c03]

Hey if you wanna change careers to security try somthing worth it like Border Patrol,,secret service,ins,,,,,,

 

[bobs1066]

For a couple of summers back in the 70's, I was a security guard at a chicken-processing plant. They had one ancient S&W Model 10 revolver with only 5 rounds. Yup, you guessed it, some previous guard had accidentally fired off a shot in the guard shack & the company wouldn't hand out another round.

It was pretty quite, nobody tried to steal the parking lot as while I was on duty.

 

[VaughnT]

If you get on with a good company, it can be fun. I work for an armored car company and enjoy going to work in the morning, which is about all you can ask for.

One option, if you can make the cut, is nuclear security. If you have a power-station around you, it's very good money and some serious training. Making the grade is very difficult and turnover is low.

Pinkerton and Brinks seem to be the biggest companies out there.

 

[Quartus]

BTDT, late 70's, early 80's. As noted above, mostly routine and BOOOOORRRRRRRRING!

I've 'guarded' a Nabisco plant where they made Nilla Vanilla wafers, another place that made Listerine and various chewing gums (I know, strange combo), various small factories, an apartment complex (weird stuff went on there...) and generally, an odd assortment of businesses. And one stint on anti-union duty at a grocery store during a strike, where I engaged in a high speed (foot) pursuit of a shoplifter. Poor girl! I was doing 10 miles a day at that time, in close to world class times. She & her boyfriend were near heart attacks, and I hadn't started breathing yet.


Anyway, the pay depends on the work. Guarding money brings more pay and more danger. Most of the guards fall into three categories:

1. Students. 'Nuff said.
2. Retired folks. It's a little extra money.
3. Wannabees. Couldn't make the cut to be a real cop.
   [/list=1]
   
   Stay farrrrrrrr away from this last group! The retirees run the gamut from "How do you get your gunbelt on while holding your oxygen tank?" to recently retired cops or military.
   
   There are some decent people, but in general, it is not a highly respected job, for good reason.
   
   
   But it can be an adequate port in a stormy economy. If it works for you financially, do it while you look for better options. It's a pretty dead end job, unless you go into management. Then you'll spend your time dealing with people who don't show up for their shift!

 

[David]

My friend, the recently retired LEO, when he moves to Florida will be looking for an armed security job.

He is interested in working for a government security contractor.

Does anyone know of any companies he can contact for a
Florida-based government contractor security position?

Thanks...

 

[BamBam]

Mitch,
Let me know if you want me to check with a couple of armored car companies that I install ATMs for.
I can also check with The Med about being on their security staff.
Not sure if either is hiring but it don't hurt to ask.

BamBam

PS: Meant to talk to you after the TFA meeting Thursday but didn't catch you before you left.

 

[MitchSchaft]

I'm a little hesitant about the armored car idea. Seems like too much of a risk for me. I hear Imperial Security was hiring from a friend. I plan to get some info from them.

I do tend to run out of those TFA meetings pretty quickly. Mainly cause the wife is home waiting and dinner is ready .

 

[MitchSchaft]

if you wanna change careers to security try somthing worth it like Border Patrol,,secret service,ins,,,,,,

I'm not looking for a career change. I want to try something different until the economy picsk back up and I finish my degree. The jobs mentioned above require a lot of college education.(maybe accept border patrol, but I live in Memphis. I don't think we have that big of a problem with Arkansas)

Anyway, the pay depends on the work. Guarding money brings more pay and more danger. Most of the guards fall into three categories:




1. Students. 'Nuff said.

I don't know if I should take offense to that.

 

[Quartus]

One option, if you can make the cut, is nuclear security. If you have a power-station around you, it's very good money and some serious training.

Yup. Really, that's the only good money in security guard work, AFAIK. Got offered that, but wasn't interested in a career change. Just wanted to pay some bills while in school.

 

[26point2]

Wasn't this the way the Mall Ninja thread was started???

 

[blades67]

Well don't let it get started again!

 

[Quartus]

I don't know if I should take offense to that.

Nope. You definitely should not. That's the category I was in when I worked security. By "Nuff said" I just meant that the category is pretty self explanatory. It's a good job for students because it can be worked around school hours, and a sitting post will usually let you get some studying done. I read many a textbook while sitting behind a desk in the wee hours at some factory or office.

Well, okay, they wern't all textbooks. There were some gun magazines in there, too.

Hey, these days, with a laptop you can even write some papers!


If it will pay your bills while you finish a degree, it might just be the ticket for you.

 

[26point2]

Very good Quartus...if it gets you to where you want to be...then do it...

C

 

[AQUAJOE]

Sure I lock my doors at my houseand my cars doors.

 

[Quartus]

Mitch, I just read that Phil's Guard page. Sounds like it hasn't changed much since I did the work. If you use it as a stepping stone, it's fine, but I think you've got enough info here to keep you from regarding it as a rewarding lifelong career.

 

[VaughnT]

I'm really sad to see that so many people look down on security as a profession. Admittedly, there are a lot of wannabe's in our industry, but where aren't there imbeciles and fools?

As with anything else, you have to make the most of it. Looking at your needs, I can tell you that armored car work isn't the thing for you because it won't mesh with your school schedule. I make really good money doing it, but it is a "real" job with a day-time schedule.

I think you have to look beyond your coworkers if you want to make this work. It's not about how sharp they are or how well they do their jobs. Just focus on your performance and go home knowing that you did the best you could that day. If, at the end of your shift, you can honestly say that you gave solid day's work, what more can you ask?

After four years in the armored car world, I would love to move on to nuclear security and the better pay/training that comes with it. However, I don't know anyone on the inside that might be able to make introductions with those doing the hiring.

I enjoy my job, hate to take a sick-day like I did yesterday, and look forward to putting my best foot forward. If I ever get a chance at NucSec, I'll take it. But until then, I will give my best where I'm at.

 

[Ala Dan]

Hey Mitch,

Don't forget The Wackenhut Corp.; owned by
some former FBI agent's out of Florida. This company
is world-wide; and here in central DixieLand, offers a
competitive salary! I think they start CPO's (Custom
Protection Officers) out at $10.60 @ hour? This is for
armed personel only; and to qualify you must have
previous experience as a LEO, MP*, or Corrections
Officer. After satisfactorily completing one week of
AIT (Advanced Individual Training) you will get your
own Wackenhut dipolma; a certificate worthy of
adding to any LEO/SECURITY portfolio!

*FootNote: actually, I think they will accept any
prior military MOS; so long as you have a clean
record and a honorable discharge?

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[Quartus]

owned by some former FBI agent's out of Florida.

Don't let that fool you. I'm very familiar with Wackenhut. They're no different than any other guard company. The margins are VERY slim in this business, so the pay isn't great and the majority of the people in it are Not Ready For Prime Time.

There certainly are A Few Good Men to be found, but you gotta look for 'em!

 

[chadintex]

Go downtown to the big high rise buildings and try for something in house. Contract security jobs suck, they will put you in the worst part of town with no communication equipment, no back up and no way of protecting yourself, at least that was my experience. In house usually pays more and provides better training. I've been doing it for 7 years now and I love it.

 

[Ala Dan]

If you don't like Wackenhut; then try the unarmed
post's of Guardsmark, out of your hometown of
Memphis TN! I've been told that the pay and training
won't hold a light to Wackenhut!

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[Mastrogiacomo]

B.A. in English
M.Ed. in Education for Teaching English
CTEFL - teach English abroad
Five month training at a computer school -- can't find work.
Can't even find work in armed security with Brinks because my learning disability in math -- won't affect the job but can't pass the damn pre-employment test math component. Looking to get into bartending. an't get armed security job without experience and can't get experience without work. Just tried adult video stores today -- even they're not hiring. How much more embarrassing can my life get?

 

[MitchSchaft]

I hear ya, Mastro. I'm lucky enough to have a job that I can pretty much come and go as I please as a cook in a local restaurant. I can't get enough hours, though, and the pay is no good. My wife is pulling her hair out over it. I've heard the security business is still growing. Unarmed security guard work is probably out of the question. They start out at around $7-$8/hr here. That's less than I make now. Armed guards start at around $10-$11/hr and that is closer to living comfortable @ 40 hrs/wk.
Thanks for that tip, Dan. The problem is I don't have Leo/military experience.
I understand people's feelings toward security guards. But, I'm not too proud. Especially when it comes to keeping the wife at bay and food in the kid's mouth .
This is just a possability I'm looking into since the economy doesn't want to pick up.