It's Time for an ALOA and "Locksport" Partnership

[Tyler J. Thomas]

This is the culmination of an idea that has its roots in the Advanced section. Pro or con, debate and opinions are welcomed.

IT’S TIME FOR AN ALOA AND “LOCKSPORT” PARTNERSHIP

[Jacob Morgan]

Tyler,

Can you let us know a few things about ALOA: how many pages / articles are in a typical issue of keynotes? Would this let people buy books from ALOA's on-line store? Does ALOA issue an ID card that could give some cover if a lock sport enthusiast was discovered to possess picks by a Barney Fife-type policeman?

[Squelchtone]

It's funny, but I recently had the random chance to have lunch with someone who from what I gather is pretty high up at ALOAs headquarters in Dallas.

I didn't mention locksport or lp101 because I wasn't sure what the gentleman's opinion was on non locksmiths doing this stuff as a fun non-criminal hobby. The lunch was as random as sitting next to someone at an airport bar and asking oh what do you do?

I'm also not gonna drop names here, but I got the feeling he is a well known figure to most locksmiths who are ALOA members.

It will be interesting to see how this goes, it would make for an interesting bridge.

Squelchtone

[Tyler J. Thomas]

Tyler,

Can you let us know a few things about ALOA: how many pages / articles are in a typical issue of keynotes? Would this let people buy books from ALOA's on-line store? Does ALOA issue an ID card that could give some cover if a lock sport enthusiast was discovered to possess picks by a Barney Fife-type policeman?

Keynotes is comparable to The National Locksmith in content and size (far less ads however).

I didn't address the book issue.

ALOA does issue ID cards and membership letters BUT this would be a group membership if approved. Groups would be receiving the credentials not individuals. I don't know laws regarding lock picks so I can't speculate/guess.

[Tyler J. Thomas]

It's funny, but I recently had the random chance to have lunch with someone who from what I gather is pretty high up at ALOAs headquarters in Dallas.

I didn't mention locksport or lp101 because I wasn't sure what the gentleman's opinion was on non locksmiths doing this stuff as a fun non-criminal hobby. The lunch was as random as sitting next to someone at an airport bar and asking oh what do you do?

I'm also not gonna drop names here, but I got the feeling he is a well known figure to most locksmiths who are ALOA members.

It will be interesting to see how this goes, it would make for an interesting bridge.

Squelchtone

You should have brought up your involvement. I'm sure you're very personable and level-headed face-to-face and that's exactly the kind of traits that locksmiths apprehensive to this idea need to see. And most of the top-brass at ALOA are pretty awesome and engaging.

Both sides need ambassadors; phone works both ways.

[RubberBanned]

With the new news of the National Locksmith being discontinued, will this alter your write up, or proposal?

[globallockytoo]

ALOA no longer represents the interests of the wider locksmith fraternity/industry. They changed their charter and in so doing, have lost a great many members.
Locksport is a hobby group, not a part of the industry and in my opinion unwise to get involved with a dying association.

I was not aware that TNL is closing.

[Tyler J. Thomas]

With the new news of the National Locksmith being discontinued, will this alter your write up, or proposal?

I wouldn't think so.

ALOA no longer represents the interests of the wider locksmith fraternity/industry. They changed their charter and in so doing, have lost a great many members. Locksport is a hobby group, not a part of the industry and in my opinion unwise to get involved with a dying association.

Are you a member of ALOA?

[mastersmith]

I recently had occasion to talk with some ALOA locksmiths during the national convention. It reminded me of the way "old timers" would scoff at you if you mentioned that Medeco's could be picked. The reaction was these recreational groups must be made up of 15 year old James Bond want-to-be's! It will be an up hill battle to change some minds. I also talked with a couple of fellas that had a more open mind about it. They were in disbelief that anyone would pick locks for recreation only. And granted, when you do it for a living it is much less "fun"! But we discussed the MUCH DIFFERENT mindset and the motivation became more clear to them. Believe me, when I am sitting in my shop picking on a lock that won't open for me it is much different than when a customer is waiting for you to get them in! To convince the industry to "partner up" will take a considerable salesman.

[globallockytoo]

With the new news of the National Locksmith being discontinued, will this alter your write up, or proposal?

I wouldn't think so.

ALOA no longer represents the interests of the wider locksmith fraternity/industry. They changed their charter and in so doing, have lost a great many members. Locksport is a hobby group, not a part of the industry and in my opinion unwise to get involved with a dying association.

Are you a member of ALOA?

I was, for many years. I found the outrageous cost for little to no ROI, unjustifiable. I was on various committees over the years but found that far too many locksmiths were leaving in droves due to a poor management decision to open up the membership to other than lock industry professionals.

[Tyler J. Thomas]

With the new news of the National Locksmith being discontinued, will this alter your write up, or proposal?

I wouldn't think so.

ALOA no longer represents the interests of the wider locksmith fraternity/industry. They changed their charter and in so doing, have lost a great many members. Locksport is a hobby group, not a part of the industry and in my opinion unwise to get involved with a dying association.

Are you a member of ALOA?

I was, for many years. I found the outrageous cost for little to no ROI, unjustifiable. I was on various committees over the years but found that far too many locksmiths were leaving in droves due to a poor management decision to open up the membership to other than lock industry professionals.

News to me. Who are they allowing in that don't meet industry related criteria? This sounds like a serious problem.