Local Talent
09-19-2009, 03:53 AM
Not an exciting war story - more like one of those annoying blunders waiting to happen on a daily basis...
I was supervising an estate protection detail for a very wealthy and connected VIP. She was scheduled to appear at a venue in a nearby Beverly Hills hotel and had requested a personal escort due to a heightened threat level (normally, her security would stay at the residence).
Instead of providing the escort myself, as the agent in charge typically would, I assigned my best agent to her: it was easier to schedule that way (I caught up with them at the event later), the guy had driven the client before and she was comfortable with him, and I'm frankly not the kind to monopolize the spotlight. Plus my guy needed some one-on-one mileage.
So I drove alone from the residence to the hotel and met with my partner there. I had not requested radios because I didn't want to deal with the company and figured that a two-man team could do without coms, which we did indeed (those who have read my already many posts know that I'm a low-tech kinda guy anyway ;)).
As a matter of fact things went so smoothly at the event, it was as if we were reading each other's mind.
I mostly floated around, checking on my guy, on hotel security (to whom I had given photos of our stalker), and scanning the surroundings and lots for potential pbs.
Once the principal ready to leave, we escorted her to her limo and I bolted to get my car and position it in front of the MBZ. Since my partner wasn't a local and had expressed doubts he could find his way back to Sunset Blvd., I led the way. Once on Sunset, I fell back and assumed the chase-car role.
Again, smoothness all around.
Prior to arriving at the residence, I sent the agreed-upon "5' out" message to my graveyard man. That was his cue to open the gate.
About a quarter mile before reaching our destination, I passed the limo and floored it. My third man was indeed standing at attention beside an open gate. I parked inside as quickly as I could and rushed to the motorcourt, just in time to open the door of the arriving limo! The timing was sooo perfect...
Just seconds later of course, my client and I bumped into a LOCKED front door...
An embarrassing and awkward back-and-forth ensued, with agents bumping into each other, trying to find that key in a hurry... :rolleyes:
That's when my graveyard guy finally decided to come back from his stroll up the driveway. The residence's key was of course in his pocket.
I grabbed it and opened the door as quickly as I could so that the client, who was giving me the stink eye, would not hear my guy now trying to blame her family members for locking the door... :eek:
A long day of hard and good work ruined in mere seconds.
So... lessons learned?
Well, as the agent in charge, one could argue that I failed to thoroughly plan and brief the team. The little details will make or break you.
In reality, I had been butting heads with the company to get rid of that agent and he was just being himself (a screw-up).
I could email him, leave written pass-downs, AND brief him in person... he still would find ways to drop the ball AND try to blame somebody else. No amount of preparation can fix stupid.
That little fiasco was in retrospect not such a big deal (I had to laugh at myself during the drive home), but it shows well how the best laid plans can go to hell up to the last second. And that we can sometimes be our worst enemies.
I was supervising an estate protection detail for a very wealthy and connected VIP. She was scheduled to appear at a venue in a nearby Beverly Hills hotel and had requested a personal escort due to a heightened threat level (normally, her security would stay at the residence).
Instead of providing the escort myself, as the agent in charge typically would, I assigned my best agent to her: it was easier to schedule that way (I caught up with them at the event later), the guy had driven the client before and she was comfortable with him, and I'm frankly not the kind to monopolize the spotlight. Plus my guy needed some one-on-one mileage.
So I drove alone from the residence to the hotel and met with my partner there. I had not requested radios because I didn't want to deal with the company and figured that a two-man team could do without coms, which we did indeed (those who have read my already many posts know that I'm a low-tech kinda guy anyway ;)).
As a matter of fact things went so smoothly at the event, it was as if we were reading each other's mind.
I mostly floated around, checking on my guy, on hotel security (to whom I had given photos of our stalker), and scanning the surroundings and lots for potential pbs.
Once the principal ready to leave, we escorted her to her limo and I bolted to get my car and position it in front of the MBZ. Since my partner wasn't a local and had expressed doubts he could find his way back to Sunset Blvd., I led the way. Once on Sunset, I fell back and assumed the chase-car role.
Again, smoothness all around.
Prior to arriving at the residence, I sent the agreed-upon "5' out" message to my graveyard man. That was his cue to open the gate.
About a quarter mile before reaching our destination, I passed the limo and floored it. My third man was indeed standing at attention beside an open gate. I parked inside as quickly as I could and rushed to the motorcourt, just in time to open the door of the arriving limo! The timing was sooo perfect...
Just seconds later of course, my client and I bumped into a LOCKED front door...
An embarrassing and awkward back-and-forth ensued, with agents bumping into each other, trying to find that key in a hurry... :rolleyes:
That's when my graveyard guy finally decided to come back from his stroll up the driveway. The residence's key was of course in his pocket.
I grabbed it and opened the door as quickly as I could so that the client, who was giving me the stink eye, would not hear my guy now trying to blame her family members for locking the door... :eek:
A long day of hard and good work ruined in mere seconds.
So... lessons learned?
Well, as the agent in charge, one could argue that I failed to thoroughly plan and brief the team. The little details will make or break you.
In reality, I had been butting heads with the company to get rid of that agent and he was just being himself (a screw-up).
I could email him, leave written pass-downs, AND brief him in person... he still would find ways to drop the ball AND try to blame somebody else. No amount of preparation can fix stupid.
That little fiasco was in retrospect not such a big deal (I had to laugh at myself during the drive home), but it shows well how the best laid plans can go to hell up to the last second. And that we can sometimes be our worst enemies.