Checkpoints: Greasing the skids and acting like you’ve been there before…

Last ski season my wife and I were attempting to park in a lot which was close to the resort, after all nobody wants to walk further than they have to.  I pulled up to a sign that said “Lot Full” and a parking attendant turning people away.  He came up to the truck and told me “sorry man we’re full.”  I flashed a $20 his way and asked, how about now?  “All good, you can come in.”  There was another recent time when I was staying in a busy hotel and the valet wanted to take my truck.

• “Sorry Sir we have to park everything in the garage.”
• “I’d like to self park my truck right here (points to an open spot by the door – hands him a wad of cash).”
• “Ok sir, you can park your truck right here and I’ll watch it for you.”

Everybody is in need of something, everyone places a value on that something and in many instances the right person can use that to his/her advantage.  This isn’t a game for amateurs and the stakes can often be high.  It could be money, could be some other “thing” or it could be a simple as someone wanting to be convinced.  I remember another recent time when my wife and I were inside an airport (at the gate).  We were being told by multiple folks that there was zero chance we would be on a flight and the next one wasn’t for 4 days.  I finally got to a manager who told me the same thing, 10 minutes later we were laughing together and he was printing us off boarding passes.  This ain’t child’s play…as they say.  I had to work for that one but I was able to do so by identifying what I needed to say and how I needed to say it, and the demeanor I needed to adopt.

Probability of Checkpoints

I think there could be checkpoints established to restrict movement and to be fair, if things get worse than they are now there probably isn’t a good reason to be moving in and around through checkpoints anyways.  Yet, one never knows hence this rambling article on ways to get through checkpoints and such.  As of the writing of this article NJ has established curfews, San Fran has shut down (6 counties) and encouraged people to stay inside and Puerto Rico has done similar.  If the National Guard is activated on a large scale I could see checkpoints established as a way to limit freedom of maneuver for folks who aren’t labeled as “essential” personnel.  That being said I’ve got a few TTP’s for folks which might assist if you really need to get past “the man” to some destination.

Money / Metals

Today I had to go downtown to bring my wife’s OR department some masks which I detailed in another article.  Before I headed down the mountain I looked in my wallet, a mere $80 in there.  I tossed some silver eagles in the truck and stopped by the ATM and pulled out $500 in 20’s.  Not saying I’ll need them now or in the future but I have them just in case and if the opportunity presents itself, there could be someone who might value those items enough to allow me to do what I need to do.

Items of Value

I’ve got a few items in the truck which would have value to the right person, while we are still early on if things progress who knows what might work.  Some of the items I have range from giant bottles of sanitizer,  two 5 gallon cans of gasoline in the bed to a very nice SIG MK25 Pistol (and everything in between) I’d be willing to part with if the circumstances were right.  You might be thinking, but that pistol is worth $1200 brand new, you’d give that up?  Without hesitation if I had to get to my daughter or wife in a bad situation.  You never know what someone might put a value on, always good to have some extra items in your vehicle.

Acting Like You’ve Been There

Back to my airport scenario, more than anything I’ve already discussed is the ability to remain calm while also being persuasive.  Act like you’ve been there before, a classic phrase which applies now more than ever.  I could go into a hip hop bar and fit in, a country bar and fit in, a church and fit in, a book club and fit in, a feminist rally and fit in, a democrat or republican rally and fit in (even though I despise politics).   The whole “I’m going to be what I am and the world can suck it” (while wearing some American flag jean jacket and a MAGA hat) is the amateur game, this is next level stuff.  Being able to understand the environment, adapt, read people and adjust accordingly must be practiced but can often do what the aforementioned courses of action cannot.  Food for thought.

Final Thoughts

Look.  The probability of anyone ever reading this actually implementing these courses of action in real time under duress are small, but should not be discounted.  1 month ago the world never thought America would be where it is now and people are freaking out.  Others are thriving because they prepared.  Take care and let me know your thoughts in the comments section.