A DAY IN THE LIFE • 33 organisations like ALOA existed , this business was very much a closed society . The driving locksmith axiom of the time was ‘ if I know something that you don ’ t , better for me ’ followed closely by ‘ if I share my knowledge with you , you will use it to steal my clients ’, and the ever popular ‘ even though you are my employee , if I teach you , you will use that info to open your own business and steal my clients ’. While this still exists in some pockets , we have mostly seen the need to grow the industry and make it a more of a profession in order to serve the public .
Possibly the worst change in the industry , at least in the USA , is the introduction of what we refer to as ‘ Scammer Locksmiths ’. These are groups and companies of people with limited locksmith knowledge and skills , who flood social media and search engines with promises of cheap and quick services only to arrive and charge an exorbitant amount for a menial task or give false information about the products they sell and install . While the general public has heard a smattering of information regarding this - and eventually these charlatans leave the area or attack another service industry - during the time they exist and for some time beyond , their actions reflect badly on those of us that try to make an honest and honourable living .
HOW HAS TECHNOLOGY CHANGED THE LOCKSMITH INDUSTRY IN THE USA AND HAVE YOU WELCOMED THESE CHANGES ?
Technology has certainly changed locksmithing in many areas ; automotive security , electronic security , and even some of the physical lock and key security . As far as embracing the changes , yes , for the most part when the technology has been thoroughly tested and most of the bugs are worked , I do . Unfortunately I think some of the technology has been rushed to market just to be the first .
IS THE LOCKSMITH INDUSTRY DIVERSE IN THE USA ?
Not as much as it should be . It is still a predominantly middle to upper middle age , male industry . While the number of female locksmiths is growing , there is still a huge gap . My own grandmother and many of my female relatives were involved in locksmithing at an early age .
As for age , this industry , at least in the States , does not seem to attract youth . If you grow up with it as a family business , you tend to stay in it but it is unfortunate that there is no government-sponsored internships or apprenticeships which I believe might drive younger people to start a career in the industry .
IS THERE SUCH A THING AS A ‘ TYPICAL DAY ’ AS A LOCKSMITH IN THE USA ?
You know , the best thing about this industry is there is no such thing as a typical day . While some choose to specialise in one aspect of the field - automotive or safes for example - most of us have to know a little about everything and be ready to unlock a house , then go to a safe opening call , then go to a repair on an exit device followed by installing a door closer and so on . It is this diversity that keeps it interesting and challenging .
IS THERE SUCH THING AS A ‘ TYPICAL ’ AMERICAN LOCKSMITH ’?
No thank goodness ! If there is anything that I could say would be typical of not only the American locksmith but locksmiths in general , is that I believe we tend to be highly intelligent , have great reasoning skills , great hand / eye coordination , tremendous memory and recall , and an odd sense of humour !
Jim Hancock
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE JUST STARTING OUT ?
Locksmithing is an excellent career path . It ’ s sometimes stressful , but can be done until a very ripe old age . It is fun and entertaining . It can be rewarding , yes financially , but more so spiritually . Every time you perform a job , it hasn ’ t just made life a bit more convenient for someone , you may well have done something that will protect a property or even save a life . As a locksmith , because of the skills you possess , the ability to open locked doors and safes with little to no detection , with the information you become privy to just in the course of your normal job , means that you must be above reproach . Your standards , morals and ethics must be at a higher level than pretty much any other profession .
LOCKSMITHJOURNAL . CO . UK | MAR / APR 2018 Sponsored by Lockex 2018 - Security & Fire Safety