Don't Linger At Fuel Pumps!

[murphysranch]

I'm sadly (or maybe not due to the above stories) in a state when we cannot pump our own gas.

 

[Scooterfan]

"it wasn't a good day..." ? Sometimes we have those! That's when you thank the Almighty and say "so be it..." A new day is just ahead. Ha...had one of those yesterday. Thanks Neal for sharing that story. I got more out of it than you probably intended.

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

I'm sadly (or maybe not due to the above stories) in a state when we cannot pump our own gas.

Fortunately, we can pump our own diesel in Oregon, however.

TJ

 

[FL-JOE]

Many of us learn through online communities and social networking. Many also do not participate in any of the above and get an RV and don't have the opportunity to learn from others as we do. Yes, it would be a very fine line to attempt to talk to someone. If not receptive, back away immediately. It all depends on how you approach them. Compliment their RV, be friendly, then follow with "hey, you moron...did you know..."

Sorry Neil, can't agree with that line of thinking on this one. A newbee RVer with a 38' pusher has to realize when he pulls into the truck lanes that are 2 and 3 deep with big rigs waiting to fuel that it is just like a regular busy gas station.......get your fuel and move on.

I'm the first one to try to help a new RVer when I see them doing something wrong. On the other hand I'm not patient enough to try to deal with someone what is just rude or has zero consideration for others.

I think sometimes we tend to forget that not all RVers are laid back semi-retired or retired easy going folks. There are actually a lot of regular butt wipes who decide to head out across the country in an RV also.

 

[murphysranch]

Fortunately, we can pump our own diesel in Oregon, however.

TJ

I didn't know that. Our Costco has diesel and I've never seen anyone do the pumping but the attendants.

 

[DKRITTER]

I didn't know that. Our Costco has diesel and I've never seen anyone do the pumping but the attendants.

Not in Texas. We are self Service.

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

I didn't know that. Our Costco has diesel and I've never seen anyone do the pumping but the attendants.

A few years back, Oregon changed its laws to make self-service pumping of “Class I Flammable Liquids” (which includes gasoline) a county option. Most of the west-side counties opted to continue prohibiting self-serve pumping of gasoline. That covers about 1/3 of the state; the remainder now allows self-serve pumping.

Notice that the law specifically prohibits self-serve pumping of “Class I Flammable Liquids.” Diesel is a Class II flammable liquid and, in Oregon, it has never been illegal to self-serve pump it. That hasn’t prevented some fuel stations from either requiring attendant-pumping of diesel as “company policy,” or attempting to convince customers that the state requires it. In many case, I think this is primarily a way to keep fuel prices higher than they would be with self-serve.

We have never been required to have an attendant pump diesel for us in Oregon, though some have offered. We rarely get fuel at other than truck stops (to ensure that it is uncontaminated) and prefer to fuel our coach ourselves.

TJ

 

[Germanrazor]

Just look around, the world has lost it’s mind! People are narcissistic and only care of themselves. If more would practice the be good to your neighbor, what Jesus taught us, it would turn around in a heartbeat. God help us because we are in a spiral downward and going to crash and burn! I call these people Jackwagons and A$$clowns!

 

[sealab2021]

Costco fueling is like this. You have at least 5 minutes while you’re waiting in line to fish your member card and payment card out of your wallet. It doesn’t surprise me much any more where the people get out and have to search for their payment cards and take forever. It’s like some people are in a world of their own. I have even seen people sit in their car for several minutes at the pump and not getting out of the way so other people can fuel. It’s unbelievable. How did these people make it this far in life? Honestly.

 

[Jim]

A few years back, Oregon changed its laws to make self-service pumping of “Class I Flammable Liquids” (which includes gasoline) a county option. Most of the west-side counties opted to continue prohibiting self-serve pumping of gasoline. That covers about 1/3 of the state; the remainder now allows self-serve pumping.

TJ

I lived in Oregon for a few years back in the late 70's and early 80's and I never understood why it was illegal to pump my own gas. Sill don't. So I looked it up. For those who don't know, here is the answer. . .

Oregon is one of only 2 states that has laws against people pumping their own gas (New Jersey is the other). Oregon first put these rules into place back in 1951. At this time, lawmakers decided that only trained service station workers should be able to pump their own gas. (More info here) This made more sense at that time, since most states had similar rules. Gas station pumps didn’t have all of the safety features they do today. Pumps were also more complicated than an average person was prepared to use. For context, if you were dialing long-distance on your phone during this time you would speak to an operator and someone would physically connect you.

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

Ahhh, “the good ol’ days, @Jim! Personal service was good; “Mabel, how’s your day going? Would you please ring Charlie over at the grocery store for me? Thanks.”

TJ

 

[bpaikman]

Can't say anything here!!! I can already feel my blood pressure rising.

?

 

[bpaikman]

Your point is well made, @Neal, but we’ve become a bit circumspect about trying to “educate” people that appear to lack societal awareness and common sense. Their reaction is sometimes pretty unpredictable and we’d prefer to just find another pump and let the next big-rig driver “educate” them. It will probably be a more effective “teaching moment” than this ol’ dinosaur could muster.

It doesn’t take a genius to understand that fueling lanes are for...well, you know...fueling. Anyone who fails to grasp that simple fact is probably not a candidate for a PhD in truck-stop etiquette anyway.

YMMV

TJ

My thoughts exactly. I have tried exactly twice in my life to nicely educate someone, only to find out they knew exactly what they doing and got myself vulgarly cussed out. It’s like they do it on purpose, HOPING to find some easy target like me to bully and try to intimidate. I just walk away.

 

[Chuggs]

I guess they need a station referee. Asks them to promptly dispense fuel. Asks them to move up and they have a 15 minute timer or their rig will be booted. $200 fine to have it removed. Then the lines would keep moving.

Airport ticket vehicles that aren’t picking up or dropping off. Sit there for more than a few minutes...and you will be asked to depart the loading area or be ticketed.

I always keep fingers crossed that I am lucky and find a completely unoccupied lane when I arrive. Yeah...in my dream.

 

[MapNerd]

Experiencing first hand this afternoon that this is a two way street as I sit behind a semi that is not fueling and the driver is nowhere to be found. Wouldn’t be so bad if 3 of the 8 stalls weren’t closed for what looks like pressure washing while three semis that are not fueling block the lanes!

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Experiencing first hand this afternoon that this is a two way street as I sit behind a semi that is not fueling and the driver is nowhere to be found. Wouldn’t be so bad if 3 of the 8 stalls weren’t closed for what looks like pressure washing while three semis that are not fueling block the lanes!

Don't think the spirit of this post is only an RV thing. It is a driver thing, and modern day upbringing. I would rather that all the players pulled from the top of the deck.

 

[STANDERSON]

We were at Costco and someone decided they had to turn around and back into the pump. Everyone was yelling at them and waving their arms for her to stop. She was oblivious.

 

[Loose Cannon]

Folks, I think we all miss what would really work in this situation. He/She may be a new RVer as we all once were. I remember to this day pulling into my first truck stop (TA) at night. It was unnerving with all the noise and hustle. Go up to them and be educational and explain the etiquette of truck stop fueling. Explain how it is our goal as RVers to not tie up the pump lanes any longer than needed. Explain that you should fuel up first and move forward to the yellow line or even better, go park in the larger parking area to tidy up as needed. A friendly conversation can go a long way and help people understand what we're all expecting and how trucker's need to get in and out of there as they have limited duty days. We are all quick to hate and short to educate and be kind. And don't forget to tell them about RVForums.com

I'm an over-the-road trucker, and I truly appreciate your approach! You're right, we are limited in the hours we can drive and earn a living. Quite often, every minute really does count! Thank you!?

 

[Old Bubblehead]

You can't control how people act, but you can control your response.

I pump as fast as possible, and move along quickly. I interact with the other customers (mostly truckers) when they are inclined to do so. I know they are working and being monitored for outages.

I lock to door to the coach when I step out, DW watches cameras. We have had some pan handling occur on stops and we keep our guard high.

 

[STANDERSON]

There are two different types.

1. The one who see you, does their business, and moves away the pump so you can get in and fill up. They usually smile and wave.
2. The one who see you, does their business, walks by you to go into the store and spend 1/2 hour shopping while blocking the pump. They usually ask "If that yours?" "Nope, stole it"