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WTR wrote: I'm tired of people using the space in front of the pump as a parking space. I also get tired of gassers using the only diesel/ gas pump when 10 gas only pumps are available . If it is the only pump open, I understand.

I'm guilty of using the space in front of a pump. Because I'm in a big truck and parking can be tight in front of the station, I'll sometimes park in front of a pump. But I'll only do it if I find a broken pump and/or there are plenty of open pumps available. Generally if the gas station is full, I'll find another one to go to.

C-dub wrote:Tell me about it. Now that I'm back on a bike I'm a little more exposed and when gassing it up don't even have a door to lock or window to raise to protect myself. I've only filled up three times now, but could tell that my alert level went a little higher than when I'm driving the truck.

When I used to ride is when I felt the most vulnerable at a gas station. I normally would pull up to the pump and unless I had a tank bag on, wouldn't even bother to get off the bike or take off my helmet. I would pull up real close to the pump, unlock the gas cap, swipe my card and start pumping. In hind site, it would have been pretty easy to have robbed me even though I was carrying because I was distracted and I did not have a good situational awareness.

wheelgun1958 wrote:I forgot to gas up at preferred station and had make emergency pit stop in seedy area of Dallas (Zang blvd). A panhandler caught me completely off guard. I shooed him off but was not prepared. I don't even think he saw the pistol on my hip. Gotta be more alert.

If you call that seedy then consider yourself lucky. I live near that area of town and have friends that do and it's not terrible, I've been to much worse in South Oak Cliff/Dallas.

JakeTheSnake wrote:One thing I do is circle around the pumps and get a eye for who may be loitering around, vehicles parked away from the store.
Don't just pull into the first available pump, especially in a unfamiliar area. If it looks shady, try a different station.

Sound advice and exactly what I do or at least stop ahead of the pumps and asses the situation before parking. I've been to some gas stations that are small and not easily maneuverable around, especially when I'm driving my truck.