Job Consisting of Weapons Carrying

[BloodyBucket03]

Hey guys, I have been contemplating a job offer I will be receiving in a few weeks in regards to driving an Armored Truck for a company like Brinks. It's not the fact I can't do the job or I am afraid of the risk. This company told me it would be full time, some long hours, and benefits, which is great. The one thing that bothered me the most about it was I was told that if a situation occurred while delivering currency to a bank and my partner was to be robbed I would have to leave him behind and that is a tuff pill for me to swallow. As a soldier that conducting Military Police missions in the desert I am suited for this type of thing but leaving a man behind is something I have never done and is something I don't know if I can do. I would like some feedback from some of you out their who drive armored trucks or have done it in the past and could give me some advice on whether this type of profession is worth getting into or even if you like driving armored trucks.

 

[deputy tom]

If it pays the same as security jobs you'd be better off delivering car parts or pizza.YMMV.tom.

 

[orangeninja]

Brinks is one of the higher paid companies....and one of the better trained.

You will work long, long hours and at least in Texas, not get time and a 1/2 for overtime because of some obscure law that allows the company to work you to death....read...(corruption).

The work generally attracts people who have little else going for them with clean backgrounds and in my experience...don't like their jobs, their life or you.

You will see a side of the economy that will leave a lasting impression on you.

You may experience tension from always looking over your shoulder and hemorrhoids from bouncing around in the back of a truck all day.

You will rarely see your family and when you do, you will be so physically exhausted that you won't want to spend time with them.

The company I worked for lost 3 people in 7 months...from different branches...from homicide...

Christmas will become an increasingly stressful time....due to mandatory overtime.

Hauling coin will have a whole new meaning to you.

You will eat lots and lots of fast food...

You will learn where all the clean public restrooms are....the hard way.

You may find yourself either despising your partner or loving him....I've had both.

The excitement of being armed on duty lasts all of 48 hours.

There’s lots of better jobs out there...but then...what’s best for you?

 

[MikeIsaj]

Welcome to the forum. Never worked on an armored car but know a bunch of guys who have. It's tough work but, I've done worse things. The driving off idea is actually a sound security practice. Anyone holding up a truck wants the money, not the guard. Driving off safeguards both by removing the money from the equation and making the guard worthless. I'm not sure how that works but they say, statistically it is the best bet. They also tell you to give up the money if it is demanded for the same reason. Your weapon is there for your protection, not the money.

If you are thinking of taking the job, I'd get started on your Act-235 application right now. The Pa. State Police web site has a section with the application you can download. You need to be certified before you can carry for hire. Certification involves fingerprinting, background check, psych and med evaluation, and a 40 hr training course and weapons qualification. Cost is $400.00 to $700.00 complete.

Good luck

 

[Zundfolge]

The excitement of being armed on duty lasts all of 48 hours.

I'm a Graphic Designer ... I carry a gun to work every day as well ... I don't see what the big deal is


Over the years I've known a couple of armored car drivers ... based on listening to their complaints it sounds like basically you work as hard as a UPS or FedEx driver for less pay.

The one thing that bothered me the most about it was I was told that if a situation occurred while delivering currency to a bank and my partner was to be robbed I would have to leave him behind and that is a tuff pill for me to swallow.

Don't let that stop you ... if the excrement hits the rotating air mover you do what you think is right and forget "company policy" ... if they fire you for that then you'll probably be glad to be rid of the job (and statistic say you're more likely to see a gun battle if you work for a 7-11)

 

[Shweboner]

Driving an Armored Car is not as bad as described above.

Ive done it for only six months.

Watch your ass, look and act professional and you wont be robbed. Have a good gun, nice clean gear, dont look like a dumbass, but dont go around like you are some kind of commando either.

Like posted before, the gun is for you, not the money. But if a situation arises... draw your gun! Their plan may include killing you anyway. If you see a weapon and you are not in the truck... FIRE! Otherwise you may end up dead... no one will question the shoot. Cover your ass!


My company has been robbed (nationwide) 3 or 4 times in the last 20 years.
In contrast another local service has been robbed consistently about 3 or 4 times a year.

You will get tossed around in the back, LEAVE YOUR SEATBELT ON!!!!! or your head will meet the ceiling, or worse. Even the smallest insignificant looking bump will be devastating in the back of there.

You will eat fast food like crazy, try going into grocery stores and buying more 'real' food. Its the same $$ and just as easy, especially if you have stores as customers, do the pick up and then just go back inside.

You will learn to hate WalMart if it is on your route.

Coin is a pain, but one that only last for a minute or two. 800 punds of coin is a bitch, but you have a cart and only have to wheel it into the vault then you are done... not all banks will order 50 pieces of coin either.

My companys policy is to drive away from your partner if someone gets them.
Not drive away, but leave that area... like to the other side of the parking lot with your lights/siren and air horn. If you get the chance, you can always turn around and run the robber down.

I got lucky and am doing ATM machines now. Its great since I am burned out on working with the GP. Pay is alright. Start @ 10.85 top out at 15.35

PM me or email me at [email protected] if you want.

 

[albanian]

I worked for a small indy for almost two years after I finished college. Before it was bought out, it was a pretty good place to work at. I liked my boss and we had much more freedom than Brinks. We were allowed to carry any gun we wanted. We were even encouraged to carry long guns in the truck. I always had something extra in the truck. Most of the time I carried a 12 ga pump but sometimes just for fun, I would carry an AK or an AR. I also had a Mini 14 which made a great truck gun as well. We actually had mostly decent employees until it was taken over by a jackass that also owed a security gaurd company. Pretty soon all the decent guys were gone to make room for new guys who they could pay much less, the benefits were gone and just about everything went into the crapper.

I was paid pretty well for the hours I worked but that is not the norm. My boss had a deal that if I worked Sunday, I would automatically get paid for 40 hours since my Mon-Fri route would not equal that amount. I had a sweet route during the week that if I had a decent partner, we could somtimes get done in 4 hours. I drove sometimes and was the messenger sometimes. We had ATMs as well as regular stops. Some was in town but most was out of town in the small towns around the main city. We would drive that old truck like a rental car.

I was told to give up the money because it was insured. I had no problem with that.

I was told to drive off and leave my partner behind. Depending on who I worked with, I had no problem with that.

I was told to always keep one guy in the truck and one guy would go in (except for ATMs), I didn't see why that was a good idea so I ignored that rule. My partner was always at my side and I his so we could watch each others backs. I always left the truck unmanned because I didn't care if it got stolen, I was worried about me not the cash. I think I was doing the right thing under the conditions.

I only had to draw my gun once but the hair on the back of my neck stood up a few times. I was in an ATM and someone started banging on it. I don't know what their problem was but I told them to get the F**K back and they did. I had my gun pointed at them from inside the ATM so they never saw but I think they got the picture.

Do what you think is right and ignore the rules if you need to. Adjust your attitude to your surroundings and when in the bad areas, act professional and don't talk to anyone. Chit-chat is not needed in the slums and nobody will complain if you are rude to them there like they do in the rich areas. Rick people think that everyone should kiss their butt and they will call your boss and try to have you fired if you don't laugh at their stupid joke or say hello to them. If I ever hear "got any free samples" again, I will punch the person that says it.

Statistically it is MUCH safer than working at a gas station or delivering pizzas so don't get too worked up about it. It is one of those jobs that seem like it should be more dangerous because all the danger is in the open. A pizza guy tends to think he is safer so he lets his gaurd down. Armored car guys are more aware or at least they should be so they are safer. Move fast, get in and out. Don't stand around and talk.

The one thing that is going to make or break the job is your partner. You may get a good guy that you will bond to and become friends or you will really grow to hate him. I had both because they had me training the new guys. Some were worse than you can imagine and some were really great guys that shouldn't have been working there. I don't judge armored car workers like I did before I worked there. It seems that there are people in different stages of their lives working there all the time. Some people are just getting out of school, some out of the military and some are trying to put their lives back together after the company they worked for laid them off or went to Mexico. I had one guy that would forget his gun once in a while! He would forget his bullets sometimes! I remember looking at his Taurus 66 in his holster and see that it was empty. We were half way through the route and I made him stop and buy ammo. He was pissed because he didn't want to spend the money. I told him he either bought ammo or I was going to tell my boss and have him fired. What a waste of 300lbs.