Oregon ends ban on self-service gas pumps
after 72 years: Confused motorists turn
to 'how-to' guides and station attendants'
union slams the change as 'blatant cash grab'

Remeber when gas prices were 2-tiered? One for the attendant to operate the pump and a few pennies less if you pumped it yourself. "Selve serve" - a novel concept at the time.

Are the residents of OR really so stupid that they must read instructions and study before they can pump their own fuel? How do they exist when the travel on vacation outside the state? And how do they defend being more stupid than 12 year old's in other states who routinely pump fuel?

Given the politicians that they elect to rule over them #2, perhaps they are.

My first tax paying job was a pump monkey, and I thought I was one of the last. Didn't know there were places that mandated full service.

I was in Oregon about 10 years ago. I was dumbfounded to find that a person couldn't pump their own gas. Dictators must dictate.

The last time someone else pumped my gas it was $.37 a gallon and came with your choice of a new kitchen towel or a cartoon drinking glass (I still have some of those glasses) for free and they cleaned the windshield. Seems very weird that they had an actual law against pumping your own gas. Welcome to the 21st century.

It's against the law to pump your own gas in NJ

Maybe folks from far away from Oregon imagine that smiling young clean cut guy in a uniform with "Bob" stitched above the pocket and a bow tie would come out and pump your gas in Oregon.....not exactly. Maybe 60 years ago. About 12 years ago, I had a business trip to Grant's Pass, caught a flight to Portland, rented a car and drove down. It's a pretty good drive, seems like four hours or so. In any case, had to stop for gas along the way. I pull into the station and hop out....and there are some really sketchy looking dudes just hanging around, leaning on the pumps. I've never seen people hanging around pumps at a gas station before. Long, stringy hair, massive tattoos, and scruffy clothes.....I was thinking I was about to be assaulted or robbed. Unfortunately, Oregon recognizes NO OTHER state's CCW permits so I couldn't be legally armed. I went over to the pump and started to get my gas....one of the sleazeballs says "You can't do that". I looked at him and said, "Sure I can, I do it all the time" "Not here, it's illegal." "OK, I'll go somewhere else." Thinking that his must be some weird 'full service only station'. "No, it's state law, you can't pump your own gas in Oregon, we pump it for you." "What the hell?" "Yeah." So, the sleazy tattooed guy pumped my gas and didn't mug me. A very uncomfortable situation for me. What a chicken shirt state this is. But, one tiny thing getting more normal. But what will the lowlife's do to pay for their tatoos and drugs now that they can't shake down the gas station owners for mandatory jobs?

If you ever wanted to get a real stinky eye from someone, just go to Oregon and start pumping your own gas at a filling station. The look you will get from the make-work attendant who struts up to where you are standing next to the pump will be priceless.

FTA: 'Motorists expressed excitement and confusion at the newfound freedom' Could that help explain the way they vote?

I like restrictions on people lifted. The reason for "attendant only pumpers" was to preserve jobs by restricting the freedom of gas station owners and their customers.

One benefit of full service gas stations is there is less likelihood of carjackings so I expect a rise in Oregon. I’m also waiting for this carjacking phenomenon to hit EV charging stations- those people are sitting ducks. Don’t expect the police or politicians to defend you either.

Re #1, in telling a "gas station attendant" from a carjacker - I don't see any difference, based on the two times I've had "gas station attendants" pumping my gas in Oregon. They could easily be a carjacker.

I really liked it when we went to self service. That saved me 10 minutes of waiting on the attendant. Then, when they went to pay at the pump, I was even more happy, as I did not have to stand in line for another 10 minutes to pay for it.

Was in Medford OR last year for the first time in over 10 years, got out to fill my tank and this pretty girl politely stopped me and said she would do it. I thought wow until I recalled the law. So then I asked if she could wash my window and check my oil, she replied sure. The show was great and It was a nice change but I would always take a 1- to 20 cent discount over the service. Of course the new law in OR forbids any discount for self-service so I'll still let the pretty girl do it. This was the first of many fill ups of the day since I was driving I-5 all the way home which was over 800 miles south. Try that in an eV.

Gas service station attendant union? Really? Talk about a do nothing cash grab from the working stiff.

NJ has this stupid rule a well. Another reason I'm glad I left.

Gas pump attendants have a union? Well why not I guess. They unionized sex workers in Las Vegas.

Same thing is happening at some supermarkets where all customers will be forced to do the checkout on their groceries. I don't like it. I like being served.

Re #19. Kroger and Walmart Fresh Market are doing that now by only having one checkout counter manned in even busy times. The last time I shopped at Kroger was about 6 months ago and there were at least a dozen buggies lined up at the one attended lane. When I say the last time, I mean the LAST time. I will never go back.

Back in the day, my girlfriend and I pulled into a full service gas station in Illinois. She was driving, and told the attendant to fill the tank. Some time later in the day, we discovered that he had gouged the paint around the gas tank with the nozzle.

Guess I'm in the minority here. I remember the excitement of getting to pump gas for the first time when I was still a very new driver. However in the years following, when I was dressed nicely for work, I began to wish I could have someone come fill the tank, check the oil and wash the windows. I still would like to have that option. It just seemed so, well, civilized. In a small town where it was usually someone's grandpa, not a thug, I didn't mind paying a little extra for that service. I do agree however that paying at the pump is good. Ramona (the Pest)