This is the way I do it.
As I drive in, a quick scan of the area to see if any unsavory elements are present. If so, move to the next station or wait another day.
1) I park closer to the pumps.
2) Driver door is wide open “blocking” one avenue of approach. Hose is “blocking” the other.
3) I do not stop scanning. My eyesight is only distracted starting and then finishing pumping.
4) Anybody coming close, gets a full scan and a “not friendly” eye contact.
5) I don’t need a receipt. I don’t wait around unnecessarily.
6) Hop in, close door, start engine and shift to drive so the doors lock automatically.
7) GTFO.
And for the love of all that is holy: Do not wear flip-flops outside the home unless you are by the pool or at the beach. Traction is a good thing to have.
Also be aware of the less violent shakedown of pumpjacking. Hustler approaches when the pump shuts off and takes the handle before you insert it into the carrier. You drive off, and he then pockets cash from the next dozen customers or fills several of his buddy’s tanks on your card.
Taking a receipt confirms the close of the transaction, and there’s typically some personal information printed on them too.
Most pumps now give you the option to reject the ticket. Transaction concluded
I always say no. And, seriously, if you had the pump to someone, you deserve to get robbed.
Depending on the car, I either remove the key from the ignition and put it in my pocket, or if it has a “keyless” fob, the fob stays attached to my person. End result, it’s not possible to just drive away in my vehicles; you’ll need to take the key from me first (and if I were that guy in the video, if the carjacking had gotten that far I’d have retreated into the mini-mart, rendering my car unusable … but I’d like to think it wouldn’t have gotten that far).
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That said, the points above are valid. Situational awareness, head on a swivel, blocking approach avenues. All good practices to discourage attempts before they happen.
The scene 5 minutes before: Sumdood and his pals hanging around the sidewalk by gas station in hoodies during the Summer, “Hey! That raaacist white cracker is eyeballing me! (Loudly) You got a problem with Black Men you racist motherf—-er?!?!”
AWFL Karen at the next pump, “You White Bigots are a cancer!”
LaToya, two pumps away filling up before her second job, thinking to herself, “Those broke ass —— are up to no good.”
Zero situational awareness and worried he might forget the extra sauce for Norma’s chicken wings at the drive thru and get bitched out again. Anyone with any smarts knows that anyone walking around in 70+ degree weather with the hood up & tied tight is suspicious and a possible if not probable threat. Act accordingly & avoid the basketball-americans whenever possible.
Wonder what he’ll tell Norma now?
Re #6: if there’s a threat and you want to hop into the car and lock up, don’t wait to remove the hose. No need. If it’s necessary to flee, the hose will detach from the pump when you drive off.