Some Oregonians know how to pump their own gas

whitedog

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2004
Location
Bend, Oregon
TDI
2004 Jetta that I fill by myself
Apparently there has been some internet chatter about some Oregonians freaking out about "having to pump their own gas"

Well, I have lived in Oregon from my first memories and I'm not freaking out, rather, I'm laughing with everyone at these people. The new law only effects the least populated counties and the people in the least populated counties are man enough to pump their own. Yes, even the ladies are man enough to pump their own.

The facebook thingy that started it all was in a county that isn't affected so the people that were replying probably won't even have to worry about it. I think that just goes to show how much they are paying attention to what is going on.

That being said, I have talked to a bunch of people that are perfectly capable of pumping their own, but they just don't want to. That's a big Whiskey Tango Foxtrot there. I prefer to get out and chat with the attendant and maybe even pop my hood. If it's my Jetta, I always pump my own and top it off as I wish. If it's my (gasser) service truck, the attendant is happy to let me do it because it fills so slow I have to trickle it in so I just free them up to handle their business elsewhere.

I guess I'm just a bit different -OK ALOT different- but I feel like if I sit in my car while someone else pumps my gas, it's like I am trying to feel superior to them and look down on them. When I get out and help - even if it's just opening the fuel door - I'm relating to them and treating them as an equal, not some super S.N.O.B. that feels others should cater to me.

That being said, if I travel out of state, I always fumble when it comes time to pay. If I use a credit card, that's simple, but what about cash? And what if I only want a certain amount? But even though I may struggle with those rare situations, guess what? I figure it out!

A question for all of you in the other 48 states, how does someone that actually needs help, get help? Like if someone has severe trouble getting out of their car, how do they get someone to come out and help? I'm honestly curious about this and not trying to be a Jackhat.

If you want a good laugh, dig up some of the responses. One guy said he had to fuel up in CA. and almost died. OMG, seriously? I bet now there will be people in the other 48 looking for Oregon plates at the gas station and playing games with them. Like watching for when they put the nozzle in the tank then run over saying, "STOP!!!" If you do this - and I hope someone does - let us know how it goes, or better yet, get it on video. Or walk over calmly and ask in your best kindergarten teacher voice, "Do you need help with that?"
 

Trade Wind

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2016
Location
Minnesota
TDI
RIP 2012 Passat SE 6 spd MT
In MN, a few stations will still pump your gas if you pull up to the right pump. Mostly your small town, old fashion garage and gas pump stations, like the Mobil station in my town. I've seen a few old ladies do that, especially when it's extremely cold. But it is rare that a driver would not be willing and able to pump his own gas. In the rare case a driver needs help, he can push an intercom button on the pump and the attendant from inside the station can talk and help if needed.

Last year I flew to Portland to buy a TDI to flip. Before leaving to drive back home, I stopped for fuel, and an attendant came running out towards me. I had no idea what the heck was going on. Then he said, oh, I could go ahead and fill up since it was diesel. At that point I thought he was pulling my leg, or more likely, crazy. I went inside to pay, we chatted and he explained the Oregon law. I left still not quite sure if the guy was kidding me or what. Up until then, I had no idea there were states that prevented a driver from pumping his own gas…
 
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Tdijarhead

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Joined
Nov 10, 2013
Location
Lawrenceville PA
TDI
2003 TDI Jetta Daughters Car, 2001 TDI Beetle, Wife’s car, 2005 Golf TDI Mine, all 5 spds
There are a couple of stations around here that offer full service, and many of their customers are older, women or handicapped, folks who cannot or prefer not to pump their own. Other stations say they offer help, for the handicapped or if you want it, but I’m not sure how you let the attendants know, cell phone maybe?

New Jersey is the other state that mandates a professional pump executive.:). I’ve never been to Oregon, and not to New Jersey since the law took effect so I’ve had no experience in either state.
 

oilhammer

Certified Volkswagen Nut & Vendor
Joined
Dec 11, 2001
Location
outside St Louis, MO
TDI
There are just too many to list....
I could not imagine NOT being able to do this myself. Silly, but I think it would drive me crazy letting someone near my car with a metal pump nozzle.

There are a few full service stations around I'm sure, but they are a vanishing thing. I would imagine that handicapped people know where they can go to get someone to pump their own gas. The places I go do have a sign I think that says to honk or something for an attendant, but usually these places have one person inside at that time. Maybe sometimes they have an extra person that can go out and help.

I honestly don't know how anyone grounded in reality can deal with some of the crazy nonsense stuff on the left coast. You guys must have to smile and grit your teeth a lot.
 

whitedog

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2004
Location
Bend, Oregon
TDI
2004 Jetta that I fill by myself
You guys must have to smile and grit your teeth a lot.
It helps to live in the right part of the left coast. I think the rain on that side of the state gives them a soggy brain.

To not WANT to pump your own, I can understand even if I don't agree with it. The ones that make me smile and grit my teeth are the ones freaking out thinking the world will end or that it's dangerous.
 

oilhammer

Certified Volkswagen Nut & Vendor
Joined
Dec 11, 2001
Location
outside St Louis, MO
TDI
There are just too many to list....
We have a company here that opened a location near us but they are based out of California. They have BBQs all the time up at their location, because it is something forbidden in CA. They point out the irony of BBQs being banned while half the state is on fire. Good group of folks, although they do still dress funny. :p Make good BBQ though!
 

Lightflyer1

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Joined
Sep 13, 2005
Location
Round Rock, Texas
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2015 Beetle tdi dsg
How do these few people think the rest of the country gets along with pumping their own fuel? Some state passes a law that says it is unsafe to pump your own fuel yet millions upon millions of others do it everyday without a mishap.
 

ezshift5

Veteran Member
Joined
Sep 2, 2003
Location
West Coast
TDI
2013 JSW TDI (Enroute BB).......2017 Jetta 1.4 turbo 5M ....................
I recall an Oregon fuel stop near Bend. Weatherbeaten dude came out - into the impressive cold as I donned my circa WWII foul weather jacket - and as he pumped we spoke.

Told me he was a Navy aerographer at one time. I mentioned I should have indicated my wagon is diesel earlier. He got it - continued to pump and we talked about the weather.

After all, he was once an Aerographer's Mate on an aircraft carrier.

I probably enjoyed our chat more than he did. (He was not wearing a warm green jacket with "USN" on the front).

Nice guy (but he'd rather been inside in front of the heater)



ez
 
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pdq import repair

Veteran Member
Joined
Nov 6, 2016
Location
idaho
TDI
09 Jetta
In Oregon, till now it has been illegal to pump your own gas. I have had many irate attendants confront me for trying and probably don't like my advice as they pump my fuel for me.
I see no logic in the law and now at least in lesser populated areas you can pump your own there.
Around here I am not sure I could find one place in town that will pump for you regularly. Some manned stores do have signs that tell you to sound your horn if you need help and they will come out and help handicapped people if needed. Hell around here other patrons will gladly help someone that needs it.
I like most other able bodied people would rather do it themselves.
I do remember the full service stations of old where the attendant would fill you car and wash your windshield and check your oil. I started my career working in such a place and washed a lot of windshields and checked oil and air if requested. Self service cut rate stations became immediately popular from the start and the old fashioned gas stations slowly disappeared.
 

oilhammer

Certified Volkswagen Nut & Vendor
Joined
Dec 11, 2001
Location
outside St Louis, MO
TDI
There are just too many to list....
How do these few people think the rest of the country gets along with pumping their own fuel? Some state passes a law that says it is unsafe to pump your own fuel yet millions upon millions of others do it everyday without a mishap.

Yep, and lots of us use WD40 every day too without cancer taking hold. But California says different. :p
 

Bunce1260

Member
Joined
Dec 18, 2017
Location
Oregon
TDI
TDI
I moved to Oregon a little over 2 years ago. The first time I started gassing up I got shouted at. I had no idea you weren't allowed to pump your own gas, what an absurd law. Now, occasionally I like it, like when the rain is sideways but for the most part it's bloody annoying. 8 times out of 10 I have to sit around and wait for the attendant to get to me and my car. I wish they'd just get rid of this annoying law all over the state. They will still need someone to man the register inside so I don't think too many jobs will be lost because of it, and that seems to be the main reason for keeping it.
 

Mark_J

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Deer Park, Washington
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2015 TDI Passat SEL Premium, 2017 Fiat Spider, 2017 Ford F350 6.7 Diesel crew cab PU, 2016 Harley Trike, 2016 Tesla Model X P90D (I know went to the dark side)
When I ride the Harley into Oregon, they would rather have me pump my own gas. Not sure if the law allows it, but I have been told by several gas station attendants that they never pump gas into a motorcycle unless asked to, but they are very seldom asked. I do agree with the above post, it seems to be a silly law, and not people in rural areas can pump their own gas, but not in the cities???? Makes no sense to me. The rural folks are more safer pumping their own gas over the city folks. Oh well, the politicians have way too much time on their hands.
 

KLXD

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Joined
Aug 22, 2009
Location
Lompoc, CA
TDI
'98, '2 Jettas
I remember my first trip through Oregon when I ignorantly started pumping fuel. At least the attendant wasn't rude about my faux pas.

Now I make sure I'm full before entering. My Dodge can make it across on one tank. I wonder how much tax revenue they loose on guys like me.
 

Fahrvegnugen

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Joined
Jan 21, 2017
Location
Burlington Vt
TDI
01 golf 1.9 alh gls silver
The law is because the unemployment rate un Oregon is f****d. People need paying jobs. The nice thing about it is when you pull up in your mb to the biodiesel specialist and get to chatting. I like it when my windscreen is cleaned. At a self service station the dam squeegee well is dry or the squeegee is damaged or no where to be found. I didn’t worry about nimrod with a nozzle near the Benz, but always did check to see I was free and clear before take off. I don’t miss the stories of driving away with the fueling pump.
 

Lightflyer1

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Joined
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Location
Round Rock, Texas
TDI
2015 Beetle tdi dsg
How much do they pay a flunky for fueling a vehicle? They couldn't get some other unskilled job that actually paid them? Do they actually do anything other than fill the tank? Do they do it well or just pretend?
 

pdq import repair

Veteran Member
Joined
Nov 6, 2016
Location
idaho
TDI
09 Jetta
It is a silly law, I don't want some careless idiot chipping paint or leaving my gascap off. Plus I like to get that extra gallon of fuel you can pump in if you spoon feed it at the last.
 

BleachedBora

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Location
Gresham, Oregon
TDI
'81 DMC-12, '15 GL350 CDI 275 hp/448 tq - '81 Caddy CJAA, '05 E320 CDI 250hp/450 tq, '23 ID4 AWD Pro S Plus
How much do they pay a flunky for fueling a vehicle? They couldn't get some other unskilled job that actually paid them? Do they actually do anything other than fill the tank? Do they do it well or just pretend?
Minimum wage. They tend to do fine, some of them dribble but by and by it's not an issue. That being said I only own one gas car so I don't see it all the time, but I don't hear much complaining.

I love the "it's the law, no topping off" stickers at all the pumps too. Nice to ignore them when I'm pumping diesel. :)
 

hey_allen

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Nov 25, 2006
Location
Altus, OK
TDI
2000 Jetta TDI
I was a little annoyed when visiting in Oregon this last weekend, since though it was a small town, the county was large enough that they still wanted to pump fuel, and it just wasn't worth fighting them over the diesel=/=gasoline and trying to pump my own.

The pump jockey did know his MK4 diesels, and was commenting on the ventectomy option, but then even after offering to top it off, managed to stop a good bit short.
 

ezshift5

Veteran Member
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Sep 2, 2003
Location
West Coast
TDI
2013 JSW TDI (Enroute BB).......2017 Jetta 1.4 turbo 5M ....................
It is a silly law, I don't want some careless idiot chipping paint or leaving my gascap off. Plus I like to get that extra gallon of fuel you can pump in if you spoon feed it at the last.
I could not agree more. Years ago - in addition to my trusty VW a/c 1600cc bug - I had a Corvette.

I stopped at a 76 - an eager attendant rushed out (we no longer see this).

After my "Hi-octane" request, he began fueling - using the pumps auto-stop function.

He then headed toward my windshield with spray bottle/paper towels in hand.

Then the fuel hose popped out.

Copious Hi-octane covered the Corvette's top rear section.

The manager ran out, the kid was mortified, apologies were made and this sailor learned a life-long lesson.

Times - we all know - have changed. But I sure recall the lesson.



ez
 

MichaelB

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Aug 11, 2009
Location
SE Wisconsin
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2014 Passat SE DSG
For all you youngsters out there..........When I was a child and a young man there was no such thing as a self-serve gas station. You pulled into the station and an attendant came out and asked you what you wanted premium or regular. Then they filled your tank or if you said give me 5 bucks worth that is what you got. The attendant would then proceed to wash your windows open the hood and check your oil......show you the dipstick. Take your cash or oil company credit card bring back the receipt all while you sat in the comfort of your car. When fuel prices skyrocketed in the 70's ( before many of you smug complainers were born) the cost-cutting method was to institute self-serve fueling. (cut out the attendant) Many, many (most)people complained about have to pump their own fuel. In today's world, you guy's are complaining about not being able to pump your own. WOW! Gulf Oil ads on the tv at that time taughted how fast they could attend to the customer. No matter what is put in place someone will always complain. What goes around comes around eh!
 
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MichaelB

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Aug 11, 2009
Location
SE Wisconsin
TDI
2014 Passat SE DSG
For the "aerial"
The little orange ball on your arial and then the two horseshoes to stick on your bumper.....ez when I drove an AC VW bug I didn't have the means to own a Corvette, so I never worried about some kid spilling gas on my prize possession.
 

Tdijarhead

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Joined
Nov 10, 2013
Location
Lawrenceville PA
TDI
2003 TDI Jetta Daughters Car, 2001 TDI Beetle, Wife’s car, 2005 Golf TDI Mine, all 5 spds
I remember the attendant walking around with a big wad of cash, peeling off change from the wad or fishing in his little cash apron for the coins. As a kid that just fascinated me.
 

aja8888

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Joined
Dec 25, 2007
Location
Texas..RETIRED 12/31/17
TDI
Out of TDI's
I was in California this week and paid $3.67/gallon for 86 octane. For THAT kind of money, someone NEEDS to pump my gas. But, alas, I had to do the deed myself.:(

(D2 was over $4.00/gal and crude oil is $60/BBL - go figure).:confused:
 
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