I rarely go to PetSmart, so my only anecdote is from when I asked to hold their striped Cal king. A female employee unlocked the viv but admitted she was afraid of snakes and had a guy take him out for me. Later that week I (stupidly) came back and asked to hold the same snake. The same female employee helped me and this time I volunteered to just grab the snake myself. She said he was "a bit too friendly for her liking." Umm, would you rather the snake be aggressive? XD
"Friendly" implies that the snake is really active and in-your-face right? Well, this snake was practically hatchling size. We're talking itty bitty. And he was the limpest king I've held. He hardly moved in my hands. :/ I think he may have been underfed, too, which is no surprise. If their employees are afraid of a lifeless baby king, they must be afraid of everything there!