Self Serve / Pump Your Own and My Changing Opinion....

I have never had any problems with stations topping off since the law banning topping off went into effect,

I have also never had Oregon attendants do any of the somewhat risky things when filling gas cans, which I see at times when I travel out of state, such as filling inappropriate containers, filling while holding a can in the hands, etc.

At least the attendants have some training. It creates jobs, it keeps me out of the rain and keeps my hands from smelling like petrol.

And, regarding topping off, the law is in place for safety,mechanical and environmental reasons. In my case, the attendants all seem to observe it. But, in a self-serve system, it will be back to a bunch of yahoo motorists squeezing the pump to put in a buck or two more.

Each time the gasoline lobby tries to change the law, it gets knocked down. Oregonians do not want self-serve for the most part.

 

You're dealing with low wage workers who don't give a rat's nice person about your issue. Unless you stand there while they're pumping, you'll probably get topped off.

 

must be the stations I frequent. Usually the attendants are 18-ish, friendly, willing to chat, not sullen, but also pretty much on the run as the stations nowadays (did not used to be the case) seem to hire two less attendants than are actually needed.

So, they are on the run. They don't want to spend the time standing there forcing an extra gallon in the tank. When it clicks off, they run up, remove the nozzle back, ask if I need a receipt, cap the tank, shut the fuel door and are off to the next six cars.

 

Exactly my point, which is why I wonder where you are buying gasoline. When they are not forcing extra gasoline in the tank, are they reading from a book of sonnets? It is seldom I see any station in my area where the attendants have any spare time.

 

I go into NJ from time to time. With most stations charging less for cash, they'll regularly top off to the nearest quarter or dollar.

I don't care for the no self serve because one time I was outside of the car I saw the attendant spill the last bit of gas in the nozzle down the side of my car. It wasn't much, but it quickly adds up if a regular occurance.

 

i prefer to have someone else pump mine, but if i have to, i will.

 

Coquitlam is a little "island of Oregon", pretty much THE holdout in all of BC, where you can't do your own fillup. In 25+ years we've been here, think I've bought Coquitlam gas twice.

Once we were walking by the Esso in our neighbourhood, saw gas gushing out, the nozzle locked on and unattended. Down the side of the car, across the lot to the storm drain, wending it's way to the nearby stream.

Five minutes later, walking back, it was still still going. Just about then an attendant came out, did a double-take and started running towards it.

Yeah not a fan.

 

Pump attendants are extinct in UK. RIP.

 

Imagine this process separate from its history. Just what the thing is.

A large storage tank of highly flammable (explosive vapors) organic solvent in a public place. Attached to a motorized pump. Freely accessible to the public (with no training, of any age) without direct supervision.

I guess I can buy a flamethrower, in many states, but that gives me just a few liters to play with. This whole thing is kicked up several notches. Seems amazing that horrible incidents are as rare as they are.

 

Here's Ronnie...

 

In-laws live in Oregon.

Big thing I hear complaints about is "having to wait" for an attendant to pump the gas when in Oregon.

I have had to wait a minute or two sometimes when I visit. No big deal, rather wait a bit than hassle with it myself.

Unfortunately -- or perhaps fortunately -- my life is not so tightly wound that a minute or two extra at the pump is going to ruin my day.

And, Mendel, what year did that gusher take place. With the auto-shut-offs I can't see that being an issue nowdays, or any more of an issue than when the car owner at a self-serve sticks in the nozzle and heads off to the restroom.

 

Self serves can't be locked in on position AFAIK. But this full serve apparently could, to facilitate one or two employee running around with 5 or 6 customers. I'd guesstimate the occurence was 1995?

 

Well, it might be a Canadian vs. USA thing. Some self-serve stations have removed the various hooks that enable you to let go of the nozzle while the tank continues to fill with gasoline. At least in my experience across the Western United States.

But, most of them still have the various devices that allow you to "set the flow" and let go. Me, I set it on, let go, but stand next to the car and when the auto-shut-off turns off the pump, I am done. Lots of people leave though and go off to buy beer and use the restrooms.


All the Oregon stations I have been in, the attendants set the nozzle, leave, nozzle clicks off from the auto-shut-off, attendant comes back, removes nozzle, puts back cap and you drive away.

In other words, I think it is a legal requirement in the USA for auto-shut-off. If it is not, it should be.

BUT WAIT --

They all HAVE auto-shut-off here in the USA. That's what turns the pump off when you are holding it by hand and it clicks off.

 

This is starting to resemble the thread:
National Theft Search and Recovery -Identity Theft Recovery Service | Page 5 | PriusChat

Next we will be arguing the dangers of filling your tank from a gasoline can.

All-in-all, maybe there is NO SUPER DUPER real reason to keep the NO SELF-SERVE law, other than to keep Oregon Weird. And for those of us who love her, that is reason enough. Sorry, Mendel, caught you coming out of the Dollar Store....

 

They all auto-shutoff here too. Theoretically.

 

should we have attendants at plug in stations?