Author: Charles Berg
Source: ezinearticles.com

You get a lot of different reactions from people when you mention Southwest Airlines. The little airline from Texas as grown from a cult following to a 800 pound gorilla thanks to a lean, mean, efficient business model.

When you are talking about pilots, you get many different reactions as well. Some scoff at the long days, not so glamorous layover destinations, and “Wal-Mart” crowd customers. However, some light up like a Christmas tree when you mention Southwest as it represents a unique culture. They love to have fun, help each other out, and party hard.

So when a lucky pilot gets the call for that interview it is a huge thrill. Hopefully by that time they have already done some homework. But I bet you want some good gouge. Okay, let’s get to it.

Day Before Interview

Southwest will offer to fly you to Dallas the day before the interview. If you have convenient access to Southwest service, you should take it. However, you need to remember that the interview starts as soon as you step foot into the airport! Don’t give the ticket agent an attitude because the flight is late or oversold. As I’ve said in a previous article, they are watching you. They know that you are traveling for an interview because of the ticket code. Some guys have blown their chance before even starting the interview by giving the agent attitude, with the agent promptly calling HR. Yes, it has happened.

Interview

There is a morning session and an afternoon session. You will probably take a group tour of HQ. The interview consists of:

HR Interview
Line Oriented Interview (LOI)
Logbook review

HR Interview – Here you will probably talk to an HR person and a line pilot. Since its Southwest, the big thing here is attitude. Are you someone who is pleasant to spend a four day trip with? They are looking for someone who is easy-going, enthusiastic, and a leader without being “alpha male”. Make sure you smile (subtle), but don’t try to be a comedian, even if it is Southwest.

LOI – You sit in a cardboard cockpit and are given a challenging scenario. Basically you will be given a situation where you have to divert in the middle of the flight. Here is an example:

You are west of Colorado Springs going to Las Vegas.
You have a medical emergency in the back, you need to divert.
Denver, Grand Junction, Springs are low visibility with icy runways, weather worsening.
Albuquerque is a little farther with great weather but tailwind slightly over limit with a long runway.

There is usually no one good solution. However, the key is how you come up with the solution, not what the solution is. If you use good CRM, delegate tasks, keep everyone in the loop, you should be fine no matter what you decide to do. Don’t try to be the hero and fly single pilot! You only have seven minutes (which will whiz by) so you need to use all resources to finish in time. So as soon as the clock starts, first thing to do is transfer controls to the FO. Then put the jumpseater to work looking up landing data, weather, etc.

After you are done they tell you to debrief yourself. Be honest about you positives and negatives, but put more emphasis on the positives.

Conclusion

If you get a Southwest Airline pilot interview, consider yourself very fortunate. The opportunity doesn’t come often and it may not come again. So make sure you are friendly but not goofy. Also, even though the will make you feel very comfortable, do not let your guard down until you are at home.

Want to find more tips and resources on pilot interviews? See 5 Killer Interview Tips Here…

Author: Webhosting Reviews
Source: isnare.com

When the topic of home security springs to mind, most people seem to think of burglar alarms and little to nothing else. Alarms can be a great way to protect your home, although they are only a small part of what makes up an effective home security system. Burglar alarms are a key to protecting your home – although there are other things you’ll need as well http://www.YourPhoneHome.org

Believe it or not, the windows are actually the key to home security. Homes that have poor constructed windows tend to get broken into a lot more than homes with secure and sturdy windows. When you are dealing with your windows, you should make sure that you have tough glass and locks that fit to the windows. When you are away from home, you should always make sure that your windows are locked. Even though some windows may be hard to reach, you should always lock them. Burglars make a living out of stealing – and they will normally find a way in if they see the opening.

Along with the windows, doors are also known to be a weakness of security around the home. Doors should always be strong and sturdy, complete with tough locks that aren’t easy to force open. If you have a spare key, you should be careful where you leave it. Losing your keys can also make you a target, especially if you have anything on your key ring that reveals your home address.

To better protect their homes, most people choose to invest in a home surveillance system. These systems are great for monitoring the home, as they can record video and keep it stored for you to view later. If you travel a lot, a home surveillance system can be an ideal way to keep a check on your home while you’re away.

Guard dogs are also common with home security as well. A guard dog can protect your home from burglars, thieves, and other types of trouble. Guard dogs can be very handy to have around, as most dogs are more than capable of scaring away trouble with their bark. The only downside to guard dogs is the fact that you’ll need to train them and ensure that they always have food and water.

Last, but certainly not least are burglar alarms. Burglar alarms can be effective to an extent, although they are primarily good for scaring thieves away. If you put an alarm in a visible location from the outside of the home, most burglars won’t even attempt to enter your home. Even though burglar alarms are great for scaring off thieves – you’ll still need to have other areas of your home safe and secure as well to get the most of your home security.

Author: Kal Bishop
Source: articleage.com

From our deconstruction of hundreds of Hollywood blockbusters and sitcoms at www.clickok.co.uk/
The Hero’s Journey is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the Hollywood movies we have deconstructed are based on this template.
Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters.
The Hero’s Journey:
a) Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.
b) Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.
c) Interpreted metaphorically, laterally and symbolically, allows an infinite number of varied stories to be created.
and more…
EXAMPLE: The Last Emperor, Academy Award Winner Best Film, 1987 – Hero’s Journey [basic deconstruction]
FADE IN: images of China; context: Manchuria.
Going on a journey: the train.
Meeting the hero: the emperor gets off the train.
Meeting the Mentor: the governor gets off the train.
Creatures of the World: the communists.
Rules of this World: no talking, obey the guards.
Hero’s status: people recognise him.
Warning / danger of the Journey: the Emperor tries to kill himself.
Pushed to the Call: open the door.
New World: Old China.
Call to Adventure: the boy prince is to be transferred immediately to the Forbidden City.
Leaving the Old World and Old Self: I give you my son.
Refusal of the Call: the boy prince cries.
Creatures of the New World: the various types in the Forbidden City; the half moon hats.
Meeting the Mentor: the boy meets the old Empress Dowiger.
Pushed to the First Threshold: the Empress decides that he will be the new Emperor.
Goodbye / Death to the Old World / Old Self: the Empress dies.
First Threshold from afar: the Emperor on the throne.
Threshold Marker: the yellow curtain.
Outer Cave: the soldiers and eunuchs kow-towing.
Middle Cave: the cricket and the old man.
Refusing the Inner Cave: can we go home today; not yet.
Inner Cave: being bathed, he can do anything he wants.
Resisting the Transformation: running to the wet nurse and crying, “I want to go home.”
Pushed to the Belly of the Whale: saved from slitting his wrists; you are a criminal you must be judged.
Belly of the Whale: meeting his brother and mother; I have never met any other children; playing with his little brother.
Foreshadow of the Physical Separation: breast feeding from the wet nurse.
Physical Separation: you’re not the Emperor anymore. There’s a new emperor; watching the car arrive.
Physical Separation: the wet nurse is forced to leave.
Resisting the Trials and Transformation: running after the Governor.
World of the Transformation: all the prisoners lined up.
Transformation Mentor [in the camp]: the governor.
Rules: you will write the story of your life and confessing.
New Self: new clothes.
Meeting the Transformation Mentor [in old china]: Johnston arrives.
Warning: the soldiers barricading the way.
Mentor and Hero meeting: the Emperor and Johnston shake hands.
Forced to the Trials: now we start.
Trial and Transformation 1:
Outer Cave: the first lesson; are you a gentleman.
Middle Cave: having lunch; I’m angry.
Transformation: Johnston given the hats.
Trial and Transformation 2:
Outer Cave: Johnston gives the bike.
Middle Cave: Mother dies.
Inner Cave: Trying to get out of the Forbidden City; the door is blocked.
Transformation: Throwing the mice at the door.
Trial and Transformation 3:
Outer Cave: Rescued from the Roof.
Middle Cave: Transformation: needing glasses.
Resistance to the Transformation / Inner Cave: the Emperor cannot have glasses.
Pushing the Transformation / Inner Cave: Johnston threatens the eunuchs.
Trial and Transformation 4:
Outer Cave: Emperor gets a wife.
Middle Cave: I want a modern wife.
Inner Cave: wedding night.
Mid Point: I wanted reforms.
Transformation: cutting off his hair.
Asking for an inventory.
The threesome.
The burning of the stores.
Expelling the Eunuchs.
When did your friendship with the Japanese begin?
New Self: dressed in the tennis gear.
Forced out of the World of the Transformation: the Japanese arrive.
Resistance: I always thought I hated it here and now I’m afraid to leave.
New Self: becoming a playboy.
Meeting the Oracle: wife #2 is nothing outside the city, she wants a divorce.
Foreshadow of the Atonement: the Japanese keep tabs on the Emperor.
Antagonism: the Japanese have taken the city.
Resisting the Sword: no one divorces me.
Seizing the Sword: wife #2 escapes; freedom.
Meeting the Shape Shifter: Eastern Jewel arrives.
Near Death Experience: our ancestor’s graves have been decimated and the Empress has been hacked to death.
Goodbye to the Old Self / Mentor: saying goodbye to Johnston.
Reward: becoming an Emperor again.
Atonement with the Father: the general arrives; the Emperor is a puppet.
Apotheosis: still using other people as servants; put in the cell with the other collaborators.
Ultimate Boon: the arms have been taken away; the Emperor stands up for a free China.
Denial / Disgust: the Empress is pregnant by the chauffeur; you still think I’m your servant don’t you; walking to the far side; stop pretending; I let it happen; they killed the baby and the chauffeur.
Magic Flight: the Empress is taken away; pursuing her.
Shape Shifter Revealed: Eastern Jewel is having an affair with the Japanese man.
Rescue from Without: watching the film.
Crossing the Return Threshold: the Empress returns.
Master of the Two Worlds: the Emperor is a gardener now; leave me alone; you only want me because I’m useful to you.
Inner Challenge Resolved: the Emperor graduates; is free.
Resisting the Freedom to Live: trying to save the governor from the Maoists.
Freedom to Live: going back to the Forbidden City.
Learn more…
The Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and other story structure templates can be found at http://www.clickok.co.uk/
You can also receive a regular, free newsletter by entering your email address at this site.
Kal Bishop, MBA
**********************************
You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made and the author’s name and site URL are retained.
Kal Bishop is a management consultant based in London, UK. His specialities include Knowledge Management and Creativity and Innovation Management. He has consulted in the visual media and software industries and for clients such as Toshiba and Transport for London. He has led Improv, creativity and innovation workshops, exhibited artwork in San Francisco, Los Angeles and London and written a number of screenplays. He is a passionate traveller. He can be reached at http://www.clickok.co.uk/

Author: Lance Winslow
Source: articleage.com

Our Unmanned Aerial Vehicles have proven themselves in the battlespace to be some of our most important assets. These UAVs have also been used fighting fires, guarding our borders and helping in disasters. Many of these UAVs are controlled by line of sight communication command and control systems, while others can be controlled remotely via satellites. When these UAVs are controlled via satellite there is a one second delay in commands from the desktop pilot, who is basically operating from a PC with a joystick and some instruments, not a whole lot different than Microsoft Simulator Program you buy in the store. This system works well when you are merely flying around looking at stuff and sending back the video feed to command and control.
There comes a problem when you need instantaneous maneuvering and are also dealing with the reality of situational awareness from a UAV and also with the time delay in directions from the virtual pilot in augmented reality at command and control. However many things such as evasion could be preprogrammed for dodging SAMs (surface to air missiles) shot from an enemy. If you have to wait for the communication delays it could be too late for your drone UAV. Once the UAV takes the drastic measures to evade the SAM, it would then seek normal flight on the former heading or a heading of exactly 180 degrees from where it started. Thus it has evaded, recorded the location from where the missile was fired and retreated. Now you can assign the launch location of the SAM as a legitimate target.
A UAV has an advantage over a fighter aircraft with a pilot, as it can turn with more G’s as long as stay with in its envelope. Indeed there would be the same control limits for flight departure issues as in the newest of fighters when you travel outside the envelope, which would be massively expanded with new materials, lack of biological needs of a pilot and directional thrust tricks of the trade and intake air opening changes in-flight all computerized.
As a pilot myself “single engine land,” I do not want to ditch the pilots just yet for the silicon chip versions. Especially as I look at the cost of some of these high tech advanced UAVs, after all that is an expensive piece of hardware, but we are seeing more and more evidence of Big Blue beating the best chess players of the air. In the end our decision must be for the mission, not our debate over organic VS autonomous or robotic, I guess I would say, I just want to WIN, that is all; using the whole track is that was the first thing they told us in racing school, it helped keep me alive. We need to do whatever it takes, for however long it takes to accomplish the mission, whatever that might be. It is only about winning. But we cannot send a UAV into an area laden with the enemy that has shoulder fired or batteries of surface to air missiles unless these robotic counterparts have master evasion software programs, which immediately over ride the command and control and autonomously address the threat. Think on this.
“Lance Winslow” – Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

Author: Jovita Orais
Source: ezinearticles.com

The tarot card suit of wands is expressed by the element of fire. The tarot suit of wands represents optimism,travel,movement,creativity. People symbolized by this particular suit takes risks in order to achieve success. They are great initiators, on patient, impulsive and pioneering. They are often playing a leading role in your life in business, particularly. They bring energy and urgency with them and often spark off bright ideas.

The tarot card suit of wands represents people who has qualities of loyalty,creativity and trust. They are often romantic,idealistic and generous. They can inspire mothers with their passionate energy and warmth of expression.They can also stress the glamorous. Those who work in the theatre, entertainment business or other media may be represented by tarot suit of wands. People of this suit can be warm, romantic types who still require quite a lot of personal space. They may be unfairly possessive of others while guarding their own freedom. They are expansive, honest and extraordinarily optimistic. Their eyes are always focused upon far horizons. Tarot card suit of wands often stand for travellers, foreign business contacts or elusive and colorful characters who are impossible to pin down. Thus they can stand for friends who brighten your life temporarily.

On the negative side, people symbolized by the tarot card suit of wands, sometimes have overwhelming sense of drama,vanity and need for attention can take the edge off other people. Everything must center on them and if it does not they will sulk or create theatrical scenes. Their idealism can turn into unrealized dreams, which are too idealistic to achieve in reality. They can be selfish and insensitive. They easily become bored and detached and may fly into destructive rages.

There you have, general sketch of character traits of people represented by the tarot suit of wands. Though human beings are too complex and subtle to be categorized in the archetypal way, this is just a quick and handy guide to describe people represented by the tarot suit of wands.

Jovita N.Orais started reading the tarot professionally in the mid-nineties. Read her article on Suit of Wands at Tarot Meaning Information.

Author: Stephen Henry
Source: download

The Australian swag has been around for a long time but not in it’s current form.
Swags, or swag bedrolls as they are also known, are becoming the must have camp bed for camping, fishing, outback adventure, motorbike clubs, school camps and staying overnight at friends.
Traditionally they were used in the outback as a travelling bed roll by the station workers (most have heard the tale of the jolly swag man) but more and more they are becoming used by city folk interested in a weekend fishing trip who want a quick, easy, tough roll out bed that protects them from rain and midges.
Essentially the modern swag is a thin tough mattress in a canvas wrap around, sometimes with insect meshing where the vents are.
They differ from tents in two aspects, the first being that the swag is usually made from canvas whereas most tents these days are made from nylon which doesn’t breathe. This means that in rainy weather when you are inside your swag there is no build up of heat and condensation as happens in closed in nylon tents. The second difference is that swags are a lot quicker and simpler to set up (or at least they should be).
There has also been a shift in swag making away from the traditional heavy cotton canvases of the past fifty years which, when wet, became very heavy. Your modern swag is likely to be made from the new industrial canvases being made in Australia which combine lightness with strength.
When choosing a swag you should consider whether you will be using it for more beach or bush as there are different features that suit both. The bush swag should probably have a slightly heavier mattress or some sort of cold stop to contend with the ground cold that can be a factor, particularly in winter, whereas the beach swag should definately have some sort of screening against mosquitoes and midges.
Remember also that ants, especially green ants, need to be guarded against as a dry swag is just what they love when wet ground is rising.
In other articles we go into more detail as to what you should look for and avoid when choosing a swag as well as how to care for your swag so that it lasts a lifetime.
swag, swags, camping swag, australia swag, best swag

Author: Darlene Kaitlin
Source: articledashboard.com

Health care refers to the processes and the treatment procedures related to your health. This means prevention and treatment of an ailment. This also includes promoting mental and physical well-being. This involves services as offered by medical, nursing professions.

In UK, the NHS (National Health Service) is the organisation that works in both health and social care. They have a list of responsibilities like social care or primary medical services.
Health care service is also essential for individuals who are facing catastrophic injuries and health problems. They often need an advocate to help them effectively deal with all the issues surrounding this type of serious situation.

Health insurance goes a long way to take better care of your health, because it can cover much of your basic expenses as doctor fees (of doctors subscribed to them) and hospital admission costs. The risk in self-pay is the contingency of being struck by a very serious illness or a bad accident. This can then involve huge medical treatment costs. This is where an insurance policy can bale you out. An insurance is a foolproof method, with such little pay as of a premium to guard yourself against uncertainties, and especially so against those that threaten your most valuable asset, your health.
Health care often requires careful planning: as of going for regular check-ups, ensuring correct diagnosis of disease if any and appropriate treatment for the same.

Perhaps at no other time, is health care more important than when you travel abroad or during journey. The change of physical and biological environment, which includes food and water and climate, means it is a good idea to go for travel health insurance to see it that your health receives all the care, when it requires the most.
Health care is thus a must, wherever you are, wherever you go, because Health is Wealth.

Author: Ron McCluskey
Source: isnare.com

One spring morning in 1977, we crawled out of our tent – relieved that the sun brought an end to a night of hiding from sand fleas. We had made the mistake of camping behind a sand dune and not right on the beach. At dusk, the sand fleas came out and started biting. The mosquito netting on the tent was not fine enough to keep them out and we spent a miserable night.

So, we were looking forward to something much better as we headed for the ferry that would take us to Isla Mujeres.

Isla Mujeres (the ‘Island of Women’) is a small island off the northeast coast of Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula. Isla Mujeres is close to Cancun, but is a complete contrast to that popular resort. Cancun is the perfect place if you want a modern hotel with all the amenities and frenetic day and night activities.

Isla Mujeres on the other hand is a rather tranquil cozy island. The people are friendly and accomodating, but much more relaxed than those at Cancun.

Soon a modern ferry pulled up to the dock and we boarded. We had to leave our car parked in a guarded lot. That always made me a bit nervous since we had it broken into the previous summer in Villahermosa.

Looking down into the water of the Mexican Caribbean from the top of that ferry was a treat. It was a beautiful sunny day and you could see the bottom of the Caribbean all the way out on the forty odd mile trip. There were areas where the bottom was light sandy color punctuated by other spots that were dark – representing the areas where there were coral reefs.

It was a very peaceful relaxing trip.

When we got to Isla Mujeres, we took our backpacks and headed off the ferry. The first sign we saw was one in English – “Glass Bottom Boat Rides.”

As we had been on a glass bottom boat before, we were thrilled with the opportunity to see some tropical reefs through the panoramic view of a glass bottom boat.

It was too late that day to go, so we went and got a motel. There were several decent motels at reasonable prices and we soon had a room overlooking the eastern beach of the island.

The next morning, after eating some of the food that we had brought with us in our packs, we headed for the glass bottom boat rides. I had snorkeling equipment with me in case there was an opportunity to use them.

After paying the fare, we were soon headed to the boat. The boat was not quite what we had expected. In Monterrey, the boat had accommodated about 30 people. This one was only big enough for about 7. It had an outboard motor and looked like it could not handle more than the calmest of waters.

We spent about forty five minutes going south along the western edge of Isla Mujeres to an area where the captain of the boat said that they fed fish frequently and there would be good numbers to see.

We kept expecting him to pull away the paneling on the bottom of the boat so we could see. We were looking forward to seeing what beautiful fish and coral there were.

The captain threw some fish food around the boat and the fish started swarming around. We again thought that the paneling was about to be moved. But, surprise! – he handed a box to the person seated closest to him. It had glass at one end. He explained that you put the box over the side of the boat and looked through the glass. Then you handed it to the next person.

My wife and I had a very hard time not laughing out loud at the captain and his ridiculous little box. Hardly a glass bottom boat!

However, we were able to each have a good turn and did see a lot of very pretty fish.

I took the opportunity, with the captain’s permission, to go over the side and snorkel with the fish. The other people on the boat had as much fun watching me as the fish I think.

The rest of our time on the island was spent touring the other attractions of the island including an incredible aquarium, but the glass bottom boat ride was the highlight of our time on Isla Mujeres.

Author: Lazy Pig
Source: articlesfactory.com

Making money offline and especially online is a question that haunts most people for their entire lives and probably remains an unanswered hypothesis in about 95% of all cases. That is also why roughly 95% of the worlds wealth belongs to 5% of the worlds population.

It has been said that if you divide all the wealth in the world equally among all the inhabitants of the earth, the wealth would find its way back to where it originally was in the first place within 1 to 5 years.

This may seem impossible and unfair since you have always figured that if only you could get a head-start in life you would make a total success out of it – You know, as soon as your ship comes in!

Although people with a background of wealth have a much higher chance of achieving their own financial success in life, the financial backing that is provided early on in life plays only a very small part in the road to early retirement.

So why does money seem to find its way to certain people while others are left to suffer their entire lives to get it. What is the secret to success…

The secret lies not in money as a tool but only as an end goal. Put differently the closely guarded secret to obtaining unimaginable wealth lies in the system used to create wealth rather than in wealth in the first place.

The richest people in the world don’t spend every weekday from 8 in the morning to 5 in the afternoon working at an hourly rate. This should be common sense since there are only so many hours in a day and you are only one person, but then again common sense is not always so common. They have built systems that make them money while they are enjoying life on their yacht, playing golf with their friends at $1000 per hole (being cheap since it is only a friendly game!), or while they are off traveling the world with their loved ones and living life to its fullest. Heck, their systems are so good that they even make money while they are sleeping.

Making money online is a trend that has become extremely popular since it is “easy”, yet it is surprising that a very small amount of people actually succeed with their online adventures to discovering how to get rich. This is because most people only hear half a truth, dive in to get money quickly and fail miserably.

There is a popular saying that says something about not reinventing the wheel. I’m sure if you try really hard to remember you will realize you have heard it a lot, but it would seem you have never quite grasped its significance until right now by reading this article. In plain language the old adage means that you do not have to spend years creating your own systems, when you can use other peoples systems that have been developed over generations. This is absolutely amazing news because it means you can use an idea that someone else has created, you might even improve it a bit, and that one idea that was not even yours can make you millions!

The same holds true for making money online. You take other peoples ideas that have been developed and perfected, implement it and let the dollars dollars roll in.

There are a lot of avenues that can generate you a ton a money on the internet, including but certainly not limited to:

1) Blogging

2) Selling other people products on websites that don’t have to cost you anything (known more commonly as affiliate marketing)

3) Using major search engines to create mountains of cash (for example using google adsense or adwords).

4) High Yield Internet Programs (HYIP’s)

5) Taking Online Surveys and Participating in Online Focus Groups

6) Making money with the internet giants like google adsense and google adwords

And many more!

Most of the information you need to get started is freely available on the internet, givin by people who are experts and have already paved the way for others to follow using their systems. All you need to do to get started is the willingness to make lots of money online and something to buy with all the money you earn.

So what are you waiting for, get at it right now!

Author: Dan Sommer
Source: articleage.com

Mexico the country of Salsa, Tortillas and Corruption;
I first arrived in Mexico City in February 2002 as an instructor for the WFB – the World Federation of Bodyguards. A Mexican security service had contracted Anders Sorenson, the Norwegian WFB instructor and I, to set-up a training program for BG’s in Mexico.
I came through customs and the weapons search, shaking my head at the Mexican officials who only spoke Spanish, making my visa interview a complete waste of time.
That was one of my first lessons about Mexico; almost all Mexicans dream of going to the US to live however, the vast majority speaks nothing but Mexican Spanish. This lack of English knowledge goes all the way from the basic uneducated labour worker to the university-educated attorney at law!
The Assassination:
On my second day in Mexico, I witnessed a Mexican Assassination complete with a “Hollywood-Movie” car chase. Sitting in our chauffeur driven vehicle, I was enjoying the sights in the city of Morelia, Michoacan, when I suddenly heard the well-known sounds of automatic rifle fire. A few seconds later a Bronco jeep, riddled with bullet holes sped past us. The jeep rammed into a vehicle right in front of us and stopped momentarily. The front seat passenger was hanging half out of the shattered side window, half his head gone with brain mass showing, in the rear a woman slumped covered in blood. Then the driver regained his senses and sped off down the street ramming other cars as he fled.
The sounds of automatic fire bursts came again but much louder and nearer. Seconds later a black jeep sped by, with two shooters hanging out the windows firing automatic bursts from AR-15’s. By now, from the rear seat, I was yelling at our chauffeur to give chase and try to ram the second vehicle; however, the chauffeur were paralyzed with shock and did not react, until Anders slapped him back to reality.
When we finally gave chase we just glimpsed the assassins jeep, take a right turn at an intersection 30 metres away. Our chauffeur was whining about it being to dangerous to get close to the assassins, however he managed to give a speedy chase. As we turned right at the intersection we witnessed 10-15 heavily, armed Police officers surround the assassins jeep.
The driver of the Bronco jeep were slumped dead over the steering wheel, he had done all he could to evade the attack site and escape the assassins. Realizing the assassins would not relent, the driver had driven with the horn flaring into the no-parking zone, surrounding the heavily guarded high-security police detention centre, where he knew help were immediately at hand.
The assassination turned out to be a drug cartel hit, the dead man in the front were a cartel leader, the woman in the rear was his wife and the driver was his personal bodyguard. The three assassins were arrested and charged with three counts of murder; they all pled guilty and subsequently each received a 12-year prison sentence, with parole after 8 years.
My real surprise about the assassination was the fact that the assassins continued their attack after the target had evaded the attack-site.
This contradicts all “normal” modus operandi for professional assassins, as giving chase across town exposes the whole assassin team to witnesses and law enforcement. Months earlier, I would have argued that this type of “spray and pray” car chase could only happen in a Hollywood movie.
When I discussed this matter with the CEO of the local TV-Azteca, he told me the reason for the continued attack, was that the assassins had more fear of botching the hit, than being arrested by the police. They knew that their Cartel leader would not accept failure and that he would reward their loyalty and commitment. They received the best legal defence money could buy, bribes to the attorney and judges, grease to the prison guards etc. Eight years in prison was simply not such a bad deal for the assassins! This is a similar situation to what is happening in Russia, where standard CP preventive methods, just will not protect your ass either.
The assassination proved to be a blessing in disguise, at least to Anders and I, who suddenly were the two most “wanted” persons in Morelia city. We had requests and questions about training, coming in from police VIP protection teams and security managers for the filthy rich. The WFB could not have arrived in town on a better day.
Being the flavor of the month:
Everyone in protection and his dog wanted to see what we had to offer in the training field. Everyone was very interested but also very sceptical about our training, the Mexicans are wary off gringos with the solutions to all their problems. Very candidly, they told us that they had “enough” experience with no-good American (US) templates for everything. Our schedule was quickly filled with meetings followed by training contracts.
In the next months we provided training seminars and courses to corporate VIP protection units and various police departments in the states of Michoacan and San Luis Potosi. The Police departments we provided training to included state SWAT teams and Ministerial Hostage Rescue Teams. These courses were hosted by the State Police Academies and we even held a seminar for the Army during Army Day.
Kidnapping Industry:
Mexico has more than its fair share of drug related crime, robberies, kidnaps and assassinations. In 2002 Mexico became the number 1 country for kidnappings, taking the lead over even Columbia, a position Mexico held until toppled by China in 2004. There are currently about 4000 kidnappings a year in Mexico. A report published in 2002 by the Mexican Ministry of Justice, found that former or serving Police Officers were involved in the planning or cover up of 80% of all kidnappings.
Training the Police:
One of the interesting facts about Mexico is the enormous amount of Police Officers pr capita. Even in a medium size state such as SLP there are more than 3000 State Police Officers. Add that on top of a heavy presence of City, Federal and Ministerial Police Officers. For a “European” the shear amount of Police Officers and independent departments are staggering and the jurisdictions are often over lapping and confusing. There are almost zero communication between the different departments and Petty rivalries are commonplace, between departments of the State Police and the Federal and Ministerial Police.
During a course for the Ministerial Police HRT, we had to stop early because the course was held at the State Police Academy, which were shared by State and the Ministerial Police. However the State Academy chief were annoyed with the Ministerial Police and decided suddenly that they could not use the firing range as it was officially under supervision of the State Police etc.
This is one thing foreigners need to bear in mind in Mexico, politics are part of everything and corruption is not a dirty word. Every “chief” were looking for “what’s in it for me” and if you could provide him with something he wanted, there were ends to what you could do. Firearms are a very delicate matter in Mexico, only the Police and Army has the right to bear arms. Bodyguards are not officially allowed to bear arms, but if you know the right “chiefs” the law means nothing.
However that does not prevent other Police departments from having a say about you carrying arms. During our third course in Mexico, we were training a Corporate VIP Protection unit of the Industrial Police. The Industrial Police were simply a “name” for a unit sponsored by the wealthy in a certain state; they would hire their Bodyguards and then have them “hired” on paper by the Industrial Police. This way the Corporate VIP protection units could legally carry arms. The Bodyguards would thus receive a salary from the Industrial Police and a substantial cash bonus by the corporation they were working for.
Weapons or rather a lack of weapons:
Another interesting problem in Mexico is the acquirement of weapons as the only “body” who have the legal right to import arms and ammunition is the Army. Even the Police Departments have to purchase or lease their weapons and ammunition through the Army. This unfortunately means that the prizes for legal weapons and ammunition are absolutely outrageous. The Army uses its monopoly to fund its own weapons and ammunition purchases and needs, thus the Army have “free” weapons and ammunition due to the tax they levy on the Police.
One result of this is that you can now see Soldiers brandishing new MP-5s used for guard duty, while the local Police SWAT team are still relying on UZIs and Beretta M-12s. It also results in an outrageously low amount of ammunition allowed for training Police Officers in the use of firearms. The majority of Police Officers fire less than 20 bullets a year and in one state, I witnessed the weapons training and the following weapons certification of Police Cadets, after having fired only 12 bullets from a revolver! More than two thirds of the Cadets did not hit their target with more than 2 bullets out of 12, from a 10 meter distance! After this I was “scared” when around armed Police Cadets, I jokingly told the local Chief of Police, to please not attempt to rescue me should I be kidnapped.
Among the interesting aspects of Mexican “Bodyguarding” we found that the vast majority preferred to stick their gun in the back of the pants, gangster style. And avidly claimed that this was the safest and easiest method of carrying a handgun, however during training courses the guns would be dropping all over the place. The main reason for this is that the Bodyguards are not assigned a firearm, but usually pass it between when changing shifts, thus they are to “cheap” to buy their own holster. We made it “clear” that this was unacceptable and students only made the mistake of “tugging” their gun in once!
Bodyguarding the Mexican style:
Another interesting aspect of Mexican “Bodyguarding” is the fact that many VIPs prefer (demands) to drive their own vehicle, thus the Bodyguards are merely following in a back up vehicle. There were daily stories of smart ass VIPs (usually the sons of the wealthy) simply out-driving the Bodyguards, the sons were of course driving Ferrari’s or other sport cars. One Fortune 500 VIP we trained for preferred to drive himself around in a two seat Mercedes Cabriolet, which of course made protecting him hell for the BGs.
Those readers who have access to the first issue of Protection News, can see a picture of the WFB adapting its Embus and Debus training to accommodate the VIP driving his own car. We also found that most wealthy VIPs had a huge luxury bus, which they used for cross state travelling inside Mexico. Due to this we had to improvise and adapt Embus and Debus drills to accommodate this and teach linear assault on busses, during the Counter Assault Team training.
A True Life Experience:
Mexico was a breath of fresh air to me as a European CPO, everything were different from working in Europe and the threat level were far higher and by experience we learned that the BGs can not rely of the Police. The vast majority of BGs and Police Officers I met and trained with (several hundreds) were all highly motivated and good guys, who really wanted to learn. They were all sick with the way things were in Mexico and especially the corruption, but there were little they could do about it. Mexico is truly a land of opportunity for the European BG training provider, as long as you accept the rules of business; “corruption” and status quo. If you want to earn money in Mexico, simply go there on vacation and drop in for a visit, by the VIP security managers and local Police Chiefs and soon you will find yourself immersed in the Mexican BG business.
One night when I was having a drink with a local Police Chief, I complained about the obvious drug trafficking. The chief looked at me and said; when I started this job I got a mail package, within it were two packages, one contained $10.000 the other a bullet! When I asked what he did about it, he quietly said; well I am still here…
Dan Sommer is the author of the SD Agent, a Surveillance Detection Manual, he has been part of the process of designing, implementing and training a SD team for a European Embassy. His 17 years security career started in 1986 and he has active experience from military, security, close protection, counter assault team and surveillance detection operations. Since 1994 the author has been writing training material’s for security companies and police departments. He has been instructing courses world-wide for security officers, bodyguards, police officers, counter assault teams and surveillance detection units. Dan currently acts as the International Director of the World Federation of Bodyguards and has a private business as a Security & Protection Consultant. His work can be viewed at his website http://www.DanSommer.Biz