Getting gas today just as usual: “Fill it with regular, please.”
So this was the big day, the day when self-service at Oregon gas stations became legal for the general public.
Governor Tina Kotek signed the bill that ended the state’s ban on fuel self-service after 72 years. The bill took effect as soon as the governor signed it this morning.
If you went to get gas this afternoon, did you notice any change? I didn’t. I pulled in and gave the guy my card. He filled the tank and asked if I wanted a receipt. I said yes, got the receipt, and that was that.
This particular Albany station usually has only one attendant. Because it was Friday, there were two.
Shelly Boshart Davis, R-Albany, was the chief sponsor of the bill. The law change now in effect allows but does not require station owners to offer customers the chance to pump their own gas.
Stations must still have full-service pumps, and they must have at least one person on duty to dispense fuel for customers who don’t want to pump their own.
Whether the new law will change the fuel-buying routine for many people in Oregon, I have no idea.
Around here, I’ve never had to wait long for service, even at one-attendant stations. So I don’t expect I’ll feel the need to get out and operate the gas pump very often, if ever.
But for Oregon drivers who do pump their own, even if just occasionally, at least they’ll be familiar with this little chore when they have to perform it while driving out of state. (hh)
Something I have never seen addressed with this new law. Can I pump my own gas at a full serve pump if all the other pumps are busy? If not, I predict it will be just another Oregon law gone sour.
I read somewhere that people have been observed pumping their own gas with a cigarette hanging out of the corner of their mouth! Also, when self-gas-pumpers (didn’t mean for that to sound like a flatulence joke!) make a mess, leaving gasoline all over the pavement, the station attendant has to clean it up…not the “pumper.” Also, attendants make sure customers don’t attempt to fill illegal, unsafe containers with gasoline. Just because 49 states have self-pumping gas rules, doesn’t mean Oregon has to.
So, this new law, which Kotek didn’t have the fortitude to veto, puts gas station attendants at risk of harm from some crazed person who doesn’t want to be told to follow the rules.
I grew up in a state with a self service law and worked at a store that had self service gas. It was terrible dealing with people “trying” to pumping their own gas. It is totally unsafe to allow most people to pump their own gas. Plus a lot of extra work for the employees to help them rather than just doing it for them, which we did anyway after they could not do it themselves. All this with less employees because no one was hired to pump gas. Your “not a joke” made me laugh. There are many ways to pump your own gas.” Passing” this law was one of them.
“They” claim that no one will lose their job. I am curious to see just how many do lose their jobs because of this. Way to go, put more people out of work. Yay.
I, for one, don’t want to pump gas in the cold, rain, heat or anything else. Nor do I want to go in to pay for it and get gas smell on my hands. How many other peoples germs are on those nozzles as well? Let’s just pass around whatever is going around even quicker.
Most certainly will be supporting the stations that have attendants.
It’s very simple:
1. Station are required to have an attendent to put your gas, self-service is optional. You will not have to pump your own gas.
2. The price must be the same for attend service and self-service.
Having someone pump my gas was a pleasure.
It still will be so. It’s not an option to have zero full-serve pumps at any gas station…
However, there is another issue; no attendant on duty because they can’t hire staff. I have been pumping my own gas on and off for 2 years…all because the station has been unable to hire staff. We have another problem, no one wants to work anymore. Pumping your own may not be a choice.
I dislike pumping my own gasoline, which I did before moving to Oregon. However, I’m willing to pay a surcharge for the service, if stations are allowed such an option.
I don’t understand why it is important to anyone to pump their own gas. Enjoy being waited on (and staying dry, warm, cool as the case may be) and be pleasant to your attendant/server just as you would in a fine dining restaurant. And you don’t have to tip!
LOL!
Have at it “OREGUNIANS”!
I see you dumb ass decals. Yuck!
I know how to and prefer to pump my own gas! I don’t like it when the attendant crams the nozzle into my tank – turns it on full blast – and it pukes gas everywhere! Glad we can FINALLY pump our own!!!
Upon a statistical analysis of those commenting, the consensus seems to be that folks don’t want to pump their own gas. To that end, Boshart-Davis’ bill seems to run counter to the best interests of her constituents. Once again, the GOP wants to pass legislation that makes the lives of Oregonians a bit less pleasant. What’s next? Book bans!
You missed the mark so wide it came around and bit you in the butt! Her bill gave CHOICE! You can choose to use it or not.
How kind of them to allow us to have a choice of pumping our own gas, but they will ban cars that run on gas, natural gas hookups/stoves/heat, light bulbs and any other thing they don’t think we need to have. There are much bigger things to be concerned with than whether or not you want to get out and pump your own gas.
Careful about speaking up. They may shut down your digital electric meter. Think what that would mean if you were restricted to an EV. You may have to decide if you want a warm shower or the ability to grocery shop in your EV from your days allotment.
This topic is the definition of a non-issue, little or no importance.
It’s Oregon government allowing its pumping residents a micro freedom.
It’s Oregon government continuing to impose its will on private profiteers of gasoline.
Wow…progressivism at its finest (yawn).
Right now the cost of gas is the same whoever pumps it. In other states, if you pump your own gas, you can save at least ten cents per gallon. That adds up. You pay a premium if you wait for an attendant. It’ll be interesting to see how it all works out!
How many times have we voted NO to pumping own gas? Then ONE individual finds a way around it.
At 83 I do not want to pump my own.
Yes, I am also concerned abt job losses.