California to ban latch off nozzles on 1/3 gas stations

[Syringer]

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/08/24/BAO11F28BC.DTL&feed=rss.bayarea

This is beyond lame..especially since I have an Explorer which holds 22.5 gallons. I wonder if there'll be an after market part to hold it, and how long until those get banned.

 

[rcpratt]

Well that's annoying, but you can't really blame them if the latches were malfunctioning...

 

[dpodblood]

I worked pumping gas for a year before I went to college and we had those latches at full serve. Most of the time they worked correctly and "clicked off" but one time the pump kept running spewing gas all over the side of the customers car. Good times...

 

[OCGuy]

Yea they are banning the ones that dont work.

Rant fail.

 

[meltdown75]

not many of the latch ones around here still have the latch anyway.

latches can DIAF

 

[rasczak]

as an avid californian gas pumper, this pisses me off.

 

[InflatableBuddha]

So what? I've never used the latches - it's really not a big deal to hold the trigger down for the roughly 3 minutes it takes to fill my tank. Then I know I'm not going to have a problem with spilled gasoline, etc.

 

[Gibson486]

Already gone in MA. Infact, you cannot leave the pump unattended.

 

[BoomerD]

While I'm not happy to see the latches go away, I AM happy that they're going to make them remove the defective ones. Hopefully, the manufacturer will replace them with something that actually works...but that'd be admitting fault...and would cost money. Better to just inconvenience the users and remove the faulty parts.

 

[vshah]

use your gas cap to wedge in under the handle...i've seen people doing this and it seems to work

 

[Juddog]

Wait - gas pumps have latches? Oh this is for CA, my bad.

 

[trmiv]

Those latches are all fun and games until someone bursts into flames at the Valero.

 

[Cruisin1]

Well technically this should only piss you off a 1/3 of your gas station stops. I'm sure they will replace the latching mechanism with another brand... so I'd say its okay for you to unbunch your panties for now.

 

[Drako]

Wait - gas pumps have latches? Oh this is for CA, my bad.

They have them in every state I've ever been to. Where do you live?

 

[ModeEngage]

They have them in every state I've ever been to. Where do you live?

They're illegal in MA.

 

[Drako]

They're illegal in MA.

LOL, that figures.

 

[Gibson486]

They're illegal in MA.

yup, you are not even allowed to use your gas cap to hold the trigger.

 

[coxmaster]

Im not sure if they're illegal, or just not used, but in Florida there doesnt seem to be any pumps with a latch

 

[TuxDave]

I worked pumping gas for a year before I went to college and we had those latches at full serve. Most of the time they worked correctly and "clicked off" but one time the pump kept running spewing gas all over the side of the customers car. Good times...

Yeah I saw it happen once to my friend's car.

 

[Regs]

Does this mean gas pumpers in full service areas will get raises?

 

[sandorski]

Reposse

Was almost a month ago as I recall.

 

[sdifox]

We haven't had latches for a few years now. I see idiots jamming it with the gascap though.

 

[yhelothar]

Why only 1/3rd? Do they do a check on the gas stations to see how well their pumps are operating and 1/3rd didn't pass the standard?

 

[PricklyPete]

If there is a safety concern...I don't see a huge issue with it.

 

[Drako]

Why only 1/3rd?

That's where the faulty latches are installed. Did you read the article?