Are Bump Keys a Threat to Locksmiths?

The public knowledge of bump keys did not make the locksmith industry happy.  It opened up public scrutiny and negative images for locksmiths because it spread open knowledge of how vulnerable the public can be with the locks that are on the market.  Privacy was made insecure and uncertain.

Bump keys gained popularity and gave the public a glance into the world of the locksmith.  The glance, however slight, made the job seem easy.  A locksmith faces many challenges aside from the types of locks that can be opened with bump keys.  But the public knowledge brought forth both positive and negative attention to locksmiths.  In some aspects it showed that more credibility needed to be gained from those legitimate in the business to ease public concern over those who are not.  It caused more work for locksmiths in some ways because of the amateur criminals who adopted a belief that they could get away with more wrong-doing in an easier way.  It also showed many ways our modern locks were failing us.

Locks are designed by locksmiths, manufactured in factories, sold for public and private use, and then worked on by locksmiths who must pick the locks for people who lose keys or leave them locked inside the building or vehicle.  It's somewhat of an amusing circle that moves from the locksmith and back to the locksmith.

Not everyone, of course, was willing to take the bump key attention to heart.  It lost popularity after the initial shock was over.  Locksmiths are still a respected group who are much needed; in some ways, the attention brought by the bump key information enhanced business for locksmiths.

Bump keys are certainly not the only way a criminal can enter your home, business, or vehicle.  If a person is determined to enter and is persistent, there are many other ways to accomplish unlawful entry.  Not every criminal would want to take the time to learn the proper way to make and use the bump key.

Locksmiths will continue to flourish in their trade, and if the truth be known, have had occasion to use the bump key as well.  The real threat to the public is in not taking responsibility for their own safety and not taking criminals seriously.  Lock bumping is not new.  The Dutch and German locksmiths experimented with it many years ago.  It's just another form of lock picking that was put in the public eye that people had not realized was a threat all along.
So, even though the public and the locksmiths frowned on the bump key knowledge becoming public, it was only a matter of time before it surfaced.  The interest died down once the spotlight was removed.  Life goes on.  Locksmiths are still respected in their field and will continue to be such.  Lock manufacturers didn't suffer enough for it to affect them on a large basis.

The bump keys are only a small part of the tools that fall into the wrong hands.  There is no way to keep every tool that could possibly cause unlawful entry out of the criminal's hands.  Hence the job security of the locksmith will remain secure!

Airport Locksmiths

If you are a locksmith going to an airport to travel for your own personal business or pleasure, you are sure to take note of the many different locks in an airport. There are locks on employee lockers, drawers and cabinets, supply closets, outbuildings, luggage, restricted access areas, planes, motorized carts, the many vehicles in the lots, etc.

There is no doubt that locksmiths have done their share of visiting airport parking lots to unlock automobiles for weary travelers.  Airport security is under higher scrutiny these days, which aids the locksmith by elevating their importance as well as hampering them by putting their skills and reputation under more intense scrutiny.

Locksmiths who service airport equipment must be able to welcome corporate accounts.  They must be bonded, insured, masters in their trade, and security consultants.  They must perform services for some very high profile customers and do so in a discreet manner, using class and finesse.  They must dress as a professional, speak as a professional, and work as a professional to make the uppermost impression on the bigger clients.

Some of the services an airport locksmith would perform include:

1. Restricted key systems
2. Locks and safes
3. Electric strikes
4. Panic bars
5. Mail box locks
6. High security locks
7. Access control systems
8. Buzzer systems
9. Exit alarms
10. Door and frame repair

Some of the hardware companies an airport locksmith would become acquainted with are Gray Tools, Medeco, Makita, Edison, Irwin, Lepage, Freud, Dominion, Canaropa, Para Paints, Kaba, Sargent, Corbin-Russwin, and Yale.

An airport locksmith must have a wide range of knowledge and skills to be able to handle the variety of automobiles they will encounter.  He/she would have to make keys, repair locks, change locks, provide 24 hour service, and repair ignitions.
There is a wide range of personalities that any locksmith has to encounter on a regular basis.  But in an airport, emotions often are on high because of the excitement and anxiety in the atmosphere.  Travelers and employees are harried, tired, angry, sad, worried, and excited.  This puts customer service in the high priority category.  Relating to people who are in an extreme emotional state takes patience and empathy.  Offering a kind word, showing restraint, remaining calm, and reserving opinions is important for the locksmith.  It's more humane as well as being a boost to the image of the business and reputation.

Word of mouth is an extremely important form of advertising.  If building a big business is important, or creating a franchise line of businesses is a goal, then the word-of-mouth from the various types of people in an airport is a positive step forward.  Being considerate to the "little man" is just as important as being considerate to the "big boys" of business.

If you are doing business with anyone associated with an airport, you should place emphasis on considerate behavior.  It will take you farther in life as well as in business.  You should be able to understand your limits as well as recognize your potential.