Fuel Pump Hogs

I've seen a lot of stations now posting signs to leave your vehicle at the pumps until fuel is paid for. I agree that it is annoying but it protects the stations from drive offs.

When I travel in the US I'm usually forced to pay inside because the pumps won't accept my credit card without a zip code. I have to go in twice, once to authorize and again to finalize payment. This forces me to stay at the pump and prolongs the process. I do move it when possible before using other services, but I agree, most do not.

You said it all, you can't fix stupid/rude.
Too many people have the 'it's all about me attitude' and don't care if they inconvenience anyone.

We solved that issue by one pumps, the other pays and while payment is being made the unit is moved. Any shopping, pit stops, etc., are done after that point. Or, one pumps & pays while the other shops, pit stops, etc., the pumper moves the rig then does his/her thing.

I feel your pain. I pulled into a station recently to fill up and there was a guy who was obviously finished at the pump just sitting in his car. He looked up and made eye contact with me but continued to sit there. Five minutes later his wife came out of the station and got into the passenger seat at which time he got out of the car and went inside the store. Another five minutes passed until he finally came back to the car and then he spent another five minutes chatting and looking at a map. Due to the layout of the station this was the only pump island I could get into to get fuel. I'm certain he did this just to aggravate me, which I believe is just another example of the "it's all about me" society we are evolving into.

Also, a lot of the pumps have a very low limit for debit cards (ie, $75, which only buys 3/4 of a tank or less these days), which somehow is higher if you pay inside. I don't know why this is, but sometimes I'll run inside and avoid having to run the card twice at the pump, especially if I need a refill or something.

Sorry for the inconvenience! :)

At a busy Flying J, we were waiting in line for fuel and a big class A in front of us was filling up their fresh water tank. Low water pressure at the Flying J meant it was half an hour sitting there in line to get fuel. We tried to make the most of it and joked "maybe they have a hot tub or swimming pool in there" ! Flying J needs to move the water and dump station away from the fuel pumps!

I try my best to practice patience in my car since thats about the only time I head to the auto pumps. Even most of the time I dont even use the RV pumps if they are even availible for the RV. And when using the truck lanes I try to be as curtious as possible though even there I am sure there is a random upset trucker as I may not be moving fast enough for their liking. I will say pump start cards have helped that to some degree.

Everytime this topic comes up I always wonder why do people keep using places that seem that have these problems. Usually the answer is access. If a tanker truck delivered to them don't you think you have enough room for your RV? Simple fix, don't go where the hogs are.

We just encountered this at a gas station over the weekend. We were traveling home from NJ after a month long trip. We pulled into a BP that had all pumps full, so I pulled behing a guy that was easiest for me. I noticed there was no one in the driver's seat and there was no gas being pumped (fuel door closed, etc). I looked at the lane next to us and there are two empty cars next to us, again no gas being pumped. The guy in front of me comes out and fortunately pulled away quickly. The drivers of the other two cars eventually came out. The never pumped gas and were in no hurry to move along.

I still amazes me how rude some people can be.

-Michael

I stopped recently at the service area on the Western KY parkway that has a small station and an Arby's slash gift shop. The only pump I could get to with the TT was the outside lane and of course there is a car parked there with nobody around. I queued up in line and now am blocking a bunch of parking spaces behind me. I waited a good 15 minutes as people were knocking on my window because I was blocking them in their spots....

Finally two kids and their young son come strolling out as I am standing next to the Suburban, so I joked, "Wow takes a long time to pay!" The girl responded "We didn't pay, we were having lunch.". Okayyyyy....well, go ahead and move your car, I said, I'm blocking folks in. Here comes the kicker......"We still have to get gas."

So they parked at the pump to go inside and eat lunch!!!

Our usual routine is DW goes inside to the loo and to get drinks/snacks...I run into the TT to pee while the gas is pumping. We are ready to go by the time the pump is done. If we want to have lunch and relax we park elsewhere.