Anybody here have experience as a security guard?

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But, I'm not too proud.


Hey, it's honest work, Mitch. Nothing to be ashamed of. I'd not hesitate to do it again if things were different in my life.


I'm just don't want you to have any illusions about it.
 
Honestly, I envision it as being very boring. I wouldn't mind the experience to see what it's like and to say I've "been there, done that".
 
I did it for a while, a gallery guard at the Musuem of Fine Arts in Boston. After two months, they fired me for not disclosing my "visual problem." I initially complained about the low lighting (it's that way to protect the art, I didn't know). One of the guards said if I wear glasses, keep them on when I work. I did and problem solved. Now I wouldn't have been surprised to be fired for my hearing loss but because of my God damn eye glasses? I'm near sighted, not a big issue. They were doing work on the museum and I think they were really over budget and had to make some jobs seasonal but needed an excuse to let them go. People have told me I should have sued but for what - the right to stand for 21 hours? I couldn't sit, read, write, or talk to anyone. It was killing my hips and I'm too young for hip trouble. I think you may have to do unarmed for a while to get in -- then bail when you see an armed opportunity. I know it's a growing industry but I'm shocked to hear from employers they don't have as much need for armed anymore -- you'd think it'd double in these times.
 
One of the problems is that insurance is soooo high for a company providing armed security. In order to minimize insurance premiums, they have to do x hours of training/certification and that drives up the costs even more.

Like cops, a good percentage of the people in this industry don't have any interest in guns or shooting or security. They're just looking for a paycheck.

If you're different, great. If not, take the work and be glad you have money coming in. Personally, I can't think of anything I'd rather do.
 
Hey, I got no problem with a paycheck. I walked into an adult video store asking for work didn't I? Not an easy thing for a woman to do...maybe a man too, I really don't know. It may be boring work but some security companies will let you read.... and sit. Can't beat the combination. :D
 
let you read.... and sit. Can't beat the combination.


I'll second that! :D



Hmmm. I suspect that with a few more guys like Vaughn the industry could earn some respect.

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Hospital Security Work?

Greeting's Again Mitch My Friend-

Mitch, have you thought about armed hospital
security* work? Check to see if any hospital's in your
area employ their own security officer's? I don't think
I would recommend an unarmed hospital security
post to anyone; simply because you have to deal
with many drug addict's, idiot's, and crazy person's!
My new** job is as a Special Advisor Of Protective
Services for a major medical firm here in the old'
Bombingham, AL area. When I came on board,
they knew absolutely nothing about security!!!
Believe me, I have saved their bacon a countless
number of times. Example: their record keeping
of patient's valuables was sub-par; anything and
probably everything could have (and most likely)
came up missing at one time or the other.

Firearms training was practically nil; due to the
cost factor! Now, not only has training improved;
but we added annual qualification to the "must
have" list. My gut feeling is this, if you are going
to carry a weapon; then you for damn sure are
gonna know how to use it! I could go on and on
with my list of improvements; but I will save you
the boredoom of reading thru this mess.


Security Engineer's is another out-fit that I just
thought about. Unfamiliar with their requirement's; but
they have unarmed post around places like Home Depot,
Lowe's, Office Max, Radio Shack, etc. I'm really unsure
of the pay; but it should be a good, clean, honest job.

*FootNote- Not the same as contract security work!
** Almost three year's now.

Best Of Luck To You,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
I'm not sure if I have to have prior experience being an unarmed guard.
In TN, the company has to put you through 12 hours worth of training which includes firearms instruction and proficiency which I have to score a 70% on a silohuette target. It costs $168 total and has to be renewed every 2 years for $60. I'm not sure if the company pays for all of that or what. I have yet to talk to any companies.
 
I'll definately look into that, Dan, I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, a guy from this board asked if he could talk to the Med out here to see if they have any type of positions available.
 
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.

Sounds like either the IT field doesn't pay well or security guards make a hell of a lot in your area. I'd have to take about a 70% pay cut to take a security guard job.

I did do some security work about 10 years ago catching shoplifters. Long very dull hours with maybe brief periods of excitement. This wasn't an armed position, maybe those positions are more interesting, but I wouldn't do the security job I had again, I'd rather deliver pizzas (better money too).
 
Sounds like either the IT field doesn't pay well or security guards make a hell of a lot in your area.

No, the problem is nobody wants to hire. Whether it be the economy or the real good jobs require a degree. I'm only halfway done with my degree and I can't do the temp/contract field anymore since the wife had our baby last year. Even the temp field is sparce and usually not worth the effort since it's only temporary.
 
Well, i work as an unarmed hospital security guard. Around here there arent many positions (actually none spring to mind) that are armed. Im a student and working third shift means that i can do a fair amount of homework during my down time (read that as most of the time). Its good work for what it is. And what it is is a paycheck with minimal effort. I would reccomend working in house for some type of company. I used to work contract and i thought it was miserable. Although some do enjoy it. Just be prepared to have some REALLY inept managment. And learn to have a thick skin when people are giving you a line of stuff that you wouldnt normally take off the job. And be ready to deal with the temptation to lie about what you do for a living. I dont do it but i HATE it when people ask me. Its a bad stigma that isnt altogether undeserved.

As far as the three categories previously mentioned (im sorry i cant see who posted it in this window) that assesment is spot on. There are a FEW people who arent students and are just doing a job like anyone else. And i have no problem with them. But the wannabe cops are a serious problem. They range from the guys that just wear a LOT of gear on their belt and talk in "lingo" to the guys that are simply NUTS. When i worked for a contract company i was often watching my partner more than the public. I met some real scary dudes on that job.

As far as carrying a weapon is concerned it varies quite a bit from state to state. In washington unless i am licensed as an "ARMED security officer" ("officer" hehehehe) Then i can get in deep doo doo for carrying even though i have a CHP. I can carry to work and home from work. But if i carry while im AT work and actually dealing with dangerous people then i am breaking the law :rolleyes: .

In short, in your situation you may find it OK. Or it may drive you to the point of madness. If your the type of person that gets a kick out of confrontation (thin line between liking it too much and not enough) you may enjoy certain aspects of it. For a temporary job believe me you could do much worse (i spent one summer scraping fish guts out of trawlers). So give it a try and if it doesnt work go to a different company. In most cases if you can read and arent a registered sex offender youre pretty much over qualified.
 
I know of no instance where there's been armed security in hospitals. I've never seen it in the papers or the hospitals - not in my area anyway. And I never seen armed or unarmed at Lowes or Home Depot, or even the suggestion of this type of work online. For armed, many want you to have experience in unarmed for a while -- one asked me to commit to two years of low pay before I'd even be considered for an armed assignement. Damn, why the Hell did I get my guns? Most of the hospital jobs I've seen here are every other weekend, or on call and must have 1-3 years prior experience. Great, where am I supposed to get that if you don't let me GET the experience? One to three years huh? High school required? How do feel about a M.Ed? Will that make up for the last of experience in security? Brother....:(

I'll be going on a job hunt today again. God knows what I'll turn up. Wish my compacts were back from Langdon Tacticle (Level II trigger job) the range would really release some stress.
 
here in PA several of our hospitals have in house security and a gaurd contract. the inhouse supervises the contract staff. which handles the ER and exterior some of these are armed ... the hospital has contracts with the local prisons .

here in PA you must have act 235 certification to work armed.

pay at my site ( unarmed) is 8.75 to start. most armed jobs in the area are 10 to 11 dollars.

rms/pa
 
Quartus, you are too kind, sir. Believe it or not, there are more than a few good fellows in this profession. And, for the record, a lot of those old fogies we like to laugh at are genuinely good men.

When I came on board with AT, I was ashamed to see all the geriatrics when I thought the house would be full of meat-eaters and ground-pounders. After getting to know them, I found that these older gentlemen were solid folks from the old school. They wouldn't lie, cheat or steal. They never said an unkind word behind your back. They wouldn't even think about not showing up for work. Heck, one of them, Dutch McCurley, was on a sub under the north atlantic fighting nazi's when he was 14. That's a rare kind of man and I'm proud to be working with people like him. If anything, I'm a better man for it.

I guess that guy was right when he said, "you shouldn't judge a book by the cover."

Mitch, I thought I heard we are opening a branch in the Memphis area. I know we have running operations in PA, MD, NJ, but I'm not sure about TN or what they'll be looking for. We do need in-house people as much as on-route, so there might be something there. I'll look in to it tomorrow when I go back.
 
Armed Hospital Security Work-

Greeting's All,

With all due respect's, anyone who hasn't heard of an
armed hospital security post needs to pay a visit
to good old' Bombingham, AL! These hospital's have
such post's:

a) UAB and UAB Medical West
b) Carraway Methodist Medical Center
c) St. Vincent's Medical Facility
d) Health South and Health South Digital Hospital
e) Baptist Medical Center Princeton
f) Baptist Medical Center Montclair
g) Druid City Hospital
j) Shelby Memorial (Baptist) Hospital
i) East End Medical Facility

and On and On! I will stop there! Here in the Heart Of Ole'
Dixie, its just too damn dangerous NOT to have armed
security officer's. Note that in my chart, all hospital's
EXCEPT Druid City Hospital hire their own security
officer's; DCH contract's thru Wackenhut. I know of NO
hospital in this area that has unarmed security post!

Memory recall's a few years ago that Saudi King Fawd
came over to Health South for some type of work by
the world famous Dr. James Andrews. He was accompanied
by a vast number of armed bodyguards toting UZI
sub gun's; walking the hospital corridor's with weapon
and sandal's! My point is, if its O.K. for the sand dune
boy's to patrol the hospital with arm's in hand; why not
armed security officer's?

*FootNote- The good king even brought along his very
own personal food taster! He sampled the food before
it was served to the king.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
Like it or not,

Ala Dan is making valid points. The world is a dangerous place and real life has little room for being mistaken on some things.

That is why we have Security, and armed Security, at so many places in the first place. Unwanted trouble comes to places like the Post Office, restaurants, schools, churches, and yes hospitals too. It's no longer just Kings, Presidents, and banks that need to plan for badguys with weapons.

Being armed works both ways. Training means you should perform better, and the penalties are usually stiffer if you screwup. If I need a responsible adult helping to watch my back, I don't care which responsible adult does it. I just want it done, with my genuine thanks. And don't give that person any flack, 'cause I'll watch their back too.
 
Saudi king's bodyguards toting Israeli-made and designed UZI's...

I Love It...I Love It...I Love!!!

:neener: :neener: :neener:

P.S. Any ideas or suggestions for good armed security positions in Florida? My retired LEO friend will soon be moving the the "sunshine state" and is looking for an armed security position (part-time).

:cool: :cool: :cool:
 
a lot of those old fogies we like to laugh at are genuinely good men.


The best, in my experience. But a few are just too old. I've literally seen guards who were tottering around. :what:
 
Mitch,

Your first step is to get your armed guard license. No one in the Memphis area is going to think about putting on a post that pays anything significant at all without it. Talk to Tom Givens at Rangemaster (www.rangemaster.com) about getting you the class. He doesnt do alot of armed guard training anymore as CCW classes take most of his time, but if you ask him nice he may do it for you. Tom is bar-none the best security tranier in town. price is competive too..

in Tennessee you can work "on application" for 90 days as an unarmed guard, but must have your "card" within that time frame or the state board (insurance and commerce) requires the company you work for to dismiss you. You CANNOT work an armed post without already possessing an armed license. there is no grace period or "on application" deal there.

I own and operate a small contract security firm in Memphis. We are always looking for quality applicants. Our wages are mid to high for the industry and we are very selective about our posts.

feel free to contact me direct about security work in Memphis ([email protected])
 
I know one man that works as a security guard. Here is his take on working security. His position is as an "unarmed security guard." However, he prefers to work arms with two 1911's. He said the difference between unarmed and armed security is only like 30 cents an hour and armed security is much more dangerous. He refers to his position as "armed, unarmed security." hehe

-SquirrelNuts
 
I work armed security in Texas. I have worked armed and unarmed for several companies. I do this to support myself while I write for publication, which I can do on post where I now am. (I was a college student when I began this.)

My present post is a private residence. The old rich witch whom I protect has enemies, some of whom are former servants. Several of these have worked there while I have. They were probably as dangerous as anyone who'd come off the street or out of the considerable acreage of woods behind the property. There are foxes, raccoons, and opossums in those woods, right in the most affluent part of a major city!

I've had a few dangerous situations. In the worst case, four blacks in a maroon pickup truck pulled down the long driveway about three in the morning, and seemed surprised to find an armed guard. They sat there for several minutes, debating what to do next. (Moderator: let the race comment stand. You'll see why it applies in a moment.) I still believe they intended a home invasion.

One said, "We can do this, Man."

Another said, "No, Man, he got a gun. I seen it when he got out of the car".

I stood behind my vehicle, not drawing because they had shown no weapon. I had no backup, no radio or telephone, and no way to summon help. If I had, the servant who responded - if he bothered - was unlikely to be of help.

Finally, they became afraid that I'd do something or that I'd somehow called for help, and they left.

About a week later, four men driving a truck like that, and of the same ethnicity, held up a sporting goods store and cut the throats of the clerks. The manager didn't have her throat fully severed, and tripped an alarm. She testified (recognized one of them as an employee, who'd let his friends in the back door after closing) and they all got either life sentences or the death penalty; I don't recall which. The leader was shot to death by police while trying to escape...in a truck that looked like the one I saw!

Guard work is unrespected, largely because most guards are really as bad as the public thinks they are. The pay is usually very poor; I'm looking for a better job. I can't do police work, as I have asthma and my uncorrected vision (they won't test while wearing glasses) doesn't meet peace officer standards. I didn't complete my senior year of college, so can't apply for jobs requiring a degree. (I do hold an AA degree.)

I don't recommend the field It sucks, in the main. But, when the economy precludes getting better, it provides a liveable (sort of) income, especially when augmented by the few thousand dollars that I earn annually as a writer.

My gun, which I guess will interest some, is a S&W M66, four-inch bbl. (I own it.)

Wish me luck finding a better job. With Affirmative Action in place, it can be tough finding anything worth having, if one is a white male, which I am.

Lone Star
 
I did it part time for a few years. The wife was spending all the day job money on herself and I needed the bucks. Came about because a neighbor had a security company and knew about my guns.

This particular job paid minimum wage and was heavy into sheparding drunks at local night clubs. There were also gigs at construction sites. Reality:

Much standing around. One of the major contracts was a " family" club where the patrons came to dance, get drunk and become monumentally insulted -leading to the obvious complications. This meant wrestling drunks- a very easy thing to do since they are after all, drunk. The main duty was to preserve the air conditioning of the hall since this particular culture didn't teach their children to close doors behind them. The security guard had to push the door shut about three times per minute as the urchins ran in and out.

Construction sites were another thing. The job discription was walking around and preventing theft or incursion by winos and such. The real job came from the total unwillingness of drywallers and carpenters to close the windows at the end of the day. A good rain could cost a lot of bucks. The security guard went from building to building closing windows behind them.

Currently in Texas, Guards have to wear their guns openly -even if they have a ccw. There is an exception for bodyguards which is a whole different subject.

My day job employed a uniformed security guard at the front desk. Because many of the employees were liberal or suffering from other mental defects, the guards worked unarmed to keep from frightening them. The guard's main job was to call the police if anything went south and to take the blame if anything happened to one of the liberals or mental defectives.

It becomes one of those many things that you are later glad you have done and are just as glad that you arn't going to do 'em anymore.

... and I just found lonestar's post above. He sums it up extremely well. A particular point emerges in his post that the people you are guarding are often pretty rotten themselves. So are your competitors. One local security company claimed that we shot one of the drunks on one evening when I was working. The boss told the state board investigator that it wasn't true and that was the end of the "investigation." The board apparently got a lot of false complaints from competing companies trying to do away with their rivals.
 
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