[Declan]

Despite all the assurances of a quick return to normalcy, things seem to be getting worse in the South:

Washington Post: Gas Shortage In the South Creates Panic, Long Lines

Frustration in the South as a Gasoline Shortage Drags On

MSNBC: ‘I don't care if it's $5 or $6 a gallon — I need it’

 

[BudgetSurvivalist]

Saw the first mention on the local news of the gas situation in the South. They say Atlanta is the worst off, and that it could last until mid-October.

They also said anyone who could get gas is being price gouged. True?

 

[anne36]

mid october? thats a long time to have a supply problem

so far it hasnt affected us, the prices are still going down.

I thought supply and demand issues caused prices to go up? oh well, not complaining, gas is down to almost $3.50.

 

[hightech_redneck]

According to our local news, our feed line is back to 100% but the trickle effect is going to last for about 2 more weeks....I don't get it. I had to miss work today. I drove to the 4 stations that are in my area running between Uh,oh and oh crap {fumes} and instead of running out looking, come home and wait it out

 

[arisinwind]

We had a trip planned to North Georgia this weekend - we've cancelled it because of the gas issues. No need to get somewhere and not bale to get back or to spend so much time looking for gas.

 

[BakCompat]

good luck to you guys with the shortages. Lack of fuel will cause all sorts of problems. If it takes 2 weeks to return to 'normalcy' then that will be a good timeframe. If it goes longer, then you will start to see other hiccups in commerce.

 

[kingjames]

This is peidmont NC.

Were getting somemore in more stations have it but only regular and deisle. Still $40-50 limits. But starting to come back a little!!

 

[mikey007]

I have had no problems in St.Petersburg Florida.All the gas stations I have been to have had gas,It running around $3.59 We are kind of lucky,we get our gas from the port of Tampa so the tanker trucks only have to drive 15 20 miles.

 

[chaosbutterfly]

Definitely going a little better... although 21 out of 25 gas stations were still empty today, 4 *did* have gas. The lines are getting shorter, as well.

I stopped to top off the tank today, mainly because I was able to grab a spot 3rd in line for a $25 limit @ $4.19/gallon. Still a little manic, though- people were jockeying for each others' spots, an older couple had a look of guilt and paranoia as they filled their 4 cans (1-2 gallon), and two people were so excited that they had a little fender bender. Sad, as the girl (who looked to be a stripper from the nearby club) was backing up from just having her spot sniped, and backed into a tall thin black male in a Jaguar that got out of the car looking like he was going to pimp-slap her. Surreal.

I am curious as to whether this is in direct relation to the EPA waiver we received, but hopeful that things are getting back on track. ::crosses fingers::

 

[Porcupine]

Folks, I got some excellent advice from reading an Israeli security consultant named Juval Aviv: He always recommends keeping at least a half of a tank in your vehicle at all times, since, in a SHTF situation, the power may be knocked out, gas stations may not be able to pump any gas that they have, and ATM machines may be knocked out as well.

I have followed this strategy since last year when I first read that advice and it has served me well throughout the present gas panic in the Piedmont area of NC.

I avoided the worst of the panic immediately before and after Hurricane Ike and in weeks to follow. I am able to go about a week between half-tank fillings, then, when I had to re-fuel, I pumped during evening hours when there were fewer people lined up at the pumps and when gas was cooler. If you pump at night when the gas is cooler and less vaporous, you can get up to 10 percent more gasoline in your vehicle that way.

Oh, and as long as your owner's manual doesn't specify that you must use high octane fuel, the regular octane is just fine. I have no complaints about using regular octane.

It is so much fun being prepared and far from the maddening crowd of sheeple! Now, when I go on my lunch break, I watch the nearby gas pumps just for sport!

:

 

[chaosbutterfly]

Folks, I got some excellent advice from reading an Israeli security consultant named Juval Aviv: He always recommends keeping at least a half of a tank in your vehicle at all times, since, in a SHTF situation, the power may be knocked out, gas stations may not be able to pump any gas that they have, and ATM machines may be knocked out as well.

I have followed this strategy since last year when I first read that advice and it has served me well throughout the present gas panic in the Piedmont area of NC.

I avoided the worst of the panic immediately before and after Hurricane Ike and in weeks to follow. I am able to go about a week between half-tank fillings, then, when I had to re-fuel, I pumped during evening hours when there were fewer people lined up at the pumps and when gas was cooler. If you pump at night when the gas is cooler and less vaporous, you can get up to 10 percent more gasoline in your vehicle that way.

Oh, and as long as your owner's manual doesn't specify that you must use high octane fuel, the regular octane is just fine. I have no complaints about using regular octane.

It is so much fun being prepared and far from the maddening crowd of sheeple! Now, when I go on my lunch break, I watch the nearby gas pumps just for sport!

:

I've always practiced the strategy of keeping 1/4 tank so as not to create mechanical issues for my vehicle, but 6 months back started the 1/2 tank rule and insisted that the husband do the same. Good practice, and worked like a charm this go 'round!

I also made a special trip last week after midnight to avoid the lines of 40+ vehicles and concur- the station that was packed with a line down the block earlier that same evening had a few pumps closed, but several were open with no line. In the end, I had to try two pumps that were not marked with bags as 'empty', but found one which I used to top up to full.

Better than dealing with (potentially dangerous and violent) panicked sheeple (I still keep the sidearm locked and loaded and within reach at all times)!

 

[Porcupine]

Dear Declan,

That MSNBC story says it all about what is part of the culprit in the gas panic. By forbidding the gas stations to price gas as high as the market will bear, the State governments and their laws against 'price-gouging' are virtually assuring that mobs will pile up to the gas stations and suck the tanks dry every day.

The government's anti-'price-gouging' laws also discourage developement of distribution routes from alternate sources and create violence and disorder at the pump as well, just as price controls on grain in ancient Rome slowed down grain production and caused food riots in the streets.

The best thing government can do for this situation is just leave the gas stations alone and, in the long term, get out of the way of domestic crude oil exploration, drilling, and refinement, and let us be the energy independent nation we can be. We'll have gas, diesel, and everything else from petroleum out the yin-yang, we'll have no more chaos at the pump, and we'll be able to tell O.P.E.C. to go pound sand!

 

[Reality Czech]

Ya'll hang on, we are still getting our refineries back to full production.
I hear the pipelines that moves the refined fuels are moving at a blazing 4mph,...should be there in 9 days.:thumb:
To those of you in commie/socialist states, someone here misplaced the valve wrench, and we can't seem to find it.:
GOD BLESS TEXAS!:rofl:

 

[Porcupine]

Dear Chaosbutterfly,

Howdy, Chaosbutterfly! I sure feel for you and everyone in Atlanta, especially in this gas panic.

I had the dubious privilege of being stuck at the Atlanta Grayhound bus station for about 28 hours with all of my clothes in two duffle bags and $900 in my pocket...wide awake, hoping like Hell I wouldn't get rolled for it, and waiting for a bus ride out of that damn Borg Cube of the South!

:xeye:

Needless to say, I'll never take mass transit again and I'll never go back to Atlanta...at least without my own means of transportation if I can at all avoid it!

Gastonia and Charlotte in NC are too built up for my tastes, so you know Atlanta is right out for me!

Stay safe down there, Chaos, watch your six, and keep your powder dry. We'll get through this mess yet.

:thumb:

 

[Porcupine]

Dear Reality Czech,

Howdy, Reality Czech!

You wrote:

To those of you in commie/socialist states, someone here misplaced the valve wrench, and we can't seem to find it. :

Since North Carolina has Governor Mike Easley and Attorney General Roy Cooper imposing anti-'price-gouging' laws on our gas stations, as well as some of the highest taxes in the Southeast, are you talking about North Carolina here? I sure hope not.

:

 

[kingjames]

Easly still sucks though. I do appretiate the help they gave. Thats about the best hes done.

 

[Porcupine]

KingJames,

What "help" are you referring to?



As far as I'm concerned, the best way Easley and Cooper can "help" me is leave me and every other participant in a free market alone. The "help" they have given in the gas panic is actually a positive injury. Instead of everyone getting some gas at a higher price, fewer get gas at government-enforced low prices, while the rest are left to suffer in line.

 

[puzzler]

I was down in South GA and they have the same problem as Atlanta has. People are a bit testy too. Around Mid-GA we still have a little fuel. They are starting to lock the drop holes so people can't pump them out at night.