Oregon gas pumping insanity

[seminole97]

I remember seeing a self serve station open on Pensacola Street at the Ocala Street intersection and was amazed. First I ever saw and the guy inside selling smokes and beer told me that soon enuff there would be no more attendants. It blew my mind, but sure enuff, it happened relatively fast.

It’s crazy how a minimum wage can do that.

I remember stations in Missouri that offered full service. Pumps were labeled so the attendants knew whether or not you wanted the work done for you. There was a listed price difference, but I don’t recall the amount.

I’m sure if they could keep you from stealing the ingredients Subway would let you make your own sub for a lower cost. Since that’s not likely to happen minimum wage hikes and productivity gains will just push those services more rapidly to automation.

I, for one, welcome our sanitary sandwich robot overlords.

 

[seminole97]

My brother, who lives in Portland, uses a push reel mower, which is what we learned on as kids.

Does he churn butter, or anything else cool and old timey like that?

 

[MIKE_G]

They still had attendants when I was a kid in NY in the late 70s. My main memory was the huge wad of cash they always pulled out to make change when you paid them. I thought "those guys are rich!".

 

[LesClaypool]

They still had attendants when I was a kid in NY in the late 70s. My main memory was the huge wad of cash they always pulled out to make change when you paid them. I thought "those guys are rich!".

I have precisely the same memory.

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

Yeah, I remember the full-service, self-service split pumps in the 80s. I sen to recall a pretty big difference. Probably 20 cents a gallon (when gas was 75-90 cents a gallon). Used to piss me off when they had them 50-50 and the full service lane was always empty but cars would be stacked up in the self-service lane.

 

[fsunole025]

Nice place to visit though.

No doubt. I spent a few days in Portland during August 2014. No regrets. But after visiting Seattle numerous times the past two years, I've learned to plan my visits to the NW during the summer months.

 

[billanole]

It’s crazy how a minimum wage can do that.

I remember stations in Missouri that offered full service. Pumps were labeled so the attendants knew whether or not you wanted the work done for you. There was a listed price difference, but I don’t recall the amount.

I’m sure if they could keep you from stealing the ingredients Subway would let you make your own sub for a lower cost. Since that’s not likely to happen minimum wage hikes and productivity gains will just push those services more rapidly to automation.

I, for one, welcome our sanitary sandwich robot overlords.

Cool story, bro. The time of owner/operator gas stations staffed with a mechanic was coming to an end. Back then, you could hit one close to you and they could mostly do all kinds of minor work from oil change, replace shocks, perform an inspection, hang a muffler, or graphite the windows so they would stop screeching. They also washed the wind shield, checked your fluids, and wiped off your headlights while the pump was churning out 25 gallons into the big tank... I miss the convenience, frankly.

 

[62Nole]

Was out in Oregon last summer. Got out started to pump my own gas and got scolded by the attendant. I was seriously, I don't need help, I could do it myself. He said, no you are not allowed. Got horrified looks from people around me. Was like I was in some strange alternative world.

Were you wearing clothes?