RE: Pump Attendants to Return
Wednesday 4th September 2002
Pump Attendants to Return
'Fill it up mate...'
Discussion
I saw this happen once in Saudi. Some guy 
left his kids in a big old Buick whilst he paid up (20 cents a gallon!), and started shooting the breeze with his mate. Boy stands up to see where Dad is, and knocked the car into reverse. Buick sails off across the Hijaz backwards, describing a huge loop 
(with Dad and assorted other Arab fellows running behind, robes flowing in th wind) to arrive back almost where it started, and crash into a lamppost 
. En'ch Allah, no body hurt 
. Very funny to watch though (well we Brits found it funny).
left his kids in a big old Buick whilst he paid up (20 cents a gallon!), and started shooting the breeze with his mate. Boy stands up to see where Dad is, and knocked the car into reverse. Buick sails off across the Hijaz backwards, describing a huge loop (with Dad and assorted other Arab fellows running behind, robes flowing in th wind) to arrive back almost where it started, and crash into a lamppost . En'ch Allah, no body hurt . Very funny to watch though (well we Brits found it funny). 
C'mon surely just another excuse to add another 3p per litre.
I too am perfectlty capable of saucing my own rear quarter panel myself.
If they are trying to say it was for anyone's health and saftey, they may seem a bit more credible if they provided the service 24/7, this is a peeeeeeeeeee take.
Mouse
p.s: Has anyone else been pedaled the old "Your phone may cause an explosion if it rings within 300m of the petrol station" s**te @ work over the past week?
We were warned that a man recently suffered 3rd dergree burns to his groynal region when his phone rang in his pocket while re-fuelling.
Just a funny, if painful urban myth?
I too am perfectlty capable of saucing my own rear quarter panel myself.
If they are trying to say it was for anyone's health and saftey, they may seem a bit more credible if they provided the service 24/7, this is a peeeeeeeeeee take.
Mouse
p.s: Has anyone else been pedaled the old "Your phone may cause an explosion if it rings within 300m of the petrol station" s**te @ work over the past week?
We were warned that a man recently suffered 3rd dergree burns to his groynal region when his phone rang in his pocket while re-fuelling.
Just a funny, if painful urban myth?
quote:
p.s: Has anyone else been pedaled the old "Your phone may cause an explosion if it rings within 300m of the petrol station" s**te @ work over the past week?
Its a myth - usual source
www.snopes.com/autos/hazards/gasvapor.htm
>> Edited by Size Nine Elm on Thursday 5th September 14:08
re: phone on the forecourt
I was on the phone for about 10 mins sat on an Esso forecourt (about 11 at night so not in anyones way), as the conversation started to finish I got out the car and was about to start filling up. At this point the attendant comes out the office and starts to have ago at me for using the phone, he said he had been watching me for the last 10 mins.
Going on about safety. So I asked him what is the risk exactly (out of interest). He did'nt know! So I asked why it took him all this time to warn me.......he did not want to disturb my conversation! I asked where the warning signs were.......he said he thought everyone knew!
So if anyone can tell what the genuine risk is (static? radiation?) I would like to know.
Thanks.
I was on the phone for about 10 mins sat on an Esso forecourt (about 11 at night so not in anyones way), as the conversation started to finish I got out the car and was about to start filling up. At this point the attendant comes out the office and starts to have ago at me for using the phone, he said he had been watching me for the last 10 mins.
Going on about safety. So I asked him what is the risk exactly (out of interest). He did'nt know! So I asked why it took him all this time to warn me.......he did not want to disturb my conversation! I asked where the warning signs were.......he said he thought everyone knew!
So if anyone can tell what the genuine risk is (static? radiation?) I would like to know.
Thanks.
quote:
quote:
p.s: Has anyone else been pedaled the old "Your phone may cause an explosion if it rings within 300m of the petrol station" s**te @ work over the past week?
Its a myth - usual source
www.snopes.com/autos/hazards/gasvapor.htm
>> Edited by Size Nine Elm on Thursday 5th September 14:08
Had a look at the SNOPES website...some really funny stuff there
...take a look! 
Apparently it al started as an urban legend but the petrol retailers decided to act before it became a public issue. Mobile Phone Safety Article
However, the petrol pumps can be affected by mobiles. I was once filling up the car when the pump cut out. I'd only put a gallon in and the tank was nearly empty. I tried again but it wouldn't start. A guy the other side of the pump was texting his mate and the phone was interfering with the pump. There was a pump engineer around and he said it was something to do with the electrical pulses the flowmeter sends to tell the attendent how much to charge you. Once the guy had switched his phone off we were back to normal..... bring back manually operated mechanical pumps!!!!!!
MC
However, the petrol pumps can be affected by mobiles. I was once filling up the car when the pump cut out. I'd only put a gallon in and the tank was nearly empty. I tried again but it wouldn't start. A guy the other side of the pump was texting his mate and the phone was interfering with the pump. There was a pump engineer around and he said it was something to do with the electrical pulses the flowmeter sends to tell the attendent how much to charge you. Once the guy had switched his phone off we were back to normal..... bring back manually operated mechanical pumps!!!!!!
MC
My understanding is....
The only way a mobile phone can cause a spark (and hence ignite petroleum vapour) is if the battery is removed whilst the phone is in use (i.e. drawing a heavy current and a minute airgap is formed) or if the aerial is badly damaged. Having said that, my mobile has a 3.3V battery, and I have no idea of the voltage across the (stub) aerial, so it is probably all BS, and more to do with the interference with pump metering systems.
The only way a mobile phone can cause a spark (and hence ignite petroleum vapour) is if the battery is removed whilst the phone is in use (i.e. drawing a heavy current and a minute airgap is formed) or if the aerial is badly damaged. Having said that, my mobile has a 3.3V battery, and I have no idea of the voltage across the (stub) aerial, so it is probably all BS, and more to do with the interference with pump metering systems.
OK, so you drive into a petrol station in a car with a scorching hot manifold, spark plug HT leads that may be loose and arcing, possibly a dodgy interior light switch operated when the driver's door opens ....and they're concerned about the remote possibility of a phone causing a fire? !!
And who hasn't noticed static when they've got out of their car? This too could also result in a spark.
IMO there's a chance that the phone may cause the pump to malfunction, with a financial loss to the fuel company - hence the ban.
And who hasn't noticed static when they've got out of their car? This too could also result in a spark.
IMO there's a chance that the phone may cause the pump to malfunction, with a financial loss to the fuel company - hence the ban.
Thankyou Paul....
(may I call you Paul, as I did bother to look up your profile?
BTW I guess you're on good terms with your family ostiopath since you stint of Morgan stewardship)
....Exactly!
So it's all just mythological bull-poo then.
I'd hate to imagine how much of my/your hard wedge greedy gordon threw @ that utterly pointless H&S (read:Horse Shite) propaganda.
>> Edited by danger mouse on Friday 6th September 17:15
(may I call you Paul, as I did bother to look up your profile?
BTW I guess you're on good terms with your family ostiopath since you stint of Morgan stewardship)
....Exactly!
So it's all just mythological bull-poo then.
I'd hate to imagine how much of my/your hard wedge greedy gordon threw @ that utterly pointless H&S (read:Horse Shite) propaganda.
>> Edited by danger mouse on Friday 6th September 17:15
quote:
So it's all just mythological bull-poo then.
Yup! That's why Shumie parks his car over earthing strips during pit stops, but team bosses still have their mobiles to speak to team owners (no ban there!). I'm sure if there was a real fire risk, Bernie would impose a phone ban in the pits.
>> Edited by wolosp on Monday 9th September 12:33
quote:
..The Petroleum Equipment Institute in March 2002 issued a press release warning motorist to be cautious while fueling their vehicles and to follow three basic guidelines while filling up; 1) TURN OFF ENGINE. 2) DON’T SMOKE 3) NEVER RE-ENTER YOUR VEHICLE.
So what?? You fill up pay the cashier, then walk to your destination??? stoooooopid!
Gassing Station | Motoring News | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff