Wow. Major flashback to the late 70’s. I had just gotten my driver’s license in 1978. I remember sitting in my mom’s dirt-brown Granada on our designated day…watching the long lines inch forward and hoping the gas didn’t run out before I got to the pump. Usually people waited their turn, but once someone cut in front of me, and the guy in the car behind me got out of his car and went over and yelled at them. I was sure a fight would break out – scary!
Well a co-worker who used to work at a refinery informed me this morning that Harvey had closed refineries all along the coast, and that I should do what I could to see myself through the next couple of weeks, gas-wise, as soon as possible. (How did I miss this on the news?) So, since a bunch of us were going to lunch anyway, I left a little earlier to stop and gas up on my way to the restaurant.
I passed three gas stations with hoods on the pumps. When I saw the line around the fourth, I took my place. A tanker was unloading! Plenty of gas!
I waited.
Then I texted my friends to tell them I would be missing lunch.
I waited.
How did people pass the time before cell phones?
As I waited, I was watching the gas station employees with growing admiration.
They closed one entrance, leaving only one entrance for cars that wanted gas. They had folk out there directing the traffic. They reconfigured the open pumps so that there were two circles of cars that didn’t interfere with each other, and they were accommodating and polite. They confidently told you where your place in line was, and re-assured you that your turn was coming. The helpful and involved employees worked magic. Lines flowed, smiles appeared, and when you got your gas, it was easy to exit, making room for the steadily-lengthening line behind you. There were no temper tantrums, no cutting in line, and no entitlement visible.
Of course, the knowledge that the shortage is going to be short-lived helped, I’m sure. Tensions ran much higher in ’79. And the knowledge that Harvey hurt a whole lot of people more than a gas-line’s -worth of inconvenience probably had a sobering effect as well.
As I waited for my turn at the pump, I realized that between 1980 and today, I never seriously thought about gas not being available when and where I needed it…or food or water, for that matter. How blessed am I?
We will see. After work – Walmart…