(First... apologies to what may appear to be a blog post. I just thought it would be interesting to peek into my life as a security tech in a resort area)

Being a Locksmith in the Florida Keys is loaded with fun, challenges and rarely ever seems like work. I have been here nearly 4 years and I really believe that I'm on vacation all of the time!

Since most of my automotive customers are tourists driving rental cars, I have concluded that when a human is really chillin' on a sub-tropical vacation, the brain simply goes into neutral. Keys are locked in the car, locked in the trunk or just plain lost on a regular basis. When on vacation, you are not into your regular routine, so it's easy to forget the priorities that can keep you out of trouble. Let's not forget to factor in the inebriates and hangovers. This applies to the lockouts of rental homes, too.

This week, I made keys for a helicopter for the first time. The pilot fired up the engine just to show me close-up how the drive train works. Sadly, we didn't go into the blue yonder. I was most impressed with the small parts used to control the pitch of the main rotor and tail rotor. They didn't look all that dependable to me. On a chopper, it's all about weight savings. BTW, this pilot takes people to the everglades area to hunt wild boar from the sky.

I was dispatched to open a high-tech looking rigid guitar case for a tourist. TSA inspectors gave him a load of grief because they couldn't unlock the case with their override keys for a visual inspection. At least they didn't break the lock. TSA couldn't unlock the case... but I did.

I rekeyed a rental house for a Navy man. His wife has been cheating on him and lying about many things. He finally had enough and decided to burn the bridge. He told me she blew thousands of dollars in their shared bank account. I come from these jobs with mixed emotions: extreme sadness to see what a failed relationship is doing to the parties involved and a sense of satisfaction that I am improving peace of mind by stopping and preventing more hurtful acts.

I also perform light roadside service for AAA members. I tried to change a tire on a lady's SUV only to discover that she had a tamper-resistant lug nut on each wheel and no special socket to be found in the rig. No can do! The SUV had to be towed to a tire dealer and they probably ground the lug nut off. She was pleased that this will take care of the problem until I reminded her that she still had the same lug nut on the other 3 wheels. Another flat will be another major headache and expense.

A hotshot college kid from NY with a fancy BMW locked his keys in the trunk. He lost a day of time, not being able to return from vacation 'til he discovered that we could help him. I blew his mind when I opened his trunk so easily (for $150). So much for a high-security car.

I serviced a large safe/vault for a jewelry retailer. Their other safe had a broken locking mechanism a few weeks ago and they called a guy from Miami to open the safe on a Sunday. Six hours, 9 specialty drill bits and over $4000 later the job was done.

Masterkeying our local cinema multiplex was fun. I was able to see the continuing growth of digital technology there. Though the movies are still shown using celluloid reels, the pre-show video ads and such are all digital now.

That's a little glimpse into my fun this week. Happy Easter to all!

HEY KEYGUY


YOU don't have a job you have an
adventure


hahahahaha hehehehehehe hohohohohoho



dgrimm60

Cool KeyGuy. Happy Easter and Passover.

pk

HEY TIMEWARP


DID you change you screen name form KEYGUY to TIMEWARP???


dgrimm60

Brains go into neutral at various times and places without it being a vacation....much less tropical.

I have lived in FL more more that 40 years and locked myself out of the car, realizing it immediately after it happened. At one time it was possible for the police to come and jimmy it open. Now it is this one department's policy to call a key smith for you.

I had it happen in Michigan while visiting with cousins. My young charge helpfully locked the doors for me. Except ...ah huh, keys were inside.

This past spring I came out of the store, unlocked the doors and popped the trunk as I was walking towards it. Placing my purchase in and closing the cover, it dawned on me that my keys were also in the handbag. I had forgotten that it was already unlocked. LOL I finally figured it out and pulled down the back seat and snatched it out, Very very thankful.