Why Oregon is a joke!

I completely agree with you but it could have been a lot worse. In the rare times I have to fill my tank in Oregon, I do it. I dont care that I'm not supposed to. I just dont want to take the chance of some kid making minimum wage scratching up my baby.

 

It's awful. The guy was looking for the gas door on the rear of my 911. I told him, in order to put the engine in the correct place, the fuel tank has to be in the front. He didn't get it.


John

 

Hey Kevin,

Yeah I guess they figure paying some kid a minimum wage is cheaper than fill-up runaways. Pain-in-the-a**, what about LIABILITY?! I used to go to to Florence with some buddies and a trailer full of quads. I happen to be wearing this simple blue Gap jacket that looked just like the gas attendant that apparently didn't want to give us the time of day. So... I assumed the position and filled us up myself (8 quads and cans). From that day on, we always went to the same station and I brought my gas-boy jacket with.

Brian

 

I heard the reason for this RULE is that some Politicians daughter blew herself up when she forgot to put the nozzle back on the pump. Not sure about the truth behind that rumor.


Anyways, for a little side story, about a years back I was going through Oregan to go to Washington and the Pump Jockey told me a good one. He was from Idaho and had moved to Roseburg. He proceeds to tell me that that area is full of people who are not quite all there. He tells me during a power outage, that people were still trying to get gas. He had to throw out that the pumps ran off of electricity and he could not pump their gas. They apparently still tried to get gas. ??????

The only good thing about them pumping your gas is that the cost is much cheaper due to not having such high insurance cost. They need to realize that the pumps now have a quick disconnect for those idiots that forget to put the darn nozzle back. That alone should be cause for cheaper insurance.

 

Back in the 70's is was decided that if a service attendant was required to fill your tank this would decrease unemployment since all gas stations would need a extra person working. And yes New Jersey is the only other state that requires a "trained" person to handle the pump. The other 48 states do not seem to have this problem. Also, if you have a account with Pacific Pride or any of the other self filling stations, you can fill your own tank and it does not require safety training. They tried to revers the law a few years ago when gas started going up, but it failed.

I always get out of the car to remove the cap. Force of habit from growing up in the midwest, don't trust the attendant, locking gas cap, I just feel more comfortable being right there.

 

I always take off/put on the gas cap for them when I fill up in OR. Never had an issue with them wanting to do it themselves. - Tim

 

I always fill the car or at least position/remove the delivery mechanism myself when in OR, and just apologize afterwards if necessary...

 

I've had my Accord scratched from pump jockeys. The discount gas stations (am/pm for example) tend to have more customers, and the 'fuel transfer technicians' become careless.

ninja edit: I've also had fuel spilled down the side, due to overfilling, of not only my Accord but the LeSabre and Comanche as well. Every time the panel has to be re-waxed (what the heck they putting in the gas around here??). Sure, the attendant wipes it off with a grimy rag to get the bulk off, but it still looks like ass to be driving around with a gas skidmark on the quarterpanel.

 

If person can not overcome the challenges of filling their tank, I am not sure they need to be behind the wheel of a moving vehicle.

 

I have worked in the Oregon Legislative process for 20 years and never heard that one. Would be very interested in any details though.

 

2 years ago in Bend RIGHT BEFORE the Sunriver show I thought I would just let the gas professional do it. (People kept telling me the Ferrari was "just a car") Of course, AFTER I warned the girl to fill it slowly, she proceeded to spill gas all down the side of the car. As she was apologizing and REACHING FOR A PAPER TOWEL I stopped her and said "Don't touch the car".

Since that day, I have ALWAYS filled the car myself. Never had any problem. Most don't know where the "hidden cap" on the 328 is anyway. Also, most say that they don't want to pump the gas. Oh, I always have a baseball bat in my left hand - just kidding.

Bottom Line: Just do it yourself, if they give you a hard time, just find a new "favorite station"

M and M

ps. Kevin, I hope you decided to come to Sunriver this year. I can help you find a "good gas station"

 

I was told that there is a exception for exotics or classics. when I drive my 275 in Oregon and fil it up myself, no one has ever said I couldnt

 

One reason I always fill up in Vancouver, WA before crossing the bridge. Unless I am as far down as Eugene or Salem, I rarely have ever had to gas up in OR.

 

Not good......everytime I've gone through Oregon and fuel up the station hand let's me handle my own fuel up.

 

If I'm in my custom pickup I usually fill it myself and usually the pump jockey will just stand next to me. In the Cad in Hood river I went a couple of rounds with one of the pump jockeys at the Exxon before remembering to let him pump the gas.

It's a stupid law but it does give a lot of characters who otherwise wouldn't have a job a job.

 

If you are paying for your gas by credit card or debit card, make sure you run your own card. When you run the card make sure there isn't a fake card skimmer attached to the regular scanner on the pump.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/12/06/eveningnews/main532125.shtml

 

Actually, in order to maintain compliance with Air Quality laws, the Oregon Fire Code and others self-service fuel dispensing facilities are not permitted. Part of that compliance is the required training (initial and annual) on how to use the equipment, location of the emergency shut-off switches (facility specific), documentation, etc.

http://www2.iccsafe.org/states/oregon/07_Fire/07_PDFs/Chapter%2022_Motor%20Fuel-Dispensing%20Facilities%20and%20Repair%20Garages.pdf
http://www.deq.state.or.us/aq/permit/vapor/stages.htm

One strong consideration is the people of Oregon themselves;

"In addition, the idiosyncratic ban on self-service gasoline is seen as part of Oregonian culture." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filling_station

Seems to me that the law can easily be changed, ya just gotta want it bad enough.

 

Personally, I've never had a problem with it. And when it's pouring down rain and cold (which it is, most of the time), I'd prefer to have someone else stand outside and pump the gas.

As for the Ferraris, maybe you go to different gas stations than I do. Usually, the gas station attendants are the most enthusiastic Ferrari fans around!

 

This might be my single biggest pet peeve about this state, and has remained so for the 17 years since I moved here. IMO, it's a stupid LAW.

Elsewhere they have had these "magical" places where you get to CHOOSE whether you want to get out of the car by driving up to the "self" or "full" service lane. Novel concept.

The "full" service lanes have slowly dwindled to nothing, due to lack of demand. I think that since the advent of electronic POS payments, most folks would rather just do it themselves.

I guess it "karmacally" makes up for the fact that there's no sales tax, here.

Some folks I know, have installed clear bra in the area just below the gap cap, where possible. An inexpensive solution for wary Oregonian car owners.

 

Well we have voted on it twice and both times I voted no so I guess I am qualified to give you an answer. I will always vote no because if Oregon goes to self serve it will become difficult to find full service. I hate the smell of gas and I don't want to get out of my car to pump gas in the cold and rain and get gas smell on my hands. In every state I have been in that allows self serve I can never find a full service when I need one. Also it's interesting that self serve stations are no cheaper.

On a side note...
I was working as a gas pump jockey in Steamboat Springs, CO in 1973 when everyone started going self serve. The first day we went self serve it was below zero and a woman froze her hand (we always wore gloves) to the metal handle of the gas pump. Vinyl handgrips appeared soon after.

 

The company I work for use to have a Pacific Pride division, and training never came up.

Did find this video today. The second video about 50 seconds is has to do with pumping gas.

 

There was a study conducted in 2004 that showed widespread non-compliance of training and documentation and that video was a direct result.

If you read the law it basically states that the government of Oregon considers its residents to be too incompetent and they require additional protection from themselves.

But, Ya'll do make some great beer



REGULATION OF GASOLINE DISPENSING



480.310 Definitions for ORS 480.315 to 480.385. As used in ORS 480.315 to 480.385:

(1) “Class 1 flammable liquids” means liquids with a flash point below 25 degrees Fahrenheit, closed cup tester.

(2) “Nonretail facility” means an unattended facility where Class 1 flammable liquids are dispensed through a card or key activated fuel dispensing device to nonretail customers. [Amended by 1991 c.863 §48]



480.315 Policy. The Legislative Assembly declares that, except as provided in ORS 480.345 to 480.385, it is in the public interest to maintain a prohibition on the self-service dispensing of Class 1 flammable liquids at retail. The Legislative Assembly finds and declares that:

(1) The dispensing of Class 1 flammable liquids by dispensers properly trained in appropriate safety procedures reduces fire hazards directly associated with the dispensing of Class 1 flammable liquids;

(2) Appropriate safety standards often are unenforceable at retail self-service stations in other states because cashiers are often unable to maintain a clear view of and give undivided attention to the dispensing of Class 1 flammable liquids by customers;

(3) Higher liability insurance rates charged to retail self-service stations reflect the dangers posed to customers when they leave their vehicles to dispense Class 1 flammable liquids, such as the increased risk of crime and the increased risk of personal injury resulting from slipping on slick surfaces;

(4) The dangers of crime and slick surfaces described in subsection (3) of this section are enhanced because Oregon’s weather is uniquely adverse, causing wet pavement and reduced visibility;

(5) The dangers described in subsection (3) of this section are heightened when the customer is a senior citizen or has a disability, especially if the customer uses a mobility aid, such as a wheelchair, walker, cane or crutches;

(6) Attempts by other states to require the providing of aid to senior citizens and persons with disabilities in the self-service dispensing of Class 1 flammable liquids at retail have failed, and therefore, senior citizens and persons with disabilities must pay the higher costs of full service;

(7) Exposure to toxic fumes represents a health hazard to customers dispensing Class 1 flammable liquids;

(8) The hazard described in subsection (7) of this section is heightened when the customer is pregnant;

(9) The exposure to Class 1 flammable liquids through dispensing should, in general, be limited to as few individuals as possible, such as gasoline station owners and their employees or other trained and certified dispensers;

(10) The typical practice of charging significantly higher prices for full-service fuel dispensing in states where self-service is permitted at retail:

(a) Discriminates against customers with lower incomes, who are under greater economic pressure to subject themselves to the inconvenience and hazards of self-service;

(b) Discriminates against customers who are elderly or have disabilities who are unable to serve themselves and so must pay the significantly higher prices; and

(c) Increases self-service dispensing and thereby decreases maintenance checks by attendants, which results in neglect of maintenance, endangering both the customer and other motorists and resulting in unnecessary and costly repairs;

(11) The increased use of self-service at retail in other states has contributed to diminishing the availability of automotive repair facilities at gasoline stations;

(12) Self-service dispensing at retail in other states does not provide a sustained reduction in fuel prices charged to customers;

(13) A general prohibition of self-service dispensing of Class 1 flammable liquids by the general public promotes public welfare by providing increased safety and convenience without causing economic harm to the public in general;

(14) Self-service dispensing at retail contributes to unemployment, particularly among young people;

(15) Self-service dispensing at retail presents a health hazard and unreasonable discomfort to persons with disabilities, elderly persons, small children and those susceptible to respiratory diseases;

(16) The federal Americans with Disabilities Act, Public Law 101-336, requires that equal access be provided to persons with disabilities at retail gasoline stations; and

(17) Small children left unattended when customers leave to make payment at retail self-service stations creates a dangerous situation. [1991 c.863 §49a; 1999 c.59 §160; 2007 c.70 §276]

http://www.leg.state.or.us/ors/480.html

 

Don't think so, but there is an exemption for all Motorcycles. They never want to touch my $7k seadoo at the gas station but are all over my F-car....

I have a commercial fuel credit card and the training is several pages of safety info you sign and send in..If you have a business and use more than 900 gallons a year you are eligible to be a self serve customer....


As you may know administrative rules cover way more ground than laws but are never passed by any elected body, just a bunch of bureacrats...

Have fun reading....

http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/rules/OARS_800/OAR_837/837_020.html