ALOA Questions

[Black Zero]

I'm thinking of joining the ALOA, and am not sure whether it is worth the money. If anyone here is a member, what are some of the benefits of being part of the ALOA?

[JK_the_CJer]

Last I checked, ALOA is not a fan of hobby picking/locksport at all. I may be incorrect in this, but that is the impression I have of them.

[dougfarre]

Black, maybe with all this energy you could Join an LSI chapter instead? Or maybe even start one?

[dougfarre]

Black, maybe with all this energy you have you could Join an LSI chapter instead? Or maybe even start one?

[Black Zero]

I was thinking of joining one, but the closest was still a few hours away. And I'd be glad to start one, but I don't know how that would go over with everyone else seeing how I'm only 16 (not many people know that , even though I have set up several gatherings like small defcons with some friends up in Chicago. The reason I was looking into the ALOA was that on security.org you had to be part of one of the organizations on the list to get some restricted access stuff to safes and vaults which I'm really interested in.

[dougfarre]

There are many other resources about safe manipulation. The extra material that you get form having locksmith clearance on security.org isn't worth all the trouble you are putting into it. Your still a basic picker, and you should be concentrating on getting the basics down before you go searching for advanced material that your not likely to fully understand (Like advanced safe manipulation). You will be happy with the LSS hard copy, I will promise you that. Worry about advanced access and stuff like that later, when you are ready for it. Because by then, that material will most likely already be available to you. PM me if you have specific questions about LSS you want answered.

[Black Zero]

Lol, I guess I am really anxious. I'll go through LSS first and learn more before I move on to the safes then. I've started working with security pins and am moving on from there.

[dougfarre]

There is lots of info about safes in LSS - "Locks,Safes, Security" So don't worry!

[maxxx]

ALOA meetings which are usually held once a month locally, cost nothing to attend. Find out where they are, and show up. Typically they have a mfg. rep who gives a demonstration of products, maybe show a dvd how to, and you rub elbows with working locksmiths in your area.

The ALOA meetings will elevate your knowledge, and its free if you just want to sit in. Find out where they are being held and simply show up. No mystery handshake involved.

[gotta]

I was a member for a long time. They lost their focus and upped their annual dues. Locksmith Ledger became nothing more than an ad magazine. Still, there was much to be learned from the members and their training was top notch with some of the biggest names in the industry and people I am honored to know. They can be a bit snobish though.