Originally Posted by
OUTraveling
Well, this is a disconcerting. Thankfully I usually use the latch or deadbolt when my room is occupied. Nevertheless, this has the potential for ending badly for people involved if this occurs to a guest that is a police officer or a lawfully armed civilian. At the very least, such a scenario will end up with the unexpected guest looking at the business end of the the occupant is carrying.
Happened to me. In 2014, at an on-airport (branded) hotel, at 2:30am.
I was assigned an occupied room. Walked in on an armed guest, I was looking down the barrel of a .40 cal, in what seems now, like a half second.
I still stay at that property free. I was also comp'd many, many points, drinks, and meals.
Still today, I knock several times loudly and let my presence be known when entering a room.
ALWAYS, 100% of the time.
I won't name the property out of respect as they really did take care of me. Same GM is still there, he ALWAYS comes out to greet me and must alert the hotel staff of my "VIP" status.
Lesson: always, ALWAYS ALWAYS knock.