Believe it or not, Massachusetts does not require an additional license to work armed security in the Commonwealth; one can be hired with just a Class A License to Carry. In Connecticut (where I am now) and New Hampshire, an additional permit and qualification course are required.
With Brink's, at the time, we carried S&W model 64 .38 Special revolvers with Speer 125-grain +P Gold Dot SJHPs. Backup weapons were not sanctioned but the management looked the other way. I often carried my Beretta 92FS in a shoulder holster between my uniform shirt and my ballistic armor (fall-winter). I am fairly certain most companies these days either issue a semi-auto or allow you to use your own if it meets certain guidelines (no Desert Eagle point-five-oh, sorry).
We did not have long arms but many other companies had a 12-guage pump shotgun in the cab for the driver's use; the messenger was stuck with his sidearm. Body armor was available via a payment plan, I had $50/week deducted from my paycheck until the vest was paid for.
Other than the complaint about using only a two-man crew, here are some of my other problems with the job.
1. Everybody knows who you are and why you're there. I subsequently did the same job with a different company, only wearing plainclothes and using my own vehicle. I didn't carry nearly the same volume of cash and coin, but I was catering to a smaller level of business anyway (only a few thousand dollars coming out at closing time, for example).
2. There is very little variation built into the schedule. You are often at the same pickup at the same time every day.
3. It is impossible to maintain situational awareness when there are 1000 people on the street. Boston was hell for this reason.
4. 999 of the above are watching you.
5. It is borderline impossible to defend yourself while maneuvering a hand truck with 400 pounds of quarters on it.
6. It is company policy with many of this companies that if you get robbed, the driver leaves with the truck (protecting the greater number of assets). There goes your cover! Bye-bye.
Many of these problems would also mostly be addressed with a third man on each truck, but no company is going to pay extra for him. If you find one, I welcome you to prove me wrong.
