Perks and Porsches

Being a doorman can lead to many perks, especially these days as a valid doorman licence can gain you a q' jump and free entry to most clubs in the country.  It's that little unwritten rule which, for the most part anyway is still in force as it were to this day.  And for good reason, most doormen develop a sixth sense after a few years on the job much the same way as I'm sure many other trades do, something doesn't feel or look right and instinctively you know this.  That's a very useful skill that takes years to develop and doesn't switch off easily, so even on a night out you're still very aware and I, like many doormen get told to stop working when I'm supposed to be socialising! 

I was once asked by an old school doorman I knew and to be honest feared, how long I'd been on the door?

"Seven years now" I said.

"Ah, you'll finally be learning your trade then." 

Believe me that was a sign of respect which made me smile and is hard to earn, particularly from the old school guys who'll usually only give respect after they've seen you getting stuck into a fight.   In my opinion, that's something that's fading these days on the door and I don't think for the most part it's a good thing, after all it's a dangerous job and if you're limited to what you can do it's only a matter of time before people start getting hurt.

Another perk of the job is the opportunity to take five every now and then and have your back covered whilst doing so, be it a quick smoke break or in the case of my old mate Tony, disappearing down a fire escape with a bird for a quick fumble!

In my case however I was walking through a bar early doors one night when an old mate of mine Marcus came up to me and said, "can you get cover for five?"

"Yeah sure it's dead" I said "what's up?"

With that he tossed me a set of car keys!

"I'm off for a slash" Marcus replied, "take it for a spin and see what you think "

He winked and walked off.

I looked down slightly puzzled and then smiled as I saw a Porsche keyring in my hand!   I went outside and parked there was a brand new 911 turbo, Marcus was in Finance somehow in Leeds and I knew he did well but, hello!  Needless to say I went for TWO spins round the block, after covering myself of course!