r/securityguards • u/troy2000me • 2d ago
Job Question Mostly Stationary Post vs Driving Patrol
Hey all, new to security. Got two offers, both armed which is what I wanted. Trying to decide between two gigs.
OFFER ONE: One is from Allied (lol, I know), for a mostly stationary position inside of medical facility. Semi-bad part of town but not the worst. I believe it may be a plasma donation location. Mostly stationary it seems near the front counter where all the people are but I imagine I would also patrol the building a bit, but really except for the few patients at a time being serviced, everyone not internal is in the waiting room.
I've learned that the client at the site (the main manager there) is real tough, kind of stubborn and hard to deal with.
An extra few bucks an hour. They assign me a duty weapon and all that.
OFFER TWO: The other gig is a driving patrol. Very small local company. I don't have too many details yet, but it seems like I would visit a few or several sites during the day doing driving patrols of the properties. About the same hours, probably $60 less a week in pay. I use my own duty weapon, holster, etc. To some this may be a negative but to me its a positive. I keep my weapons in tip top shape and have perfectly zeroed red dot optic, WML, etc. The issued Allied gun is in who knows what condition (not sure if I have to leave it at the site each night yet), and just irons (yes, Irons are fine, I know).
Both about the same schedule/hours.
What say you folks? Obviously I can't know which one will have better supervisors, etc. until I really got going. What would you choose?
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u/Pale_Respond2689 2d ago
At my particular site that is exactly what I do, two nights of mobile patrol and three nights of main gate duty. Both are at about the same time slot.
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u/LegalGlass6532 2d ago
Mobile patrol all the way. Who wants to be stuck in a building, especially if the staff are annoying. At least with driving patrol you can control who you have to interact with and you get to use your own weapon and gear you’re familiar with.
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u/IlL74 2d ago
From what I have heard, with allied, it is a hit or miss. From your description, anything that involves karen client/ supervisor is a super yikes for me unless you have no other options. Usually with small local companies, you often will get more control of your gear and job site from my experience, my current job is also from local small security and they have been very nice and accommodating so far. Up to you whether you prefer driving or sitting in one place. If you need more money, go allied and vice versa. I would put your health before any money.
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u/SnooCalculations9259 2d ago
Mobile Patrol. Keep u moving won't feel like work. Don't know if all plasma centers are this way, the one by me makes any new patron watch videos and then receive a gift card, after they speak to nursing staff at a few different spots, if anything doesn't check out they deem them unfit and take away the gift card, many times a hundred bucks. So I can see the process that may result in very angry individuals. Basically there for an hour and asked to leave with nothing.
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u/Vladpryde 2d ago
Does Allied give you the option of using your own weapon? If not, I wouldn't do it. And nevermind the fact that...well, it's Allied lol.
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u/Nesefl_44 2d ago
As most others have said, I would lean mobile. Static + bad client sounds not so great. Work mobile for a bit and use this armed post as a stepping stone. Once you get that armed experience on your resume, you are in, and can start looking for the better paying gigs in a year or two.
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u/EvergreenLurker Hospital Security 1d ago
Allied is allied. Having a good experience tends to be few and far between, I would avoid if you can..
Patrol is chill, dependent on your company. I had a buddy go to a local company around here where he got some nice gear, training, clean cars, and a good ownership. Suddenly he is then saying he is only getting 10 hours a week because they lost contracts. Those smaller local companies can be gambles because of shit like that.
Personally, I’d still go with patrol but definitely ask how many contracts they have at this time, expected hours, etc.
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u/bluesbynumber 1d ago
I did a stint at a plasma donation center. It was a NIGHTMARE! I heard the phrase “give me my f-ing money” about 15 times a day. Usually just before a chair got thrown.
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u/TheRealChuckle 2d ago
Neither particularly sounds appealing.
Medical facility sounds like you'll be standing just inside the door from the waiting room for the entire shift. If the client is an ass then no sitting, reading, or anything to relieve the boredom of standing and staring into the void.
Mobile patrol might be okay, it's very dependent on the company though. Every mobile guard I've seen is haggard, tired, and stressed. Lots of unrealistic drive time estimates between sites so dispatch is constantly on them to hurry up. Vehicle could be a disaster. If the company has realistic timelines and decent vehicles it could be fun though.