Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: SOB on November 13, 2005, 01:12:07 AM
-
As some of you may know, it's against the law to pump your own gas in Oregon, except for certain circumstances - like unattended commercial stations or the state motorpool. This is fairly stupid as far as I'm concerned, but it's never bugged me any since our per gallon prices are always lower than California and generally about the same or lower than Washington state, plus the fact that you sit high and dry while somebody else jockey's the pump.
Anyhow, my position on this was solidified on Thursday afternoon, as I stood at one of the pumps at the state motorpool, fueling up the van. It was cold, and it was raining, and while there was a roof over my head, it did nothing to stop the wind from pushing the rain sideways into me and rendering my ample insulation worthless against the cold.
Yep, I definitely prefer sitting on my kiester in my warm car while my vehicle gets fueled up. ;)
-
especially when you dont even have to roll the window open farther then 3/16"s of an inch to slip the debit card through.
-
SOB, what surprised me was that although you're not allowed to refuel your own car, you ARE allowed to refuel your own plane!
-
When I drove Oregon for work a couple years ago, I was caught off guard by this.
I had crossed into Oregon from California and drove until I needed to stop for gas. I pull into this quik-mart/ gas station type place and hopped out to start pumping. I had removed the cap and before I could reach the pump, this grubby older guy asked me what I needed. I was confused and thought he was gonna ask me for spare change.
I told him I was just getting gas, and he grabbed the pump. I was now thinking that he was one of a different version of one of those bums who will wash your window when you don't want them to, then expect money.
I told him that's okay, I'll get it.... and he looked at me like I was from mars. He then explained the law to me. He said it's a heavy fine if you are caught pumping your own gas. I cant remember the fine..... $5000.00 or something?
I asked him why it is that Oregon has this law, and he said something along the lines of "trust me, you don't want most people trying to pump their own gas. I saw one person pump gas all over the roof of their car once". Yeah, sure you did I thought.
When he was done, I was wondering if I was supposed to tip him, or what. It was awkward, but after a couple of days I got used to it yet hated it.
Some of the places I went to had only one pump jockey trying to handle about 5-10 cars. More than a few times I sat in front of a pump either waiting for some moron to pump the gas, or I was sitting with the pump sticking out of the car, having completed pumping, and waiting for the guy to come take payment. For me, it was just a pain in the arse.
I guess if you live there it just becomes normal, but for me it was irritating and seemed like really sensless.
-
If you're ever in a situation where you feel you're waiting for the attendent, just do what I do.
Hop out and begin the process of fueling.
It's like rubbing a genie lamp, you'll get assistance immediately.
-
So do you have to pay the guy or not?
What can possibly be so bad about pumping it yourself? Not that id mind having someone do it tho. At most marinas here there is a kid doing it during the summer holidays, but thats just extra service and kinda practical. You can hold the boat in while he fills it up. He also runs for icecream or whatever if you want that.
-
It's the same thing in Jersey.
It was done to create jobs in the local economies.
-
No tips, and amazingly, our gas is cheaper than CA and OR.
-
If its free extra service then it sounds great!
-
What's the fine if you are caught pumping it yourself? I thought the guy told me 5k.
-
I don't know if it has ever been enforced. Also, motorcyclists can fuel themselves.
-
Originally posted by lasersailor184
It's the same thing in Jersey.
It was done to create jobs in the local economies.
Correct. And while its sometimes a pain to pump it yourself. I dont at all mind it when its pouring rain or, like now winter is comming on.
Some places here even still will do your windows and chaeck your oil for ya
-
Another crazy law to create minimum wage jobs. I once read of a proposal in NYC that required every building over 5 or 10 (can't remember exactly)stories to have an elevator operator. They said it would create over 10,000 jobs.
-
Well, it sort of creates a dependancy for people to pump the gas for you.
I go to a university in the dead center of PA. We get people from ohio, NY, Jersey, Delaware and Maryland.
It is always friggin hilarious to see the Freshmen from Jersey trying to figure out how to pump their own gas into the cars. They stand there like a monkey doing a math problem.
-
I always hate gassing up in portland. It never fails, I get out of my car and stand there.....everyone looking at me.
-
Times change, I remember my parents & older driving siblings being incensed that they actually had to get out and pump their own gas at them new-fangled self serve stations.
-
The last time I took my Buick to a full-serve station, the teenage kid pumping gas couldn't even find the gas cap without help.
I wouldn't mind full-serve stations if the pump jockeys weren't usually careless idiots who spill gas all over. Dad always went to full-serve stations. Every one of his cars that I can remember had ruined/bubbled paint below the fuel door.
Booz--I remember my dad saying the same sort of things. He hated self-serve. As noted though, his cars always had that strip of ruined paint....none of mine have.
J_A_B
-
When I was a kid most of the stations were full serve. Some of them had self-serve pumps, cost like 5 cents per gallon less or something like that. Not much, but enough to make people want to do it themselves. As time went on, finding a station that kept full service pumps got harder and harder. Most of them went out of business. Or just changed to self-serve. That was the reason given originally for the Jersey law, was to SAVE jobs not to create them. I worked part time in a gas station for awhile, and you'd be surprised just how many people cant figure out how to operate a simple gas pump. I'm not talking the credit card readers either, I mean figuring out how to lift a handle and pump gas. Especially elderly people. I think the time is coming around again for full service fuel stations. I've seen several here, and they do a very nice business. The key I think, is having people who know how to at least act like they know what they are doing, and have some professionalism about little things like not spilling gas all over the place. The positions pay a little better than the minimum wage cashiers, because those people are what make a full service station competitive in a place where gas is so expensive.
-
There's a full service station in Scottsdale that is like a 50's throwback. It's small, has four old pumps and a small garage. They seem to always be busy.
I don't know if they charge more or not, but probably do.
-
Originally posted by NUKE
What's the fine if you are caught pumping it yourself? I thought the guy told me 5k.
As long as you do it in the privacy of your own home I don't see the harm.
-
Originally posted by SOB
Yep, I definitely prefer sitting on my kiester in my warm car while my vehicle gets fueled up. ;)
Heh, you better lie back and enjoy it because it's going to happen anyway.
I spy with my little eye something that starts with "C".....that's right, a freaking pinko.
-
Originally posted by Thrawn
.....that's right, a freaking pinko.
Are you calling SOB ambiguously gay? I mean c'mon Mr. Obvious.....hello.
-
I'm part of the Red Queer Conspiracy!
-
don't get him started...
;)
-
Originally posted by NUKE
I don't know if they charge more or not...
Couple that with ...
Originally posted by NUKE
There's a full service station in Scottsdale...
...and I'd be shocked if they didn't charge you for the privilege of buying Scottsdale gas. :p
-
lol Jigsaw......I guess you know Scottsdale. ;)