Getting through the summer heat can be brutal, especially when there's little shade, dirt and saw dust whipping in the air. At the bottom of this article is a complied list of items you can buy that can make your shift more comfortable and ease your suffering. There items that are necessary: Water and Dishtowels (sweat rags) Everything else you can acquire later. However, if this is just a temporary assignment, you can do without some of it. If this is an extended stay and you're not going anywhere, you might want to scroll down and read this article.
Working those long shifts during the day, you'll eventually have to eat something. When it comes to food, keep it light. The heat can spoil it, or eating too much will get you sick or go to the bathroom. Stick to snack crackers (not too sweet or salty) Both make you dehydrated. Avoid Port-O-Death's (potties) whenever possible. Most construction sites have them, but don't expect toilet paper and expect them to smell like death!
If you're required to do patrols, do not use your own vehicles no matter what anyone tells you. Sharp debris like nails, metal siding, etc, litters these locations. Don't be surprised if you puncture and tire or cause other damage to your car/truck. Instead, do foot patrols and watch where you step. In many cases, the company doesn’t protect your vehicle. Unless otherwise told by your manager, there's no reimbursement for damages. I know first hand. If he/she does, don't let up until they make good on their oath. In addition, if the damage is severe, you might have to file an insurance claim. Check your policy or ask your agent first.
Another tip for your vehicle is park in shade, but out of the way of machinery. Remember, there are nails. Forget about keeping it your car clean. With lots of dust, your car/truck is going to get dirty fast. Moreover, don't wash it, unless you're there to cover another guard or on temporary assignment. If there's a lot of dirt on your windshield, use excess water to wash it off before leaving. Using your wiper blades prior is going to scratch the glass.
Should a storm be approaching, find shelther in your car or nearby building. Should it be a tornado, find a structure with a solid door frame, away from corners, doors, windows, and outside walls and debris that can be picked up. Don't use your car as shelter, for it may be struck or knocked over or fly away. Get to the lowest part, in a hallway closet if possible.
When doing night patrols, be alert; be aware of your surroundings. Use high-beam flashlights and always buy enough batteries to last. If this is a bad neighborhood, don't play cop and try to protect the building materials. Are you seriously going to get shot/beat-up over something that the contactor can replace? Most companies have insurance for their guards, but don't take a chance and end up in the hospital. As stated in the Level I & II training, record as much information and call the police. If another person's life is in danger, do what you can. Don't be a hero.
The next pearl of wisdom can be applied to any graveyard shift. Get at least 4 or 5 hours of sleep before your shift starts. Leave 1 hour to get up, eat, shower, whatever and make it to your post on time. Don't hold up the other guard because you're late. If you're single, you can swing it. If you're a parent, don't risk falling asleep and getting your child killed. Ask a trustworthy neighbor, sibling, or relative close-by to help you. Whatever strings you pull, get sleep!
Last, I put together a list of other items that you can might need to take at a construction site.
I wouldn't recommend books or magazines because they can distract your attention from your surroundings (if the case may be) Burying your head in a novel can leave trespassers to get by or sneak up on you, or your supervisor, or owner of the site. The same goes for watching a T.V. Wait until the site is clear of activity and persons before catching your shows. Don't have an excuse for them to fire you.
Security guards and gaming surveillance officers in 2006: 1,040,000 Projected employment by 2016: 1,216,000 |
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Remember that we're security guards working at a post not legally a police officer. We do not have the same arresting powers as a certified law enforcement official. Instead, we're there to protects the persons and properties of the employer. Should you find yourself without the instructions of LP, an act of crime must take place in your prescence. Check your state laws. But, here's how to make a legal arrest.
http://www.leg.state.nv.us/NAC/NAC-648.html
Let’s face it, in the
Once you found one that is still in operation, check their website if they have one to see the pay and benefits they offer. Depending on what you want out of a company will determine your best choices. If all you’re interested in is making money, doing as little work as possible, there’s plenty of fly by night operations out there.
No matter what company you work for, the pay will be different. Even within the same company. I'll tell you why. Every client (the person who hired the security company) pays differently. One post could pay $7.00, another across town might pay $8.00. It all depends.
Most non-commissioned/ commissioned guards make anywhere from between $6.00 to $11.00 dollars an hour. That could include supervisors and other roles within the company. Only managers, partners/shareholders, etc, and other personnel within the company make a living. Some of you guards out there might be making more. You're the lucky ones.
Not all good companies offer decent benefits like 401k, health insurance (make sure you read the fine print), direct deposit, or even holiday pay. Some do require you pay for the uniform, which they deduct from your check each week. When you return it after quitting, you’ll get the money back, unless it is torn. You'll have to pay for the repair. Have all your uniforms professional dry-cleaned throughout your employment and when you quit. It keeps the material like new.
Avoid smaller companies that pay less than $8.50, or has less than ten office personnel, or 100 employees working for them. Small mom and pop operations don’t have the extra funds to give you a decent salary, benefits, or even training.
In addition, if they don’t have enough employees, you can find yourself working double shifts back to back or coming in on your off day. This can happen anywhere. That’s great for the money, but you need to eat and sleep or else you’ll do harm to your mental and physical health.
Your best bet is choose a well-known company. Remember, every company is not free of interpersonal problems, due to the lack of communication between employees, managers, etc.
Additional tips:
1. Thoroughly visit the Texas Private Security Bureau website periodically. Don’t have Internet access, or computer? Go to you local library.
2. Read or have a copy of the Occupation Code Chapter 1702. This is your second Bible.
3. Read your company handbook and the post orders of any site you’re assigned.
4. Get the opinions from friends and family. But also use the Internet whenever possible to do research.
In 1998, airports were a much different place. Then, Globe Airport Security protected most airports throughout the
Imagine, standing up 8 hours straight with nothing but a 30 minute break, watching an x-ray machine as people's belongings scrolled by in black and white. Also, being the one telling those getting into the main terminal to empty out their pockets into small totes, then pass through a metal detector.
If the machine's alarm went off, they'd have to step back, and then empty out what they forgot, and then retry. If it went off again, we sent them to a third detector that was more sensitive. If they failed that, we'd break out the hand wands and scan them from head to toe.
The pay was also low, even for then. The screeners made $5.75, and baggage claim agents made $5.15. I only worked as a screener for a few weeks. Then, I chose to work in baggage claim, helping Continental track and maintain unclaimed luggage. Although I had to deal with large crowds, I wasn't having do deal with them on a face-t0-face basis. However, things really got interesting and exciting.
From time to time I got into arguments with the Sky Caps because I helped travelers carry out their bags and got their tip money instead. It wasn't as if I deliberately took the person away from the Sky Cap. To be smart, I backed off until there were none, or they already had a person, and then waited. If no one showed up, I'd help whoever flagged me down.
If in fact these go missing between flights, you'll be happy to know than an employee at Continental has your items, which you'll never see again. Don't bother with locks; the thief breaks them off using wire cutters. Employees of the airline and airport aren't the only thieves. Others manage to steal luggage.
Beneath the terminal, lurking in the shadows, hidden, nearly unseen are the homeless of IAH. I happen to meet a one in a parking lot and later befriended. I discovered how he made a living by sneaking into the luggage area or stealing the “orange” security badges that grant access into locked area.
However they are able to get in, they rummage through your bags and snatch anything of worth, selling it at a local flea market or pawnshop. This is a very sad, dark reality of life. At least now, I've warned you and you know what to expect flying at Bush airport.
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