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There Is Usually A Test Along The Way
I wrote on PC the other day, “We need a good heaping helping portion of graciousness in America right now.”
I should have known that statement was going to come with a test.
The next day I was pulling into a busy truck stop somewhere in the USA. All fuel lanes were filled with trucks and all lanes had one truck waiting except one. I chose the lane with no one waiting, of course.
Within one minute the driver came out of the store and proceeded to methodically clean the trash out of both sides of his truck. I took that as a sign that he had already fueled and was finishing up.
I was way wrong.
He then filled the tanks on both sides.
Then he filled the DEF.
Then he pulled up a few feet and filled the diesel tank on the refer trailer.
THEN AND ONLY THEN, he cleaned his windshield.
Then he walked around giving the tires a visual inspection and a thumping.
By the time he pulled forward, all other lanes were empty of the trucks that were present when we pulled in and most of the people waiting in line when we arrived had already finished and pulled forward.
I pulled to the pump and exited the bus at 1:44. I put my card in the pump, pumped 127 gallons, put in some fuel treatment, glanced at all my tires and the towbar and cleaned my windshield. I was sitting in the driver’s seat again at 1:54. Of course, I did all the peripheral stuff while the fuel was pumping
The driver in front of me had not moved by the time I had finished and was probably inside. Thankfully, he had pulled all the way up to the line and the two positions to my left were vacant. I was able to pull forward, angel sharply to the left and get out.
Did I think about parking sideways in from of him and taking a nap?
Yes, but I realized this was only a test and I smiled and whistled a gracious song as I headed for the interstate. Someone said, “We need a good heaping helping portion of graciousness in America right now.” and I guess that someone needs to be first in line to give it.
Davy
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4 Replies
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Lead on Davy!!
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A similar story from a few weeks ago. I pull into a truck stop around Athens, TN for fuel. All lanes were in use with another rig waiting. There was one free lane with a truck parked out in front who had finished fueling and pulled forward, so I of course chose that one. I fuel up as normal taking about 110 gallons so it takes a bit of time during which the rig in front of me is still sitting there. I finish and wait, and wait, getting more and more irritated. There is no one waiting behind me at this point so I consider unhooking my tow vehicle, but since I pulled straight in decide to try and back out. By inching back, staying in a complete straight line and watching the tow bar alignment in the rear view camera, I was able to back 40′ or so and exit through the CAT scales. Dude’s truck was still sitting there as a drove by on the way out. I guess he was still inside taking a shower.
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There are always inconsiderate morons among us. Your guy Davy may have been deliberately delaying you thinking you’re a rich bus owner and not in his league.
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In my previous life as a sales-service man I dealt with rich and poorer people. The one thing that I learned was we all put our pants on the same way regardless of our net worth. When I would go into a house I did not see money or things, I saw a person in need of my product.
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