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Turns Out Wearing a Hi-Vis Vest Gets You into Everything for Free

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Re: Turns Out Wearing a Hi-Vis Vest Gets You into Everything for Free

#41

Post by walrus01 »

Aloha wrote: post #33
closeparen wrote: post #31

I used to be a field technician. It's really amazing how casually the front desks of important institutions would hand over telecom closet/server room keys when I asked. We wore company t-shirts, but that was it.

a found a tool bag, some parts to waive around, and a long boring explanation (real or otherwise) of why you need to be there also helps - barring that, in some buildings a screwdriver is the only key.

"We're here to adjust the phase variance on the cardinal grammeter of the retro encabulator"

Re: Turns Out Wearing a Hi-Vis Vest Gets You into Everything for Free

#42

Post by sitzkrieg »

UncleEntity wrote: post #30
stcredzero wrote: post #26

I attended a military academy boarding school where being outside after "Taps" could technically get you dismissed. This did happen to some people. My senior year, I started going to after hours D&D games. Some people tried to dress up all in black and do the commando thing, but a lot of them got caught. I just got into my dress uniform and walked around looking official. Everyone just assumed I was "Officer of the D…

In the regular army carrying around a manilla folder (or for extra benefits a personal folder) gets you no questions from anyone as they just assume you're doing some task for someone. Or walking around like you know what you're doing you can walk off with pretty much anything that isn't being actively guarded since they just think someone sent you over to get it for them. My platoon sgt used to tell me "go find me "…

or a clipboard in the navy, or ..

if you look like you're preoccupied with finding someone that usually works too

Re: Turns Out Wearing a Hi-Vis Vest Gets You into Everything for Free

#43

Post by dragonwriter »

CrazyCatDog wrote: post #16

Amateurs. I made a "press pass" consisting of a sticker printed from a laser printer reading "PRESS", highlighted yellow, and applied to the back of my highschool ID. I literally drive on the tarmac of Stapleton International Airport in Denver, in a failed attempt to meet then presidential candidate Bob Dole as he stepped off of his plane. One hour and one flash of the pass later and I landed a killer photo of he and…

Depending which of Dole’s presidential campaigns this was for, it was at least pre-9/11 and possibly pre-Gulf War, so security procedures were significantly looser than they are today.

Re: Turns Out Wearing a Hi-Vis Vest Gets You into Everything for Free

#44

Post by ethbro »

btrettel wrote: post #8

As a cyclist, I've worn a hi-vis vest while walking around after riding, and it's been weird how many people assume that I am a repair guy or even a police officer. The thesis of the article matches my experience. If you wear the vest confidently you could probably get into many things free.

"Who would claim to be that who was not?" - The Untouchables

(On Eliot Ness announcing himself as an armed officer of the Treasury department)

Re: Turns Out Wearing a Hi-Vis Vest Gets You into Everything for Free

#45

Post by Consultant32452 »

btrettel wrote: post #8

As a cyclist, I've worn a hi-vis vest while walking around after riding, and it's been weird how many people assume that I am a repair guy or even a police officer. The thesis of the article matches my experience. If you wear the vest confidently you could probably get into many things free.

For some reason your post reminded me of this classic Dave Chapelle bit. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fL-1kHxsavI

Re: Turns Out Wearing a Hi-Vis Vest Gets You into Everything for Free

#46

Post by ethbro »

sitzkrieg wrote: post #42
UncleEntity wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In the regular army carrying around a manilla folder (or for extra benefits a personal folder) gets you no questions from anyone as they just assume you're doing some task for someone. Or walking around like you know what you're doing you can walk off with pretty much anything that isn't being actively guarded since they just think someone sent you over to get it for them. My platoon sgt used to tell me "go find me "…

or a clipboard in the navy, or .. if you look like you're preoccupied with finding someone that usually works too

I've found the preemptive question a powerful tool as well.

If anyone seems to be on the verge of questioning you, walk up to them, look them straight in the eye, and impatiently ask them a question. (E.g. for directions)

Seems to short circuit the brain.

PS: I'm pretty sure it's also worked on would-be muggers a couple times too, spinning around and asking the person following you for a block if they have the time.

Re: Turns Out Wearing a Hi-Vis Vest Gets You into Everything for Free

#47

Post by gizmo686 »

jacobsimon wrote: post #2

Amazing. I always thought it'd be useful to get one of those shirts that says "Staff" on it, but this is even better.

Careful, do this trick at the wrong place and people might think you work there. Or, just have a good "not my department" routine prepared.

Re: Turns Out Wearing a Hi-Vis Vest Gets You into Everything for Free

#48

Post by PhasmaFelis »

beautifulfreak wrote: post #37

A similar article said if you carry a backpack of vinyl albums, club bouncers will wave you through the door.

How can they tell your backpack is full of records? My backpack won't even stay closed if it's not zipped all the way up.

Re: Turns Out Wearing a Hi-Vis Vest Gets You into Everything for Free

#49

Post by Ibethewalrus »

closeparen wrote: post #31

I used to be a field technician. It's really amazing how casually the front desks of important institutions would hand over telecom closet/server room keys when I asked. We wore company t-shirts, but that was it.

Me: entry to stadium wearing company uniform, sometimes without a badge.

Re: Turns Out Wearing a Hi-Vis Vest Gets You into Everything for Free

#50

Post by Aloha »

walrus01 wrote: post #41
Aloha wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

a found a tool bag, some parts to waive around, and a long boring explanation (real or otherwise) of why you need to be there also helps - barring that, in some buildings a screwdriver is the only key.

"We're here to adjust the phase variance on the cardinal grammeter of the retro encabulator"

"I need to install this adapter, it goes in the and it connects to the , I need to install it because .." then you kinda wander off talking about other things.
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