Gassing up

[peasea]

Get off your bike before attempting to fill it.

As it happens I do, but not because I'm told to but because I choose to and if anyone gives me any any grief I'll go elsewhere. However, I can't recall the last time that happened.

[peasea]

in all honesty, peasea, the only time ive had a "moment of glory" [as you call it] was telling some jerk off to put his cigarette out as he wandered around the pumps.
and as for whether im shiny or not... there are heaps of people who come in, who likely have "better" jobs than me, who wouldnt have a clue how to pump gas.

how bout you try havin a little more respect, you never know who you will insult or annoy.

I didn't mean to offend with my generalization, I was referring more to the snot-noses who think that because they're not at shool any longer they rule the world. I know that most gas station owners and long term staff are usually good people and you're right, there are some prize pratts out there who don't know (or understand) the dangers of flammable goods and how to handle them. I actually enjoy chatting to small town gas station staff but the city outlets often seem to be staffed by the aforementioned dullards.

[idb]

my thighs dont make sparks with pants on...

There was a young man from Madras,
Who's balls were constructed of brass,
When jangled together they played "Stormy Weather",
And lightning shot out of his arse.

[sunhuntin]

I didn't mean to offend with my generalization, I was referring more to the snot-noses who think that because they're not at shool any longer they rule the world. I know that most gas station owners and long term staff are usually good people and you're right, there are some prize pratts out there who don't know (or understand) the dangers of flammable goods and how to handle them. I actually enjoy chatting to small town gas station staff but the city outlets often seem to be staffed by the aforementioned dullards.

thank you peasea

my job also entails the filling of lpg cylinders... and im pretty sure not many average joe customers know how to fill them.

yeh... it all comes down to OSH these days. we all got ordered last year that while filling a gas bottle, we cant leave it to serve cars. this means we are again open to more unwanted abuse. one guy almost lost his job last year when he left a bottle to serve someone who turned out to be an OSH enforcer guy.
this winter, the self serve signs will be going out when i start at 3pm, and staying there till closing at 10pm. some bottles can be waiting up to 30 mins or more to be filled when things are really busy, hence why the signs will be out: so i dedicate myself soley to bottles.

there were signs at the pak n save pumps when i was there saying no sitting on the bike while filling, and also signs saying people under 15 arent allowed to pump gas. i can understand that for younger kids, but not older ones. i permit kids to do it, but only if their parent stays with them. had one doing the gas while his mum sat in the car txting... boy pulls out the pump and gets covered in petrol. she blamed us for not babysitting him.

paul in nz also has an awesome point [bling on its way] the person in the uniform is simply the messenger, not the decider of the rules. same as we dont have any control what the price of petrol is going to do. we cant make it cheaper or dearer at a whim. we have to buy the stuff as well, and theres no such thing as a discount.

[marty]

I fill while stradling as my bitch has a mean air pocket and that difference is $1-89, so just over a litre of gas. Anal maybe but I hate stopping.

so that extra $1.89 (or just over a litre) is going to make the difference when you're riding to taupo, and you need to fill up at - say - turangi, but bacause you put that extra litre in at Johnsonville, you'll make it to taupo?

[heyjoe]

Um.....

The company (BP), rightly or wrongly has included in there terms of doing business that you dismount to fill your bike. If you object to this you should take it up with the company and get the policy change or listen to why they have done this. Believe it or not, corporates don't do this stuff for no reason at all, it costs money. DON'T take it out on the poor unfortunate upon whom the duty of enforcing this has been placed..... That poor sap is probably getting their bum kicked by the health and safety folks inside BP and should not have to put up with your attitude as well, they could loose their job for not compling with it.... Its a slight inconvinence for you to go to another station more in tune with your own beliefs but it's a major for some poor bastard to find another job......

Good comments Paul in NZ. I would add that to complete the picture would be if the staff working at the petrol station could convey their message in a polite and courteous manner then on-one should get offended about 'the message' or how the 'message' is conveyed. I mean people who are trained to handle customers in a manner that meets the customers expectations. Is it not every business owners wish to have customers come back time and time again? Is repeat business without the expense of attracting them in costing marketing money the key to successful business?

Yeah I have met many little hitler shop assistants who enjoy their moment of power. I know what that is all about. They get back what they give. If you are rude to me then I return the favour and I don't forget it. If you are courteous to me I also return the favour and remember it in a positive light. You will get my repeat business and best price doesn't always factor in decisions.

BTW. I always get off to fill my bike. I find it easier to control the hose and angle of nozzle for filling and I hate stretching to reach. However, I don't always take my helmet off if my stop is just for fuel. I don't see any point as I am about to put it back on again. I have never been asked to remove it inside. I use all different petrol stations. I prefer the ones that let you do all the filling yourself and don't come over to hassle you. The buggers always try to squeeze a few more mils into the tank (even when u ask them not to) and always manage to spill some on the tank.

[heyjoe]

Apart from anything else, humidity actually increases the chances of creating static sparking not decreases it.

Me, I just get off and fill slowly, never had a problem. What do I care if the station or chain has a policy of not sitting on the bike, boo hoo big deal, it is no hardship to me after all.
I do not have to inhale as much of the vapours and get to stretch the legs. Instead of bitching about 'your rights' to fill your bike however you feel you should, extra litre of gas blah blah, how about just accepting that this is done for other peoples safety and convenience, and go on your merry way glad that you have a bike to fill and a road to enjoy.
Jeez people save the bitching for something that actually matters.

+1 to the comments above. Well said.

[Swoop]

but i put 1200 litres of Avgas into the Corsair in the weekend, and i definately earthed THAT - didn't want to see a $2mill hard-on machine go bang.....

You at Tauranga this week then?

[ceebie13]

Must be a North Island thing.
Never been told to get off the bike - or take my helmet off before going in to pay for the fuel.

Me neither, but it's also a common UK thing...but I'm buggered if I'm removing my lid, plugs etc to hand over my cash. I work on the principle that if I have wallet, plastic (or better still, cash) in hand, and I'm walking into the shop to pay, then I'm hardly likely to be a threat am I?

Helmets off in banks? Well that's a different matter! Stick 'em up!!

[Ixion]

The justification always seems strained to me. "It is because robbers (sometimes) wear helmets".

Well, and they wear pants, too, don't they? So should we all remove our pants when we go in to pay, to prove we are not robbers.

And if one *is* a robber how does removing ones helmet (or pants) make one into , instantly, a non-robber ?

[idb]

The justification always seems strained to me. "It is because robbers (sometimes) wear helmets".

Well, and they wear pants, too, don't they? So should we all remove our pants when we go in to pay, to prove we are not robbers.

And if one *is* a robber how does removing ones helmet (or pants) make one into , instantly, a non-robber ?

I thought all robbers wore striped tops, Zorro-type masks and carried sacks with 'swag' written on them.....but then I've lived a sheltered life.

[ceebie13]

The justification always seems strained to me. "It is because robbers (sometimes) wear helmets".

Well, and they wear pants, too, don't they? So should we all remove our pants when we go in to pay, to prove we are not robbers.

And if one *is* a robber how does removing ones helmet (or pants) make one into , instantly, a non-robber ?

Wear half a pair...that will prove you have half a knicker on you at least!!

[ceebie13]

I thought all robbers wore striped tops, Zorro-type masks and carried sacks with 'swag' written on them.....but then I've lived a sheltered life.

Either that or you are speaking from experience!

[Jantar]

I thought all robbers wore striped tops, Zorro-type masks and carried sacks with 'swag' written on them.....but then I've lived a sheltered life.

You missed the number 679796 across their chest.

[sunhuntin]

heyjoe... it is very rarely that a biking customer will allow me to fill their bike... but i can safely say, the only time ive spilled petrol on the tank, it was my own bike. same with vintage car owners... prefer to do it themselves. i usually go over, say "you right there?" and usually get "yeh, ill do it thanks" which is kool.

and as for customer service... we never actually get any training when we start. ive got the basics, having been brought up to be respectful, but some staff i work with leave a lot to be desired.