gas station event and my 'training'

[Paco Bedejo]

Regarding the out-of-gas stories, my wife & I have decided that if the story seems credible (after just a moment's hesitation), we'll go in to the clerk & put $10 on the person's pump & hang out in a safe area until we see the transaction through.

If we can't safely put the $10 into a clerk's hands (for gas, food, etc.), then we say that we're sorry, we can't help. I refuse to just hand out cash & I'm not following anyone to a hotel or something to pay for a room for them. Too many chances to be trapped.

 

[DCR]

I've been approached 3 times by the same guy. THe third time, at a different gas station, as he approached me but before he could open his mouth, I said "we've done this song and dance before". He turned around and went away.

 

[deadsquirrel]

I would have been worried about who might be approaching from my blind side in that situation

 

[U.S. Patriot]

I would have given a sad sob story. Like oh I just lost my job. Or man I have medical bills out the ***. Sorry I can not help you. The way things are now days if I dont know you, then sorry I do not trust you. I too would have left the nozel in the pump.

 

[Joe Williams]

snip
So you see, this could have easily been a scam. Then again, this could just as likely been a guy working to feed his family that actually had gotten the shaft from a boss that was too unscrupulous or too broke to bring the driver home.

You stole what I was going to say LOL

Maybe you got scammed. Maybe you helped man who'd just been completely screwed get home to his family. Maybe your little bit of kindness helped save the day for a man who's world had just crashed down on him, with no friends or family to help him out or give him strength in a time of need.

You may never know. Reckon we'll both hope you helped a stranger in need at least get home to his kid when he's got nothing else to hope for.

 

[Jack Ryan]

3) Get some professional training.

For what?

 

[Gray Squirrel]

What you did was honorable.What he did was between him and God.

 

[paddling_man]

What you did was honorable.What he did was between him and God.

And that is one of the best answers I've seen.

Some areas of town are notorious (or maybe they just like me.) Harding Exit on 465. Krogers 71st/465. Allisonville exit.

I rarely give money to these folks. Usually the same folks are there every day. I'm wary when approached, like when any stranger approaches in a parking lot, but once the routine starts, I just tell them "No, sorry." Body language and tone indicate that continuing to ask is fruitless.

Still, there have been a few times that I've been led to assist. What led me? Vibes, conscience, God... it just felt right. Sometimes cash. More often, I whipped thru a drive-thru and bought them some food. Once or twice the food was rejected. The other times, the recipient wept.

Interesting story...

I was riding my bike south on 65. It was after dark. I'm running low on the dino-juice, so I stopped at an exit for gas. The only things at the exit were an old-time gas station and a porno shop.

The porno shop has 12-15 people out front from a local church, later I learned, taking pictures of trucker plates who pull in there. They even pulled a little trailer up to the fence edge with a wooden tower to better get pictures.

Walking across the street next to the station? A guy with a sign who had been soliciting cash at the exit.

As I pulled into the station, I turned around to the pumps (dark) in gravel that was freshly laid and loose. I'm doing a low speed, sharp u-turn and the bike goes down on top of me.

So, hot exhaust warming up my jeans. A few hundred pounds of bike on top, gravel on the bottom and me sandwiched in between. Do any of these "righteous" folk from across the street (max 45') come over to assist. Nope, standing there and gaping.

The guy with the sign? 100' away? He comes running. He helped me up. He was the samaritan.

I made it to Louisville, spent the night and rode back the next day.

On my return trip, I pulled over at this exit and ride over to the tower-folk. They quickly grabbed cameras to "catch me in the act." I stopped in their midst and pulled off my helmet, asking to speak to the Pastor (it was Sunday afternoon, IIRC) or whomever was eldest.

I explained what happened the night before and my disgust at the behavior. "We're here to save your soul from some pictures of boobies but you can fry under that bike."

The Deacon I spoke to was most embarrassed but did seem to be a good man. He was going to discuss it in Church that next week.

Don't judge folks by their appearance but by their actions...

 

[ProudAmerican]

First I would say watch your credit card bill. If they wanted you to use the credit card they could have had something getting the data. It is amazing what technology is out there to steal credit card swipes.

I also struggle with helping people. It saddens me that society has gotten to the point that it is hard to help someone out. I give to charities that help the less fortunate so I don't feel to awful when I tell them sorry.

 

[CopperWires]

I didn't read the whole thread so forgive me if this has been posted already.

I'm glad you posted your experience. I was going to post a story similar to this but I forgot.

Let me first say that THIS IS A SCAM. This crap has happened to me twice at the same gas station at the same time of night from 2 different people.

The first time a young women (maybe 25) pulled up to the pump next to me and rolled down her window. She said she was almost out of gas and was trying to get somewhere in KY. She was out of money and was supposed to meet her BF but she needed some gas to get there. I was not going to use my card for her because I don't trust anyone anywere near my card. And I didn't have any cash. I apologized and told her that I couldn't help her. The whole time her car was running. She said Ok, rolled the window up, and then drove around to another pump and asked another young male that was alone at the pump. She again left her car running all while she was giving him the sob story.

The second time it happened it was a women (around 40) and gave me a similar sob story. I knew what she was up to. It was basically the same style of scam. She left the car running the whole time. When I declined to help, she rolled down her other window and asked another young male.

Now I don't want to sound conceited because I am definitely not, but my truck and the other guy's jeep were the nicest vechicles at the pumps. She didn't approach any females and no males in jalopys. There seems to be a specific target.

Never did I feel threatened and I never came close to thinking about my gun. I felt like I handled the situation perfectly. I was precise, stern, and polite.

 

[singlesix]

What you did was honorable.What he did was between him and God.

"Forget not to show love unto strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." Heb 13:2

I go with my Gut feel; what else can you do. A lot of people hurting out there and a lot of people taking advantage. I've been approached by the same person with the same story 3 times at the Kroger Parking Lot. Can down for a job interview; didn't get the job and needs 20 to get gas to drive back home. The guy even managed real tears. Glad I went with my gut feel.

 

[chasekerion4]

I came up with 2 thoughts immediately after readin the first few posts...

1.) OP is out roughly 13-15 bucks.

2.) A few folks are telling the OP to get formal training. Interesting to note that when polls are posted on INGO about "what if training were to be required to get an LTCH", the vast majority say "NO" - yet when a story such as this pops up, there are people who think that training isn't such a bad idea after all.

To the OP: Maybe you coulda saved that cash and put it towards formal training?

 

[Don]

He said he was a truck driver, I would have simply asked to see his CDL to prove he wasn't full of poopie. If he showed me a cdl I would have showed him the $15 in gas like you. No CDL = no gas.

 

[Joe Williams]

I came up with 2 thoughts immediately after readin the first few posts...

1.) OP is out roughly 13-15 bucks.

2.) A few folks are telling the OP to get formal training. Interesting to note that when polls are posted on INGO about "what if training were to be required to get an LTCH", the vast majority say "NO" - yet when a story such as this pops up, there are people who think that training isn't such a bad idea after all.

To the OP: Maybe you coulda saved that cash and put it towards formal training?

What is interesting about #2? There is a vast difference between advocating training, and mandating it.

 

[LPMan59]

"get training" is the knee-jerk reaction by a lot of people on this board. ....i woke up this morning and took a poo. Better get some training.....

and usually these are some of the same people who immediately scream "bad shoot! bad shoot!" at almost every single article involving a LTCHer, regardless of how many holes in the article there are.

the best was the guy who shot the intruder to death after the "victim" allegedly asked "what are you going to do shoot me?" the only other witness was a second intruder who had already fled the scene and could not have have seen/heard what happened; leaving the only living person the homeowner....and so many INGOers piled on: bad shoot! get some training! a gun is a responsibility! what about law-aiding gun owners!

(and joe, i am not directing this at you, just making an observation).

 

[win87]

I live on a busy corner. People seem to always seem to run out of gas on corners. A guy sad he ran out of gas so i gave him a can of gas. He puts in car puys can in car away he goes. Do not run out of gas in front of my house again.

 

[Z-Glock23]

I happen to think that things like that are scams, we all know a family member or friend that could get us home if something like that happened and would be glad to do it rather than have us go around begging and asking random strangers for help. Just my two cents worth, but you did well and you gave it with your heart in the right place, so it is on him if it was a scam. Good for you.

I agree, we all have a family member or friend that would drop what they were doing to come help out. Good job though!

 

[chasekerion4]

What is interesting about #2? There is a vast difference between advocating training, and mandating it.

What's interesting Joe, IMO, is that either it's advocated or not, regardless of whether or not it is mandated.

If I carry a gun on my side without training, I'm subject to scrutiny here for not having the "proper" training if a situation arises such as the OP's.

Had I had the exact same situation as the OP, but had disclosed that I have taken 5 self defense courses and received an abundance of firearm training, would I have been subject to the same scrutiny?

Maybe so, however, I would guess (and it's only a guess) that a huge chunk of INGO'ers on this board do not have the "proper" training, which is hypocritical in its purest form.

And not to make this thread stray too far, but we should ALL get the proper training to carry firearms. As LPMan said, it's beaten in pretty good that owning a gun is a huge responsibility. Mandated or not, it's a good idea.

If one doesn't think they should be mandated to get training upon getting their LTCH, they shouldn't suggest that one get training when a situation such as the OP's arises. Just my

 

[norsk]

Thanks again to everyone who is posting their thoughts- it makes for good reading and consideration. Since "proper training" is such a strong theme in the responses, let me ask: for those of with the "proper training," based on my description of the event how would you have reacted (and I'm not talking about whether you would give $15, unless that is taught in training schools)?

 

[Paco Bedejo]

Thanks again to everyone who is posting their thoughts- it makes for good reading and consideration. Since "proper training" is such a strong theme in the responses, let me ask: for those of with the "proper training," based on my description of the event how would you have reacted (and I'm not talking about whether you would give $15, unless that is taught in training schools)?

Well, they would have yelled something incoherent & alarming while drawing their 1911s out of their Raven Concealment or Don Hume Holsters, then put 2 to the chest & 1 to the head.

To be honest...I'm not quite sure what sort of topics these guys think need to be covered in training which shouldn't already be basic common sense. Perhaps my sense is simply better-endowed than some?

The way most of them talk about professional training around here makes me think they're all waiting for another Hale Bopp comet. It seems like it's taken to the level of hokie-religion.

Whatever happened to spending time with & learning from your friends? Maybe I just haven't seen the light...