Gas station etiquette

[RRinNFla]

On the way to Big Cypress/Everglades I stopped for fuel at the Flying J in Dade City, FL. In the left gas lane was a shiny new Winnebago View, no toad, NY license plates. In the right lane an older class A with a toad. The owner of the class A was putting in fuel. There was no activity at all around the View. I pulled in behind the class A and got out to stretch my legs. The owner of the class A said he had waited for 10 minutes behind the View and finally went to the other lane when it opened. He finished fueling and I pulled up to the pumps. Still no activity around the View. As I was pumping gas, the owner of the View finally came out and STARTED refueling.

Two questions. Since he had a class C and wasn't towing, couldn't he have used the regular automobile lanes, and left the RV lanes for bigger rigs? Second question, is it any wonder NY residents get a bad reputation? I travel to NYC often, and have met many wonderful people, but its folks like these who give tho whole state a bad name.

On the same trip, I stopped at a service area on the Florida turnpike. We needed lunch and fuel, so I parked where I was directed, out with the 18-wheelers. We went in to grab lunch, then headed out to get fuel. Since I need gasoline, not diesel, I maneuvered back to the gas islands and pulled in the far right gas lane behind a mini-van towing a small TT, Ohio plates. Once again, I failed to see any activity around the rig, so I got out and walked up to see if there was a problem. You guessed it. Nobody there. I carefully backed up, then S-snaked my way into the next lane. As I was pulling out, here come the Ohio folks with a couple of fast food bags. We thanked them for their courtesy:R.

Why can't folks learn to fuel up first, then go park, then go shop.

[Lauren]

We know it's there and just have to accept it with gritting teeth. It is called "ME ME ME" Society.

I have said it so repeatedly before and will say it til the day I die - I am so glad and proud to have lived in the greatest times the United States has ever seen; or ever will see.

[musicman54]

tatest wrote:
This is common behavior, RV, car or whatever, since gas stations disappeared to be replaced by convenience stores and "travel centers." I've seen people park at the pump to go in for drinks and snacks, without ever pumping gas.

It is a generational change in social mores, don't expect it to turn back into the 1950's anytime soon.

iknow the fiftys wont comeback was just some respect would show up again

[Lauren]

Closing in on shut down the thread time! I would LOVE to make a political comment but they are not appropriate - or even allowed I don't think.

[Lauren]

Boy, can this degenerate fast. People talking about inappropriate behavior to stand your ground laws.

[Laman]

!

I had a similiar situation except this women was parked totally blocking both RV pumps at a FJ and had her trunk open getting food out with her kids setting up a blanket on the grass obviously for a picnic (should I have told he that's where people walk their dogs)! I had turned in and committed to those pumps with a 40 footer and a toad but to compound the problem was another DP pulled in right behind me and now he is stopped with his toad out in a busy two lane highway. I had some room so snaked my way foward to get clear then had to make that circuit in front of the store to get out then head to the truck pumps. The other DP driver was laying on his horn and gesturing at the woman last I saw. Last time I every used the RV pumps and will never again.

[rockhillmanor]

Needed gas.
Assessed the situation because I am 31 ft MH towing.
See a pump where lady is 'returning' to her car.
I pull in behind her, figure she is going to pull away from the pumps.
She then proceeds to fix a picnic lunch for her kids to eat IN the car parked at the pump.:R

I look back and I am blocking the truck exit with my toad.

Figure oh boy am I going to be in trouble for this with the big boys!

Well I didn't have to do one thing about the situation. After a minute or two the truck drivers saw what was going on in front of me and got out and rectified the situation for me. And they sure did NOT hold back on the words they used for being a woman either!

Truckers I love em! :C

[noe-place]

I always pay at the pump then move if I have to wait for my passengers who have gone inside for snacks, etc. But I've had to move around those who have taken root at pumps also.

[Bucky_Badger]

D & M wrote:

rockhillmanor wrote:
FIRST of all you do NOT know what he was doing inside before he came out to fuel up.

I happen to pay cash for many of my fuel stops.

Here's a flash.....you have to go INSIDE to pay for the fuel BEFORE you can start filling up your RV.
Remember those days? Not everyone uses a credit card. And last time I looked it is not against the law to pay cash for fuel at a gas station, which requires you go inside to pay first.

I've been in Flying J's they are a joke. They never have more than one person behind the counter and they service the truckers FIRST then the common folks wanting to buy/pay for fuel. THAT is why it is always a train wreck at a Flying J.

Since he had a class C and wasn't towing, couldn't he have used the regular automobile lanes, and left the RV lanes for bigger rigs?

And this comment about the fact that his RV was not big so you feel he shouldn't be able to use the RV lane?

Doesn't even deserve an answer. :R

x2.

I'm still trying to figure out the significance of leaving one person at the rig. Inside? Outside? Holding the nozzle?

x3

[GrumpyGator]

Last year I was coming back to TN from FL. I pulled in to a gas station that had several gas lanes perpendicular to the store. I saw in the far right lane there was a pickup with two guys, one of whom was cleaning the windshield with the supplied squeegee. I figured they were about done so I pulled in behind them. I had my 31' C towing a Jeep toad.

My toad was blocking one of the two lanes running in front of the store, but there was no other option. Plus I didn't think it would be long.

How wrong was I? These two hillbillies in front of me proceeded to wash their entire truck with the squeegee, drying everything off with rags they had in the truck. Now I'm stuck. Can't go forward, can't back up.

Keep in mind that there were two guys at the truck. After about 20 minutes, they finish. THEN they start to pump gas into the truck.

In the meantime, I had another guy come up screaming at me saying that I was going to cause a wreck. At first I politely directed him to the truck in front of me. He continued to scream at me, so I got out of my vehicle and told him, not so politely, to get out of my face. He said he was going to call the cops, because I cussed at him. I suggested he do just that.

Finally after 30 minutes the guys in the truck got done and moved on.

This is why I live out in the woods far away from other people.

[2500_Grunt]

kernewek wrote:

2500 Grunt wrote:
Be careful how you retaliate! That inconsiderate idiot could be carrying a gun and make another stupid move. I love to watch their reaction from inside my truck as they reach for their door handle that is covered with Vaseline LOL. If they are a big idiot then it goes under their windshield wipers.

Not OK for someone to keep you waiting a few minute but OK for you to vandalize their vehicle ?????

If traffic was backed up for over 10 minutes at a very busy stop bottlenecking traffic causing an unsafe traffic scenario and there was no excusable reason from the obvious inconsiderate rude person (particularly the one on the phone or the one shopping) with no concern for others (insert some of the example from above)then I would be tempted. Some valid examples were given which are totally understandable but some were not.

[D___M]

2500 Grunt wrote:
Be careful how you retaliate! That inconsiderate idiot could be carrying a gun and make another stupid move. I love to watch their reaction from inside my truck as they reach for their door handle that is covered with Vaseline LOL. If they are a big idiot then it goes under their windshield wipers.

Now I get the reason you have to leave a person standing next to your rig at the gas pump while every one else goes in. It's so you don't get your rig vandalized. LOL

[Lauren]

My wife and I came up with a one word answer to most everything these days - good and bad.

P E O P L E !!!

[loulou57]

kernewek wrote:

2500 Grunt wrote:
Be careful how you retaliate! That inconsiderate idiot could be carrying a gun and make another stupid move. I love to watch their reaction from inside my truck as they reach for their door handle that is covered with Vaseline LOL. If they are a big idiot then it goes under their windshield wipers.

Not OK for someone to keep you waiting a few minute but OK for you to vandalize their vehicle ?????

:h

[kernewek]

2500 Grunt wrote:
Be careful how you retaliate! That inconsiderate idiot could be carrying a gun and make another stupid move. I love to watch their reaction from inside my truck as they reach for their door handle that is covered with Vaseline LOL. If they are a big idiot then it goes under their windshield wipers.

Not OK for someone to keep you waiting a few minute but OK for you to vandalize their vehicle ?????

[loulou57]

Tachdriver wrote:
So after I get gas and I pull to the front parking to get my change won't my trailer be blocking the traffic between the pumps and the building?



:B


Sorry had to bring a bit of humor here

You are right. If there is no place to go you have no choice. Some gas stations have limited space and the ability to get in for the gas can be challenging. Especially if your length is 72'.


We should have a little compassion for people with a long rig. You never know, when you get....2 footitous....you may be the one not having anywhere to go.