Bag check officers?

[AndeeRay]

Hi! Sorry if this has been asked before. I did use the search and had no luck.

I was curious how one becomes one of the bag checkers at the front gates. Ever since I visited the parks as a kid, I have thought it might be fun to do for a summer or two. Why I think that sounds like fun is hard to explain. But I like the idea of being able to interact with the guests before they even get into the parks.

 

[Tom]

Apply to work at Walt Disney World. However, I believe they prefer some background in security or law enforcement to work in their security department.

 

[AndeeRay]

Thanks Tom

 

[Victor Kelly]

Just be mellow. So many think they are cops when they are not.

 

[JohnD]

My guess is they are part of the same group that works the gates at resorts. I hate to use this term as it is too pejorative but "mall cop" would be my description. However, I think, they have valid security credentials that shouldn't be minimized. Any pleasant interactions with guests doesn't mean they are lightweights.

 

[Daniel Johnson]

There are definitely guys with "rent-a-cop" mindsets in all walks of security, I'm sure Disney security is no different. I was involved in private security for a while, most places do a good job of weeding out the security commando type quickly as it's a liability to the company. Being easy to approach and observant is the best qualities you can have. Good luck on your future!

 

[EOD K9]

Some security hosts are retired law enforcement or recently discharged military. They are all certified through the state of Florida as licensed security officers. I'm more familiar with their K9 crew but if you have a question, I can probably get it answered. But to the OP, you have to work as a security host.

 

[JIMINYCR]

But I like the idea of being able to interact with the guests before they even get into the parks.

Some of the bag check officers are great, they scan through fast and efficiently, while others can be and hold you up while they micro-inspect every little item. Want to put a smile on my face... just scan my items quickly and say, enjoy your day, so I can get in and on my way to that first ride fast. I know it can be difficult scanning out the good from the bad but it can be frustrating watching the line next to me flow along while I stand there waiting.
Good luck at getting your dream job.

 

[NYwdwfan]

Some security hosts are retired law enforcement or recently discharged military. They are all certified through the state of Florida as licensed security officers. I'm more familiar with their K9 crew but if you have a question, I can probably get it answered. But to the OP, you have to work as a security host.

I've encountered quite a few that were from NY and retired law enforcement.

 

[Victor Kelly]

While all of this is fine. Anyone that has worked security knows you can walk through with a banned item on your person and they cannot detect it. The bag check is a useless feel good measure, implemented after 9/11. Ah yes the gatekeepers, sorry but 90% of the ones I have had contact with are dumber than the rocks in front of my house.

 

[MinnieM123]

While all of this is fine. Anyone that has worked security knows you can walk through with a banned item on your person and they cannot detect it. The bag check is a useless feel good measure, implemented after 9/11. Ah yes the gatekeepers, sorry but 90% of the ones I have had contact with are dumber than the rocks in front of my house.

In my experience, the bag check security people have always been pleasant to me, and just go about doing their job. Perhaps you may have come in contact with a minority of them, who may have not experienced a good day. (I don't think I'd have the patience to do that job, dealing with so many people. I give most of them credit for maintaining a professional demeanor.)

 

[heath.sneyd]

First off: I DO NOT suggest breaking the rules, concealing anything on yourself such as weapons or alcohol, or anything else idiotic, boneheaded, or just plain stupid.

With that said, you can get anything in there you dang well please. Want hard video proof? Look for one of Leonard Kinsey's "Dark Side of Disney" videos on YouTube about going into the park, and you'll see exactly how they get quite a generous amount of gin in the park, as well as numerous bottles of rum to add to a certain popular snack item.

To stop all of this, you'd have to have full pat downs and checks, practically turning entry into a theme park into a TSA checkpoint.

 

[Victor Kelly]

I don't suggest it either, but you and many others know it is useless. I never really understood the desire or need to walk around Disney blitzed out of ones mind.

 

[draybook]

I had a couple of guys that took their sweet time inspecting bags in September, but usually they are quick and friendly.

 

[Chef Mickey]

Just be mellow. So many think they are cops when they are not.

And so many cops think they are James Bond, the FBI, the CIA, judges, jury, or Mr. Large and in charge, when they aren't.

I mean, as long as we're making generalizations.

 

[Chef Mickey]

I don't suggest it either, but you and many others know it is useless. I never really understood the desire or need to walk around Disney blitzed out of ones mind.

It's not useless as a matter of practice. It's a deterrent and designed to make would be wrongdoers think twice to bring in something unsavory as they know bags will be checked. Could you probably slip by? Sure, but it's easier to slip by with no bag check. I see nothing wrong with it.

 

[Chef Mickey]

While all of this is fine. Anyone that has worked security knows you can walk through with a banned item on your person and they cannot detect it. The bag check is a useless feel good measure, implemented after 9/11. Ah yes the gatekeepers, sorry but 90% of the ones I have had contact with are dumber than the rocks in front of my house.

Not sure how you're assessing their intelligence with a 10 second interaction, but the ones I've dealt with have been professional and friendly. Obviously you can bring in anything without a bag and they know that as well, making it a non issue in their eyes. When they decide it is an issue, you'll see metal detectors. The bag check is, like I said, a deterrent dor more elaborate items.

 

[NearTheEars]

We had one last week on the way into EPCOT that jokingly took a cellphone from the guest ahead of us and asked the person on the line how they were doing. We all had a laugh. Sometimes they can be fun.

 

[mergatroid]

While all of this is fine. Anyone that has worked security knows you can walk through with a banned item on your person and they cannot detect it. The bag check is a useless feel good measure, implemented after 9/11. Ah yes the gatekeepers, sorry but 90% of the ones I have had contact with are dumber than the rocks in front of my house.

I've always thought it would be fairly easy to smuggle stuff into Disney also if you were intent on doing so, but not so at Uni's HHN. At HHN that felt much more intense security. Each time I went I set the metal detector off upon entry. Had my keys and money out but every time I passed through it the alarm went off, I even started to suspect myself eventually. Those guys had my belt off me, all my cargo short pockets open and even had me open my glasses case as I stood there feeling like a criminal. Of course whilst slightly irritating, I don't have a problem with it as it's done for all our benefit. I just hope that Disney never feels the need to get that strict though

 

[Victor Kelly]

It's not useless as a matter of practice. It's a deterrent and designed to make would be wrongdoers think twice to bring in something unsavory as they know bags will be checked. Could you probably slip by? Sure, but it's easier to slip by with no bag check. I see nothing wrong with it.

Sweet Jesus post everything in one post already.

Sorry useless, if it does not prevent anything from getting in. Like the booze another poster talked about. Dumb gazes and fumbling about, taking more time than feesibly necessary to make sure their are not weapons in a waist pouch while not checking backpacks means these goofs have no clue what they are doing. But I am sure if they find their marbles they will take them back.

Are you one of those anti-police people that are running about in a rabble in many cities? But since you made generalizations about cops here are some observations. While many are fine upstanding people, there are plenty that are over militarized, way too violent, way too aggressive, and do a disservice to the badge. And those are the ones that need to be gotten rid of.

Disney rent-a-cops are not police. They are in fact rent-a-cops. Most could not find anything if they were shown where the naughty stuff is that you are trying to smuggle in. And while some are good, kind, upstanding people, many should not be in that position.