Stealing Gas
As I was getting gas at the self-service pump this morning, I thought about an old trick often employed as a teenager. As I recall, the hoses that delivered the gas from the pumps would vary in length according to the stations. So I found the station in town that had the longest hose. I cannot remember the name, although I recall a flashing neon rabbit in the logo. The trick was to shut off the pump after the allotted purchase. Then, with the trigger still engaged in the car, to methodically raise the hose back toward the connection to the pump, allowing gravity to pour a generous amount of additional gas into the vehicle. I figured, with a 12-foot-hose, I was easily getting another quart of gasoline.
One time the attendant came running out to tell me to stop, that I was stealing gas. I looked at him with puzzlement and ask how? He explained that I was taking gas that belonged to the next guy.
Now, here I am 35 years later, thinking about this incident. I know such is rather ludicrous, but that’s how my mind works. In my mind there is an explanation/justification that makes sense to me. And I guess I will need to go back to my hometown, find the attendant, and continue the conversation.
Before passing along what I think, I would like to know your opinion of the matter. Was I stealing gas?
08.27.09 (10:04 am) [
edit]
posted by:
fractalmom (
reply)
post date:
08.27.09 (8:48 am)
which came first? the pump or the nozzle? eh?
if the pump, then it should have quit dispensing to the HOSE at the pump. therefore, any gas remaining in the hose is yours, and the stations have been stealing it back from us all these years. LOL. now THERE's a thought???
if at the NOZZLE....then yes, it was stealing, or at least unauthorized usage.
A phone call to the division of weights and measures, or in the alternative, a google query might just answer this question.
good one PD !!
posted by:
Mike Hale (
reply)
post date:
08.27.09 (9:48 am)
Dave?...I think everything you could get after the trigger was let go is yours...the measurement had already been taken, so?...lay down tonight and rest well.....lol
posted by:
bawdy (
reply)
post date:
08.27.09 (11:30 am)
You were simply exploiting a loophole. It's the American way!
posted by:
Beaver teeth (
reply)
post date:
08.27.09 (11:48 am)
The station was the Mutual station, run by a man named Carl McKowen [not sure of the spelling of his last name]. Green eye Goggans used to live in a junk car parked out back.Then Mr. Dobbs let him live in the back of the tire store on 8th street.In my opinion if the pump is off what ever you can drain out of the hose is yours.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
08.27.09 (12:56 pm)
Reply to: Beaver teeth
Now, that brings back some memories. Seems I recall several of us loading up in an old clunker, and then going by a half dozen closed stations to drain gas out of the hoses. I'll offer no defense or justification for that behavior, other than being a blockheaded teenager.
posted by:
emerging (
reply)
post date:
08.27.09 (1:04 pm)
Seems to me, the measure is taken before the gas hits the hose - same way the water for your house goes through the meter first. If you shut your garden hose off at home and there's still water in it, it's yours. You're covered for the purchase you made.
As for driving all over and squeezing the gas out of hoses at stations where you haven't made a purchase - that's just bad form!
posted by:
Steve B (
reply)
post date:
08.27.09 (3:02 pm)
Yes as Beaver Teeth mentioned (I may know that guy) it was the Mutual station, on Gault. I always thought that the neon rabbit sign was really neat. Anyway I think your ok about the gas in the hose.
I wonder what happened to Green eye Goggans????
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
08.27.09 (3:32 pm)
Reply to: Steve B
Yep, you know beaverteeth. I'll not mention names, but he graduated with us, and played the bass drum in the school band.
The pumps now are electronic, and don't allow you to drain the hose. I've tried.
posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
08.27.09 (6:49 pm)
If it's the worse thing you've ever done, I don't think it matters if it was stealing or not. I'd have a hard time getting worked up about it one way or the other.
posted by:
Beaver teeth (
reply)
post date:
08.27.09 (7:40 pm)
Reply to: Steve B Green eye has went to the great tire store in the sky.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
08.27.09 (7:48 pm)
Reply to: surrogate
Well, it's not the worst I've done! Once I stole a candy bar. Glad I don't live in Iran- might be living life with one hand.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
08.27.09 (7:51 pm)
Reply to: emerging
Bad form? It enabled half a nite of cruising!
I was also known, as a kid, to jiggle the control of a gum machine, and sometimes a gumball would come my way. Bad form again, I suppose?
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
08.27.09 (7:52 pm)
Reply to: bawdy
Kind of like playing loose with tax returns...
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
08.27.09 (7:56 pm)
Reply to: Mike Hale
Rest well, indeed! Green-Eye Goggans... didn't you throw a few firecrackers his way, when he was in a state of inebriation?
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
08.27.09 (8:03 pm)
Reply to: fractalmom
It seems to me, the person who is truly losing is the very first individual using the pump. When he starts, the hose is empty. When he leaves, unless he drains the hose, he leaves a part of his purchase in that very hose. So he may pay for $10 worth of gas, but will leave 25 cents or so in the fuel hose. Then, the question becomes, whose gas is that? Does it now belong to the gas station? If the first person left it and will never come back to get it, then it is much like the quarter dropped and left on the sidewalk. I've a right to pick it up and put it into my pocket.
But... here's the catch- When I take the gas from the hose, the chances are very high that the guy who follows me will not do the same. He will be shorted that amount of gas. So, I'm taking a quarter from the next person. And, that's stealing. I could justify my behavior by saying that I am simply smarter than the next guy. Still, I've taken his quarter without him realizing. It's not right. Alas!
posted by:
auntconi (
reply)
post date:
08.27.09 (10:13 pm)
... I think you should go golfing like I do!
posted by:
auntconi (
reply)
post date:
08.27.09 (10:25 pm)
Seriously ~ come on over to my blog and we can have a party and go golfing...
posted by:
Lavarock (
reply)
post date:
08.28.09 (1:55 am)
With the pump off, th gas in the hose was yours. Besides the stations never told you that getting gas when it is hot vrs cold varies the amount delivered.THEY were stealing from you :-)
posted by:
fractalmom (
reply)
post date:
08.28.09 (6:13 am)
science dot howstuffworks dot com slash gas-pump dot htm slash printable
posted by:
OldSchool (
reply)
post date:
08.28.09 (6:26 pm)
I would vote that once it is in the hose it belongs to you and was probably paid for. Either way, not worth losing any sleep over.
Take care PD.
posted by:
barnabus1 (
reply)
post date:
08.29.09 (7:02 pm)
Used to be a filling station with a pop corn machine, we learned we could push the top back and open it, and enjoy the fixin's~~, then push the lid back on, so was still locked!! Ain't losin' no sleep over it!!
