The entire state of Oregon , or at least the west side where almost everyone lives ( OK who am I kidding. its the whole state), is built around supporting slackers. I just moved out of there after 5 years and will never go back. If I had to see Gov. Brown on the news one more time or watch anything else about how weird Portland is I was going to burst. 5 years to the day too long!
Gas Station Protocol
- Thread starter Plan2Live
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giggitygiggity
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Personally, any time I go to the gas station, I take a squad of 12 men in three MRAPs. We dismount a block away from the gas station and conduct a V-sweep through the gas station and then set up a cordon of the area. I then go and get my vehicle and gas it up. Afterwards, we will sanitize the area by destroying receipts, placing termite grenades on pumps, etc. Slight inconvenience to me, huge inconvenience to everyone nearby, but hey, it works for me.
In all seriousness, it might be difficult to believe, but I drive to the pump, get out, swipe my card, select fuel type, and begin fueling. If it's warm, I'll stand by the pump and people watch. If it's cold, I'll get in the car until my tank is full.
I think there's always going to be the knuckleheads who hate the police and will ambush police at a gas station, or outside a State Police barracks (reference lowlife Eric Frein). There's only so much you can do to be proactive (mainly just keeping your head on a swivel), but an ambush would not be an ambush if the ambushed did not surprise their adversary.
In all seriousness, it might be difficult to believe, but I drive to the pump, get out, swipe my card, select fuel type, and begin fueling. If it's warm, I'll stand by the pump and people watch. If it's cold, I'll get in the car until my tank is full.
I think there's always going to be the knuckleheads who hate the police and will ambush police at a gas station, or outside a State Police barracks (reference lowlife Eric Frein). There's only so much you can do to be proactive (mainly just keeping your head on a swivel), but an ambush would not be an ambush if the ambushed did not surprise their adversary.
Posted by giggitygiggity:
It is what the prudent customer does first that makes the difference--taking a good look around before pulling up to a pump, and leaving immediately if there is anything that does not seem right.
That is what everyone does at a self-serve station.
It is what the prudent customer does first that makes the difference--taking a good look around before pulling up to a pump, and leaving immediately if there is anything that does not seem right.
Probably not a good idea to get back into the car while fueling. Static electricity issue.
Officers'Wife
Member
If it really bothers you... Make an evaluation of your fuel consumption, add 20% then buy a fuel tank the next size larger and call Farm Bureau Co-Op to fill it with highway fuel. Then get a pickup with saddle tanks and for those reeeally long trips a portable tank that fits in the bed.
OK, in the end everything comes down to chance. You can mitigate the odds though... As an ancient "redneck philosopher" noted long ago- God in His infinite wisdom gave you two eyes, two nostrils, two halves of a brain but only one neck. Take that as a sign you should use the first three twice as much as you stick the last out.
OK, in the end everything comes down to chance. You can mitigate the odds though... As an ancient "redneck philosopher" noted long ago- God in His infinite wisdom gave you two eyes, two nostrils, two halves of a brain but only one neck. Take that as a sign you should use the first three twice as much as you stick the last out.
I also keep my head on a swivel at gas stations (and pretty much everywhere else) but anyone who thinks they can be totally aware of everything going on around them 100% of the time is fooling himself. Sooner or later, you have to pay for stuff, replace your gas cap, etc. & that involves taking your eyes off everything else & looking at your wallet, credit card, money, etc. Something bad can happen during that time.
We all like to come up with solutions to every single problem but in the real world, there aren't always any.
I recall when two police officers were killed while having lunch in a restaurant in Las Vegas. I couldn't believe how many people commented that it was their own fault because they weren't practicing "Situational Awareness." It's the tired, old Monday Morning Quarterbacking "I would have handled it better" thing.
http://insider.foxnews.com/2014/06/08/breaking-2-police-officers-confirmed-dead-las-vegas-shooting
We all like to come up with solutions to every single problem but in the real world, there aren't always any.
I recall when two police officers were killed while having lunch in a restaurant in Las Vegas. I couldn't believe how many people commented that it was their own fault because they weren't practicing "Situational Awareness." It's the tired, old Monday Morning Quarterbacking "I would have handled it better" thing.
http://insider.foxnews.com/2014/06/08/breaking-2-police-officers-confirmed-dead-las-vegas-shooting
Generally you can't pump your own gas in Oregon but there are exceptions.
I fill up at Costco and sit in line with the other 40 people waiting to get my gas pumped by attendants that are trying to keep up with 4 cars at once. When out of state and for decades before moving to Oregon I use commons sense and pay attention to my surroundings. I also refuse to fill up at a station that doesn't have pay at the pump. I don't pump gas in shady parts of town and I fill my tank on a regular basis so I don't get caught needing to fill up in a shady part of town. I fill up once a week after my regular shopping trip.
- You can pump diesel
- You can pump gasoline into motorcycles
- You can pump gasoline into cars between 6pm and 6am in counties that have less than 40K people.
I fill up at Costco and sit in line with the other 40 people waiting to get my gas pumped by attendants that are trying to keep up with 4 cars at once. When out of state and for decades before moving to Oregon I use commons sense and pay attention to my surroundings. I also refuse to fill up at a station that doesn't have pay at the pump. I don't pump gas in shady parts of town and I fill my tank on a regular basis so I don't get caught needing to fill up in a shady part of town. I fill up once a week after my regular shopping trip.
farscott
Member
I travel quite a bit for business, and I often have to fill up after dark. Here is my process:
1) If possible, use a station that is already known once you see the tank level approaching half tank. If not, use a station on the interstate run by one of the major truck stops like Pilot or Loves. Those are usually well-lit and well-maintained, and there are lots of other patrons, even at 4:00 AM. These stations also have decent video surveillance and a pretty good relationship with law enforcement.
2) Look around before exiting the vehicle. If there are people whose business is not buying gas or a snack and/or a restroom break, leave. If the lights are not all on or the place is disheveled, leave. There is always another gas station. If not, proceed.
3) When exiting the vehicle, lock the doors. I also keep nothing visible in the passenger compartment. All of the stuff is in the trunk with the exception of my briefcase, which is covered by a sunshade.
4) Pay by card and keep an eye on what is happening around you. Just being aware lets others know you are not prey. No need to act tough; just show that you are awake.
5) When fueling is complete, get receipt, unlock doors, and proceed. If I want to use the restroom, I will move the car away from the pumps to a spot by the store. Do not leave an unattended vehicle by the pumps as it is more of a target.
1) If possible, use a station that is already known once you see the tank level approaching half tank. If not, use a station on the interstate run by one of the major truck stops like Pilot or Loves. Those are usually well-lit and well-maintained, and there are lots of other patrons, even at 4:00 AM. These stations also have decent video surveillance and a pretty good relationship with law enforcement.
2) Look around before exiting the vehicle. If there are people whose business is not buying gas or a snack and/or a restroom break, leave. If the lights are not all on or the place is disheveled, leave. There is always another gas station. If not, proceed.
3) When exiting the vehicle, lock the doors. I also keep nothing visible in the passenger compartment. All of the stuff is in the trunk with the exception of my briefcase, which is covered by a sunshade.
4) Pay by card and keep an eye on what is happening around you. Just being aware lets others know you are not prey. No need to act tough; just show that you are awake.
5) When fueling is complete, get receipt, unlock doors, and proceed. If I want to use the restroom, I will move the car away from the pumps to a spot by the store. Do not leave an unattended vehicle by the pumps as it is more of a target.
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AStone
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I nominate that ^ as (at least one of) the best -- i.e., most complete -- post so far.
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