Re: Blindsided
Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2018 1:26 pm
Most places I go I have already been through and know the places where I will stop for gas.
Also, I think that OPEN carry is your best friend at a gas station. Before I started carrying openly I would get asked for money all the time, I have never even been approached since I've started open carrying. A 1911 carried in Condition ONE is a huge deterrent!
Rules that I do my best to follow at the gas station.
1) Turn off engine, even in very hot or cold weather. Never leave your engine running if you are alone, way to easy for someone to simply jump in and drive off with your vehicle and cargo. This is a rule if you are alone, you can bypass this if you have two 80 pound black labs or a passenger who will lock the door behind you.
2) Close all windows and doors. LOCK the vehicle. See above about dogs and passenger.
3) Pay with a card at the pump, don't go in to pay. I don't like walking across the parking lot especially at night.
4) If you have to go inside to use the restroom or get a drink; move the vehicle away from the pumps and closer to the door.
5) While at a gas station, stay in condition ORANGE! Keep your head on a swivel, let your passenger clean the windshield if needed, especially at night. Hard to see anyone getting close if your paying attention to that bug on the windshield that you can't get off. Your gun is a much more effective weapon than the squeegee!
6) Try to get gas during the day if possible!
7) Don't talk to anyone except a station employee.
When I'm home I have one station that I go to, I keep my head on a swivel.
When I'm at my daughter's house in The Colony, I have one station that I would stop at.
Same goes, when I'm at my daughter's house in San Antonio, I stop at one particular HEB.
When I go to Amarillo or Lubbock I know the places that I'll stop before I go. Even driving all the way to California, I have my stop locations already located (many, many trips to San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas). I always stop at a Love's, TA or Pilot truck stops.
Scariest place to get gas is Vegas! Almost no place that I consider completely safe. Way, way too many homeless there.
Also, I think that OPEN carry is your best friend at a gas station. Before I started carrying openly I would get asked for money all the time, I have never even been approached since I've started open carrying. A 1911 carried in Condition ONE is a huge deterrent!
Rules that I do my best to follow at the gas station.
1) Turn off engine, even in very hot or cold weather. Never leave your engine running if you are alone, way to easy for someone to simply jump in and drive off with your vehicle and cargo. This is a rule if you are alone, you can bypass this if you have two 80 pound black labs or a passenger who will lock the door behind you.
2) Close all windows and doors. LOCK the vehicle. See above about dogs and passenger.
3) Pay with a card at the pump, don't go in to pay. I don't like walking across the parking lot especially at night.
4) If you have to go inside to use the restroom or get a drink; move the vehicle away from the pumps and closer to the door.
5) While at a gas station, stay in condition ORANGE! Keep your head on a swivel, let your passenger clean the windshield if needed, especially at night. Hard to see anyone getting close if your paying attention to that bug on the windshield that you can't get off. Your gun is a much more effective weapon than the squeegee!
6) Try to get gas during the day if possible!
7) Don't talk to anyone except a station employee.
When I'm home I have one station that I go to, I keep my head on a swivel.
When I'm at my daughter's house in The Colony, I have one station that I would stop at.
Same goes, when I'm at my daughter's house in San Antonio, I stop at one particular HEB.
When I go to Amarillo or Lubbock I know the places that I'll stop before I go. Even driving all the way to California, I have my stop locations already located (many, many trips to San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas). I always stop at a Love's, TA or Pilot truck stops.
Scariest place to get gas is Vegas! Almost no place that I consider completely safe. Way, way too many homeless there.
I will do that from now on when I am by myself. 
I'm tired of people using the space in front of the pump as a parking space. I also get tired of gassers using the only diesel/ gas pump when 10 gas only pumps are available . If it is the only pump open, I understand.