Leave your car keys????

[seansbar]

Today first call at a High school, that I've never been before. Get there, go inside, wet from the rain, and sign in with the lady there. She hands me visitor badge, a cheap plastic laminated paper that is falling apart. Ask me to leave my ID and car keys. I'm like huh? Yes their policy is to collect ID or Keys for collateral so that I return the visitor badge.

I tell her that I am not comfortable leaving them behind. I've had identity theft problems before, and $1000's of parts in my car. Not going to happen. She call over an official looking guy, he just reiterates the same thing. I say I here to fix the copier. "He says see ya later"

So I am leaving, call the service manager. He says that is crazy, and asked for the contact info. He calls and get no where. He says bring some dummy keys next time.

Who thinks this is as crazy as me?

[Tonerbomb]

Re: Leave your car keys????

Today first call at a High school, that I've never been before. Get there, go inside, wet from the rain, and sign in with the lady there. She hands me visitor badge, a cheap plastic laminated paper that is falling apart. Ask me to leave my ID and car keys. I'm like huh? Yes their policy is to collect ID or Keys for collateral so that I return the visitor badge.

I tell her that I am not comfortable leaving them behind. I've had identity theft problems before, and $1000's of parts in my car. Not going to happen. She call over an official looking guy, he just reiterates the same thing. I say I here to fix the copier. "He says see ya later"

So I am leaving, call the service manager. He says that is crazy, and asked for the contact info. He calls and get no where. He says bring some dummy keys next time.

Who thinks this is as crazy as me?

I've got a customer that has changed their policy's many times for venders due to their internal problems. Now they require you leave your drivers license at check in. I think it may be a violation of state law, as they don't have the right to confiscate your license while your there. Bullshit!!!

[nmfaxman]

Re: Leave your car keys????

I ran into this once and asked them to sign my own form for my keys that stated anything stolen from my vehicle while they have my key, they are personally responsible for.
She told me never mind.
They are just doing what some micro-manager has told them to do.
They hate it when they get the same pushed back in front of them.

[KenB]

Re: Leave your car keys????

I've had a few ask for the driver's license, but I figure 2 or 3 over 30+ years isn't bad. Never my car keys, though.

That is truly crazy.

I would not humor them with dummy keys, either. That means they win.

[blackcat4866]

Re: Leave your car keys????

Similar. I showed up at an elementary school in the afternoon, and somebody waved me away from the lot saying: "You can't park here. The lot's full." My response was: "Are you sure? I'm the copier tech, and if I leave I won't be be coming back today."

He looked confused for a moment, then moved the barricade. There were plenty of parking spots. I don't know what his problem was.
=^..^=

[JR2ALTA]

Re: Leave your car keys????

Similar. I showed up at an elementary school in the afternoon, and somebody waved me away from the lot saying: "You can't park here. The lot's full." My response was: "Are you sure? I'm the copier tech, and if I leave I won't be be coming back today." He looked confused for a moment, then moved the barricade. There were plenty of parking spots. I don't know what his problem was. =^..^=

Can't imagine your Driver's License would lead to identity theft. But, I would be pissed when I sat on my couch at 6p.m. and saw the damn Visitor Badge still on my chest.

[fixthecopier]

Re: Leave your car keys????

Working on an Army base means having a different set of rules. As soon as you enter the base there are signs that tell you as much. You, your car, your computer , your phone and/or your camera can be searched at any time for any reason at all. In the buildings that must of my contract are in, you can not bring in any electronics at all, and they may have a random check point up to check from time to time. Swapping ID cards is something I have to do several times a day to get in buildings, but never keys. Just the ID swap can cause problems. At one location they gave me another soldiers ID card instead of my DOD card. It was several hours later that I noticed, and good thing I did because I could have been arrested for trying to get on base with another ID. The Joint Special Ops compound are all business. They have searched the papers in my notebook before letting me in. I lost the badge they gave me to wear in the compound one time, and they would not allow me to leave until I went back and found it. I have a badge that is a key card to get me in one of my buildings and the picture with a certain color background was a problem. I would use it for a badge swap, but the color on it was the color for top secret clearance and some guys not paying attention would give me "Top Secret No Escort Required" badges to go in secured areas. This could cause me more trouble than I care to think about. I rubbed the surface of the badge off and I am working on a new picture of me holding a 12 inch Phillips and the words "Licensed To Kill" on top and the words "Office Equipment" under.

A few months ago I left base and realized I had lost my wallet on base. It had my ID to get on base. Well now I have to go through the line and get searched, but only if I have a picture ID and my drivers licence was in there also. I had to go to the shop, get money, go to DMV and get temp licence made, go home to get old licence for picture, to get back on base to find my wallet. I now keep a spare licence in the truck and my other Id around my neck.

[banginbishop]

Re: Leave your car keys????

well i wouldnt leave my keys. My insurance would be void if it got stolen, they have no right to ask for keys the same as no right to request your driving license - as far as im aware only law enforcement can ask for that in the UK. I've worked on airports where vehicles were not allowed as the route was inside the runway perimiter. I didnt mind that as it took 30 mins through security to get passed and picked up before getting onto the site. The only time i did get my car on site was when i needed parts and i had an escort and no problem. As said its some idiot manager being stupid. I had it a few months ago, customer requested ID even though I had a CRB (criminal records check), customer had a copy of the CRB, she knew i was coming she requested the call, she requested my driving licence but i refused on prinicple and I cancelled the call. customer then had to rebook. Sometimes its easier to work at a bank than some pissy little customer with stupid ideas that protect no one

[atwageman]

Re: Leave your car keys????

I've got a customer that's a real hassle for vendors. Without giving away the name of the company, I will just say they are in the finacial services business and they do work for the feds. EVERY year you have to submit to finger prints, criminal background check, and YES a credit check is done. NO cell phones, computers, ipods, etc........Everytime you enter, your toolbox is searched, along with whatever you use to carry paperwork in etc....same thing goes when you leave. If you need to throw something away, they inspect it and throw it away for you. Also you are subject to random physical searches of yourself.

I'm one of the very lucky few to have a ID badge for this place, but still I have to go through the same crap every year. All the ID badge means, is that I don't have to have a security escort while on the premises. 95% of the vendors don't have badges, and the only time you are not shadowed is when you go to take a piss.

Also they have more security cameras than a freaking casino.

If you give them even the slightest shit about the invasion of privacy.....you will be escorted off the property, and will never be allowed to return.

[KenB]

Re: Leave your car keys????

A few years ago (maybe in 2007) I did an install on a Canon business color machine at a store inside the airport.

Not that big a deal to get in; only needed a screwdriver and my PC to be checked. That part was easy. My escort got me right in.

I did, howecer, foolishly go to use the restroom in the airport concourse after after I was done, It was about a 40 foot walk.

When I got back, I was told by my escort that it was a good thing security did not see me and check me out. Both the customer and my dealership could have been fined $10,000 each, and whoever it was that signed for me would be automatically terminated.

Serously? Any Joe Schmoe with a $39 airline ticket (once he got through security, of course), had more rights than I did?

I'm all for airport security (especially since 9-11) and never complain at all about any inconveniences or delays when flying, but this was just ridiculous.

[KenB]

Re: Leave your car keys????

I've got a customer that's a real hassle for vendors. Without giving away the name of the company, I will just say they are in the finacial services business and they do work for the feds. EVERY year you have to submit to finger prints, criminal background check, and YES a credit check is done. NO cell phones, computers, ipods, etc........Everytime you enter, your toolbox is searched, along with whatever you use to carry paperwork in etc....same thing goes when you leave. If you need to throw something away, they inspect it and throw it away for you. Also you are subject to random physical searches of yourself.

I'm one of the very lucky few to have a ID badge for this place, but still I have to go through the same crap every year. All the ID badge means, is that I don't have to have a security escort while on the premises. 95% of the vendors don't have badges, and the only time you are not shadowed is when you go to take a piss.

Also they have more security cameras than a freaking casino.

If you give them even the slightest shit about the invasion of privacy.....you will be escorted off the property, and will never be allowed to return.

What happens when you have to bring your PC in, say to flash firmware, test printing, etc...?

[atwageman]

Re: Leave your car keys????

What happens when you have to bring your PC in, say to flash firmware, test printing, etc...?

At least 3 members of the gestapo will shadow you the entire time. Your PC is subject to inspection at anytime. It's never happed to me, but I've heard horror stories from others. NO copiers in this place are tied into the network and used as regular printers thank God.

Other imaging equipment that is tied into the network can be a nightmare, but it's rare, because the in-house IT people have their sh*t together and know their stuff. As far as flashing is concerned....anytime you have your laptop hooked up to a piece of equipment that is tied into a network, the network cable from the machine to the wall must be disconnected....customers level of being paranoid, has no limits. lol

[spacedust]

Re: Leave your car keys????

i have had this at a well known parcel delivery company here in the uk, they only wanted me to leave my car keys ........but i am responsible for my company car and there is no way i would do that........after a full and frank discusion i was allowed into the main warehouse without leaving my keys !?
to hell with that ! ...( to coin a phrase from our u.s. cousins).

[zed255]

Re: Leave your car keys????

I have been asked to leave keys when singeing into a friggin' grocery store! When really pushed I walk away and call my manager. Generally I get to do my job without any unreasonable requests in the name of security.

[femaster]

Re: Leave your car keys????

We do contract work for all the state agencies in our area, and thankfully out of all of them, there are only 5 locations where I must give up my keys. The keys are traded in for a PPD (Personal Protection Device). I don't bother giving them slack, the keys are locked up in the "Bubble" (a secure checkpoint between the inside and the out world).

The 5 locations... Level 5 Maximum Security prisons. I'll take the PPD over the keys any day while I'm in there. Nothing like walking amongst Americas finest criminals. Was a pretty scary thought when I first started, but it's become common-place now, so it doesn't bother me quite so much. I can say that I've seen pretty interesting stuff while I've been in these places!