My 6.5 years with AT ended last month.
I have to say that I absolutely loved the job, but I couldn't stand my coworkers and their can't-do attitude. The customers and the relationships developed are what made the days tolerable.
From what I gathered, the majority of robberies are inside jobs; even if it's just sharing confidential information. There was an episode of FBI Files where a group of experienced robbers used a route guide to plan a heist. They got the route guide from a turncoat with an "inside source" that turned out to be a copper. This particular route was lucky. Others haven't been.
Weapons: I started with the company-issued S&W 686 loaded with .38spl 158g LSWCSJ. I could dump a full cylinder into a very nice group and felt more than comfortable with it because I practiced my reloads religiously. I then transitioned to a Colt 1991 that was a dream, but not well liked by the upper echelons. They actually told me it was too dangerous and I couldn't carry it anymore....but I could carry a glock.
Finally, I carried a wonderful CZ 75B 9mm loaded with Speer 124g +P Gold Dots. With 17 rounds in the weapon and three spare 16-round mags on my belt, I was very happy. Amazingly, this rig was far lighter than my Colt and two spare mags on the belt. I can't explain why, but it sure was!
Appearance: I cannot stress this enough. Having talked to a few badguys, the concensus is that appearance is the deciding factor, regardless of the crime. If you look like a p*&&y, you will get f&^$#d.
We had an instance where the LLEA called our office and let us know that there was an immediate threat to one of our trucks. All they told us was that there was a Greenville truck being targeted. I was Route Leader for one of three routes that worked in Greenville, and the only thing I could think about was how weak my female partner looked. She was overweight, ugly, unkempt and constantly walked with her head down when she wasn't flirting with passersby. Because you never knew when she would be jumping, the badguys might have caught me out of the truck instead of her. That idea did not make me happy and I requested she be removed from the route.
If you're partner is weak, you get more than your share of attention. The last guy my branch hired before I left could, by his own admission, barely read and write....and he was in his late 30's. He didn't wear a clean uniform, or a trouser belt under his duty belt, or drive with any competency...but he did show up on time every morning. That's the level of professionalizm the company wants.
:banghead:
.................
MY ADVICE: Every year you are working with your company, take at least one firearms class, or one medical class, or one management class. If you are anything close too professional and want to work in the security field for the long-term, more training will make you look better. People like Trident Concepts, Suarez Intl and Tactical Response travel around the country to hold classes and you should be there. Get cert'd in Red Cross CPR and First Responder. Medical skills and management skills will make you look very good to others, moreso than shooting skills which can make you look a bit like a Rambo.
Do NOT let your coworkers dictate your attitude. This is the toughest thing I faced, and ultimately failed at. You must be professional and have confidence in your abilities, but you must also be able to defend against political attacks.
Toe the line and keep copious notes on what you see/hear.
Realize that once you climb a bit on the payscale, you will have a hard time finding similar pay at other companies. When I left AT, I was at the top and every other armored company told me that I would have to start at the bottom regardless of my experience or training. The same goes for outside the armored world; if you look for security work with decent companies, you're going to find it very hard to get good money. That's why you have to constantly boost your resume with training courses; it shows professionalism and foresight, both of which are sought-after qualities.
