In another thread, I stated that my family and I were recently vacationing in Waikiki. On the evening of Sunday, July 20 approximately 9:00 pm my wife and I heard a knock at the door (22nd floor of a fairly nice hotel). To set up, we had just returned to the room about 10 minutes earlier. My wife was sitting on the bed and I was using my cell phone to check our bank balance. I assumed the knock was another family member (staying in a separate hotel room), but when I looked through the peep hole, I did not recognize the individual. I asked who it was and was told "security." I said "hold on" as I put on a pair of shorts (I had been in my underwear). Again, a knock on the door and "security." I looked through the peep hole again and asked for identification. "Can't you see my nametag," was the response (it was a simple nametag with no photo id). The guy had a walkie-talkie and I heard him say something into it about needing back-up as "they won't open the door." I assumed this guy was legit, but still didn't want to take any chances, so I opened the door just enough to let the safety catch on the door engage (kind of like a chain, but a solid bar). Not good enough, insisted I open the door. He's still talking about needing back-up, so I went ahead and opened the door. Said there was a noise complaint and wanted to make sure there wasn't a party in our room. I told him that we had just gotten back to the room and hadn't been making any noise. Said he would "let it slide" this time. I'm like "let what slide, we haven't done anything." The guy was a real jerk about the whole thing. I think he was upset I wouldn't open the door to start with. So, was I too cautious, or not cautious enough? Should I have called the front desk to verify before opening the door?
How to handle "hotel security" knocking on door?
- Thread starter ShakyJ
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Northern-Lights
Member
Yes on calling the front desk first. He can stand out there for as long as I deem it necessary...and I personally don't give a rat if he's upset. When I ask to see ID.....I'll either see it.....or be calling the cops and reporting a possible BG out there.
Aguila Blanca
Member
Not cautious enough.
Bartkowski
Member
Not sure if you had it on, but I would have the door catch on already. And when he knocks on the door ask for ID like you did, should he fail to provide valid ID I would probably call the front desk.
And about his back up. Let them come, all they should do, and hopefully would do is have you open the door.
moss590, the mods may lock it, but I wonder why you and others point that out so much and say nothing else. Just let it get locked if it's not related, otherwise try to be helpful.
And about his back up. Let them come, all they should do, and hopefully would do is have you open the door.
moss590, the mods may lock it, but I wonder why you and others point that out so much and say nothing else. Just let it get locked if it's not related, otherwise try to be helpful.
Keegan
Member
I used to be a hotel security guard. You can and should call the front desk to verify him, especially if he's not in a uniform. And if he's treating you badly you should tell the night auditor! Find out what company he works for and call them directly if you're really mad. A lot of the guys I worked with were wannabe cops and had serious attitude problems. Hotel security guards have no more authority than you or I. He shouldn't have even been bothering you if there was no noise coming from your room.
FourNineFoxtrot
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- 361
Just to clarify, you did not bring a gun with you on vacation, right? I'm assuming not, since presumably you had to fly there, and all that.
Personally, I think you handled it pretty well. Opening the door with the bar lock still in place was a good move, let you see him better and verify that he at least looked legit. Any fool can just call out, "Security! Open up!", but it takes either the real deal, or a more professional class of Bad Guy to get a uniform, radio, and have the nerve to pull off the act.
That said, I agree that it might not have been a bad idea to call and verify him, demand to see more credible credentials than a nametag, and so on. Hindsight, of course, is always 20/20, so I'd say it was a pretty good job for being caught off guard.
In my own travels, which have not involved airlines since I became a gun owner, I've stayed in many a roadside motel. Such places tend not to have security, and one is lucky if the night manager is even awake. So in my experience, I open the door for no one except 5-0 and the manager (and I'd do the peephole/bar lock thing, too), and since I travel by ground, I keep a gun hard by both answering the door, and while I sleep.
Since I've never stayed in a hotel I'd call "nice" (at least not as a grown man), I know less than nothing about what security is like in such places, or what kind of paranoid I'd need to be.
Personally, I think you handled it pretty well. Opening the door with the bar lock still in place was a good move, let you see him better and verify that he at least looked legit. Any fool can just call out, "Security! Open up!", but it takes either the real deal, or a more professional class of Bad Guy to get a uniform, radio, and have the nerve to pull off the act.
That said, I agree that it might not have been a bad idea to call and verify him, demand to see more credible credentials than a nametag, and so on. Hindsight, of course, is always 20/20, so I'd say it was a pretty good job for being caught off guard.
In my own travels, which have not involved airlines since I became a gun owner, I've stayed in many a roadside motel. Such places tend not to have security, and one is lucky if the night manager is even awake. So in my experience, I open the door for no one except 5-0 and the manager (and I'd do the peephole/bar lock thing, too), and since I travel by ground, I keep a gun hard by both answering the door, and while I sleep.
Since I've never stayed in a hotel I'd call "nice" (at least not as a grown man), I know less than nothing about what security is like in such places, or what kind of paranoid I'd need to be.
BruceRDucer
Member
What you did wrong...
What you did wrong was not to tell him "Just a minute" and then immediately call the hotel front desk.
Of course, I might not have done any better, but like you, I wouldn't take crap off that guy without knocking him on his back end.
What you did wrong was not to tell him "Just a minute" and then immediately call the hotel front desk.
Of course, I might not have done any better, but like you, I wouldn't take crap off that guy without knocking him on his back end.
jaholder1971
Member
1. Shoulda called the front desk and inquired.
2. Shoulda told the front desk to make him go away. You have no obligation to do anything he asks or tells you to do.
2. Shoulda told the front desk to make him go away. You have no obligation to do anything he asks or tells you to do.
kingpin008
Member
I would have told him that yes, I see he has a nametag, but that doesn't mean jack.
Then, I would have told him that I'm calling the front desk to verify who he is and that there actually was a complaint, and as soon as it was verified, he was welcome to enter. If he calls for backup, and they feel the need to break down the door or something silly like that over a noise complaint - let 'em. It's their door. They'd have a hell of a hard time explaining to the cops when they got there why they went all commando and knocked down the door, when it was obvious that there wasn't a party going on in our room.
That said, this really isn't gun related. Not saying that it should be locked - probably better off over in S&T, though.
Then, I would have told him that I'm calling the front desk to verify who he is and that there actually was a complaint, and as soon as it was verified, he was welcome to enter. If he calls for backup, and they feel the need to break down the door or something silly like that over a noise complaint - let 'em. It's their door. They'd have a hell of a hard time explaining to the cops when they got there why they went all commando and knocked down the door, when it was obvious that there wasn't a party going on in our room.
That said, this really isn't gun related. Not saying that it should be locked - probably better off over in S&T, though.
GBExpat
Member
Absolutely!
Definately a good call. Who is he to demand you open up the door? Unless you're going to call your buddies and break down the door, you're wasting your time calling for back up, until I see some credentials, AND Call the front desk to inquire. Not bad though, for being caught with your pants down. (Pun Very Much intended!)
lee n. field
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- Dec 29, 2002
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- 4,319
Everything he said.
86thecat
Member
Would you open the door for a mall ninja? Hotel security, uniform or not doesn't rate much in my book. Could be any dipstick off of the street pulling a scam. Definitely let him cool his heels while you contact the front desk and let him request his back up (the night maid?), better yet if he thinks there is a problem get his name and tell him you're calling a real LEO concerning someone trying to enter your room and will contact the front desk when they get there.
W.E.G.
Member
Arrogant hotel security guards.
Never argue with idiots.
They will drag you down to their level, and beat you with experience.
Never argue with idiots.
They will drag you down to their level, and beat you with experience.
Keegan
Member
They're not all arrogant idiots.
Yes, or better yet you should have called hotel security and told them that someone was inappropriately claiming to be one of there own. He was definitely inappropriate when he did not properly ID himself, and when he called for back-up because you wanted to verify his identity.
As a matter of fact, I beleive it deserves a letter of complaint to the CEO of the company that runs the hotel. You were a guest in that hotel, not some trouble maker running amok through the halls. I would think they at the very least owe you an apology.
All the best,
Glenn B
Neo-Luddite
Member
In the future, unless YOU called for them--I'd say firmly "I'm calling the police" and do so pronto. No further discussion needed. ALWAYS deadbolot and chain the door.
Worst that happens (hopefully
local PD is a bit irked that they came out for nothing, but you are polite and grateful and maybe drop a thank you note in the mail). Not a crime to make a mistake.
Oh, and the FIRST thing you did was firmly (but discretely) grasp your sidearm/shotgun that you keep with you in strange hotel rooms.
Worst that happens (hopefully
local PD is a bit irked that they came out for nothing, but you are polite and grateful and maybe drop a thank you note in the mail). Not a crime to make a mistake.Oh, and the FIRST thing you did was firmly (but discretely) grasp your sidearm/shotgun that you keep with you in strange hotel rooms.
Anyone can get a name tag. No legitimate security officer or police officer minds proving who they are.
I think it's kind of odd that he called for "backup" a couple times but none ever got there. How big was this hotel?
There was obviously no loud noise coming from the room when he arrived. That should have been a clue to the security guard (if that's who he was) that the complaint was either unfounded or he had the wrong room, or the party was over for the night. It's not like hotel guests usually listen to scanners and shut the party down before security arrives.
If it had been me, he'd have been standing at the door until someone with a peace officers commission verified his identity. And I'd probably get offered my next stay at one of that chain's hotels free by the time I got done with the management.
Jeff
I think it's kind of odd that he called for "backup" a couple times but none ever got there. How big was this hotel?
There was obviously no loud noise coming from the room when he arrived. That should have been a clue to the security guard (if that's who he was) that the complaint was either unfounded or he had the wrong room, or the party was over for the night. It's not like hotel guests usually listen to scanners and shut the party down before security arrives.
If it had been me, he'd have been standing at the door until someone with a peace officers commission verified his identity. And I'd probably get offered my next stay at one of that chain's hotels free by the time I got done with the management.
Jeff
jaholder1971
Member
All my hotel stays usually involve a cocked and locked .45 on the nightstand for less than social occasions.
Most hotel robberies involve security guards stealing anything not tied down. I used to work armed security patrol and it was about as commonplace to detain our own at our hotel job sites for the cops to pick up as it was anyone else. It was really embarrassing.
Most hotel robberies involve security guards stealing anything not tied down. I used to work armed security patrol and it was about as commonplace to detain our own at our hotel job sites for the cops to pick up as it was anyone else. It was really embarrassing.
Gordon
Member
Call the front desk. Legitimate security has a master key IF they need to use it. You should have received a call from the desk before they came anyway. Complain in writing to the Hotel chain giving times and names if you have them (nametag?) asked to have your money refunded or be comped in future for violation of your privacy, safety and disturbing your stay with the arrogance.
wyocarp
Member
Totally a bad call. Why should you care if he is upset? If he wouldn't have been hotel security, which you weren't sure of, it could have been ugly.
I wouldn't open the door for anyone I don't know or am expecting.
I wouldn't open the door for anyone I don't know or am expecting.
myrockfight
Member
I would have been laughing at the guy after I opened the door only to the point where the bar was fully engaged. I would have told him I am there with my wife and that is it.
Honestly, I don't think I would have thought to call the front desk. But I am glad I read these posts because, now I certainly will run that process through my head.
I would have definitely answered the door with a gun in hand. Then if I decided to let him in, it would be in my IWB holster. However, I don't think I would have let him in though. When someone reacts emotionally in a situation like that, and it doesn't warrant it - I get very, very suspicious. People who are trying to pull one over on you often use other's good nature, common courtesy, and social obligations to find start to make you a victim.
Whenever someone gets angry, upset, etc. and the situation doesn't seem to warrant it (or even if it does) go into defense mode. Start thinking two steps ahead as to what may be going on and do your best to remove yourself and others from the situation or at least put yourself into a defensive position. I have gotten myself out of a couple bad situations doing just this, as I am sure many others have also.
Honestly, I don't think I would have thought to call the front desk. But I am glad I read these posts because, now I certainly will run that process through my head.
I would have definitely answered the door with a gun in hand. Then if I decided to let him in, it would be in my IWB holster. However, I don't think I would have let him in though. When someone reacts emotionally in a situation like that, and it doesn't warrant it - I get very, very suspicious. People who are trying to pull one over on you often use other's good nature, common courtesy, and social obligations to find start to make you a victim.
Whenever someone gets angry, upset, etc. and the situation doesn't seem to warrant it (or even if it does) go into defense mode. Start thinking two steps ahead as to what may be going on and do your best to remove yourself and others from the situation or at least put yourself into a defensive position. I have gotten myself out of a couple bad situations doing just this, as I am sure many others have also.
As stated before call the front desk to confirm the ID of anyone who comes a knocking.
And in this case from the BS that the security guy gave you, I would be calling the front desk and asking to speak to the manager on duty and airing your complaint. If that isn't satisfactory, ask for their superior's name and when they will be available to talk to you....and ask them to have that person call you. No satisfaction there ? Get the corporate office number and make calls/write letters.
Way too many hotel security guys think that they are actual police officers....and frequently have an even worse sense of "service". No reason to have to put up with a bunch of BS from them when you are already paying a hefty hotel bill.
And in this case from the BS that the security guy gave you, I would be calling the front desk and asking to speak to the manager on duty and airing your complaint. If that isn't satisfactory, ask for their superior's name and when they will be available to talk to you....and ask them to have that person call you. No satisfaction there ? Get the corporate office number and make calls/write letters.
Way too many hotel security guys think that they are actual police officers....and frequently have an even worse sense of "service". No reason to have to put up with a bunch of BS from them when you are already paying a hefty hotel bill.
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