General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsI'd like to see gas attendants again
I had to get my car filled up today, and ran some other errands, including a curbside pickup. I thought about how you can get your shopping done for you and set in your car. I haven't had to go to a food bank, but heard President Biden mention cars lined up at food banks, waiting for someone to put a box of food in the back. I thought, why not have gas attendants? At least while the pandemic rages.
It would employ some people, and add some social distancing.
brooklynite
(93,873 posts)Marthe48
(16,692 posts)I have a Prius, and on top of that have hardly been out in the last year. Price would be a concern. But if the gas stations hired a couple of people to cover shifts, and an attendant was optional, I don't think it would add that much to the price. Seems like the overworked clerks would appreciate having help.
I saw people posting on DU the other days about how much their meal at McD's cost. I stopped eating fast food about 1 1/2 years ago, so I thought the current prices are steep. Gas is a necessity and fast food isn't, so there's that. Lots of ways to look at it.
When gas went to over $6/gal in CA around 2012, the highest we paid in OH was 4.21/gal. We got the Prius that year, plus as we got older, drove less.
doc03
(35,148 posts)for English and get someone that can actually speak English.
yonder
(9,631 posts)instead of being put on hold before being spun on a phone tree merry-go-round.
CabbageAndBeans
(33 posts)Maybe someone from NJ could chime in on the pros and cons from a cost/employment perspective.
MiniMe
(21,677 posts)It is still hard for me to sit in the car and let somebody else pump gas. God forbid that the attendant isn't there right away.
PCIntern
(25,347 posts)Its like the old days (no self service) here and our gas prices are a little lower than PA but they used to be a LOT lower.
Polybius
(15,239 posts)Man, he was awful.
Klaralven
(7,510 posts)We have highly trained, superbly competent gas dispensing professionals here.
Mrs Klaralven does not want to get out of the car and pump gas, especially when it is cold or wet or hot or windy....
People don't linger at attended gas pumps. In other states, it appears that people park at the pump, pump gas, wander into the store, and tie up the pump indefinitely while others wait.
Jeebo
(2,005 posts)I've heard that self-service pumps are not legal in that state.
-- Ron
MurrayDelph
(5,281 posts)LizBeth
(9,946 posts)but used to it now and good to go.
Silent3
(15,020 posts)AFAIK you still can't pump your own gas in NJ, unless that's changed in the past 20 years.
LizBeth
(9,946 posts)cause we po. I am good with it. And Oregon is also increasing minimum wage yearly. So, I am good with it. I might be doing it. A job my body and brain can still do and they will hire this old ass.
doc03
(35,148 posts)Sneederbunk
(14,208 posts)LizBeth
(9,946 posts)madinmaryland
(64,920 posts)with the carbon copies that did an impression of the credit card. Given COVID, I will take personless credit transactions.
Polybius
(15,239 posts)It's even cheaper than card in NYC.
marybourg
(12,540 posts)USALiberal
(10,877 posts)Marthe48
(16,692 posts)saw a possible opportunity for someone to work, another way to keep from touching a surface.
tritsofme
(17,325 posts)Then this idea might be a hit. Otherwise...probably not.
Buckeye_Democrat
(14,847 posts)We long for a return to the good ol' days of verbally abusing gas station attendants.
~ Kyle
Kidding!!! And I'm not implying anything bad about people who'd like to see them again.
It's been so many years for me, I was compelled to look for online videos of them!
Young guy in Oregon, describing irritable customers (of course):
LakeArenal
(28,729 posts)Theyll wash windshields, check oil, tire air and the are nice and polite while they do it.
To us Gringos, we feel like we have to tip.
Also restaurants add a ten percent gratuity required by law. We always give a bit more but dont feel obligated to do so. Most Ticos do not leave tips.
PS... This is off topic but I cant resist.
THERE ARE NOOOO PHARMACEUTICAL COMMERCIALS HERE.
moonscape
(4,664 posts)to self serve and thete were pumps where the gas was a bit higher for full-serve like the old days and cheaper self-serve. Self serve won. Those other pumps languished mostly ...
gldstwmn
(4,575 posts)Raftergirl
(1,276 posts)you cannot pump your own gas and it is significantly cheaper than in NY. I always fill up on the wee part of the Palisades Parkway that is in NJ on my way home to NY from the city.
There are also a few towns in Westchester County where you cannot pump your own gas but its more expensive than self serve.
BigDemVoter
(4,149 posts)For anybody from Oregon, feel free to correct me. . .
I was so confused in OR when driving through, as the attendant just insisted on filling the car for me. I think it might be a state statute that only they can fill cars as they are trained not to spill and cause environmental damage? I think?
In any case, it WAS welcome change for once. It reminded me of my childhood, but then the attendant would also check the oil and wash the windshield as well. . . .
JuJuChen
(2,214 posts)milk men
lamplighters
cigarette girls at games
switchboard operators
bowling pins setters
CTyankee
(63,771 posts)and I couldn't find any gas station that did it. I finally drove to the auto dealer that I leased the vehicle from and they had full service there. And no charge.
Deminpenn
(15,246 posts)nt
TomSlick
(11,035 posts)I was astounded daily by how rude and demanding people could be to a kid pumping gas. The boss was the owner's cantankerous old cuss father. As bad a job as I've ever had and I've had some bad jobs.
roamer65
(36,739 posts)I think its best to distribute the risk.