Rude and Entitled People!

Tim Cobb

Tim Cobb

Pre-Flight
Joined
Apr 30, 2010
Messages
58
Location
Fort Lupton, CO
Display Name
HairyGoateeGuy
Home Airfield
KFTG
The other day while waiting to fuel up my plane, a guy pulled up in front of me then proceeded to unload his entire family at the pump so they could run in and get snacks etc at the terminal. When they came back he began to take all kinds of pictures of the wife and kids standing by the plane. This went on for over 20 minutes. He then finally got out his credit card and started to pump his fuel. Another 15 minutes went by while he reloaded the entire family into the expensive twin. In the meantime I and another plane were patiently waiting to get fuel. There is only one pump at Front Range airport where I fly. What's up with this behavior?
 
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You do carry a tire iron under the seat to help resolve such situations, don't you?

"Pardon me sir, I think I was next in line" carries more weight if you are idly smacking the tool against the palm of your hand.
 
I definitely would have at least said "Are you getting fuel?"
If it was simply a case of "first lovely flying day with the family euphoria", the guy would have likely snapped out of it and taken care of business.

If not, well, that's when you maneuver your plane so he can't get to the taxiway, then walk away for, say, an hour or so. :D
 
Last week week I pulled up to the Diesel pumps at my local gas station to get fuel. Only one of the pumps will fit into most cars, the other pump is the larger size for trucks. A Chem Lawn truck guy was on the car side and no one was on the truck side. I sat behind him for 5 minutes waiting for him to get out an pump. I finally walked up to him and he was sleeping in the front cab.

I banged on the window, woke him up and asked if was going to be pumping fuel any time soon. Groggily he said no he had finished, I then asked if he could pull up because he was blocking the only pump I could use. He did so when he realized that he was Douchy McDoucherson's distant cousin.

So it happens and not just with airplanes no expensive twins.

Our airport has one pump and can only accommodate one plane. We don't pump much fuel and are a friendly place. But every once and a while you get a guy who has decided to park at the pump while he uses the bathroom, checks weather, gets a snack, etc. Smile, ask them to move is about all one can do.
 
Rotor&Wing said:
So what does that have to do with anything?
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It helps you with the mental picture. Now you don't have a picture in your mind of this guy trying to get the whole family into an Aeronca Champ. You can visualize him getting them into a King Air, or something like that. :)
 
For some reason FTG seems to attract a few more thoughtless folks than other places (or I just fuel there often and see more problems). Never had a problem with abandoned aircraft or thoughtless folks at the self-serv at LMO or APA like I have at FTG.
 
Many of us have an expensive twin and try to be courteous. Unfortunately, we have issues also. I waited for a fella with a small single that left his plane in front of a self serve pump and went in the FBO. I don't like shutting my plane down and restarting: hot starts aren't good for the engines.

After awhile, I had no choice but to shut down and walk in. He was just chatting with folks in the FBO. I was waiting to make a long cross country trip with folks waiting for me to pick them up.
When I asked if he was getting fuel; he said, in awhile. I told him I couldn't reach the pumps which his plane there, and he told me to just move his plane.
Luckily, the guy that runs the FBO was there and saw what was going on. He asked the fella to move the plane and the two of them, helped me pull mine over.
Some folks are just in their own little world. Incourteousness isn't reserved to any particular plane owners that I have found.

Some folks may be in more of a hurry because they may actually be trying to get somewhere (get out in front of bad weather or have folks waiting), while others may not be in any hurry and I can see how that can cause issues.

Best,

Dave
 
Dave Siciliano said:
Some folks may be in more of a hurry because they may actually be trying to get somewhere (get out in front of bad weather or have folks waiting), while others may not be in any hurry and I can see how that can cause issues.
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It does make you appreciate the heads-up FBOs that have good line staff marshalling planes and manning the pumps. Self-serve operations seem to be more of a free-for-all.
 
Trapper John said:
It does make you appreciate the heads-up FBOs that have good line staff marshalling planes and manning the pumps. Self-serve operations seem to be more of a free-for-all.
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That's one reason I normally go to an FBO. On longer trips if I need to make a stop for fuel, I kinna want to get the fuel, use the facilities and get back in the air.
I'm often not properly dressed to be pumping fuel and dragging the hoses around. Still have to drain fuel and do a pre-flight but some hoses and the area around them aren't clean.
Some pumps won't let me top off; I have to re-enter my cc and start over.

I can't move my plane around on the ground alone. Have to have help or restart each engine.

The plane takes 190 gallons and that can take awhile to pump.

Sometimes, I don't have much choice and try to make the best of it.

Not making excuses, but on a nice VFR weekend with a lot of folks out having fun, if I'm in a bit of a hurry, I lean toward an FBO that pumps the gas.

The case I cited was a little airport with self serv I sometimes visit to see family. I had stopped to drop someone off and needed to top off to get back to Dallas. Some nasty weather was coming in on my route and I wanted to beat it out.

I still try to be nice, but I will ask and let someone know I need to go if they aren't using the pump. If they are, I offer to help if I can and mention I'm trying to get on my way. Not normally a problem, but I've run into a couple inconsiderate folks. Many more nice ones than otherwise and normally, not an issue.

Best,

Dave
 
Been to that pump at FTG, Tim. The airport is full of retired guys who have anything from Swifts to warbirds.

They get involved in their own worlds. Politelness usually is met with, "omigosh", or in the case of a Starduster Too pilot who was occupying that little corner where the pump is, eyeballed me and said "are you comfortable moving my fabric bird"....to which I responded, "I am if you are".

He got up and moved his bird. I did another hot restart.

The atmosphere at FTG is just like the atomosphere on the red board. "I GOT MINE, I DON'T NEED NO LEARNIN" and "Get away from mine".

But I try courtesy first.....before I move the other guy's unattended bird. And I'll move a Baron, a 421, whatever. "YOU LEFT IT UNATTENDED BLOCKING THE PUMP" is all I will say. Just be glad the baron driver didn't take out the pump with his wingtip, in that turn, leaving you with NO fuel. And when I have to run into the bathroom, I do NOT leave my twin at the pumps.

I can't imagine Dave Siciliano doing that either. You won't find a more courteous guy.
 
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I, too, live at FTG. Yes, there are some folk who think the SS pump is a parking spot after/before getting fuel, but not that many. I've noticed that most of the problems come from transients who get fuel then leave the airplane while they go into the FBO. What really annoys me is the airplane that has fuel and sits and calls for the IFR release, arranges charts, chats with passengers, does the runup, all blocking the pump.
 
bbchien said:
The atmosphere at FTG is just like the atmosphere on the red board. "I GOT MINE, I DON'T NEED NO LEARNIN" and "Get away from mine".
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Agreed. There's some (maybe a lot of that) at FTG. There's also many good folk who'll loan you whatever you need. Maybe ya jus' gotta be a local...
 
Dave Siciliano said:
I still try to be nice, but I will ask and let someone know I need to go if they aren't using the pump. If they are, I offer to help if I can and mention I'm trying to get on my way. Not normally a problem, but I've run into a couple inconsiderate folks. Many more nice ones than otherwise and normally, not an issue.
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Good point. A little courtesy goes a long way, be it in the pattern or at the pumps.
 
Dave Siciliano said:
That's one reason I normally go to an FBO. On longer trips if I need to make a stop for fuel, I kinna want to get the fuel, use the facilities and get back in the air.
I'm often not properly dressed to be pumping fuel and dragging the hoses around. Still have to drain fuel and do a pre-flight but some hoses and the area around them aren't clean.
Some pumps won't let me top off; I have to re-enter my cc and start over.

I can't move my plane around on the ground alone. Have to have help or restart each engine.

The plane takes 190 gallons and that can take awhile to pump.

Sometimes, I don't have much choice and try to make the best of it.

Not making excuses, but on a nice VFR weekend with a lot of folks out having fun, if I'm in a bit of a hurry, I lean toward an FBO that pumps the gas.

The case I cited was a little airport with self serv I sometimes visit to see family. I had stopped to drop someone off and needed to top off to get back to Dallas. Some nasty weather was coming in on my route and I wanted to beat it out.

I still try to be nice, but I will ask and let someone know I need to go if they aren't using the pump. If they are, I offer to help if I can and mention I'm trying to get on my way. Not normally a problem, but I've run into a couple inconsiderate folks. Many more nice ones than otherwise and normally, not an issue.

Best,

Dave
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You need a good pnuematic horn STC, Dave. Just pull up and blast that thing if the guy doesn't come out to move his plane.

I can't believe he suggested YOU go move HIS abandoned aircraft. I also can't believe you didn't take him up on that offer. :rofl: You're way too nice.
 
couldn't y'all just get on the unicom and ask the folks inside to have the guy come out and move his plane?
 
dmccormack said:
Fix that fer ya! :D
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It probably would have been better to have said, "Tardies". :smile:

Anyway, it wasn't meant as a dig toward Tri-Pacers. They have a certain, "Come fly me around the patch" appeal that new stuff like Cirri don't, IMO. Maybe that's because I spend far too much time Monday through Friday staring at LCD screens, and I really don't want to do that in the air...

A Tri-Pacer converted back to its original correct PA-20 tailwheel form, would be just about right for me...
 
One Short said:
Hey, I resemble that remark!!

Barb
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No offense intended! :blush: Was it you, or someone else that posted the ad for the nice looking PA-22 for a friend last week? Back in the early '70s, Tri-Pacers tended to live in the unloved section of the ramp, when you could rent a sparkly new 172 or Cherokee 180 for $15/hour, but it's good that they're making a comeback now.
 
Trapper John said:
No offense intended! :blush: Was it you, or someone else that posted the ad for the nice looking PA-22 for a friend last week? Back in the early '70s, Tri-Pacers tended to live in the unloved section of the ramp, when you could rent a sparkly new 172 or Cherokee 180 for $15/hour, but it's good that they're making a comeback now.
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Tri-Pacers were the Rodney Dangerfield of planes - so stubby-looking, no one wanted to love them, it seemed. Funny thing, though- run the numbers, and they are pretty darned good performers.
 
Maxmosbey said:
It helps you with the mental picture. Now you don't have a picture in your mind of this guy trying to get the whole family into an Aeronca Champ. You can visualize him getting them into a King Air, or something like that. :)
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Hmmmmm, OK. With the title of the thread and the reference of the "expensive" twin it appeared to be a "wealth envy" issue.
 
Howdy all, thanks for the insight. As I'm new to flying I guess I need to realize there are nice people and inconsiderate folks no matter what sport you are in. I rodeo alot (team rope) and I scuba dive and you get the same stuff there. The trick is to not let it ruin your day. Any of us can have a brain-fart from time to time. I'm more of a forgive and forget type of guy. I will always ask nicely at least once. lol
 
Stuff happens, and it's just as easy to be nice about it. I just ask politely (but in a voice that can easily be heard "does somebody want to move this POS that's blocking the pump before I do it with the dozer blade?"

Tim Cobb said:
Howdy all, thanks for the insight. As I'm new to flying I guess I need to realize there are nice people and inconsiderate folks no matter what sport you are in. I rodeo alot (team rope) and I scuba dive and you get the same stuff there. The trick is to not let it ruin your day. Any of us can have a brain-fart from time to time. I'm more of a forgive and forget type of guy. I will always ask nicely at least once. lol
Click to expand...
 
Tim Cobb said:
Howdy all, thanks for the insight. As I'm new to flying I guess I need to realize there are nice people and inconsiderate folks no matter what sport you are in. I rodeo alot (team rope) and I scuba dive and you get the same stuff there. The trick is to not let it ruin your day. Any of us can have a brain-fart from time to time. I'm more of a forgive and forget type of guy. I will always ask nicely at least once. lol
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Head or heeler? Those dang heelers are the rudest cowboys I've ever run across!!! :) :rofl:
 
Two words, Barb.


Spin Zone.

:D
 
Only because they have to deal with headers who can't stay away from the barrier.

gkainz said:
Head or heeler? Those dang heelers are the rudest cowboys I've ever run across!!! :) :rofl:
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Clark1961 said:
For some reason FTG seems to attract a few more thoughtless folks than other places (or I just fuel there often and see more problems). Never had a problem with abandoned aircraft or thoughtless folks at the self-serv at LMO or APA like I have at FTG.
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I never had a problem at FTG for the years I was based there, but I often went to Platte Valle, 18V, to get fuel.
 
ScottM said:
Last week week I pulled up to the Diesel pumps at my local gas station to get fuel. Only one of the pumps will fit into most cars, the other pump is the larger size for trucks. A Chem Lawn truck guy was on the car side and no one was on the truck side. I sat behind him for 5 minutes waiting for him to get out an pump. I finally walked up to him and he was sleeping in the front cab.

I banged on the window, woke him up and asked if was going to be pumping fuel any time soon. Groggily he said no he had finished, I then asked if he could pull up because he was blocking the only pump I could use. He did so when he realized that he was Douchy McDoucherson's distant cousin.

So it happens and not just with airplanes no expensive twins.

Our airport has one pump and can only accommodate one plane. We don't pump much fuel and are a friendly place. But every once and a while you get a guy who has decided to park at the pump while he uses the bathroom, checks weather, gets a snack, etc. Smile, ask them to move is about all one can do.
Click to expand...

Once I encountered a somewhat similar situation. I pulled into a gas station only to find all the pumps engaged. My car is one of those with the filler on the right side - so I have to pull up on the left side of the pumps. The guy at the forward pump was just getting started - but it appeared that the folks in the the second vehicle were finishing up. No luck - they went in the store for awhile - then came back and proceeded to wash every window in their fullsize van. Just as they were getting in it to leave, the guy at the forward pump pulled out - and I took his place. Simultaneously, the van started to roll forward, continuing until our bumpers almost touched. If stares could kill, I'd be dead. Then the car behind them pulled up as far as possible - and they were TRAPPED! It was payback time!

So I put my gas in the tank - without doing anything unnecessary (like washing windows) - and backed out. Was I discourteous? I think not - I waited my turn, then pulled into the newly-vacated slot. There was nothing to prevent those folks from turning out of the pump lane (rather than go straight ahead).

Dave
 
LBJ said don't get mad, get even.

cessna182b said:
Once I encountered a somewhat similar situation. I pulled into a gas station only to find all the pumps engaged. My car is one of those with the filler on the right side - so I have to pull up on the left side of the pumps. The guy at the forward pump was just getting started - but it appeared that the folks in the the second vehicle were finishing up. No luck - they went in the store for awhile - then came back and proceeded to wash every window in their fullsize van. Just as they were getting in it to leave, the guy at the forward pump pulled out - and I took his place. Simultaneously, the van started to roll forward, continuing until our bumpers almost touched. If stares could kill, I'd be dead. Then the car behind them pulled up as far as possible - and they were TRAPPED! It was payback time!

So I put my gas in the tank - without doing anything unnecessary (like washing windows) - and backed out. Was I discourteous? I think not - I waited my turn, then pulled into the newly-vacated slot. There was nothing to prevent those folks from turning out of the pump lane (rather than go straight ahead).

Dave
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