Traveling light, cross country
Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 8:59 pm
I got my plastic on 1/24, and have started carrying more often than not as I try out different carry solutions, and have really started to get comfortable carrying and realizing I'm uncomfortable when I'm not.
That said.. I had to travel from DFW to Philadelphia today on a short overnight trip. Yes, PA is a reciprocal state, but as I said, traveling light, no checked bags. Anyway, the reason I'm traveling is that I have to appear as a prosecution witness in a federal trial against a pretty bad dude. I'll save the details of the case until the trial is over.
Yesterday, I received calls from the special agent in charge AND the prosecuting US attorney. In both calls, each of them stress to me, multiple times, that "The Federal Courthouse has metal detectors and heavy security." I found this very odd that it was mentioned over and over. After doing my witness prep this afternoon, it became VERY apparent just how much they screen and background check their witnesses. It was painfully obvious that they knew I had a CHL and were putting forth very strong hints that I should leave my weapon at home (since I would have no place to store my bags since I'm testifying after checkout time). They knew WAY too many details surrounding my personal situation than I was comfortable with - heck they even knew what the status of my divorce is, right down to my final hearing date.
The point is, I was at the courthouse today until about 5:30 pm, and had to walk about 6 blocks pulling my suitcase, through central Philadelphia - not THAT bad an area, but I sure was uncomfortable. I felt like a walking target. Tomorrow I will take a cab to the courthouse.
That said.. I had to travel from DFW to Philadelphia today on a short overnight trip. Yes, PA is a reciprocal state, but as I said, traveling light, no checked bags. Anyway, the reason I'm traveling is that I have to appear as a prosecution witness in a federal trial against a pretty bad dude. I'll save the details of the case until the trial is over.
Yesterday, I received calls from the special agent in charge AND the prosecuting US attorney. In both calls, each of them stress to me, multiple times, that "The Federal Courthouse has metal detectors and heavy security." I found this very odd that it was mentioned over and over. After doing my witness prep this afternoon, it became VERY apparent just how much they screen and background check their witnesses. It was painfully obvious that they knew I had a CHL and were putting forth very strong hints that I should leave my weapon at home (since I would have no place to store my bags since I'm testifying after checkout time). They knew WAY too many details surrounding my personal situation than I was comfortable with - heck they even knew what the status of my divorce is, right down to my final hearing date.
The point is, I was at the courthouse today until about 5:30 pm, and had to walk about 6 blocks pulling my suitcase, through central Philadelphia - not THAT bad an area, but I sure was uncomfortable. I felt like a walking target. Tomorrow I will take a cab to the courthouse.