Armored Cars, anybody work in the business??

[armoredman]

Yes, Vaughn, as a former AT supervisor, yes, knives, scissors, etc, are unauthorized, for a reason. Since anyone could stop at the counter of whatever grocery store/hardware store/sporting goods outlet you're are serviceing, and pick up a folder on route cheap, it doesn't work to mell, but the policy was there 4 years ago.
Shweboner, I ditto again the 23C may not be your best choice. If it's what you have, and can't afford anything else, then carry what you are familiar with. Good ammo is also a must. I would reccomend a switch to a non compensated model sidearm, though.If you fire it in a gun port, not onl;y will you have that first shot auto-jam, you will probably spray hot gases back inside the rig.
Oh, a tiny little item that can keep you and your partner happy - Beano. If you stop for chili dogs on route, remember - THE WINDOWS DON'T ROLL DOWN! "Gaseous eruptions" tend to remain inside, and thicken....
Ditto again on good duty gear - look professional, with quality gear and sidearm, and the BGs will look for GuardForce instead. They don't want to get shot, either. Every armored robbery I know of was either an inside job, or the BGs had cased the trucks for weeks, looking for a sloppy and careless crew. Avoid that like the plauge.
Another ditto on grips, if you get something other than a Grock. I love my custom Hakan Extreme grips on my CZ 75 PO1 - if I went back on a rig, I'd dig out the original grips - they WILL get dinged like you won't believe!
Last, have fun. This can be a blast of a job.

 

[Shweboner]

I was thinking about that on the 23c, Ill have to fire at night a few times to get used to it. As for now, its the only thing that I have that will do the job, and Im a pretty good shot with it.

What i was thinking was to get a .45 .... Another glock or possibly a CZ97?

But that will have to wait. Couldn't I just drop in a Glock23 bbl thats not ported?


In other news, I finally got my CDL permit yesterday... So this means that I can be in a truck as soon as Monday or Tuesday!


~brian

 

[VaughnT]

S'boner, you can do a bbl swap pretty easily. The barrel isn't that expensive and fitting can be done by your local glock-certified armorer. I'm a big fan of stainless barrels with standard rifling in the otherwise black glock. It just looks good, imo.

Remember, how you look will make the difference. I've seen two instances where appearance played a major factor in the outcome....and the guy that looked like a half-dead bozo was the one that got heisted. Look sharp, take pride in your appearance and abilities, and it will likely show through to the bad guys. Predator or prey, the choice really is yours.

 

[artherd]

But that will have to wait. Couldn't I just drop in a Glock23 bbl thats not ported?

YEP! I don't think you will even have to 'fit' it to the gun if you buy a standard stock glock barrel. And I would ONLY but a Glock barrel in a glock gun. Aftermarket barrels are cool for target guns, but could impede reliability of your FIGHTING gun.

The .40cal is a fine handgun round, it will serve you very well (and consider ammo compatability with your buddies now above which gee-gaw-neato caliber you can get your paws on.)

 

[NateDogg]

I just recently submitted my application to Loomis Fargo and I was confused about a few items you guys have raised on here.

1:Nowhere on the job listing or the application did it say a CDL was required. But some of you seem to be saying you're taking your CDL to drive? Is it neccessary or not?

2:Is body armor usually issued?

Thanks for any responses, this has been a hugely informative thread for me.

 

[Devonai]

1. The standard four-wheel armored truck is not a CDL vehicle. L-F does have larger trucks that require a CDL but they won't start you off driving one.

2. Companies like this usually have purchase-assistance programs but don't buy you a vest outright. When I worked for Brinks they sprang for 50% of the vest and deducted the rest in monthly payments from my paycheck.

3. Wouldn't you rather change targets on a hot range?

 

[MikeIsaj]

1. The standard four-wheel armored truck is not a CDL vehicle.

Don't be so sure about that. Defining a commercial vehicle is a complex interpretation of state and federal guidelines, regulations and law. Many companies are taking the easy route and requiring a CDL if you drive anything other than a sedan as part of your duties.

My brother-in-law was driving a light straight truck when he sopped at a safety check. The LEO told him he should have a CDL, then the state license center said he didn't. The company said they didn't think he did but then their insurance carrier said he did. He now has a company paid CDL.

Many companies believe requiring a CDL improves their liability risk. Don't know if it does or not. The county I work for actually requires it in Parks and Recreation to rive a pick-up truck, but Corrections doesn't require it to drive a 25ft straight truck. They are both legal because the county is not commerce related.

 

[armoredman]

Anything registered over 26,000 lbs requires a CDL. Anything under 26,000 lbs with hazardous materials as defined by law, requires a CDL. Any rig carrying more than 16 passengers requires a CDL, as does over weight tractor trailer, etc. Armored trucks in AZ do NOT require CDLs. Some states may require it, as those are a state by state requirement. The ajor ones I listed above are federal, or were when I had my CDl two years ago, as a prison bus driver. Yea.

Check with the company - if the don't issue armor, look at your local police supply stores, and see if they seel to armored crewmen. If not, then you're stuck with ordering online, which isn't the greatest, as each vest is fitted. When you get it, WEAR IT. Also, a raid vest, though "intimidating" and able to be opened inside the truck when hot, is a "shoot me in the head" sign.

Man, read this thread over, almost made me nostalgic for the old days. Almost...I make more money and do a LOT less physical activity with DOC....

 

[Spreadfire Arms]

i still remember vividly a guy in the SF Bay Area who shot and killed his partner to steal all the money. the guy drove from San Ramon to Sacramento, where he left all the money in his Motel 6 room except for like $10,000 and checked in with his real ID. motel front desk employee called 911 and Sacramento S/O SWAT kicked in his door while he was out at an auto auction buying a Ford Bronco II getaway car.

he came back to see the cops all over the room, they recovered most of the money. so he drives off, going up interstate 80.

his POS car gets a flat tire on the side of the road. some deputy helps him change his tire, unbeknowst he just committed a homicide and a robbery.

the guy drives all way to Utah, where he is pulled over. he still has his murder weapon, a Glock 17, with him. he is pulled over for not having license plates (he just bought the car out of auction, thus no plates).

he gives the Utah State Trooper his real ID. Trooper runs it and it returns a murder warrant. he is taken into custody without incident.

but what a ????ty way to go, get killed by your own partner.

 

[Firethorn]

but what a ????ty way to go, get killed by your own partner.

And what a stupid partner at that.

 

[rick newland]

I just recently submitted my application to Loomis Fargo and I was confused about a few items you guys have raised on here.

1:Nowhere on the job listing or the application did it say a CDL was required. But some of you seem to be saying you're taking your CDL to drive? Is it neccessary or not?

2:Is body armor usually issued?

Thanks for any responses, this has been a hugely informative thread for me.

You won't need a CDL. The final process of getting a job at Loomis/Fargo is passing a DOT physical. You will have to retake it every two years.

 

[NateDogg]

Thanks for all the answers. One more question. They say clean driving record is required. I had some speeding tickets and was in a few accidents (no injuries, just minor stuff) a few years ago when i was in highschool. Are these types of things gonna screw me over?

Also, what is Loomis Fargo's current issue sidearm, and are you allowed to carry your own, or perhaps even an ankle gun?

 

[armoredman]

Anything within 3 years, other than a parking ticket, might hurt. Check with them. Loomis issue pistol last time I looked, was still a Smith Model 10. I have seen a loomis employee recently with an auto, so they may finally be joining the rest of the world.
When I was in the industry, nobody at Loomis was authorized a BUG of any kind. When I was with Well Fargo, we weren't either, but we all did.
The guy who shot his partner in the back was originally hired to work the vault. When the trucks ran short of people, he was yanked from the vault to work a rig,. even though he hadn't been screened to work trucks. his background check came boack positive for felonies, but a mailing screwup sent it o his house, not the branch. He knew he was about to get canned, and decided to become rich if he could.
Not the brightest bulb on the tree, and he murdered a good man. I hope he's getting reamed by Bubba regularly...

 

[rick newland]

Thanks for all the answers. One more question. They say clean driving record is required. I had some speeding tickets and was in a few accidents (no injuries, just minor stuff) a few years ago when i was in highschool. Are these types of things gonna screw me over?

Also, what is Loomis Fargo's current issue sidearm, and are you allowed to carry your own, or perhaps even an ankle gun?

It could be differnt by state since some states mandate what caliber security folks can carry. I work in AL, Loomis/fargo does not issue a pistol, you have to buy your own. If you carry a revolver it has to be in .38, if you carry a auto it has to be in 9mm, 40 or 45, it either has to be double action with a decocker or a Glock or Springfield. Myself I carry a Glock 37 in .45 Gap, I started with a Sig 220 but the finish could not stand up to the weather and the general being knocked about of armored work.

 

[Templar223]

Many moons ago I applied at the local Brinks. Call it '93.

I was a couple of years out of college and was looking to earn some extra money on the weekends.

They pay & benefits, I discovered, were pathetic... scarcely more than min. wage. IIRC, it was like $5 or so / hour -- the local McD's paid more! No body armor was provided and you had to use their S&W model 10s or 64s, I can't remember now which it was, with LRN ammo.

The clincher at the interview was when the guy tells me I may be sweeping floors too on a regular basis. Told him if he was looking for a janitor I wasn't his guy. Glad I never was offered the job.

Unless the pay has improved dramatically, this seems like a job where you can spend more getting started than you'll ever make - sort of like selling Cutco knives.

I can't imagine springing for 50% or more on body armor, several hundred bucks in belt gear and possibly supplying my own gun to be beat to hell AND paying for my own training - all for the privilege of working my ass off, risking back or ankle injuries jumping and lifting heavy loads and basking in a hot or cold back end of a truck - especially if your partner has flatulance issues. Not for $5 or even $10 an hour. Not now, no way.

That was my experience anyway.

Today, I look upon those guys with admiration that they are willing to do that work with those constraints and for what they are paid.

John