When should Oregonians be allowed to pump own gas?
SALEM, Ore. - Should you be able to pump your gas in the event of a natural disaster?
That's the proposal working its way through the Oregon Senate.
The proposal would life the prohibition on pumping your own gas in the event of a state of emergency requiring a mandatory evacuation.
In such an emergency, like a major storm or earthquake, motorists would be allowed to pump their own gasoline.
Why on earth would you want to pump your own gas??? It doesn't cost any extra because there isn't a self-serve option. All you have to do is sit there and let someone else do it for you, you don't even have to get out of your car, get gas all over yourself, or walk inside to pay. We have it made here in Oregon, and let's not forget about the tens of thousands of jobs the service provides our state and its communities. Emergencies.....like when have we ever had one of those that would actually necessitate me pumping gas?!?!?!? Ludicrous waste of time and resources to propose this to OR Senate when our state has many more important things to focus on!!!
@ronxmckernan You're asking the wrong question... why on earth are you restricted by law from putting gasoline into your own car??? Yes, all you have to do is sit there and sometimes sit and sit and sit waiting for the attendant to get to you when you could have been on your way. This archaic law should be taken off the books, not just during emergencies but always.
@ronxmckernan I pumped my own gas for a decade and never got it all over myself. =/ I can also pay at the pump just the same as they can.Â
@PleaseBeSmart@ronxmckernan "all over myself" is perhaps hyperbole, but I do think that I find myself in need of an extra trip to the restroom to wash my hands, if not for the gas smell, then for the grease created in the pumping process. My main point though is that making this proposal to the Senate is a giant waste of time and resources. This law refers to a situation that I have never, in nearly 40 years, found myself in and doubt if I ever will. Besides, if there were really an emergency of the magnitude that would require evacuation, I don't think anyone would be very concerned about who was pumping gasoline and whether or not it was legal.
Depending on the location, individual company policies, ect. People should have a choice no matter what there driving. Ive had many a spendy paint job ruined. And most places seem to let you if you say the guy down the street will then. Its just the state could fine that station and that is BS.
I think it is wonderful for the public, terrible for the jobs.Â
strange law not being able to pump your own gas - it is not rocket science - even a 5th grader can do it. no special skills required
I should add that logical safety is required as in no smoking - stop your engine - pay attention to static electricity - yes static can spark and be a problem - these are the standards in 48 states - after living here for a while and seeing the general population here - maybe it is rocket science to them.
Being from one of the other 48 states that aren't completely loony toons, it drive me freakin CRAZY that I can't pump my own gas. I don't like handing over my debit card. I don't trust them to ALWAYS put in 92 octane or higher. I hate waiting and can do it myself way faster. It's really just the point of the thing.The state needs to butt out and leave it up to the individual businesses. And the jobs argument makes no sense... should we make other things illegal that people are perfectly capable of doing for themselves for the sake of jobs creation? Should it be illegal to carry your own groceries out to your car as well?
@PleaseBeSmart In a plastic bag it is. There's another one that is idiotic not to leave up to businesses.
Frank Zappa - Wind Up Working In A Gas StationÂ
This here song might offend you some
If it does, it's because you're dumb
That's the way it is where I come from
If you've been there too, let me see your thumb
Let me see your thumb
(Ah, let me see your thumb)
Let me see your thumb
(Ah, let me see your thumb)
Let me see your thumb
(Ah, let me see your thumb)
Let me see your thumb
(Ah, let me see your thumb)
Let me see your thumb
(Ah, let me see your thumb)
Let me see your thumb
(Ah, let me see your thumb)
Let me see your thumb
(Ah, let me see your thumb)
Let me see your thumb
(Ah, let me see your thumb)
Show me your thumb if you're really dumb
Show me your thumb if you're really dumb
Show me your thumb if you're really dumb
Show me your thumb if you're dumb
Hey now, better make a decision
Be a moron and keep your position
You oughta know now all your education
Won't help you no-how, you're gonna . . .
Wind up workin' in a gas station
Wind up workin' in a gas station
Wind up workin' in a gas station
Wind up workin' in a gas station
Pumpin' the gas every night
Pumpin' the gas every night
Wind up workin' in a gas station
Wind up workin' in a gas station
Pumpin' the gas every night
Pumpin' the gas every night
Wind up workin' in a gas station
Wind up workin' in a gas station
Manny de Camper vants to buy some vite
(Wind up workin' in a gas station
Wind up workin' in a gas station)
(Fish!)
Manny de Camper vants to buy some vite
(Wind up workin' in a gas station
Wind up workin' in a gas station)
(Fish!)
Manny de Camper vants to buy some vite
(Wind up workin' in a gas station
Wind up workin' in a gas station)
(Fish!)
Manny de Camper vants to buy some vite
(Wind up workin' in a gas station
Wind up workin' in a gas station)
(Fish!)
Wind up workin' in a gas station
Wind up workin' in a gas station
Wind up workin' in a gas station
Wind up workin' in a gas station
There are many reasons why this state and the state of New Jersey, should continue with the status quo . Mainly there are safety issues . Please Do Talk On Your Cellular telephone as you are pumping your gasoline . Also it is a great idea to smoke your cigarette as you are pumping . Great idea to leave your vehicle running . Yes your clothes smell like fumes when the splash guard fails to protect you from the over spill, you friends at the opera sitting in your box will love you even more, gasoline jockey . There are other reasons as well, but more importantly the darn stuff is toxic by way of inhaling, spills onto your skin . Not yet convinced, then go ahead and displace more workers that are wage earners, and taxpayers .
@Arthur Lee Davis What safety issues??? What nonsense. The other 48 states have been allowing people to put gas in their own cars for decades without massive safety problems. This archaic law should be taken off the books at all times, not just during emergencies. Why not pass a law to have to hire people to dig holes and then fill them up again just to create jobs with no purpose? Give me a break.
It (pumping your own gas) works fine in Arizona - and gas is much cheaper there too. Oregon is controlled by a syndicate and always has been.
Meanwhile, back to the actual story, I see the logic in the idea. The attendants would need to evacuate too. Although I doubt anyone would be arrested for pumping their own gas in a true emergency.Â
@umpqua rafter If the attendants are evacuated, the thing probably is shut down...due to lack of electricy if for no other reason, like the owner is also evacuated. I, for one, am perfectly willing to assume that the gas station police (are there some? earning PERS wages?) will not be at any stations which happen to be open citing whoever.Â
I like the fact that jobs are provided for someone. I would like to pump my own gas too, but my wife doesn't and I understand that. The old argument that it would make gas cheaper doesn't fly either, just cross into Washington or California, both of which are self serve, and their prices are usually higher. Unemployment in Oregon is way too high as it is, let's not make it worse.
Currently motorcyclists can pump thier own, and of course, if you are using a "card-Lock" station.
Should be pretty straight-forward. It's the gas station lobby groups that have resisted, claiming loss of jobs.
I don't see why we can't all the time in the first place? How many other states allow self-serve?......Exactly! Being from a self-serve state, there is nothing more frustrating than pulling up to a pump and sitting there waiting on someone forever to pump my gas when I know that I'm 110% capable of doing it myself!
How about any time we want to?