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A question to all
http://fugitiverecovery.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=8093		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  roblapnj [ Sat 26 Apr 2008 09:48 ]
Post subject:  A question to all
Hello Everyone. I have been reading through a lot of old posts on this site and one thing stuck out at me. The fact that people have a love-hate relationship with this kind of work. A lot of people were saying this is not the job for you if you want to be rich, not the job for fame, not a glamorous job, etc.....I did not really see many positive comments. Many people mention it as exciting which no doubt it is. But is that the only reason?

For myself, I am doing this to get some experience before I go into law enforcement. I am currently a pre-law student and I want to finish school before I move onto my career. I figured the flexibility of this job will enable me to make some money and also finish my education while gaining real world experience. That's my reason/story...

Can people tell me, honestly, why they do this job? Why not work for the US Marshals, FBI, local Sheriff warrant squad, etc. where there is a non-stop flow of cases. Many people say on here that they cannot get steady work.

I hope no one takes this the wrong way, but I thought it was an honest question and I wanted to just hear why people do it.

Thanks for reading!
Author:  SnoWolf [ Sat 26 Apr 2008 10:13 ]
Post subject: 
I feel that this is an honest question. My answer would be different than most anyone, here. About 12 years ago I heard of a guy names Padilla from an interview. After watching this, I began to gather any resource about Mr. Padilla that I could. At the time, he was the only person I had ever heard of doing Bail Enforcment and I was impressed with what I found out about him. From that point on, this is what I wanted to do. It wasn't until the TV shows, internet sites, and other resources came along that I figured out how to get started. So, here I am....An almost 40 year old "newby".

I hope this answers your question.
Author:  KARMA [ Sat 26 Apr 2008 10:36 ]
Post subject: 
Most of us are diversified in our jobs . . . ie. . . write bail, serve papers, hold jobs not even related to the field . . .
You are looking at going into LE.
Why did you choose that field? Because you feel that you can be of some sort of assistance to others not just control for your pleasure ?
To me this is not a job where I can exert my desires over others just because . . . I can. And that will be the same for you (I hope). I try to be of help to others while doing my job . . . nope! not a preacher :shock: Just a MOM . . . :D
Author:  AWOBB [ Sat 26 Apr 2008 10:46 ]
Post subject: 
The only thing I can say is that it takes lots of hard work to make it in this business. Lots of people want to get into this business because of the T.V shows. An when do try to get into this business, they see it anin't what T.V. shows it to be. FACT--True.

I got into this business about 5 years ago. It was rough the first year and half. But since then I have lots of accounts and I own a Bail Bonds Company here in Ohio. Which we are expanding in the next couple weeks.
I would not of been able do any of it without hard work that I put into. If you really want something and you work very hard for it. It will happen for you. My wife taught me that. So I would have to say, It really because of her that I own what I own now.
Author:  roblapnj [ Sat 26 Apr 2008 14:39 ]
Post subject: 
Thanks for the posts guys. I was just curious...

Myself....I was in retail for about 7 years, owned seasonal Halloween & Christmas stores. I also worked a bunch of other jobs. I went through some college, but never got my degree. I got bored of it last year and it got to the point where my business was controlling my life. I always had a knack for mainly the law. I loved the courtroom and the the idea of getting justice and catching the bad guy. Ultimately, I would like to complete law school (years away from that) and eventually become a prosecutor or something like a US attorney. I am still young (28), so I want to be able to enjoy the field and get experience from that. I figured while I am in school, recovery and bail bonds is a good way to see how the other side of the system works. Once I get too old for that stuff, :) , I would like to be able to fall back on the law and courtroom stuff. After school, i really don't know what I want to do. I would like to work for something like the DEA, a big/local city like Newark working on gangs, etc. I know these are hard jobs to land, but if you want it enough and you work hard at it, I know it can be achieved. Maybe I will like bonds and FRA so much I will stay private. Who knows...All my life people have told me I can't do things and with enough perserverance, anything can be done.

Since I just started in this biz, I was curious to see why others get into it. That's my story....and thanks everyone for your honest answers.....
Author:  SpanielPI [ Sat 26 Apr 2008 16:50 ]
Post subject: 
Other explanations; For me, it was due to health reasons. From the time I was big enough to haul construction materials, or do yard work, landscaping, etc I have always worked outside. Then, as many others, I joined a national guard unit which I served in for 4 years while doing other things. Then I moved into ranch work (horses), then into otr trucking and heavy eqpt operations.

In 1998 I suffered some major physical injuries due to work and auto, so my dr's told me I was done with the hercules stuff..construction/ranchwork. They told me to find a nice quiet desk job.

So I tried different things..retail, call centers, customer service jobs...I about went nuts. I couldn't handle working indoors, nor could I handle close supervision...either trust me to do a job or don't. But don't micromanage me or check on me every 10-15 minutes...

So a buddy of mine introduced me to bounty hunting in 2000. I'm still doing it....

I'm my own boss, I set my own hours, and I'm not accountable to anyone except my clients...and if they become an issue, I can always decline to work for them.

So it seemed like a natural fit. Yes, the hours are long sometimes, the conditions can be unpleasant, the type of people we have to deal with are of questionable hygiene practics and character...but all in all it's not a bad thing for me.

1 of the reasons why we advise people younger than ourselves to seek something more dependable is due to the advantage of benefits and retirement.

If an 18 yr old-20something invests 20 yrs in the military or law enforcement jobs, then they can retire from late 30's to early 40's and have all of the advantages of a steady income, insurance etc,...whereas if the 20 somethings simply invest 20 yrs into bounty hunting...well at the same age bracket most of them wont have anything.

I hope this helps you to understand a different perspective.
Author:  saginawmetro [ Sat 26 Apr 2008 17:00 ]
Post subject:  my answer....
I think it depends on who you ask of course ... as with any job. Why don't you go to medical school instead? Would make TONS more money than LE! You obviously have your reasons... too much money... can't get in..takes too long... the list would go on...

As for bond stuff vs LE.... well, here in mid michigan anyway.. LE jobs are far and few between. I guess good ol' michigan is almost last as far as economy goes. Full time LE postitions don't really pay all that much and part time LE postions pay... well.... its kind of a standing joke around here but they honestly pay a little above minimum wage :)
I reserve at a couple different depts... I have done so for about 13 years give or take, so I had the opportunity to talk to many many cops about their jobs. Most of them (not all) claim the first few years it was a dream come true... badge, gun, drive fast etc..... but then you quickly realize after one "cool" thing, like a car chase / arrest for example, there is like an hour of writing for 5 min of action. Do that day after day after day after day. Most of the older ones cant wait to retire, they talk about going to law school, doing something very different, etc..
As for the coolness factor which Im not tryin to be funny... just honest about what mosts "young" people go into this for.... well.... I have a few calls here and there at the police dept, few arrests, etc... but its actually pretty boring. We all have stories to tell of course, but the average drivin around looking for traffic stops, etc gets old quick. Bond recoveries are more similar to the quote... "elite" jobs at the dept. Raid squads, fugitive teams etc. Nothin beats wearin plain clothes! Much more comfortable than a monkey suit (in my opinion.. nothing against unformed LE.. some may love it) and if you are a licensed bondsman.. which by your title you are.. then around this area you would normally make more money than LE. Politics arent as bad...save for the famous TV shows. And like any "private" company your earning potential is almost limitless. You can start as a FRA.. .go to bail bondsman... go to manager... and finally own the business. The guy who owns ours (he owns several other things also) has his own jet!
In the public sector.. no matter how hard you work.... you can't "own" the police dept. Your earning potential is severly limited and capped. And you usually cant just say... I wanna work gangs etc. You may be assigned as the school liason officer and do nothing except sit behind a desk all day and talk to parents about truent kids, give seminars on how one should really not skip school etc.. all for maybe $17.23 an hour. Not a bad wage, but probaby not what most people envision when they think of a 'police job'.

Just my 2 cents...... for what its worth I also own a computer networking company ( may main income), police reserve pays VERY LITTLE, covers gas mainly, and being a bail bondsman is a great part time gig for me. Lots of my friends who are part time cops are always asking when a position will open up :)
Author:  johnmharvey [ Sat 26 Apr 2008 19:49 ]
Post subject: 
As a private investigator it is another service I can offer my clients. As to your comments regarding the nature of the work, I think there are times when all of us as ourselves, "Why am I doing this" -- the answer ultimately is that we do it because we choose to do it. Not every day works out as planned but at least the majority of them do.

John
Author:  Mdbtyhtr [ Mon 28 Apr 2008 19:07 ]
Post subject: 
I think allot of the negative is because the successful recovery agents know that one has to honor and respect this profession. Some of the new guys want instant fame and fortune and do not want to do the requisite study or mentorships to make it successful. They all want to carry a gun and a badge and if you show them a few tricks, two weeks later they know more than you and approach your own clients for business. No respect gets no respect. Patience equals profit, you can't teach that.

Scott
Author:  SnoWolf [ Tue 29 Apr 2008 04:38 ]
Post subject: 
I agree, Mr. MacLean.
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