Tesla Construction Security at Austin Plant Tried to Kick Me Out on a Public Road

[Bigsur345]

I had some business in Austin last week, so on the way home I decided to take a look at the Austin Gigafactory construction site. Harold Green Road gives an excellent viewpoint of one of the construction areas, so I parked on the side of the road and got ready to take a few pictures.

Just as I started to get out my phone, a security truck comes rolling up on me and says I can't be there. I said that, "this is public right-of-way, not Tesla's property" (If it was, wouldn't you think they would have a gate?)

The guard says no, "the property line is here" as he pointed to the edge of the pavement. - You've got to be kidding.

I further stated the property line is beyond where my car is parked and right at the fence. As he started to shake his head he said his boss told him strictly to not let anybody park on the side of the road ... at that instant I deemed it pointless, but really wanted to say, "Then call the cops"

Before he drove off, he said he would "allow me" to take pictures, but I had to leave.

Tesla has a subcontactor who is totally overstepping their bounds and could potentially embarrass them. I should have filmed it and publicly put Tesla's construction contractor in their place. -- Irritating

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[Crissa]

I mean, there's big gap between 'hey, please don't park here, it's a safety lane' and what he said.

But guards will be guards.

-Crissa

 

[Bigsur345]

I mean, there's big gap between 'hey, please don't park here, it's a safety lane' and what he said.

But guards will be guards.

-Crissa

Yeah it was a good 20 feet from the road, on the dirt turnout, with very light traffic --- even with heavy traffic, they couldn't try to pull that stuff, it is not their property .... he was out of line. --- Anyway, I like Zero motorcycles, I want to get one to go with my E-bike ?

 

[Crissa]

Spouse got it for me because an e-bike capable of our hill was $3K and she was all like, 'no, you can learn how to ride a real motorcycle. It'll be safer.' and so bought me a used Zero for $6K.

It's been a blast being able to go everywhere, though. The world is your playspace on a motorcycle, and an electric just doesn't have the hot-noisy-gas-maintenance problems that an ICE one does. And I never have to take time to go to the gas station ^-^

-Crissa

 

[MEDICALJMP]

I mean, there's big gap between 'hey, please don't park here, it's a safety lane' and what he said.

But guards will be guards.

-Crissa

Had a somewhat similar event happen at a local outdoor mall. Just got a new IPad from the Apple Store with their then new super duper camera and I wanted to test it out. People take photos of themselves there all the time. I was taking photos of the store fronts. A security guard tells me to stop and I must leave, now. I was (honestly) very polite and asked, “Why?”
‘’For taking photos in the mall. ‘’
“But people take pictures here all the time.”
“It’s the developers property and they can do whatever the hell they want!” And I was escorted off the property.

So be it. Now in the previous year I had personally spent over $1750 at that mall in food, drinks and merchandise. Then I bought this $1300 iPad. I post pictures on Google Maps and have over 117 million views of storefronts, food, etc. and I posted my experience on social media. I explained that I was boycotting that mall over the upcoming Christmas holiday plus and why. One response I got was from a Social Worker I work with at the hospital. She was hassled by security for parking in “customer parking.’’ The security guards assumed that because she is Asian she must be one of the nail care technicians at the salon. ?

 

[Ehninger1212]

Don't let them bully you, but also realize they probably have legitimate concerns with pedestrian and worker safety. Imagine if one of these drone flyers crashes into workers or distracts someone driving a large piece of machinery.

Even if this road passes through there property it is not a private road. I remember I used to cut through this old mans property on my bike along a small creek side when I was in Junior High. He once waited for me in his car and threatened to call the cops and have me arrested if I did not stop. I informed him he does not own the creek and to go ahead and call the police. We waited.. cops showed.. told him he was wrong and I can use the creek as much as I want. We later became good friends.

Thanks for the photos BTW!

 

[Dids]

I had some business in Austin last week, so on the way home I decided to take a look at the Austin Gigafactory construction site. Harold Green Road gives an excellent viewpoint of one of the construction areas, so I parked on the side of the road and got ready to take a few pictures.

Just as I started to get out my phone, a security truck comes rolling up on me and says I can't be there. I said that, "this is public right-of-way, not Tesla's property" (If it was, wouldn't you think they would have a gate?)

The guard says no, "the property line is here" as he pointed to the edge of the pavement. - You've got to be kidding.

I further stated the property line is beyond where my car is parked and right at the fence. As he started to shake his head he said his boss told him strictly to not let anybody park on the side of the road ... at that instant I deemed it pointless, but really wanted to say, "Then call the cops"

Before he drove off, he said he would "allow me" to take pictures, but I had to leave.

Tesla has a vendor who is totally overstepping their bounds and could potentially embarrass them. I should have filmed it and publicly put Tesla's construction contractor in their place. -- Irritating

Look at it from his perspective.... When he was little no one would listen when he told them to do stuff, so he was like I will become a police officer but then he failed the evaluation so the only job he could get was guarding a construction site and no one shows up to make anything he is doing meaningful.... But then you show and finally raison d'etre. You made his day! Also mine because as a renowned internet psychologist, I am always here to help?. Plus your pictures are fantastic.

 

[Crissa]

The odds of a drone falling and hitting someone is pretty low. The odds of that causing injury is even lower.

Drone injuries are not more common or likely than bird strikes.

-Crissa

 

[lqdchkn]

All the groups have been parking on the 446 exit ramp of HWY 45 without issues

This area:

 

[Bigsur345]

All the groups have been parking on the 446 exit ramp of HWY 45 without issues

This area:

I will have to remember that; I am not sure if I would be so accommodating on a repeat encounter.

Here is the spot I took my pics. I measured the shoulder on Google Earth to be 16 FT wide - there was no safety concern apparent where I was parked

 

[lqdchkn]

I will have to remember that; I am not sure if I would be so accommodating on a repeat encounter.

Here is the spot I took my pics. I measured the shoulder on Google Earth to be 16 FT wide - there was no safety concern apparent where I was parked

Yeah, while Im not sure when/where their "property" starts. Im pretty sure we've never parked up the road that far.

 

[Crissa]

Their 'property' goes right through the road, but the easement includes the shoulder and the grass so who the heck knows the local laws there.

"It depends," - A. Lawyer, Esq.

-Crissa

 

[Pilot4hire]

I had some business in Austin last week, so on the way home I decided to take a look at the Austin Gigafactory construction site. Harold Green Road gives an excellent viewpoint of one of the construction areas, so I parked on the side of the road and got ready to take a few pictures.

Just as I started to get out my phone, a security truck comes rolling up on me and says I can't be there. I said that, "this is public right-of-way, not Tesla's property" (If it was, wouldn't you think they would have a gate?)

The guard says no, "the property line is here" as he pointed to the edge of the pavement. - You've got to be kidding.

I further stated the property line is beyond where my car is parked and right at the fence. As he started to shake his head he said his boss told him strictly to not let anybody park on the side of the road ... at that instant I deemed it pointless, but really wanted to say, "Then call the cops"

Before he drove off, he said he would "allow me" to take pictures, but I had to leave.

Tesla has a subcontactor who is totally overstepping their bounds and could potentially embarrass them. I should have filmed it and publicly put Tesla's construction contractor in their place. -- Irritating

I had a similar issue. I had my son & Grandkids in my 3, I agreed with the guard proceeded to finish taking my pictures, looked around then left. It’s sad that we are supporting them and yet... we are not welcome.

 

[Sirfun]

I had a similar issue. I had my son & Grandkids in my 3, I agreed with the guard proceeded to finish taking my pictures, looked around then left. It’s sad that we are supporting them and yet... we are not welcome.

Photos, or it never happened. Just kidding!

It's amazing how some of these private security guys get so amped up. They must drink a lot of coffee to stay alert. ?

 

[cyberforce]

His job is on the line if you step out of bounds and get hurt... He doesn't know you from adam. I don't blame the guard at all, you had no business there, and then come on the forum to complain about some guy just doing his job.