Has anyone else noticed?

[TorontoMelanieJolliet 4458]

Hotels, lead by a big name, have decided to train employees to spot escorts. They say it's to help end trafficking but they didn't say what they would do when they 'spot' an escort who is NOT trafficked. It seems like they are not making a distinction. Does the distinction even matter to them? Should it?

I have noticed strange and invasive behaviour on the part of housekeeping staff. I have rec'd a call from front desk saying they had to do 'something' in my room (that's what they said, something) then offered up that the mattress cover change was the 'something'. They sent 3 staff to change the mattress cover (more eyes I guess). They have been trained to stand outside doors and listen (so given permission), permission to take photos of room contents if they suspect something and, I guess, bust in for an emergency mattress cover change. 3 housekeepers, 2 female one male, to change the bed.

Okay, so they are on guard...but what do they do when they find trafficking? And do they only hassle independents because it's easier (face it, trafficked girls are not going to hang around if discovery will be trouble, and they won't be alone all the time, a male who shows up would not be a sign for housekeeping staff to stand up to him and demand to change a mattress cover, or look for charger that another guest left, yes that was quite awhile ago)

So who are they kidding? What is their true intention? Will they just find a way to deny every female a place to stay? Also, what if staying at a hotel is not only for the sole purpose of 'working'? Is that ok?

 

Article:    Training Tips

[Guest]

  This has more likely to do with some check-out disasters, than actual human trafficking. 

I don't have problems believing cleaning staff are quite often greeted with bad surprises from some guests. The measures could be more of a way to protect themselves from unruly guests, than actual providers discrimination.

The "help end trafficking" argument sounds more like a public relation thing, as trafficking victims don't normally travel alone.

 Unless flagged in the past, I don't think this will seriously affect ladies who maintain low profiles.

 

 

[TorontoMelanieJolliet 4458]

No it doesn't. They disguise it as spotting trafficking while casting a wide net. Right here... low profile. Me...low profile. So no, that's not it. And that is why I'm asking. Low profile means nothing, clean room means nothing, being quiet means nothing. That's why I'm asking.

[roamingguy 300291]

Marriott has publically announced it has such a policy in place. 

https://news.marriott.com/2019/01/marriott-international-has-trained-500000-hotel-workers-to-recognize-the-signs-of-human-trafficking/ 

RG

[Guest]

   Maybe you got flagged in the past and it's now stuck in their database.

Wish I could provide a definitive answer, but I can't.

   Have a nice week-end.

 

[TorontoMelanieJolliet 4458]

Not flagged. Or I'd be flagged all over. When I show up with my platinum member card I get treated differently. When I book with hotels or trivago...high deposit and suspicion. Even tho they know im good, im gold member etc SOME hotels (lets say when a new thing is introduced ppl are hyper-sensitive/over zealous in carrying out their duties)

And if you read my OP you'd see I wasn't asking about me. I was asking if anybody else noticed. And since you are a male who is an escort, you obviously don't get the same reaction, cuz you are not a female traveling alone. And male escorts are more rare anyways. They are suspecting all female travelers who are alone. So you're in the clear. So you don't know anything about my situation. I wasn't asking for that anyways.

[TorontoMelanieJolliet 4458]

ah nevermind. I can't get a real conversation with some brainstorming from a variety of people with different experiences. Just delete please.

[KylaAnderson 41]

It has never happened to me, I try to avoid hotels in general. I'll go but not for more than 2 rendezvous

[Nicolette Vaughn 294340]

Yes, it’s just like USA border patrol who see women travelling alone as something suspicious. Or even worse, if condoms or lingerie are found in their suitcases, they are all sexworkers. 

 

I call bullshit on the fact that they had to change a mattress cover in the room. And if you think about it, those who are involved in trafficking are probably always on the move. I would think they don’t want any sex work in there hotels and again trafficking is a safe blanket term to cover anything they consider nefarious going on in their hotels.

 

It would definitely be easier to harass an independent working out of a hotel room and get her to leave. Now they say they have certain policies in place and can ask the person to leave. It’s getting quite ridiculous. They might as well ban anyone who wants to have sex in a hotel. 

 

Do you have any male friends who could check in for you or trusted clients when you travel? When I used hotels locally briefly, I would have one or two trusted clients check in for me. Some of them I had an ongoing arrangement with and I would go through the parking lot elevators or a back door. Never had a problem. When I had to travel, I was always with a small brief case/laptop bag and dressed down very low key. 

 

Mind you this was a time when escorts were more of a taboo and no one talked about such things. Everyone looked the other way unless someone made themselves really obvious about it.  This was also before Craigslist, backpage and twitter. Those day it was so much easier but I still played it smart back then.

 

Yes, trafficking is a big issue but hotel chains also use it to prevent providers who are doing things on their own free will. It’s an attempt to try and stop all sexwork but it will never stop. 

 

If you have a male male check in for you, I guarantee none of this will happen. 

 

[Jasmine Rain 23126]

On 3/29/2019 at 2:50 PM, TorontoMelanieJolliet said:

Not flagged. Or I'd be flagged all over. When I show up with my platinum member card I get treated differently. When I book with hotels or trivago...high deposit and suspicion. Even tho they know im good, im gold member etc SOME hotels (lets say when a new thing is introduced ppl are hyper-sensitive/over zealous in carrying out their duties)

And if you read my OP you'd see I wasn't asking about me. I was asking if anybody else noticed. And since you are a male who is an escort, you obviously don't get the same reaction, cuz you are not a female traveling alone. And male escorts are more rare anyways. They are suspecting all female travelers who are alone. So you're in the clear. So you don't know anything about my situation. I wasn't asking for that anyways.

7

I will not book via discount sites when traveling. That is the biggest red flag. It is easier to pay the larger rate and worry less.

 

Having said that though..... 

Seriously! They "needed to do something with the mattress cover"???? How do they think that lie would even pass? You would have had to be the one to complain for them to want to check it....... It is so stupid. 

[Cjthomas 1553]

Check your hotels guest registry policies. Many hotels now have a right to check a room once every 24 hrs and I believe they can disguise that check or be evident about it.  This policy was put in place after the las Vegas shooting. But don’t quote me. For anyone concerned I’d refer to hospitality law and that particular hotels guest policies.

[Guest]

   There's often an overreaction to new policies. A few weeks from now they'll focus their attention to more recurrent problems or to whatever new threats they'll want to tackle next. 

[Cjthomas 1553]

2 hours ago, Greenteal said:

   There's often an overreaction to new policies. A few weeks from now they'll focus their attention to more recurrent problems or to whatever new threats they'll want to tackle next. 

Or  they’ll change when people start complaining with their dollars.

[Guest]

On 4/2/2019 at 9:35 AM, Cjthomas said:

Or  they’ll change when people start complaining with their dollars.

     It's not a few people who may feel discriminated(with good reasons or not) that will affect the bottom line. Most won't mind the extra security questions if the end result is a cleaner, quieter and safer place to stay.

    As I mentioned, new policies require an adjustment period to make the process less intrusive while accomplishing it's goal.

    It's rarely perfect, but at least they're trying to address known problems.

    

[TorontoMelanieJolliet 4458]

On 3/30/2019 at 10:36 PM, Nicolette Vaughn said:

Do you have any male friends who could check in for you or trusted clients when you travel? ......When I had to travel, I was always with a small brief case/laptop bag and dressed down very low key.

 

I worry about a male being associated with me, he can be seen as a 'trafficker'.

Dressed down means nothing now as the 'signs' have been outlined for staff. Nails, very little luggage, not much a need for housekeeping. The checking comes from housekeeping not front desk staff. Any woman is suspect. Even extending a stay is supposed to be a 'sign'.

It's funny too cause the hotel I told the story about had many 'workers', so obvious, and 'managers' hanging around for the pick-up...I guess they just wanted to know who they were dealing with, especially with me, since it can go either way.

Sometimes I suspect that there are 'deals' ... agreements. Since I'm not part of them (i'm independent) is it the hotel that keeps outliers away so they can continue with their arrangements? Or they don't want anyone noticing what seems to be going on..so if they can't know me then they are scared of discovery...

[TorontoMelanieJolliet 4458]

On 4/1/2019 at 8:38 PM, Cjthomas said:

Check your hotels guest registry policies. Many hotels now have a right to check a room once every 24 hrs and I believe they can disguise that check or be evident about it.  This policy was put in place after the las Vegas shooting. But don’t quote me. For anyone concerned I’d refer to hospitality law and that particular hotels guest policies.

Yes that's a thing. That's not the problem. Apparently not needing a full room cleaning and total linen change everyday causes them worry, even tho they post notices inside hotel rooms about Saving the Earth, and laundry demands (more detergents in water, more water usage etc)

[Jasmine Rain 23126]

19 hours ago, TorontoMelanieJolliet said:

Yes that's a thing. That's not the problem. Apparently not needing a full room cleaning and total linen change everyday causes them worry, even tho they post notices inside hotel rooms about Saving the Earth, and laundry demands (more detergents in water, more water usage etc)

Which is dumb because they want you to reserve and re-use towels. 

 

If you can't make your bed as an adult there is something wrong and not having your bed made is not going to kill you. 

 

For me, I'm lucky that I have a mainstream business so I can use that when traveling. Show my site, my business cards, and business visa that will then be used a competing hotel. And I have no problem doing that. 

 

I would make make such a stink, they would be afraid to accuse another woman again. You just have to switch it around on them. 

 

Plus, I use the actual drawers and put my stuff away. Even if staying a single night. It's a thing for me. So none of my stuff would be out and visible if anyone came to the door. 

 

I also have an "add-a-lock" which works on hotels to keep the door locked inside without using their latches that the staff can remove. There is no knock then enter or attempt and hit the latch. The door just doesn't open at all. 

 

If you are touring, maybe set up a wix email or something cheap with a throw together site and some vista print business cards. I always ask if they have a business area and if they have a place to leave cards. Some hotels have draws for things. 

 

Also, I use the amenities and make sure I'm seen using them. "Hookers" hide. So I don't hide. 

 

 

[Guest]

20 hours ago, TorontoMelanieJolliet said:

Sometimes I suspect that there are 'deals' ... agreements. Since I'm not part of them (i'm independent) is it the hotel that keeps outliers away so they can continue with their arrangements? Or they don't want anyone noticing what seems to be going on..so if they can't know me then they are scared of discovery...

   I doubt a bit those kind of "deals" are still thing. If any remain, you can be sure those are only for people with gold cards and knowledge of secret handshakes. We're far from the days when a single person or organisation could control over 90% of adult services in a geographical area. I doubt those would fly long under the public eye.

   I'm not saying you don't have a point with your arguments. But for the moment I only see this as an overreaction from the hotel industry trying to separate themselves from old adult related stereotypes. Once this reveals itself to be ineffective, they'll try something different and less intrusive.

  

[Andee 220524]

They’re looking for victims of human trafficking. If you bring your own towels and extra sheets and carry out your own garbage and don’t make a scene, And don’t use your work phone to check in, no one will be the wiser.

[TorontoMelanieJolliet 4458]

check check check check and check. Always been that way... it's them who have changed, not me... (sounds like I have described a relationship gone sour 🤣)