Hotel Security
 

I’m staying in a mid-town NYC hotel this week and have come across a pointless security screening.

After 8PM, a security guard prevents people from entering the elevator unless they show their key card. I pointed out to the security guard that when people check out, they are under no obligation to return the key card. Individuals who want to get into the building could be showing a key card from months ago. Heck, they could be staying at another hotel in a different location, but by the same hotel chain, and they then could show the same key card and access the hotel.

Of course the logic made no difference, but I was wondering, what other crazy hotel security procedures have you come across.

This "show your key" thing is really popular. I don't think it stops any criminals, but it does cut down on the number of drunken people wandering certain areas of hotels, especially at casino hotels, where there are a lot of drunks and idiots.

it probably cuts down on spur of the moment crimes
 

Doppy is right that many casino resorts do this. I think it does help, and I do appreciate it. No, it won't stop the planned, premeditated crime, but it puts a quick brake on the impulsive creep or pickpocket who might otherwise try to get in the elevator with me.

The "Show photo ID when you check in" thing is absurd as well. I was told that this was "For your security" once again over the weekend. They couldn't tell me what security benefit this provided, only that it was "for my security." Every time I've been asked this I've refused and every time they have backed down. That's remarkably effective "security" if you ask me!

How about the "open your trunk" thing being done at some NYC hotels. That's right, they hire some doofus to stand there and look into the trunk of every vehicle that drives in. "Yup -- looks like a suitcase to me..." They must pay an awful lot to these guards because not even I could spot the difference between a clothing-laden suitcase and a bomb-laden one simply by looking. What talent!

Sounds like someone has been staying at the Times Square Mariott Marquis.

Got to be the Times Square Hilton. The lobby is on 15 and the rooms are up from there.

Like the TSA
 

It's about as effective as TSA airport screening.

It sends the message that people are watching. Potential criminals who don't like that go elsewhere.

Probably the first line of defense, and little more.

As we saw in Ocean's 11, heavily guarded vaults in Las Vegas were fair game for those truly determined. But that's fiction, I guess, so I digress.

Sorry.

Sheraton New York does this as well.

I don't think it has much to do with preventing terorists or drunk gamblers as it does to prevent the guests from being followed and robbed or the "knock and run" in the middle of the night pranksters.

Next they'll be searching your luggage to find alcohol and snacks so they can charge you a fee for this - all under the guise of security.

Sort of OT to the thread, but I've wondered for a while how long it will be before some airline decides to restrict bringing your own food/drink on-board for "sanitary reasons" or "security reasons" as a means of bolstering sales of their overpriced buy-on-board. Kind of like movie theaters. I would hope for a passenger revolt to such stupidity, but you never know with the American Sheeple.

Here's how to handle it: charge them. "What you want to look in my trunk? $15. Yes, $15, it's my trunk, why should you get to look inside for free?"

They do have those key checks at elevators in some of the casino hotels in Las Vegas and in Reno, NV.

You'd be surprised how many people wasted on booze or inconsiderate people try to loiter and cause ruckus in the halls if there's no one key checking.

And, key checks does reduce the on the whim thief.

Everyone knows that management is concerned with the bottom line, and they wouldn't have key checks done if they thought it was a waste of money.

It's does not make things 100% safe, but it does reduce the odds that there's an on the whim thief who decides to follow housekeeping into a room, grab something and leave.

Personally, I've had stuff stolen from a hotel room while out at a hotel that didn't have such checks, so I don't think the checks are stupid or a waste.

I'm hoping none of you have to experience such a loss or even more, but if you have such an experience, you might appreciate such checks a bit even though it doesn't reduce crime 100%.

I have had to show my room key in Detroit, at the Hilton on 6th in New York, and in San Francisco. I don't object, but it doesn't do much for my piece of mind. There are still ways that a determined crook can get around the lobby security.

For an example of real security, I was staying at the I-C in Geneva when both US President Bill & Hillary and Fidel Castro showed up. I had to first show my keycard (and not look like a protester) to get onto the hotel property. There were several guys with earphones standing around in the lobby. Then a hotel staff member asked to see ID and checked my name against a list before I could go up to my room. Actually the hotel staffer recognized me and just made a show of looking at the list. ;)

When I got to my floor I must have near Fidels room as there was a Cuban guard stationed on the floor watching everything.