Perm Gas Workers Lament 'Craftiest Drivers Circle Back'

Perm drivers have been lining up at gas stations for weeks due to fuel shortages. We have already spoken with motorists about what they think about the gasoline situation, and this time we found out from gas station employees what problems they face, what they think about their work during this difficult time, and why technological breaks are needed at gas stations.

«Like Drivers, We Wait for the Fuel Truck to Arrive»

Tatiana, a cashier at a non-chain gas station, told 59.RU that drivers react differently to queues at gas stations and to gasoline prices. It is impossible to predict with what emotion a motorist will approach the woman.

«At first, people were very aggressive, but now they have become softer and more loyal to what’s happening,» Tatiana told 59.RU. «When we put up notices about the lack of gasoline, some drivers still come in and ask when the fuel will be delivered. But we don’t know that ourselves: like drivers, we wait for the fuel truck to arrive; it doesn’t depend on us at all.»

The same was told to 59.RU by an employee of a federal chain gas station.

«Information about fuel delivery reaches us only when the fuel truck is heading directly to us. Therefore, even if we wanted to, we cannot tell you in advance when it’s best to come and queue up,» a gas station attendant told 59.RU. «With post-payment suspended, all drivers now come to our cash register and constantly ask various questions… But overall drivers are non-confrontational, calm, and understanding of the situation, at least towards us for sure.»

«Someone Starts Nervously Swearing as If We Are to Blame»

In early July, the Perm-based chain Neftekhimprom called on drivers to behave with restraint and not to take it out on gas station employees. A cashier from this company told 59.RU that some Perm residents have not yet gotten used to the limits, and some motorists often ask again how many liters are dispensed per person.

«Some are understanding, others start nervously swearing and making complaints as if we are to blame,» the cashier complained to 59.RU. «But it doesn’t come to conflicts; we try to calmly calm everyone down. The craftiest sometimes want to do a loop after refueling and come back, but we immediately warn that we won’t serve them in that case.»

«It Came to Calling the Security Response Team»

The women working at another chain gas station noted that negative reactions from drivers only occurred in the first days of the gasoline problems.

«When limits were first introduced, tightened, and gasoline ran out for the first time, it was really bad: everyone was outraged and cursing. Now the picture is calmer: emotions have subsided, everyone is patient with the queues,» a gas station employee told 59.RU. «A couple of unfriendly words sometimes slip from people, but we no longer react to that even internally; we’ve become hardened, you could say. I heard that somewhere at another gas station in the first days an aggressive driver raised his hands, and it came to calling the security team, but we didn’t have that.»

Gas station attendants admit that due to the tense situation, it is difficult for them to work both physically and mentally.

«It has become nerve-racking because of some people; because of the long queues we are constantly tense, without the opportunity to relax,» a gas station employee complained to 59.RU. «We often have to repeat the same information about fueling conditions, even though we print all the information on notices both outside and in front of the registers, but we explain to each person to avoid questions and misunderstandings.»

Why Are Technological Breaks Needed?

In addition, gas station employees explained why technological breaks are taken at gas stations.

«Some work alone, some work as a duo from seven in the morning until ten in the evening,» Alexandra, a gas station employee, told 59.RU. «During one break we can have lunch and rest a little. During subsequent breaks, a fuel truck arrives, other goods come, and we also clean the premises. With an endless flow of customers, without such breaks we would have no time to do all this.»

Earlier we reported that an operational headquarters was organized in the Kama region to monitor the gasoline situation. After that, fuel supplies to gas stations were increased in the region and a gasoline reserve began to be formed to stabilize the situation; some gas stations have canceled technological breaks. In the coming days, part of the Neftekhimprom gas stations will resume operations.