Friday, July 20, 2007
Paying for air
I’ve been meaning to put some air into my tires. They’re not flat or anything, but keeping your tires well inflated improves your gas mileage. I finally remembered to stop by a gas station this morning and parked in front of the water/air station. (This is after parking in front of the propane dispensing station and staring at the tank for a while, searching for the air hose. It was before breakfast, okay?)
I got out of the car and approached the air hose, quarter in hand. Imagine my surprise when the little label said it now cost 50 cents! What?? When the heck did this happen? Fifty cents for five minutes of water and air? What happened to 25 cents? What happened to free for that matter? I remember when it cost nothing to use a gas station’s air pump. Damn money grubbers.
In protest I kept my quarters and left the station. I’m going to try someplace else near my house where the gas is less expensive. My mom still has access to free air pump use, but that’s because it’s on a Navy base (one of the perks of having been married to a Navyman). Any of you still have free air and water pumps at the gas station where you are?