I enjoyed that job way back when. Good beginners job. Really cool during the muscle car era. I pumped lots of Sunoco 260 into lots of cool cars. Learned how to make change from a wad of cash in my pocket, Learned timing, set the pump and could wash the windows before the pump reached $5.00 or whatever. You knew you had made it when you had the tire gauge in your shirt pocket. Always had a shop rag in your back pocket for checking oil and at times could be wound up to snap someone on the rear end that felt like a bee sting. Fun times, and learned car repair in the process. Changed tires on a manual tire changer, no need to workout after changing a few of those in a shift.
It was the best summer/ part time job I ever had was working at Butches Sunoco. It's how I paid for my pilots license and since Butch had a plane I also made friends with a lot of people who were always looking for someone to fly with including a cougar/sugar momma with a nice Bonanza 😂. Man did she teach me some stuff.
@@LouisReacts Tip earning positions in Illinois still earn minimum wage. So if written as such, they would still be making $9 per hour. Considering gas stations would be forced to hire to fill these positions, I see this bill resulting in a reduction in the number of available stations throughout the state as well as queues at the remaining stations. A bill like this doesn't create jobs, it creates frustration.
@@charliedango2664 I only know of New Jersey, I cannot say if in the Illinois bill if they are calling for minimum wage or not, you may be right! In New Jersey, they don't make minimum wage
In Oregon we have that... gas prices aren’t more than Washington Edit: they also are paid Oregon minimum wage (there is no getting paid less in Oregon because you get tips - and we also don’t tip gas station attendants. Also, I’m currently working from both Seattle and Portland so I am very familiar with the gas in between those places. I am not familiar with rural areas not on i5.
@Skye Dragon7 I don't find that hard to believe at all. That whole city needs sealed off as an exercise in socialistic ideals. Then let the rest of the state do what needs done.
@Skye Dragon7 And that is how a city goes straight to hell. All the good cops move away and all the good people move away. All you have left is a hell hole.
I worked in a gas station when I was young. A customer came in and used our coin operated vacuum cleaner to clean his trunk. The problem was he spilled gas in the trunk from an overturned gas can. When the gas fumes came into contact with the sparks from the electric motor in the vacuum it went off like a bomb. Fortunately no one was hurt but never underestimate the lack of common sense in people.
My son lives in Oregon and works part time as a 'pumper' (his words) ... the restrictions they have (both legally and business defined) make it so hard to get work done.
Imaginary Intellect I volunteered in a Oregon State Park last summer and it is still that way, you MUST let an attendant pump gas. BUT, they did amend the law recently so that you can pump your own gas on back shifts when there are no attendants there. Imagine that, the socialists in Oregon realized that you can't have an attendant there 24/7 because the costs would be astronomical. And you have to give midnight drivers a way to get gas.... I wonder if Bernie Sanders (if he can find enough stupid people to vote for him) will allow people to pump their own gas to keep costs down? Bernie wants to fundamentally change America and this is right down the socialist's alley. Make idiot laws and make the peons citizens pay for the stupid laws AND make the peon citizens follow their stupid laws.
Yea, oregon and its pump laws were rediculous. Pull in and wait. And wait. Best way to get service was to get out to do it yourself and they would immediately be there. Went to oregon on my motorcycle and told the pumper to not drop a bit of gas on my tank or there would be issues. Special paint job.. he just took a look at me and handed the nozzle over to me. Yup, good ole days.
This reminds me - I just got a replacement credit card in the mail (the old one about to expire), and it's the first one I've had that didn't have the raised numbers for imprinting. I took it as a sign of the end of an era. It reminded me that I couldn't even remember the last time a merchant used one of those things on my card. Fred
Fred - remember about 20 years ago, when North America had that huge blackout? I was picking up my new pickup truck that day, but the dealership hadn't had a chance to put the $20 of gas in (the pumps weren't working due to the power being out), and I hadn't paid yet for a couple of dealer installed options. They go to the reception desk, dig round through the drawers and cabinets for a couple of minutes, and bring out a credit card swipe imprinter machine to take an imprint of my card. Even if the raised letters are not there, the retailer can just (with a ballpoint pen) write the numbers and letters and dates on the imprint slip. (this is sometimes how a "phone order" is taken for a retailer that doesn't do phone orders very much)
@@VC-Toronto What, you mean the Y2K disaster? Wasn't that just awful? [ jk ] Although actually, the NE blackout I remember was the one in the 70's. But seriously, yeah, they can do that. Thing is, card makers no longer need to go to the trouble & expense of raising the digits (& name & exp. date), because 99.9% of the time, there won't be a mechanical card rolling-swiper thing used on them any more. And that was the only use there was for raising the digits. And congratulations on your new truck! 20 years ago, that is! Hope it was good to you. Fred
Fred - It was August 2003. Half of the eastern seaboard was without power for a few days. A series of faults caused by tree branches touching power lines in Ohio, which were then complicated by human error, software issues, and equipment failures, led to the most widespread blackout in North American history. Drove the Chev S-10 ZR2 home with the "low fuel light" flashing, and thankfully made it home without running dry. It lasted for 13 years and many miles, so didn't owe me anything when it's time was up.
@@darrylr.4983 - I wouldn't recommend that. Toon got all his passwords stolen and his RU-vid accounts hacked by using a bad plug in that stole all his info that was saved. (I didn't even known hackers could do that!)
Beautiful nostalgic memories! I grew up in Chicago and remember some of those summer days. Laying on the grass and watching the airplanes overhead. Life is a gift of God!
I pumped gas at my family’s gas stations ⛽️ all through the 70s but you couldn’t get me to approach strange cars nowadays for anything.this is a different world
Its the same world, you're just more aware of how screwed up people are thanks to expanded mass media coverage and click bait news on the internet. Statistically speaking the world is much safer with less crime per capita than the 70s www.disastercenter.com/crime/uscrime.htm
@@Bonzi_Buddy - Back when every gas station attendant had cash in his pocket and a changer on his belt, robbing a gas station was a good way to get shot dead. At least outside Liberal controlled cities. Several robbers tried to knock off a gas station in Nashville and got shot by the attendants and the inside manager. Finally the owner got tired of the hassles from robbers' survivors (you know, his Momma, Gramma and Aunties all said, "He's a good boy!") and closed the station. After killing ten armed robbers a pharmacist closed his store. It was getting to his nerves. The trial lawyers get to the scene before the cops and meat wagon.
Boy, I miss it when a young man brought our Grand Rapids Press seven days a week. He came by for payment twice a month. In the dead of winter or the blazing summer, I would only have to open my front door, and the paper would be between the front door and the storm door. So easy. Bless you Nick and later, your brother for delivering all those years ago.
I worked in newspaper circulation for 16 years; signed kids up for paper routes, dropped bundles, taught them how to collect their money. Later I saw many of these same kids starting & operating their own businesses. I have a LOT of respect for newspaper boys and girls, a LOT of respect.
Had a buddy from New Jersey that was a gas station attendant. He used to complain about how “arrogant out of staters were, thinking that they were smart enough to operate the complex equipment.” 🙄
Yeah, I remember that years ago when I was on a business trip and was in New Jersey. The attendant wasn't too nice either or more likely clear on his instructions. I was in a rental car, he told me to pull to the other side of the pump. Which I did, unfortunately he really wanted the other side of the car facing the pump. He wasn't happy with me. Also if I remember correctly New Jersey had a strange law about parking in Hotels. Like you couldn't back you car into the parking spot.
@@algrayson8965 Now that you reminded me that was the other strange thing. I remember right turn only signs all over the place. If I remember right I had to drive past a building to turn right, right and right on to the street I wanted to turn left on. Than drive through the light. It made the building an island. I was only there for a few days. Did not want to go back.
Man, what a pleasant stroll down memory lane. Grew up in Fraser and worked for the Southfield Chrysler/Jeep/Eagle dealership. I've been away from MI for more than 25 yrs and hearing you mention landmarks and intersections like 15 Mile and Telegraph brought back some cool memories. Thanks for the trip in the way back machine.
Same happened to me. Carter years. Long gas lines and pumps would run out. And it was called Mastercharge not Mastercard. No phone to verify credit. Got to meet lots of wonderful folks. Nice starter job.
In Feb. 1967, I turned 21 and traded in my wreck of a Chevy II on a '67 Volkswagon Beatle, the car of my dreams. Filled out the paperwork, hopped in, and started driving up and down Military Boulevard. Looked down, saw the gas gauge on R (for reserve, which is below empty), and pulled into the first gas station I could find. The gas station attendant and I looked all over for where to put in the gas! Don't remember who found it under the trunk lid in front! Gas was $0.25 per gallon; 10 gal. tank; fillup cost $2.50! Had a hard time finding the battery, too! Under the rear seat cushion, which you had to remove. Sorry folks, too much time on my hands, I guess. ☺ I've had a good life! Hope y'all do, too!
And the ugliest mayor in the country up in Chicago. She is a female that can never accuse a man of sexual harassment , I mean how desperate can a guy be?
and ...MASTERCHARGE... but they ditched the charge part....and went to the word "card." The word charge wasnt a good thing back then... you were supposed to pay for what your got in life...
The cashiers at retailers are the ones who are to blame for self check-outs. If cashiers were serving the customers better and not acting like they would rather be somewhere else, the stores would have never have considered self check-outs in the first place.
I'm sorry, but when I check my own stuff out, it gets done faster, and the bags are packed and placed back in the cart with minimal chance for damage and most convenient unloading back at my house. There was a time when grocery boys could do the same, but they've went the way of the dodo. Modern cashiers don't have the sense to separate glass jars and cans from chips, eggs, and bread. That's what should be illegal!
there's a station in my town where they'll come out and pump your gas for you if you want. i feel like a chump having someone pump my gas for me like i'm some kind of invalid.
General Disarray there’s a station I went to once. The guy actually shooed me away when I started pumping my own gas. Apparently their machines aren’t rated to be self pump. I guess too old?
On my way to Texas passing thru Atlanta one time, I pulled off the interstate to get some gas. Couldn't get the pump to work. A big guy hanging out there came over to see if he could help. He ended up pumping the gas without asking me. When he was done, he let me know he expected something for his effort. I wanted to get out of Atlanta alive! He got a $5.00 tip.
You said it yourself. If you want them to. In my wheelchair. If the pump back splashes. My shoes or pants don't get soiled. My face and eyes do. So fuck you for calling me a chump.
@@dough9512 You learn real quick to avoid getting gas in urban areas if you travel. I stopped in Gary once to learn that lesson!!! What is weird is I had a regular stop in St. Louis I actually enjoyed stopping at (before going into that Hell that is Illinois)... I went there for old times sake on one of my trips. BIG MISTAKE. It is super ghetto and sketchy. So now I hit the nice QT just before the city.
There will never be a time where a law solely to "keep jobs that are extinct" will be a viable law. It delays the inevitable, nothing else. Progress goes on with or without laws.
I think we should bring back ice cutters. Honestly those ice making machines in fridges are responsible for all the pain of everyone in the universe. Clearly... o.0
All-hours self-serve gas is now allowed in the 15 least populated of Oregon’s 36 counties. So attendants are still required at gas stations in Oregon’s larger population centers of Portland, Eugene, Salem, Bend and Medford, for example.
I first encountered this in Springfield, Oregon, while driving from California to Washington. I started grabbing the pump handle and the attendant came yelling for me to stop. My thought was "This must be the Springfield where Homer Simpson lives."
Steve, your mention of having to figure out "where the gas cap was on this particular car" reminded me of an event from my teenage gas-jocky days. I worked at a very busy station and they had two of us on the pumps. The other guy was new, his first day on the job. A lady pulled up in a foreign rear-engined car. New guy couldn't find the gas cap so she told him it was under the engine hood. He lifted the hood, unscrewed a cap and pumped gas. The lady paid and drove off, then minutes later she comes walking back looking for a tow, her car had died. Turned out new guy had removed the oil filler cap and pumped her engine full of high-test. The garage had to pay to fix her car and new guy was never seen again.
I had a kid pump gas in my desiel work truck. I noticed BEFORE starting it. Called the owner who called the mechanic. Station pushed it out of the way then: drained the tank, added one quart ATF, then filled with FREE desiel. The owner said if it needs work the station would be paying for it. 🤔 Company never used that station again.
My Dad told me for years if I didn't do well in school, I'd wind up working at a gas station (or digging ditches). I worked at a gas station nearly 20 years. Best job I ever had!
I miss the full service station. There were two in our little town. But one of them was always packed, and every kid in town would get excited when they heard mom and dad were stopping for gas at this particular station. It was owned by my great uncle, and him, his teenage sons, and a few employees ran the station, tow service, and repair service. Not only did they pump the gas, but they cleaned the windshields, checked the tire pressure, and checked the oil and what-nots under the hood. They still do it at this little station till this day. But we kids loved it because my cousins would always come out to the cars with kids and hand them a handful of two cent bubble gum pieces...no charge to mom and dad. Most of the time, kids caught with gum at school, had managed to get their bubble gum from my uncle's station. Hahaha. Ah, the dumb little things you remember that can still bring a smile to your face. I really miss those days.
I live in Illinois and work in Davenport Iowa. I always get my gas and cigarettes in Iowa. Hands down way cheaper. I feel for my fellow state citizens that don't live on the boarders of the state.
No not really. I don't see it that way. I work in the state of Iowa. So while I'm at work I stop and get my gas and cigarettes when I'm in Iowa. As long as I don't cross the state line with more then 2 cartons of cigarettes. I'm not violating any laws. So not evading tax per say. Just shopping smart.
A high school acquaintance of mine still does this at the only full service station in my City. Well at least he's there, every day working. Back in the 70s these were easy jobs for us guys.
Steve I used to be a 'gas jockey' back in the '70s and also ran the tow truck, but the boss would 'never' let us sit in the office!!! LOL. Always something to do. Clean, paint, sweep the driveway. Great first job and life experiences and helped me on my way to being an engineer.
I remember the pumps closest to the building were full service and the farther pumps self serve. By the mid '70's full service pumps were becoming extinct.
In 2011 the company I worked for got a contract to haul freight to British Columbia and I had the opportunity to listen to Heather on the radio. When she did the outro on this video where she said some of the lines from cars just cracked me up. And now, a few Hours later I can't get this song out of my mind! Yeah, thanks Heather. This song will be playing around in my brain for days now!
Like you, I too pumped gas as my first job and can confirm the rain effect as well as when it's really cold. I remember working a Christmas day where we hand long lines of cars waiting for gas. By the end of my four hour shift I could not feel my toes but I did make $30 in tips! The year was 1980.
When going through NJ, I always pump gas in Delaware. I don't care if it is more. I just like to pump my own gas. Got gas once many moons ago in NJ. Felt really off. Mainly because are you supposed to tip them? I mean you can't get gas without someone pumping so you shouldn't need to tip, right?
Totally true about the weather. I remember working in a car wash and having a line of cars at 8am wanting car washes when it was blistering cold and spitting snow and ice. That’s when I knew it was time to go back to school. I’ve never forgotten that January.
My son was at West Point from 2007-2011 (Class of 2011 "For Freedom We Fight!") We would stay in New Jersey and ALWAYS made sure we fueled up the car there. This saved us a LOT of money compared to NY fuel prices, even though every station had only full service. Folks lined up and they really moved us through, also.
I pumped gas in Virginia in the late '60's while in grad school. The manager instructed us to check the oil, check the radiator, check the air filter and check the tires! Had a couple of radiator injuries, learned a lot.
Exactly. They've sucked all the profit from everything else in Illinois and now they need more tax monies to skim from. I think the sales taxes we pay here now is almost 9%.
Steve I can confirm that when it rains or snows everyone decides that they need gas. I managed a convenience store for about 20 years and it never failed.
Some people don't like to drive in the rain and will use this as a excuse to get off the road, at least temporarily. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Vn9BeN8NBaA.html
Years ago I drove through Oregon, and needed gas. I get out, start doing my thing, and a homeless person starts running at me, waving his arms and screaming. I was ready to get into a fistfight. Turns out, he was the pump-employee. I had to stand outside of my car, put in my credit card, do the Zip-code thing, then call the homeless guy over to hit the "87" button, put the pump handle in, then wait for it to click off, then call the homeless guy back to put things back together, then hit "YES" for my receipt. As least I was allowed to drive my own car off the station lot.
I was a pump jockey twice. The money can be quite good but the work is quite hard. When I did it at 16 it was very rewarding very enjoyable and I got to meet a lot of wonderful people. I did it in central Florida as a teenager and I must agree with your assessment of the weather habits and the need for gas. The customers always seem to pick a pump in the perfect places to get you drenched to start.
I live in Illinois, sadly. We have so many other problems here and this nitwit legislator has to pick this battle. Heck, in western states I've run across completely unattended stations that was credit card at the pump only.
I had a paper rout in 8th grade in ‘64. My bike was a Schwinn Stingray. As a high school senior I worked at a full service ARCO station. We not only pumped gas and checked oil, cleaned windshields and headlights. That was the tail end of customer service.
I worked at a self-serve cheap gas station in Escondido, CA back in the day and I learned to close quickly else people would pull up and beg for gas. One night just as I switched the light off, these two guys pull up in a sedan and ask for gas. I said we were closed. I looked them in the eye and the guy said we "really"need to get to LA tonight. There was something that triggered my spidey sense and I said, "Sure." I pumped it for them and they gave me a tip and drove off north. I think they were on a dope run.
Owned a business that that had a couple gas islands. Also a autoparts. Started as an attendant only pumped gas station portion. As the selfserve transition took place we did the upgrades needed for selfserve.The former pump attendant got to stay inside cool in summer, warm in winter, aitting at a cash register. As a bonus to the business that person now was able to take the payments for not only the gas station items, but also payment for displayed auto parts, oils, and accessories. Still arrainged for someone to pump for the elderly, impaired, and back then lots of the ladies who were intimidated at operating what they considered a unladylike activity. Thanks Steve, brings back the memories! I'm not sure how many of todays kids want the job you so well discribed, are you???? BTW, while we were in southwest Michigan with our business but I spent part of the 68 summer at the GM tech center, and know those streets and general locations. 60's,70's, and 80's, I miss those good times! Life was slower.
I worked for a C-store chain while I was in my 20s. One store had gas, just so all the company cars could all be filled at cost. I pulled my work truck up, and started pumping. A kid ran outside to tell me what I was doing was ILLIGAL. I said you must be new guy, ALL the company vehicles fill up here. Ohh yeah, it's my first week on the job.
That has changed somewhat. I don't know what the logic behind the change was but if the county has a population below a certain amount you can pump your own. Whatever county Ontario Oregon is and fits that bill. Being from Washington it's really irritating to have some fool who can't even get the nozzle into the filler hole without banging against the body of my car really pisses me off. We do like mocking oregonians who cannot figure out how to run a gas pump though when they are in Washington.
I live in Oregon. I'm also in my mind 50s. For as long as I can remember Oregon has been a "NO self service gas" state. Some people love it like my mom. Others, like myself do not like it.
Watch the movie “The Jerk” where Steve Martin’s character had to check the credit card against the book of stolen cards...great scene! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-FCJx1uV38ZQ.html
Saw Dust and I’m going to guess that other than what you’ve heard about on some biased news source, you probably know jack about this politician. We have a duty to our republic to be well-informed citizens not simply being led around by the nose by political parties.
. Drove accross Brazil about a decade ago.....full service gas stations are everywhere. I can't tell you just how much I loved that. I would have never expected to have liked it so much. They clean all your windows, headlights, check your oil and filter, check tire pressure, fill your gas, take any orders for food and drink items inside the store, and run the whole time doing it. It's usually two or three very friendly guys and they finish up so fast it blows your mind. It feels like a NASCAR "pit stop" for regular people. I can't put into words how much I loved it. .
I remember when driving through Oregon one year in the 90's where I went to a station, and me being used to pumping my own gas, went to do it, and this poor attendant ran outside breakneck speed saying "Wait! You can't do that!". Of course, me being the puzzled tourist, didn't know that in Oregon, you still can't pump your own gas.
I worked for a C-store chain while I was in my 20s. One store had gas, just so all the company cars could all be filled at cost. I pulled my work truck up, and started pumping. A kid ran outside to tell me what I was doing was ILLIGAL. I said you must be new guy, ALL the company vehicles fill up here. Ohh yeah, it's my first week on the job.
Started pumping gas at 13 for $20 for a 12-hour day, plus tips. Earned $100+ every Saturday. Moved up to tire changing, batteries, and oil changes. Loved the Getty Station, the owner and the mechanics. Learned so much. Self Service - best idea to keep prices down. Lived overseas and they had attendants, did not trust them and they cheated the customers all the time. What a stupid law proposal!!
@Mike Louis: Exactly. Thanks for the support. I put that up because it reminded me of a time when I was very young, and the earliest I truthfully remember gas prices. Steve posting of his experience working at a station is spot-on, and is one of the reasons I like his channel so much; he is a real truth-teller. BTW, I won’t edit my comment. Just to annoy the soooooo truly butt-hurt, geniuses out there!!!
This has become one of my top 5 favorite channels! It's a good mix of technical facts tempered with the realities of real world experiences. Very interesting content, always entertaining.
I've been driving for over 40 years and I've heard of very few gas station fires. I have seen one fire in NJ, when a car sideswiped a pump. It was amazing how quickly the whole thing was aflame.
Had a full service gas station for most of the 80's. Every time it rained someone would pull in and to get a tire repaired (dirty and wet job) and have the audacity to say, "I have been airing it up for 2 or 3 weeks and decided I better get it fixed" (thanks for not letting me fix in sooner on a dry day).
I worked at a MOBIL gas station that was also an auto repair shop. I was elbows deep into an engine doing a tune-up when the bell would ding and I'd have to wipe off , stop what I was doing and go out to gas them up. Yes , we had rain coats strategically place so we could grab them and run out. It was a full service station , check the fluids ,wash the windshield etc. and if they asked to have their tire pressures checked ,we did that also ,FREE OF CHARGE.The price of gas was about 15 cents more per gallon than the self service places. The city kept widening the street and the business got to the point where the sidewalk was on top of the tanks. they had to pull them out. They got rid of the gas service about then and it was only a repair shop after that.
I pumped gas as one of my first jobs as a teen. One day had a lady pull in and as for a fill. As it was pumping, she suddenly drive off for whatever reason. The pumps at the time were older and didn't have the safety hoses that would detach. As she pulled away, she ripped the pump out of the ground and sent a geyser of gas 20 feet into the air. Needless to say moments later that gas Geyser ignited from the sparks of the wiring and we had a burning fireball of gas shooting into the air. I can tell you I've never run so fast in my life. Ran about a block to another gas station and called for the fire department. All in all it was quite exciting. Even more so, about two months later she did it again. Fortunately the pump at that point had been replaced with a newer one so she only ripped the hose off that time.
One of my first adult jobs was at a Phillips 66 training station ( later was promoted to manager). We charged 2-cents per gallon more. We checked the tire pressure,oil,air filter,Transmission fluid,etc.We even offered to vacuum their car. Needless to say we were the #1 station in our area.
I had an Amoco station in the 70's. In the beginning we were all full service and you are correct when it rained the gas business always picked up. Later we were half full service and half self service and our full service really got busy when it rain! I also had a few than wanted to fight over keeping the credit card.
