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tunnelbug
      
location:
California
Gender: Male
 |  |  |  | Elaborate Decoys... Hardhats, Lab Coats, Clipboards, etc.
< on 3/15/2006 9:29 PM >
|  | | | Has anyone here had any success posing as either an environmental cleanup field researcher, construction worker, real estate appraiser, etc?
If so, please tell your success story. I have a site up for lease that I REALLY want to make it inside, but I need a convincing story to get the security guard to allow me in.
This is sort of an empirical gathering thread for me to see what works and what doesn't.
I've already tried all "legal" routes, and I'm much too chicken to try to go Ninja-like while the 24-hour guard is there.
Bearings: A Geographer's Blog
Member of the CTC |
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Jonsered
location:
Back in New Mexico where I belong
Gender: Male
Dressed for a scarecrow ball.........
| |  | | Re: Elaborate Decoys... Hardhats, Lab Coats, Clipboards, etc.
<Reply # 1 on 3/15/2006 10:13 PM >
| | | | I'm not sure this is relative to your situation, but we have a 100+ year old youth camp near me. It was for sale several years ago for $850K, which is SLIGHTLY over my head. Nevertheless, I had always wanted to check the old place out, so I put on a suit, borrowed my Dad's Jag, and set up an appointment with the real estate agent that was handling the deal. She wanted nothing to do with the dirty old place, so she sat in her car making cell phone calls while I toured the whole place. If the place you are talking about is for lease, you might use this as a way to get in. Social engineering baby!
I have changed my personal exploring ethics code. From now on it will be: "Take only aimed shots, leave only hobo corpses." Copper scrappers, meth heads and homeless beware. The Jonsered cometh among you, bringing fear and dread.
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tunnelbug
location:
California
Gender: Male
| | | | Re: Elaborate Decoys... Hardhats, Lab Coats, Clipboards, etc.
<Reply # 2 on 3/15/2006 10:25 PM >
| | | | Thanks for the tip. I've thought about that route, then I realized I wanted more time than the time a Real Estate agent would give me. I like spending a few hours at least at a site to photograph it.
Maybe that could be my last resort, and I can snap photos while the agent is blabbering on about the property.
Bearings: A Geographer's Blog
Member of the CTC |
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underdark
Gender: Male
| | Re: Elaborate Decoys... Hardhats, Lab Coats, Clipboards, etc.
<Reply # 3 on 3/15/2006 11:41 PM >
| | | | I've used a suit, tie, and attitude to get ito restricted areas of hospitals before (visiting friends in ICU where they don't let friends in). The trick is to look like you have a reason to be there, and look like you will likely bite if you don't get what you want if you have to talk to someone on staff. Walk in like you know everyone around you can hear your balls banging together, and don't even look at anyone you don't wanna talk to. If you do need to talk to someone, walk straight up to um and flat out ask them. Be polite but firm, and if you get an answer just say thank you and walk off. Small talk is your enemy. I have yet to be called out by anyone, but if you are, have a good back-up story (I happen to know several doctors in the hospitals in question, so my cover stories anchored on them). I'm 5 for 5 so far.
That any help.
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wing_nut
location:
Columbus, OH
Gender: Male
"Those aren't crickets..."
| | | Re: Elaborate Decoys... Hardhats, Lab Coats, Clipboards, etc.
<Reply # 4 on 3/16/2006 12:02 AM >
| | | | I maintain that a hard hat and a radio will work wonders and get you into many places. I've headed up to roofs of active sites and not been questioned by anyone. Having that kind of gear has helped me avoid questions when emerging from a drain in a public park. When people see a hardhat they do not necessarily think 'authority' they simply tend to overlook you.
This may not help too much in your situation, but I have found it helpful.
We see the light at the end of the tunnel... and turn the other way. |
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Glass
location:
Chicago
as one does
| | | Re: Elaborate Decoys... Hardhats, Lab Coats, Clipboards, etc.
<Reply # 5 on 3/16/2006 12:21 AM >
| | | | Hell, khakis have gotten me into buildings and out of situations before.
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frugalfinnagan
Gender: Male
| | Re: Elaborate Decoys... Hardhats, Lab Coats, Clipboards, etc.
<Reply # 6 on 3/16/2006 12:36 AM >
| | | | Perhaps my post is not of use, but could you dress up and bring more than one person to tour with? Then the time that 2 or more people would take getting pictures would be reduced. Or perhaps people show up in different vehicles, (one prospective buyer, a homeless person, a civil engineer, and a plumber. Mabey someone could go ninja, and have their phone one earphone, and maintain contact so if you are going up to say the 9th floor and the plumber is there, to co-ordinate a bit of a hide and pass. Good luck.
A+O
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-MisfitStyle-
 
| | Re: Elaborate Decoys... Hardhats, Lab Coats, Clipboards, etc.
<Reply # 7 on 3/16/2006 12:48 AM >
| | | | Posted by frugalfinnagan
Perhaps my post is not of use, but could you dress up and bring more than one person to tour with? Then the time that 2 or more people would take getting pictures would be reduced. Or perhaps people show up in different vehicles, (one prospective buyer, a homeless person, a civil engineer, and a plumber. Mabey someone could go ninja, and have their phone one earphone, and maintain contact so if you are going up to say the 9th floor and the plumber is there, to co-ordinate a bit of a hide and pass. Good luck.
A+O
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I think that's a little more 'ninja' than he was thinking.
"I feel like I just got in a battle of wits with some kid in a helmet I found licking a window."
Need help? Please use the Contact a Mod forum — I'm slow to see PMs. |
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tunnelbug
location:
California
Gender: Male
| | | | Re: Elaborate Decoys... Hardhats, Lab Coats, Clipboards, etc.
<Reply # 8 on 3/16/2006 12:59 AM >
| | | | Posted by -MisfitStyle-
I think that's a little more 'ninja' than he was thinking.
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HA HA. Yes, he's right. This is a four story compound that has an eight-foot wall all around it. It almost looks like a prison, but inside of it is a 110-year-old steel foundry that has been closed since the late 90s. Very many GREAT architectural and industrial photo ops.
It's very densely packed, and therefore the guard is more likely to hear or see you. He's there night and morning. I came there at 4 in the morning once and his van was still in the lot.
Bearings: A Geographer's Blog
Member of the CTC |
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blackhawk
This member has been banned. See the banlist for more information.
location:
Mission Control
UER newbie
| | | Re: Elaborate Decoys... Hardhats, Lab Coats, Clipboards, etc.
<Reply # 9 on 3/16/2006 1:21 AM >
| | | | Posted by tunnelbug
Has anyone here had any success posing as either an environmental cleanup field researcher, construction worker, real estate appraiser, etc?
If so, please tell your success story. I have a site up for lease that I REALLY want to make it inside, but I need a convincing story to get the security guard to allow me in.
This is sort of an empirical gathering thread for me to see what works and what doesn't.
I've already tried all "legal" routes, and I'm much too chicken to try to go Ninja-like while the 24-hour guard is there.
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Ask to meet with site supervisor; whoever is running it real time. Go in the morning with a least 2 dozen assorted donuts. This is a bribe. The jelly centered variety will not get you jail time or cost much. It may get you in. Bring hardhat. Repeat donut bribe as necessary, increase amount if need be. Hoagies at lunchtime may be substituted as long as they're tasty.
Bring the guard something too.
-No joke, I've gotten clients like this.-
Just when I thought I was out... they pulled me back in.
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Zorak
Gender: Male
| | Re: Elaborate Decoys... Hardhats, Lab Coats, Clipboards, etc.
<Reply # 10 on 3/16/2006 2:49 AM >
| | | | I can help with the appraiser ploy, I was one until a couple months ago. You dont need much, I think ive even still got some business cards.
www.flickr.com/photos/brokenobelisk |
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Yuichi Kanai
location:
Oakland, CA
Gender: Male
| | Re: Elaborate Decoys... Hardhats, Lab Coats, Clipboards, etc.
<Reply # 11 on 3/16/2006 12:31 PM >
|  | | | Tunnelbug, you need to wait for a "sideshow" in one of your other scenarios, which will mean dry, warm weather.
[last edit 3/16/2006 12:33 PM by Yuichi Kanai - edited 1 times]
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Azrael
location:
South West UK
Gender: Male
| | Re: Elaborate Decoys... Hardhats, Lab Coats, Clipboards, etc.
<Reply # 12 on 3/16/2006 1:25 PM >
| | | | Only one guard, you're kidding me, a place like that would be very heavily guarded over here.
I hear some people have gotten in under the pretext of asbestos removal, i suppose this wouldn't require much more than normal UE asbestos gear and perhaps a non-descript commercial vehicle, however you may need to know someone who has one.
Urban Explorers always take the red pill... |
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tunnelbug
location:
California
Gender: Male
| | | | Re: Elaborate Decoys... Hardhats, Lab Coats, Clipboards, etc.
<Reply # 13 on 3/16/2006 5:30 PM >
| | | | All great tips! Thanks. Keep 'em coming. I especially would like to hear success stories.
Bearings: A Geographer's Blog
Member of the CTC |
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res_novae
location:
NoVA
Gender: Male
| | | Re: Elaborate Decoys... Hardhats, Lab Coats, Clipboards, etc.
<Reply # 14 on 3/17/2006 2:00 AM >
| | | | Bring a very attractive female companion, and have her ask for permission. Basically say the same thing you were going to say, but she has the added assistance of breasts.
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FoxTwoFoxTwo
location:
Clarksville, Tennessee
Gender: Male
I'm an explorer who photographs...
| | | Re: Elaborate Decoys... Hardhats, Lab Coats, Clipboards, etc.
<Reply # 15 on 3/17/2006 3:01 AM >
| | | | Posted by res_novae
Bring a very attractive female companion, and have her ask for permission. Basically say the same thing you were going to say, but she has the added assistance of breasts.
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Hahaha
You could go with the shock and awe kind of thing.
You'll need:
A friend or two
full face respirators for all
a clipboard
radios
pure white disposable jumpsuits
maybe some caution tape/biohazard bags
Rush in and act very concerned. When the security guard arrives, ask him to vacate the premises on the grounds that <insert huge chemical name here> has been found to be stored in the facility and when he does, feel free to UE in complete saftey!
Very elaborate, but many UEers already have this stuff so.. yeah.
If not, I, as always, suggest the ninja way.
Bringing exploration to Clarksville.
Journal: http://www.uer.ca/...id=4&catid=2000173 | RUAUER!?!?!?111ONE??QUESTIONMARK | FoxTwoFoxTwo - "I just ordered a large. I have a relatively huge head so yeah..." |
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grit1
location:
University Campus - Minneapolis, MN
Gender: Male
Got Shear Line?
| | | Re: Elaborate Decoys... Hardhats, Lab Coats, Clipboards, etc.
<Reply # 16 on 3/17/2006 4:04 AM >
| | | | Infiltrating the University of Minnesota campus, I've found it useful to appear as a facilities management employee...this consists of:
Dirty [steam tunnel] Jeans - not designer, like Dickies work jeans
Denim button-down work shirt
Work boots / brown shoes
Some facial hair - not clean shaven
Well trimmed [head] hair, somewhat messy but not bed head
Large Nextel phone [I use an i58sr in a nylon sheath, with the big D-ring belt clip]
3 inch + ring of keys, made by the same company that makes the facilities keys. In the case of the U of M and many other large institution, this is BEST Access systems.
If you have access to a Dye Sub badge printer, print yourself an official looking photo id badge - this is for the advanced users.
Bring some 11x17 prints of the facility, or some steam valve or whatever. Doesn't matter, so long as you walk around periodically looking at them when people are around.
If you have an accomplis who is in the same get-up, talk roughly about your home/family life, your truck, your boss/supervisor, a coworker etc. you get the idea. Basically talk to the other "maintenance person" as maintenance people talk to eachother. You may wish to observe some real maintenance people.
Also you could go the route of looking like a contractor. Large campuses often hire in contractors to work on chiller plants, steam plants, elevators and other special mechanical systems. This gives you liberty to not have keys that work anywhere, be lost etc. If you want to get dicey and take a risk, you could do some research, find a facilities management organizational chart and find a name of a supervisor you can fall back on. This may get you safely out of the tunnel and allow you to slip away, but you man not be "welcome" back.
I work in a secured environment, and so long as you're wearing a site badge you're treated as one of us. Hard hats are required in most places and this also adds credibility. Also always look busy, don't be looking around or gawking - if you look like you have a mission you won't be questioned.
~G
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Stevenski
location:
Columbus, OH
Gender: Male
| | | Re: Elaborate Decoys... Hardhats, Lab Coats, Clipboards, etc.
<Reply # 17 on 3/17/2006 5:09 AM >
| | | | Posted by grit1
Also always look busy, don't be looking around or gawking - if you look like you have a mission you won't be questioned.
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#1 rule of live sites while hiding in plain sight.
I've only really done one live site, which was a construction site. Hard hat, shirt, tie, and a tripod in a case just to look like I had something in my hands, and I walked around with barely anyone making eye contact with me. I stopped for a minute to take in a beautiful view from what would be a corner office a few floors up of the street below and nearly got myself busted because someone came in behind me. This is when I realized I needed to invest in a fake cell phone. Real cell phones I'm terrified will give me brain cancer, and I also don't want people calling me... But if you've got to stand around- be on the phone.
Also, a fun tip, if you feel that people are being suspicious... "Out of sight, out of mind" sometimes works as long as your not looking suspicious about putting yourself out of sight. For me- when I first stepped foot onto that site, I had parked on the street, knowing full well that the site had adaquate room for parking inside the fenced in area. I decided to park on the street because if I had to get out of there, I had more options about skating. I think that this made me most noticable, walking in when I should have drove. There was a guy about fifty feet away who was talking to some other guys that I immediately identified as a Somebody. He stopped talking to whoever the other people were as soon as I came on the site and watched me. I saw all of this through the perif. What I decided to do was- duck into a port-a-let. This was fortunately one of the kind, as most are now, that have the vents at the top, so I had a good view to survey the area around me and watch this fella, who almost immediately went back to talking to the people near him and I didn't seem him again for the rest of the time I was there.
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darkstuff
location:
NorCal
| | | Re: Elaborate Decoys... Hardhats, Lab Coats, Clipboards, etc.
<Reply # 18 on 3/21/2006 6:16 PM >
| | | | Posted by blackhawk
Go in the morning with a least 2 dozen assorted donuts. This is a bribe. The jelly centered variety will not get you jail time or cost much. It may get you in. Bring hardhat. Repeat donut bribe as necessary, increase amount if need be. Hoagies at lunchtime may be substituted as long as they're tasty.
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I think this may just be the way to go. Zorak talked his way into Oakland Amtrak eventually, and maybe it could happen at this site too. Sounds like you've already broken the ice with the guard anyway, and he recognizes you now so the hard hat approach won't work. Take advantage of his loneliness and hunger.
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0U812
location:
Lubbock, TX
Gender: Female
Texploration
| | Re: Elaborate Decoys... Hardhats, Lab Coats, Clipboards, etc.
<Reply # 19 on 3/21/2006 6:25 PM >
| | | | Posted by res_novae
Bring a very attractive female companion, and have her ask for permission. Basically say the same thing you were going to say, but she has the added assistance of breasts.
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Yeah, breasts will get you in anywhere.
I figured out what's wrong with life:
It's other people. |
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