Pegasus Loc: Texas Gulf Coast

I did read your explanation; it just showed how stupid Oregonians are. One of the things you mentioned was the lack of fueling stations in remote areas. I guessed it never dawned on you that was due to the stupid law of not being able to pump your own gas in the first place. Who wants to open a gas station and have to deal with employees 24/7? In Texas we have gas stations just about everywhere, most of them open 24/7. And in the remotest of areas even. Many are not even attended at night; all automated (and monitored.)

There is no law that prevents someone from opening a full service station if they wanted to. Having a law that says your citizens are too stupid to pump their own gas just creates an artificial dearth of stations and thus cause people to drive long distances to get gas.

If you think you can be competitive with a full-service station across the street from a Buc-ee's or Love station, have at it.

And nowadays with cars having TPMS and computers that keep track of your expensive synthetic oil, the last thing I want is some minimum-wage pump jockey fumbling in my engine compartment.

jaycoffman Loc: San Diego

The only solid argument I see for requiring a station attendant ("pump-jocky") to pump your gas is that it's good for the labor market. We have few enough entry level jobs in most states and particularly in rural states. My first jobs during high school were as a pump-jocky as there were few other jobs there for kids and other people who needed work. Our economy is way too fixated on "efficiency" that to me means an upgrade on some CEO's yacht more than what's good for the regular people and the pump laws work more for regular people. I do think it's a good idea to allow self-pumping in rural areas as there really is a different economic structure there and on my motorcycle I'm more prone to needing gas more often than cars.

The argument that self-pumping leads to lower gas prices seems like another fantasy. Living in California we see lower gas prices in Arizona and Nevada that allow self-pumping and lower prices in Oregon that requires pump-jockies. The gas companies always make their profits and it's the consumers and small stations that have to struggle either way.

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

That service is as dead as a dodo. I hated visiting Oregon with its ridiculous law limiting my ability to pump my own gas. Got a nice scratch in my car from an inattentive pump attendant trying to take care of too many people at once. Also they never really fill the tank full.

One Rude Dawg Loc: Athol, ID

Right on, if you want your paint job Fd up, Oregon is the place. Have almost gotten into fist fights over who is going to pump my fuel. Just so you know you can pump your own diesel in Oregon legally. They have some real dandys pumping fuel that don't even know their own laws. I figure it is a statewide job placement program for those who can' t get a job. Enjoy going through Oregon but for the gas hassle, it is an outdated concept.

RainierView Loc: Eatonville, WA

I live in Washington state where like most of the country we pump our own gas. When traveling south I always fill up in Oregon. Fuel is cheaper there even though they pump it for you. You have been allowed to pump your own if diesel, but why if they'll do it.

I remember back in the 70s when they first started self pumping of gas nationwide (except Oregon and NJ), stations had self service pumps cheaper than full service pumps. What happened to that?

mr spock Loc: Fairfield CT

I know this isn’t the place for political discussion but IMHO we’d be better off if the entire West Coast seceded and became it’s own sanctuary country.

Pegasus Loc: Texas Gulf Coast

Differences in gas prices for various states depend on how much tax the state puts on the gas. Comparing prices between WA and OR, you need to factor that in. The state tax in WA is 49.40 cents per gallon and in OR it's 31.12 cent per gallon. So right off the bat, you have a difference of over 18 cents per gallon. WA has the second highest state tax per gallon; the winner being PA at 58.20 cents per gallon. TX is at 20 cents per gallon and NH is at 23.83. Lowest appears to be AK at 12.25 cents per gallon followed by SC at 16.75 cents per gallon.

drucker Loc: Oregon

"Full Service" it is not, but I'd argue that it is often faster service where the attendants will often take your cash and not make you go inside to pay in advance when paying cash. All it takes is to go across the state line into Washington or California and find higher gas prices and still have to pump it yourself to counter the argument that changing the law will lower the prices. I will agree that higher state taxes are a part of that difference, but we're trying to catch up with four cents being added in Oregon as of January first.

My grandson got a job at a local station and quickly learned from another employee that he could often nearly double his pay by just greeting each customer with a smile and washing windows as he had time while the gas was pumping and thanking them for stopping. He now jokingly refers to the little old ladies that tip him as his "girlfriends."

Pegasus Loc: Texas Gulf Coast

To put things in perspective for the Nanny state of Oregon.

Pegasus Loc: Texas Gulf Coast

Second day.

Pegasus Loc: Texas Gulf Coast

Day 3.

Dannj

Warning to those new to self-pumping! No self pumping in NJ and about a year ago a friend of mine who doesn't drive out of state much was driving his new car South and stopped in Delaware for gas. He filled the tank, started on his way and the car died about 100 yards outside the gas station. He had the car towed to the closest dealership and found out he had filled the car with diesel. He says that he just went to an available pump at the gas station and filled the tank.
I always thought there was something in place that would prevent this...other than the sign on the pump...that the nozzles were different size, color, etc. He said it looked just like all the other pumps and he didn't notice the price difference. An expensive mistake!

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

A good reason to keep your tank FULL , It don't cost a penny more to keep your tank full than it does to keep it empty.

Tracy B. Loc: Indiana

I once was visiting my Son in Oregon and tried to pump my own gas. The attendant about blew a gasket.

Pegasus Loc: Texas Gulf Coast

Was that the head gasket? That would have been an expensive repair job.