Stopped by Louisiana State Police

[Keith B]

No one that is reasonable would ever get a LTA license and fly in a hot air balloon Jim; ya gotta be nuts!!

[jimlongley]

No one that is reasonable would ever get a LTA license and fly in a hot air balloon Jim; ya gotta be nuts!!

Why I just crew and don't pilot.

[LSUTiger]

Not to bad mouth LEO's, anymore than justifiably necessary (there are a few bad apples out there from what I've read about and seen on the news/TV/internet), but most I've ever had to deal with were courteous and did not give me any unecessary baloney more than was required for them to carry out their duty. Both in TX and LA.

My only advice when encountering any LEO's is to not make any sudden movements, keeps your hand where they can see them, comply, let them control the situation, speak calmly and rationally when spoken to, this will make the encounter go smoothly and as quickly as possible.

I think most LEO's who see you reaching around the interior of a car shortly before stepping out of the car will immediately think you are looking for a weapon.

I would have done exactly as the driver did, exit the car with the gun and inform the officer of CHL and presence of the weapon.

This is probably a Catch-22 when encountering an inadequately trained/experienced or LEO with a bad attitude.

Different training, experience, knowledge of the law and personal philosophy/mood as well as your cooperation, behavior and offense committed, goes a long way in how the police officer will handle a situation.

Life is like a box of LEO's, you never know what you're gonna get!