Gas shortage in GA

[KathyR]

What are you all doing? Cutting out trips to the barn? Cutting out shows? I'm down to 2 days of gas, stations around me are out or nearly out. How is everyone coping with this?

[equinelaw]

I am staying home and trying to do all my work on-line. Whcih means I am on COTH and not getting enough work done!

I am in SC, but I sure hope someone has gas to care for horses or maybe run the nuclear bombplant:confused:


This is serious and the TV is talking about Dancing with the Stars.

I have never seen so much no gas and I did drive in the 70's:eek:

[relocatedTXjumpr]

Fannin and Gilmer counties are out. Conoco had two deliveries yesterday, I filled up with premium because that was all they had...they were out in less than 5 hours.

A few stations said they would be getting some in on Thursday....but unless they have many deliveries lined up throughout the day they will be out in a matter of hours.

Unfourtuntly I have to go to work, so I will be out by Sunday if we dont get something. I just want to know what is going on....why some counties further south have gas, as well as other states, and we dont.

[Horserich Cashpoor]

we have spot shortages but you can find gas- about $3.99 a gallon.
It has not affected my barn trips but I am now carpooling to work with a co-worker which helps.

[galwaybay]

I'm in Maryland and so far so good. From what I hear the states /locations that are experiencing shortages are those areas where they received fuel from the states affected by Gustav and IKE. Price for gas had actually gone down a bit last week, then up again. But who's to say at this point my state won't suffer the same fate. I have a long commute to work and at this point my job has pretty much dug in their heels about telecommuting - maybe this will wake them up some.

Hopefully the providers will be up and running shortly. Should my area be affected, sorry but I think my horse will have to wait for my presence - it's much more important for me to get to work than get to barn. Ugh I guess I could take mass transit but that would be more $$ than gas and twice as long of a commute.

My thoughts are with you guys

[BeastieSlave]

It really bites because I want to go to Florida to pick up my FL cutie (who is being warehoused by a wonderful friend, but still...) and the kid is supposed to go to a show in Tallahassee this weekend. If this gas thing doesn't straighten out, we'll be staying home.

I drove past five gas stations before finding one that had medium and premium grades this morning. The others had nothing. I bought a quarter of a tank and later my favorite gas station got a delivery of regular so I bought another quarter tank to fill 'er up.

[tweeter]

NC here....a few stations only have regular (3.73 for reg) but I've not seen any stations completely out.

[snkstacres]

I was delivering a load of hay the other night and ended up driving round and round the town to every service station looking for diesel. Finally after just wasting a bunch and getting none, I decided to make a run for home and hope and pray I found some on the way. I called DG and we made arrangements for roadside assistance LOL. I made it. This is insane.

[Alagirl]

the gas station by my hose had non since the storms. Everywhere else it's long lines. This is crazy, gas went up 50 cents before the storms hit, it has not come down - naturally, since, and I really doubt it will. After all we had been 2 dollars up since Katrina...

This is seriously pathetic!

[pj]

west central ga. here and none to be had. i had filled my truck with reg. a day before this happened at 3.99 a gal. next day all i could find was prem. for the car at 4.29 gal. and within an hour that was gone. all the service stations you see around here are showing handles covered with black or white plastic bags. i REALLY want to haul to ride tomorrow. i'm debating with myself.

[bludejavu]

I'm near the GA International Horse Park (Conyers/Covington) and haven't had any problems getting gas near my house but I have seen some stations totally out. I have to get gas tomorrow and now I hope I don't have to eat my words.:(

[asanders]

We made a run from FL to MD and back this weekend (via I-95). Ran accross several stations out of diesel, and some with no grade whatever gas. I think maybe once we saw a station completely out. It was a little scary heading up the highway in the dead of night, hoping there would be fuel when we needed to stop. We tried to make allowances. Prices for diesel varied from ~3.70 to 4.40. Yikes.

[Guilherme]

Just got back on a trip from TN to WY and back with the trailer and two horses. The only shortages/gouging was at at home where the dominant seller went to $4.59/gal (the others never got above $3.99/gal.). Once we got to KY the price started to drop. By the time we got to MO and IA the price was less than $3.50/gal.

Funny when you think $3.35/gal. (the lowest we found in WY) is cheap, eh? :eek: :no: :confused:

Going out just after Ike the only shortages were right around the house. Once we got past Nashville availability was not an issue.

One thing I had planned on long before the present problem was to add a fuel transfer/auxiliary tank to the truck. Since the truck is a gasser I could not just go down to Tractor Supply or Northern and put together a system. I then found this http://www.transferflow.com/toolbox_tanks_0.html I got the 50 gal. version. It's the only certified system I could find for gasoline. It's "portable" in that it can be moved between trucks in the event of a sale. It's easy to use and is quick (transfer flow seems to be more than 6 gal./min.). After a 3000 trip I'm glad I did it. :cool:

G.

[Just My Style]

We are pretty much out everywhere around me. Canton is out. There are few spatterings in Alpharetta closer in. DH filled up both cars over the weekend. I am restricted to just driving son to school, which is less than 10 miles round trip. I went shopping at Costco yesterday and loaded up on food, so I really am set on most things for weeks. I am getting a hay delivery today, so ponies are in good shape (and live at my house). I probably have enough gas for another full week, if I stick to my plan.

And I just have to mention groceries. I am still nursing my little guy all feedings but one. (Mommy needs a break.) Formula jumped up $1.00 last week from $5.29 to $6.29. (He has to get the pre-made kind.) Yikes. I am seeing prices go up on everything, but that was the biggest jump.

[DMK]

wonderful. I have a 42 mile a day round trip to the barn (yes, that needs to change) and a vehicle that doubles as a tow vehicle. Fun times. Oh yea, and I need to drive to TN in 8 days. Fun Times. I've got half a tank, guess I better start looking for a station NOW.

[BeastieSlave]

I feel you DMK! I drive about 22 miles round trip to the farm - twice a day in my tow vehicle :sigh:
It's okay in the morning. The farm is just a few miles down the road from school, so I go after I drop the kid off. If this keeps up though, my last 'evening' trip will have to be after school when I pick the kid up.

[RNB]

Wow!! I must have had my head in the sand!! It's obvious I haven't listened to the news or read the paper in over a week. Sorry you guys in GA and elsewhere are having trouble finding gas. I'm in VA and so far so good. Good luck!

[arabhorse2]

I was in Georgia right after Ike hit, and was horrified that some stations were out of gas by the 14th. Those that weren't, were gouging the crap out of people with the prices.

My SO and I went to Jonesboro for my brother's wedding on the 11th, and gas prices weren't too bad. On the way back on the 15th, we paid an average of $4.29 per gallon!

Gas prices continued to drop the farther north we went, thank God. They've dropped again this week, too. I love Georgia, but I'm glad I live in Virginia!

[MSP]

Very strange, I saw that on the news last night. Far as I know no shortages in MS. I filled up yesterday for $3.54 /gal.

:confused:

[BeastieSlave]

I'm down here in the area where gouging was rampant. The highest gas price I saw (with my own eyes) after Ike was $4.79 per gallon for regular :eek: Since then, even with the shortages prices seem to be staying under $4. I think I payed $3.79 for regular yesterday.

[arabhorse2]

Yeah Beastie, we saw $4.79 a gallon too, and couldn't believe our eyes. That was nothing more than greedy station owners taking advantage of a bad situation. :mad:

[MSP]

I guess the pipelines are working with reduced rates. Might be the reason for GA shortages.

http://www.colpipe.com/home.asp

[MSP]

Its not always the station that is doing the gouging. We had some stations, usually small private owned ones, that were up to $5/gal.

They ran out and bought from their suppliers at a high price because of the hurricanes and reduced refinery production.

Some stations will just choose to go empty and wait until prices come down. You will have better prices and more gas at the BN stations; they buy more and get a better price.

It gets handed down to the consumer.

[BeastieSlave]

We have friend who is in fuel distribution and the owner of several gas stations. He's also a regional supplier for many locally owned stations down here. He's pretty big. I know he's having some issues with his supplies. I also know he's tired of explaining about the supply pipleine to all his friends.

I get it. I understand that gas stations have to pass along the rising costs of fuel too, but I'm not buying that he bought fuel three times in one day and thus had to raise his prices three times in one day!

[DownYonder]

I am in Alpharetta. I tanked up this past Saturday at the Shell station at Birmingham Hwy / Birmingham Road but a lady from our barn went there yesterday and they are out.

My husband went to about a dozen different stations over the weekend and couldn't find much. He hit a RaceTrack on Haynes Bridge the other morning at 4:30 AM and tanked up there but I don't know if they still have anything left today.

Reports from my co workers are that all Shell and BP stations are out in the Alpharetta/Cumming/Roswell area and also down in metro Atlanta and surrounding areas. The RaceTrack on McFarland Road just west of GA 400 had gas yesterday, but there were long, long lines backing up onto McFarland waiting to get to the pumps.

We are supposed to leave on Friday for central FL for a family function - may have to cancel if fuel supplies aren't looking better by then.

[arabhorse2]

I understand that gas stations have to pass along the rising costs of fuel too, but I'm not buying that he bought fuel three times in one day and thus had to raise his prices three times in one day!

Exactly! We watched the prices go up on some of those reader boards as we drove past. You can't tell me they didn't know the price they were paying before it got pumped into the ground.

[missamandarose]

Hubby has kindly asked that I forego my 3-phase debut at Big Bear this weekend (though it looks like the date has been pulled from the calendar on their website?) and to skip going to the barn my usual 3 days.

This morning I filled up (i was on E) in Atlanta for 4.19 a gallon for regular. It was 15 cents cheaper near home, but I sat in two lines only to find they ran out as it was my turn to pump. Since the regulation on the special blend has been relaxed, there should be more fule coming into the fuel farms througout the state. They (fuel farms) have actually been running low/rationing the outflow of gasoline since they themselves were not getting any new coming from refineries (thanks ike!)... thus the "outtages"... and since the fuel farms had less to go around, stations had to pay more... and so did we. *sigh*

[MSP]

We have friend who is in fuel distribution and the owner of several gas stations. He's also a regional supplier for many locally owned stations down here. He's pretty big. I know he's having some issues with his supplies. I also know he's tired of explaining about the supply pipleine to all his friends.

I get it. I understand that gas stations have to pass along the rising costs of fuel too, but I'm not buying that he bought fuel three times in one day and thus had to raise his prices three times in one day!

Yes, I would report any exceptionally high prices and let the officials investigate. Nothing worse than price gouging when people are struggling.

[War Admiral]

I commute from Lori's neck of the woods to Chattanooga daily, and there *is* plenty of gas in Chatt., you're just gonna pay for it. I paid $4.09 yesterday when I got to town, b/c all the stations in LaFayette/Summerville/Chickamauga were out - but then of course they ALL got some this a.m. priced at like $3.81... :rolleyes:

Nevertheless, I'm thinking this would NOT be a good weekend to drive down to Conyers for Southeastern Charity (http://southeasterncharity.com/), which is one of my fave ASB shows to watch. :(

[DMK]

he's hedging his bets against how much the NEXT load is going to cost him. If he bought the last X thousand gallons with a teeny tiny margin @$3.50 a gallon and he strongly suspects the NEXT x thousand gallons are going to cost 0.50 per gallon MORE, chances are he's going to try and make it up in advance because I'm guessing if he doesn't pay for all or most of it up front they won't deliver.

I can live with that. What irritates me is when supply is back up and prices go down, there is not a corresponding drop, but that's the free market for you. And not being able to effectively budget for fuel is also a real pain in the ass

[BeastieSlave]

It really burns that the price at the pump never seems to go down as quickly as it goes up - no matter what the price per barrel of crude does. I know my friend benefited from the Ike spike. Prices went up at the pump in anticipation of higher prices down the line. That didn't happen like they thought it would, but they still didn't cut us any slack.

The sheriff down here is investigating many stores on suspicion of price gouging.

Trainer is trying to talk us into going to the show in Tallahassee this weekend. She uses diesel in her truck. It's available and cheaper than the gas I use. What to do?

[DownYonder]

Ha, the RackTrack I mentioned on McFarland Road in Alpharetta doesn't even have its prices posted on the outside sign. It just says Regular $_._9, Premium $_._9. Guess they got tired of having to change the sign and you certainly don't have to advertise your wares when you are the only game in town. The Shell station across GA 400 is empty, as is the one at the corner of McFarland and Hwy 9, and the BP at GA 400 and McFarland. For all I know, the RaceTrack is empty by now - I didn't even go into work today and am working from home to save gas.

[scot1las]

Yesterday evening in a Birmingham suburb, the Shell station was out of everything but Regular, and less than half of the pumps even had that.
There were small lines of 2 - 3 cars. Hadn't faced that situation since the panic right after Ike where everyone filled up at once and all the stations ran out. I hope it doesn't stay like this for long! :(

[hunter1985]

I just had to drive twenty miles round trip here in North Carolina to get my gas tank filled up because I was running on empty. I passed 6 empty gas stations on the way... very nerve racking drive.
I wont be going to the barn today, I just cant drive another 34 miles round trip to see my horse :(

[relocatedTXjumpr]

Still out up here. A few stations are supposed to get shipments in tomorrow, but will be out in a matter of hours because of the panic.

I have enough to get me to early next week if I cut out the barn and dont make any extra trips.

I had to put premium in my truck at $4.05 a gallon, which is not bad...but now everyone is out of everything.

News said it would be 3 to 4 weeks before supply was back up to normal.

Of course...the ATL stations are saying its because if a power outage at refineries and the Chattanooga stations were saying it was because of a leak in the pipeline.

[janedoe726]

Charlotte is out of gas. As in the tanks are empty. Empty! Luckily, I still have about 300 miles to go, but on the radio they said it should take about a week to get back to "normal" (which, I think, is what they said this time LAST week!!), but we will probably be out all weekend. No barn for me!

[KathyR]

I was able to find one station that had gas this morning, put in enough to last me this week, and hopefully to the barn for riding Sat. What is this doing to delivery-hay, shavings, everything else prices and availability?

[grandprixjump]

There have even been fights at stations about cutting in lines..

I personally wish they would take one more step in this, when the police are having to direct traffic, look in the car at fuel gauge, over half tank, tell them to hit the bricks, I bet there are a lot of cars in garages in this area FULL of fuel that get driven to the grocery store 2 miles or less away and that's it.

[Jetiki]

I'm in the Upstate SC area, well pretty much on the NC line and we have very little is 3.69 to 4.19. Fortunately I filled up on Tuesday and haven't had to drive my car since, but I have to go to Charlotte on Friday. :( This is very concerning to me. I understand about hurricanes and all that I lived in FL for a long time, but come on there has to be some gas somewhere that can be shipped in somehow.....



Karen

[Cielo Azure]

I saved up a bunch of errands to do today, so I did a lot of driving.

Canton down through highway 92 off of 575 all seemed to be out.

Cisco off of 515/5, just before Jasper, has premium (and Diesel).

Waleska station on 140 had gas (might have been premium).

All stations along Riverstone Pkwy seem to be out (canton area).

I parked my little Solstice with a full tank on Saturday and am using the 3500 GMC diesel for everything. Diesel seems available still.

About half or a third of the usual number of cars on the road.

Wow. I Feel like l am living in the twilight zone. Lets hope Sunny is praying real hard! Because, he sure hasn't done his job in protecting us from this crisis. I think, right now, prayer is all her might have left (he sure doesn't have any special talents as Governor). It took him til today to ask the EPA to lift the ban on winter grade gas. What a whack job!

[DownYonder]

A lady at the barn told me tonight that as she came out Windward Parkway from GA 400 (Alpharetta), a tanker truck was at the BP at Windward and Hwy 9. She said there was a LONG line of cars waiting their turn at the pumps. She also said the Shell station near her house in Dunwoody got a supply in at 10 PM last night- a neighbor called her and told her and she went right out and tanked up. It sounds like it is starting to trickle in, but a lot of the tankers are rolling in only half full and the pumps are sucked dry again within a day or so.

[nature]

Exxon Mobil's largest refinery and the largest in the US in back online so gas will be flowing soon. Hang on Georgia!!!

http://www.tradethenews.com/stock-news/Energy/Exxon-Mobil-Corp/XOM/460549

[blackwly]

We are gong on 9 days of no gas here in Nashville...it is unbelievable. I have never seen anything like it. There is not a single station within 5 miles of me with any gas at all, and I live in the most populated part of the city. Oddly, when I worked up the courage to drive to the barn (20 miles out) there was at least some 87% out there and I filled up. But truly---people here are completely out and we have no public transport. Nuts!

[eyesontheground]

I have a trip to Columbia, SC and then on to Clemson, SC planned for this weekend (coming from Florida). Can anyone give me the status of gas in GA along 95?

[BeastieSlave]

Yeah, is there a website or something that tracks fuel? I need to go south on I-75 this weekend (horse related). I heard that the Tallahassee area had no gas, but that Ocala does. Can anyone verify that?

[etc.]

On the news this AM, they were saying that the Asheville-Buncomb County Community College is closed for the rest of the week due to the lack of gas. They'll decide over the weekend if they will re-open next week.
I haven't had trouble in Central NC, but western NC is really suffering.

[pattnic]

There have even been fights at stations about cutting in lines..

No joke! My BF, who is possibly one of the most laid-back people in the world, nearly got into a fight last night over gas (he was not the agressor). We were at one pump, trying to get gas (he had less than 1/4), but that line had gone dry. So when the people at the pump in front of us pulled out, we pulled forward to use that pump. As he's getting out of the car, a girl comes up to us, saying (not very nicley) that her boss is in that car (pointing), they're on a time schedule, they've been waiting for half an hour, and they want to use that pump. BF said sorry, we've been waiting, too. She tried to tell him to use the pump behind us (the empty one we had just left - he told her why we couldn't). "Boss" pulls up his car so that it's facing BF's car. Boss gets out of his car, and proceeds to try to have a stand-off with BF, trying to make BF leave the pump. I decide that this whole thing is ridiculous, and go inside to talk to the attendant, asking very nicely if there was anything that could be done to prevent stand-offs/fights, also saying that I knew there probably wasn't because they were so busy. I was told that nothing could be done, but that thankfully, they were almost out of gas. Apparently, when I went inside, the agressor (Boss and worker/girl) backed down and went to another pump.
Sorry, but if your idea of waiting in line is to be parked in a parking spot and then trying to take someone else's place, try again.

[KathyR]

Well shoot. The place I got gas yesterday is now out. The Gov. says there is plenty of gas. WHERE??? I'm going to try to ride Sat., if I still have enough to get there. Maybe drive the 11 miles to the barn, ride horsie home, keep him in my basement or garage??? It's not even my horse.

[glfprncs]

The state Attorney General of South Carolina gave a speech to the North Augusta Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday of this week, and addressed the fuel issues and price gouging. Told everyone there that there was nothing to worry about...

Today in North Augusta, there isn't a single drop of fuel to be found.

[LKF]

Try this site for georgia gas info: http://www.atlantagasprices.com/

[equinelaw]

There was gas at the Kroger and a line hours long. Many angry people who were not taking it well.

I might not try and travel unless I knew there would be gas:confused::no:

[LongLeaf]

There's no gas to be found in the Augusta area. The two stations across the street from my shop have been out for a week. One of them got a shipment yesterday (priced @ $3.81 / gal which is good around here) but they were sold out by this afternoon. There's one little independent station on my way home that still has gas but they're selling it at $4.69 / gal!!!! Talk about gouging!

What are we doing differently? Our pastures are not going to get bush hogged any time soon, we're using a local feed dealer instead of driving the 65 mile round trip to our "favorite" feed dealerand we're not taking the horses anywhere. Hubby commutes all over GA and SC and he says that SC isn't nearly as bad as GA. Gas is still readily available in the Columia area.

[equinelaw]

I am a little tiny bit concerned that we ran out of gas right when the AG annouced he was going to investigate. On Sunday am I actually thought it was some kind of protest.

Aiken is bad. Very little gas and very long lines. There is deasel at some small stations like Greg's.

[LMH]

Wow...it is just not getting any better, is it!

I was GOING to go to the PSJ show at Conyers next weekend...

I guess I should start considering Plan B?

I wonder if they will cancel it rather than have a bunch of people potentially stuck down there?

[mroades]

They wont cancel..I promise. We were going but a more local show came up...we have plenty of gas here in coastal SC (wierd that is so localized)

[equinelaw]

I told you people we needed to invade Canada! If we had we would be rollin' in gas:)

Now maybe we just need to invade the coastal region:winkgrin:

[relocatedTXjumpr]

My parents are in Griffin and have not had any problem finding gas. I think WalMart up here had some...dont know what grade, but there were lines at the pump.

I just think its all weird. The tankers roll in and its gone within a matter of hours because people are paniced...and rightfully so. I have just under 1/2 tank and hate for it to get too low before stopping.

Really weird.

[sfstable]

Wow, little frightning reading this thread. I have not seen any problem with shortage here and we are just under the GA border. Saw gas for $3.69 coming home this evening. No lines that I have seen.

[LMH]

Evidently the Governor is changing his tune on the situation-updated at 11 (after Grey's Anatomy!)

[CHorseFarm]

Had to wait for a tanker in Sandy Springs (GA suburb) had only 1/4 tank - barn is 50 miles RT - didn't want to get stuck.

[mustangtrailrider]

I am on call for the hospital this weekend for the operating room. I have to be available...just have to be....no other choice. We went into town tonight go run errands, eat, and get fuel...Aiken is out of gas. Had to back track to Williston, SC, to get gas. I am supposed to go to Dublin GA this weekend to help my brother....I don't know if I am going...I guess not. The news is on right now...saying how bad it is. The stations are resorting to using police to direct traffic....This is insane. LOL.

[pattnic]

No barn for me this weekend if I can't find gas... anyone know what it's like in Cartersville? I have enough to get there, just not back...

[equinelaw]

I am on call for the hospital this weekend for the operating room. I have to be available...just have to be....no other choice. We went into town tonight go run errands, eat, and get fuel...Aiken is out of gas. Had to back track to Williston, SC, to get gas. I am supposed to go to Dublin GA this weekend to help my brother....I don't know if I am going...I guess not. The news is on right now...saying how bad it is. The stations are resorting to using police to direct traffic....This is insane. LOL.

I hope they have gas pumps at the bomb plant!

I have a few gallons in the gas can for the mower. I am hoping that lasts until next week when we get gas?

[DownYonder]

I have had to cancel my trip to FL this weekend. It was a major family get-together to celebrate milestone birthdays for my older brother and my aunt, so I am bummed about missing it. My younger brother is going to try to make it from Charlotte NC. He takes I-95 into FL and hopes that as he gets closer to Savannah, he will be able to find gas. My family in central FL is reporting good availability there - apparently most of their gas comes in by tanker ships into Jacksonville and Tampa.

My husband says he heard this morning that there is virtually NO gas available in the metro Atlanta area and much of north/central GA. Some colleges are cancelling classes today and they are thinking about cancelling the Georgia/Alabama football game. I have about 300 miles left in my car from filling up last Saturday and will be nursing it along - I figure I can make it another two weeks if I limit my trips to the office and the barn, with one or two stops at the grocery store.

[relocatedTXjumpr]

I think the Conoco up here must have some...police were there and the pumps were full. I drove by about 6:45am, so they must have just gotten a shipment.

Anyone know what the Purdue said last night, I didnt stay up to watch.

[DownYonder]

Sounds like they are going to let the GA/AL football game go on tomorrow, but the Athens GA Chief of Police is begging people to NOT come for the game. I'm sure the local merchants are thrilled about that but it does seem like a frivolous waste of gas to go to sporting events during this crisis.

They are reporting extremely light traffic on I-85/I-75 and I-285 around/through Atlanta - much lighter than usual, even for a Friday. Guess a lot of people are staying home today.

[monstrpony]

I'm supposed to drive from WNC (~50 miles west of Asheville) to just south of Gastonia, into SC tomorrow to visit some relatives who are out from the west. I don't want to have to sit in a gas line to refill to come home, nor do I want to arrive back home empty because things are bleak here.

What's it like in the Spartanburg/Gastonia/Charlotte area today? Should I cancel?

[Dakotawyatt]

No barn for me this weekend if I can't find gas... anyone know what it's like in Cartersville? I have enough to get there, just not back...

Cartersville has been good. The $3.81 stations all have lines out the wazoo, but the $3.91 station has been quiet. I've had a full tank all week, and haven't waited longer than for one car ahead of me. Acworth, Canton, and Kennesaw are all pretty scarce, but Cartersville has really been fine.

[hunter1985]

I'm supposed to drive from WNC (~50 miles west of Asheville) to just south of Gastonia, into SC tomorrow to visit some relatives who are out from the west. I don't want to have to sit in a gas line to refill to come home, nor do I want to arrive back home empty because things are bleak here.

What's it like in the Spartanburg/Gastonia/Charlotte area today? Should I cancel?

Charlotte is still pretty bad we are "supposed" to get shipments in today with lots and lots of gas. However the lines will be horrendous and it wont be much better with this terrible weather to boot. I would stay home unless you want to wait in line.

[BeastieSlave]

Sounds like they are going to let the GA/AL football game go on tomorrow, but the Athens GA Chief of Police is begging people to NOT come for the game. I'm sure the local merchants are thrilled about that but it does seem like a frivolous waste of gas to go to sporting events during this crisis.

They are reporting extremely light traffic on I-85/I-75 and I-285 around/through Atlanta - much lighter than usual, even for a Friday. Guess a lot of people are staying home today.

Yeah :rolleyes: I'm feeling the pinch and planning to stay close to home - do less horse stuff, but my DH and DD are going to Athens. We can find gas down here and DH's car will get him up and back, so off to the game with them!

[bludejavu]

I found some at a Marathon this morning in Covington, GA but they would not let most people get more than $20. I pulled right in to a bay but when I got ready to leave, there was a line behind me and other pumps. I got lucky tho - I told the attendant that $20 in my truck was like $5.00 in his car and he grinned and let me get $30. There was no one near us luckily or I bet he would not have done that.

[lisa]

Sure glad I bought a hybrid last year... :D

There is no way I will wait in one of those long lines -- I'll stay home first!

The good news is diesel seems to be available. If worse comes to worse, I'll drive the truck.

[Just My Style]

Sure glad I bought a hybrid last year... :D


What did you get? DH has a big diesel truck for work. I drive a Subaru Tribeca, because I need to have something to put 2 kids and car seats and a Great Dane or bags of hockey equipment, etc. Surprisingly, it is more car like and less SUV when it comes to MPG. We have kicked around getting a smaller car as a spare. I don't really know anyone who owns a hybrid to get an honest opinion. Do you like yours?

[DownYonder]

BP at McFarland & GA 400 (Alpharetta) got a shipment last night but there are already long lines.

[riff]

We've got gas at some places around Rome. But often the prices ae high. When this all started I filled my diesel truck up specifically to get to Athens and back for the Georgia/Alabama game. The Athens police are telling people to come with full tanks since they might not be able to find gas there. But let me tell you, there's no way, Bulldog fans with tickets won't show. Frivolous or not. My daily driver is a 2001 Honda Civic which averages at least 35 mpg. I have been happy to be able to drive past the lines at gas stations this week.

[hanno-mom]

I'm heading to Chateau Elan this afternoon. Does anyone know if the stations in that area have gas? I've got enough to get there but not to get home! Starting to worry:confused:

[lisa]

What did you get? DH has a big diesel truck for work. I drive a Subaru Tribeca, because I need to have something to put 2 kids and car seats and a Great Dane or bags of hockey equipment, etc. Surprisingly, it is more car like and less SUV when it comes to MPG. We have kicked around getting a smaller car as a spare. I don't really know anyone who owns a hybrid to get an honest opinion. Do you like yours?

Love It. It's a Camry. I had been driving an SUV of some sort for more than 10 years, and had gotten tired of it -- plus having the Big Truck for the horse shows eliminated the need for the space of an SUV.

I get about 35 mpg both in the city and the highway. Plus, I like knowing that when I'm coasting < 40 mph, or stopped at a light, I am not contributing to global warming.

Instead of an oil change every 3k miles, I only get one every 5k because the gas engine isn't running all the time.

Toyota also makes a Highlander hybrid. It's a six-cylinder, so the mileage won't be as good, but there is still the no (or less)-emissions "plus".

When we bought ours, although it was difficult to find one and we had to pay the sticker price, at least we didn't pay a premium.

It's a 4 cylinder, yes, but for acceleration, I have the gas engine + the battery, which provides more power. I have found, though, that having the hybrid really changes one's driving habits. Instead of a tachometer, I have a gauge that shows how many MPGs I'm getting. You tend to wait instead of pulling out quickly -- saves gas -- and coasting more. It's kind of a fun game, LOL.

I'm glad I'm offsetting some of the carbon footprint I have because of the big diesel, which, let's face it, with the horses and trailer, I have to have. :D

[beckalexis]

I am on call for the hospital this weekend for the operating room. I have to be available...just have to be....no other choice.

Back in the 70's when there was a gas shortgage, if you had an "MD" (for medical doctor) on your lisence plate, you got to go to the front of the line for gas since you needed the gas to save lives :) My dad (who is a doctor) told me about this and if it were still true for today (I am not sure if it is), I would get a license plate for my husband's vehicle.

[equinelaw]

We had gas in Aiken this morning at $3.86 The lines we not too bad. Maybe its over???

The deisel was running low becuase of the Polo games, but the regular gas was all pumps open.

[pattnic]

Love It. It's a Camry. I had been driving an SUV of some sort for more than 10 years, and had gotten tired of it -- plus having the Big Truck for the horse shows eliminated the need for the space of an SUV.

I get about 35 mpg both in the city and the highway. Plus, I like knowing that when I'm coasting < 40 mph, or stopped at a light, I am not contributing to global warming.

Instead of an oil change every 3k miles, I only get one every 5k because the gas engine isn't running all the time.

Toyota also makes a Highlander hybrid. It's a six-cylinder, so the mileage won't be as good, but there is still the no (or less)-emissions "plus".

When we bought ours, although it was difficult to find one and we had to pay the sticker price, at least we didn't pay a premium.

It's a 4 cylinder, yes, but for acceleration, I have the gas engine + the battery, which provides more power. I have found, though, that having the hybrid really changes one's driving habits. Instead of a tachometer, I have a gauge that shows how many MPGs I'm getting. You tend to wait instead of pulling out quickly -- saves gas -- and coasting more. It's kind of a fun game, LOL.

I'm glad I'm offsetting some of the carbon footprint I have because of the big diesel, which, let's face it, with the horses and trailer, I have to have. :D

All new Toyotas have 5,000 mile oil changes (or at least the Matrix, Corolla, and Camry do), whether hybrid or not.

It's my understanding that until a certain speed, it's all battery power...

I would LOVE a hybrid... I would love to see the gas mileage I could get (I currently can get 43 mpg highway in my Matrix, or an average of about 32-33 mpg mixed driving. I've never calculated straight city).

PS - Chevy is coming out with a Hybrid Silverado later this year!

[lisa]

All new Toyotas have 5,000 mile oil changes (or at least the Matrix, Corolla, and Camry do), whether hybrid or not.

It's my understanding that until a certain speed, it's all battery power...

I would LOVE a hybrid... I would love to see the gas mileage I could get (I currently can get 43 mpg highway in my Matrix, or an average of about 32-33 mpg mixed driving. I've never calculated straight city).

PS - Chevy is coming out with a Hybrid Silverado later this year!

Ahh. I didn't know about the oil change recs. So I guess I can (technically) go longer between oil changes!!

But you misunderstand about the battery power only on acceleration. Yes, there are times when you can accelerate just using the battery, but it's when you're rolling downhill, or choose to accelerate very slowly. ;)

Certainly, there are gas-only vehicles that get just as good or better gas mileage. But I don't know of one that is as roomy as the Camry.

[secretariat]

Your area (Atlanta thru SC thru NC into Virginia) is supplied by the Colonial pipeline. TN gets gas from there, Valero Memphis, & anywhere else they can get it. Some of the midcontinent refineries have not been able to get crude (pipelines are from the Gulf, they don't have power ........ story should be getting pretty clear) and the Strategic Petroleum Reserve has provided crude oil to keep them running. The Colonial pipeline is fed only from refineries on the Gulf Coast, primarily Port Arthur, Beaumont, and Houston. We haven't been able to get these refineries running because of ELECTRICAL supply, not gouging or damage to the refineries. The electrical infrastructure took a huge hit. Just read an industry report that Gustav/Ike has been a much bigger loss of fuel than Katrina/Rita, even tho it's the same area, because of the electrical outages. Good news is that MOST (some still out in Beaumont/Port Arthur) have power now and are coming back on stream/will come back on next week, albeit slowly. When we don't have barrels at the Gulf to push product into your area ..................

I'm proud of my industry. We only had 67% refinery utilization last week, not because we're not trying but because of the electrical outages. National inventories are less than 20 days. Both the utilization and inventories are (negative) records historically. But there is gas, hard to get but it's there, and I've seen very little gouging. Based on supply and demand historical trends, with this limited supply you should be paying >$6.00 a gallon -- haven'y seen that anywhere. Our people are working 24 hour days and sleeping on air mattresses in the refineries to get the fuel you need -- even when their own homes are damaged and need attention.

Two secrets: Biggest problem is everyone filling up. When you get to 3/4 tank, you fill up. So our entire inventory isn't in the terminals any more, it's in your car driving down the road. I dread stories of people with full full tanks and cans of gasoline getting into wrecks. SO DON'T BE SO PANICKY! Other secret -- get off the interstates and main routes. Most locals still have gas, with allocations. Hell, here's another -- quit driving. Conserve for another week and we'll get out of this relatively unscathed. Just don't burn gas like nothing's happening.

Good luck. Things are already getting better at the supply end, and I expect refinery utilization to be near normal by next weekend although it'll probably take another week to push enough barrels where they're needed.

[DownYonder]

Secretariat, thanks for that update. I have cancelled all non-essential driving and it just astounds me that some people are continuing to burn gas to go to sporting events such as football games, horse shows, etc. Good Lord, there are people who can't find enough gas to get to WORK!! :confused:

[KathyR]

Now there is no gas between my house and work. I have between 1/2 and 1/4 tank, hoping to find some tomorrow. I really want to ride tomorrow! Hubby had more health problems last week and I need to have some fun.

[CHorseFarm]

Filled up 2 days ago - now my car is dead...no warning lights...perhaps bad gas (ya know, bottom of the barrel- water, diesel, etc. contaminating?)? Guess I'll find out after it's towed tomorrow...still have the gas receipt though! Reports of this have been made in Atl..like to think that it's the gas's fault....don't need a big repair bill. If it is the gas, then that will be taken care of...so "they" say...just like gougers.

[relocatedTXjumpr]

I live in a SMALL town and work in a smaller town..not off a large interstate...no ga here...and we even made the news because of people fighting over it. So, getting of fthe main roads is not always the best idea.

[TwoDreamRides]

For anyone in the area...

My mom just called to say she was able to fill up [she was at 1/8th of a tank] at a station at 141 and Chamblee-Dunwoody. Double lines to the pumps, but she only had to wait 10 minutes. The cops are there and have it very well organized.

[Frank B]

Speaking of hybrids, here's an article (http://www.kiplinger.com/columns/car/archive/2008/car0904.html) detailing which makes/models may be appropriate for you, based on your needs and driving habits.

[KathyR]

Finally found gas today, waited in a LONG line, there were actually police there directing people. Short tempers, lots of honking, but at least everyone got gas. I went riding today, nothing between the barn and home. So, went out this afternoon, after calling several places first. So, luckily I got to ride and get gas. What could be better??? Gas was at Quick Trip in McDonough, near Wal-mart, if anyone down this was is looking.

[CHorseFarm]

:eek: Ummmm...gotta come clean...my car problem wasn't the gas...it was...ummmm...because I didn't put the gas cap on correctly! SO figured that one out - he looked in the book - I was too frustrated when it happened. What an idiot!
Hey, at least it wasn't bad gas - that's happened around here at one station -when it runs out...H2O gets in it, etc.

[Alagirl]

:eek: Ummmm...gotta come clean...my car problem wasn't the gas...it was...ummmm...because I didn't put the gas cap on correctly! SO figured that one out - he looked in the book - I was too frustrated when it happened. What an idiot!
Hey, at least it wasn't bad gas - that's happened around here at one station -when it runs out...H2O gets in it, etc.



LOL! He didn't give you the woman driver look?! :lol::lol::lol::lol:

Old cars used to run without gas cap...go figure.

[DownYonder]

The Shell station at Birmingham Hwy/Birmingham Road (Alpharetta) had gas yesterday morning but a friend counted 28 vehicles in line, including a bunch of hefty "horsey" pick-up trucks with tow hitches on them. I don't know if they still have gas today. I was at the Publix across the street and I have never seen so much traffic there on Birmingham Road at that hour on a Saturday morning. It was pretty tricky pulling out from the Publix.

The problem is that people are calling into the radio stations to report which stations have gas and the DJs are passing on the news, so people descend like vultures on road kill whenever a station gets a shipment. The station gets sucked dry within a day (or even a few hours, in some cases), and the vultures move on to feed elsewhere.

Some friends have cancelled their horse show plans this weekend - they don't want to burn what fuel they have and risk not being able to get to work next week. Some experts are predicting up to another month before the supply chain returns to normal.

[Frank B]

Kilpinger's weekly newletter says to plan on seeing spot shortages in the Southeast for several weeks because the terminals are scrambling to replenish their stock. At the moment, 60% of the Gulf of Mexico oil production is off-line.

If you can run E85, you're in luck -- there's plenty of that!

[BeastieSlave]

It seems to be easing a bit down here (I hope I didn't just jinx things). Most gas stations have some gas - maybe not all grades. There are still a fair number of stations that are totally out, but you don't have to go too far to find gas if/when you need it.

[monstrpony]

Well, I bagged my trip to SC this weekend. We deicded to wait till Sunday and see if it let up, which it seems to have done, but then there was the report that some stations would be closed Sunday. Anyhow, I decided to "do my part" and just stay home.

It is better in the small town I live in, or else people were just less frantic on the weekend. The three main stations were still rotating who would be open, but the lines weren't more than a few cars and not out in the street like they were all week.

[DownYonder]

One of the Atlanta TV stations was reporting waits up to 2-1/2 hours at a gas station on Delk Road (Marietta). They said they had counted over 100 cars backed up onto Delk Road waiting for their turn at the pumps. Some drivers had waited over 1 hour at another station, but it went dry before they could get to the pumps so they had to move on to the other station.

I cannot people were still driving to football games and making other non-essential trips. Some folks apparently ran out of gas going to/from the UGA/Alabama game in Athens. I have no sympathy for them. :no:

[OdhinnsMom]

Maybe it is just me, but this is when I think the price gouging 'laws' totally screw the consumer.

If gas was charged what it was worth, which would be way over 6$ per gallon RIGHT NOW, then there would be plenty of gas. Right now, people are doing EXACTLY what they aren't supposed to do, the general public is creating a MUCH bigger problem than there should be. People are hoarding gas, and by getting it when they don't need it (but want to make sure THEY always have some), they cause a huge problem.

If gas was 8$ per gallon, people WOULD only fill up when they needed it, would ABSOLUTELY only drive when they had to. As a result, you could GO to the gas station, and there would be plenty of gas for everyone.

Once the supply started to come back in regularly, the competitive nature of capitalism would cause the prices to go back down to what a normal market would bear.

This 'crisis' is people caused.

[Cielo Azure]

Your area
Two secrets: Biggest problem is everyone filling up. When you get to 3/4 tank, you fill up. So our entire inventory isn't in the terminals any more, it's in your car driving down the road. I dread stories of people with full full tanks and cans of gasoline getting into wrecks. SO DON'T BE SO PANICKY! Other secret -- get off the interstates and main routes. Most locals still have gas, with allocations. Hell, here's another -- quit driving. Conserve for another week and we'll get out of this relatively unscathed. Just don't burn gas like nothing's happening.

Good luck. Things are already getting better at the supply end, and I expect refinery utilization to be near normal by next weekend although it'll probably take another week to push enough barrels where they're needed.

You are WAY out of line. No one is "filling up" here. WE ARE OUT OF GAS. NO ONE WAITS THREE HOURS (AND THAT ISN'T POSSIBLE, THERE IS NO GAS)... OUT OF GAS. Do you know what that means???

I drive a diesel, I do business and am driving all over. THERE ARE NO gas stations north of Atlanta that have gas. This isn't about topping off. Your post is just weird. come down and experience what NO GAS means. Then post.

B.T.W. The AJC is writing one to two months, how come you write next weekend?

[OdhinnsMom]

You are WAY out of line. No one is "filling up" here. WE ARE OUT OF GAS. NO ONE WAITS THREE HOURS (AND THAT ISN'T POSSIBLE, THERE IS NO GAS)... OUT OF GAS. Do you know what that means???

I drive a diesel, I do business and am driving all over. THERE ARE NO gas stations north of Atlanta that have gas. This isn't about topping off. Your post is just weird. come down and experience what NO GAS means. Then post.

B.T.W. The AJC is writing one to two months, how come you write next weekend?


She is not WAY out of line. She is right. There ARE gas stations in the metro area that have gas. I found gas just yesterday, for both my truck and later my husbands car.

The problem isn't that there isn't enough gas for people to be able to do the NECESSARY commutes, there isn't enough gas RIGHT NOW for people to be able to do whatever they want.

Most of this problem is PUBLIC caused. I LIVE in Sandy Springs, work in Roswell and board in Milton, so I AM living the 'gas' crisis.

The PROBLEM is that people, by human nature, are hoarders...screw everyone else. At the gas station I went to yesterday, there was a big sign that said 'please limit to 8 gallons'. Do you REALLY think people do that? I WATCHED the lady in front of me fill up her 8 gallons, pull forward 3 inches, get another credit card, and fill up with 8 more.

The supply is what it is right now. The fixable issue is people's behavior.

[Tamara in TN]

Kilpinger's weekly newletter says to plan on seeing spot shortages in the Southeast for several weeks because the terminals are scrambling to replenish their stock. At the moment, 60% of the Gulf of Mexico oil production is off-line.

If you can run E85, you're in luck -- there's plenty of that!

my sister works in billing for a cell phone company...one of the big ones...she told me today someone called about their phone...they are tech support for another land based phone company...

they are now having to go armed to their jobs in and around Galveston as people are holding them up for food and gas and water:eek::eek:.... this is keeping the work from getting done and keeping stuff moving...

besst

[Tamara in TN]

The problem is that people are calling into the radio stations to report which stations have gas and the DJs are passing on the news, so people descend like vultures on road kill whenever a station gets a shipment. The station gets sucked dry within a day (or even a few hours, in some cases), and the vultures move on to feed elsewhere.
.

yep...they (radio stations)did it to us in and around Knoxville the first two days after Ike hit...as Calvin says "when you see a miles worth of semis lined up to get fuel...then you should worry"

best

[secretariat]

Thanks, OdhinnsMom. Classic case of Ostrich Syndrome.

Georgia, we're pushing something like 5 MM gallons a day in your direction. Other refineries are restarting and are/will be doing the same. It may be a month before we're back to "normal," but I'm still predicting much better situation by the end of the week. Why? Because we're working like hell to make it happen.

[OdhinnsMom]

I appreciate the effort you all are putting into it TO ensure that we have some gas. As I stated in an earlier post, taking away the (IMO absurd) anti-gouging laws would help the most to regulate the consumption of a very, very limited gas supply.

I don't think it is ostrich in a hole, so much as it is scared and panicked....

[Green Acres]

Secretariat - THANKS for the updates!!! I would much rather hear it from someone in the industry than the local news!

Yes, people are panicking which is alot of the problem. I work with someone who drives a v.w. bug and normally go a week & half on one tank of gas. Well last week she was going to buy gas every day or two and then didn't want to drive either.

Also I heard on the news that people are calling 911 because they can't find any gas. :confused:

[relocatedTXjumpr]

There MAY be stations in the Atlanta area that have gas...but I do believe that Cielo Azure is NORTH of the city...as am I...by about 60 miles.

WE ARE OUT! Ellijay, Jasper, and Blue Ridge HAVE NO GAS! I dont know how familiar you are with this area, but it is not a huge place like say Marietta, Roswell, or Canton.....you get off the beaten path here to try and find a station and you may end up 30 miles off the main road...out of gas and out of luck.

We have NO mass transit...and a lot of the people in this area drive to the metro area for work...so telling them not to panic that they have no fuel to get to work is not going to make one bit of difference.

So, while those of you in the metro (yes Milton is now metro) area may have to drive and look for a station and wait in line for gas...we have none, zero, zip, nothing. There are no long lines or topping off because WE HAVE NO GAS!

And the limit...ya...because 8 gallons in my truck is going to get me really far. while most people shouldnt panic..they do. You have to get to work, grocery, etc. The media doesnt help much either, thats for sure.

[BeastieSlave]

It's bad enough how the media is feeding the frenzy, but what really steamed me was the 'excellent' (NOT!) leadership we have down here. Example: during the worst of the scare I pulled into a gas station to put some air in a tire, there at the pumps filling 3 five gallon gas cans, was this guy who had his face plastered all over the county - running for superior court judge :eek: The jerk was hoarding gas! :mad:

[CHorseFarm]

LOL! He didn't give you the woman driver look?! :lol::lol::lol::lol:

Old cars used to run without gas cap...go figure.

OH YEAH - I GOT THE WOMAN DRIVER LOOK - also the WHY DIDN'T YOU LOOK IN THE BOOK LOOK? (I did kinda look at the book, but didn't immediately find the answer and got frustrated )[I know..I know]. He's having a great time with this - as he should, LOL!
I wondered about old cars and missing gas caps, too. Maybe newer cars have some kind of super-sonic-suction thing?
SO explained it, but, alas...

[Cielo Azure]

There MAY be stations in the Atlanta area that have gas...but I do believe that Cielo Azure is NORTH of the city...as am I...by about 60 miles.

WE ARE OUT! Ellijay, Jasper, and Blue Ridge HAVE NO GAS! I dont know how familiar you are with this area, but it is not a huge place like say Marietta, Roswell, or Canton.....you get off the beaten path here to try and find a station and you may end up 30 miles off the main road...out of gas and out of luck.

We have NO mass transit...and a lot of the people in this area drive to the metro area for work...so telling them not to panic that they have no fuel to get to work is not going to make one bit of difference.

So, while those of you in the metro (yes Milton is now metro) area may have to drive and look for a station and wait in line for gas...we have none, zero, zip, nothing. There are no long lines or topping off because WE HAVE NO GAS!

And the limit...ya...because 8 gallons in my truck is going to get me really far. while most people shouldnt panic..they do. You have to get to work, grocery, etc. The media doesnt help much either, thats for sure.

Exactly...I don't think people realize what NO gas means to us who live in rural areas. I know some of my neighbors can't get to work (especially those with long commutes down to North Atlanta), can't buy food, just aren't going out. There are cars stranded here and there.

What do you do when you don't have baby formula for your baby and you can't get to the store? What about the elderly shut in who relies on family to bring groceries and they literally don't have enough gas to get to the store or your house? Who would you call to help you? Is it surprising that some people are resorting to calling 9-11 in this situation.

The governor is now talking about closing the schools, if necessary.

It is like the twilight zone down here.

[CHorseFarm]

Yeah, I heard on the local news that 911 has been flooded with out-of-gas-calls. Too bad, 'cause that is for emergencies...now if you're stranded on the road and have a medical or police emercency - that's one thing. However, if you just plain run out of gas...that's another thing ...and not an emergency. Unless you end up stranded in a sh*tty part of town;)

[OdhinnsMom]

Exactly...I don't think people realize what NO gas means to us who live in rural areas. I know some of my neighbors can't get to work (especially those with long commutes down to North Atlanta), can't buy food, just aren't going out. There are cars stranded here and there.

What do you do when you don't have baby formula for your baby and you can't get to the store? What about the elderly shut in who relies on family to bring groceries and they literally don't have enough gas to get to the store or your house? Who would you call to help you? Is it surprising that some people are resorting to calling 9-11 in this situation.

The governor is now talking about closing the schools, if necessary.

It is like the twilight zone down here.

It is a result of keeping the cost of a needed resource at a relatively cheap level. IF people would charge what the product was truly worth, people would only BUY WHAT THEY NEEDED, and people would HAVE gas to get to the station to buy the necessities.

Think about it next time you hear someone bitching about 'price gouging' because gas is 4.15 a gallon.

[relocatedTXjumpr]

I really dont think the price has anything to do with this at all.

I do agree that stations need to be held accountable for pushing up the price ONLY because of a "crisis". Its price gouging when they mark the price up three or four dollars simply because they are the only game in town and people have to pay it...its not price gouging if they charge whatever the normal price is...I look at it like this...if everything was normal...what would they be charging? If that is $4.05 and all of a sudden, simply because they are the only station in town with gas, they jump that up to $8.05...then they need to be held accountable.

If people only buy what they need.....$20 worth of gas does crap for my truck...I could go a day on it. so, is the answer buying $20 worth every single day...some how I dont think that would help at all.

Like I said...it would be one thing if we had another source for transport...but we do not. If I dont have gas in the truck, I cant get to work, its that simple. We do not have busses, trains, etc...I have to use my personal vehicle to get to work, therfor I need gas to fill it up. I'll pay what I have to pay in order to do that...I may not like spending $120 a week in gas, but if thats the price of getting to work and back, then fine.

I just find it odd that while only half of the refineries are up and running...its only the SE thats affected...I havent heard of Texas, Colorado, etc having this problem....where do they get their gas from?

I find this gas thing gets people just as fired up as politics or religion. Its a love hate relationship...bottom line is we have no other alternatives right now (and yes, we do need them). Some of us need trucks, some of us live in small towns away from mass transit, some of us cant work from home...I dont think theres a wrong or right in this situation...and I also dont think theres one thing thats going to solve it...I just think its weird that its only affected in certain areas.

[OdhinnsMom]

But a price is established because of demand. A gallon of gas may be 4$ one day, but if the value of the gas goes up the next day, which it DOES if it becomes limited, then it isn't really worth 4$ any more. It is worth whatever people will pay for it. It wouldn't BE a crisis if people had to pay more for it.

I have lived in rural areas, and while there may have only been one or two gas stations in my convenient area, there are plenty of gas stations I could get to if the price was better for me. Pretty soon, if people can get the gas for less than 8$, he is going to have to lower it, as he won't get business. If people are commuting to Atlanta for work, there are a lot of gas stations between home and work.....

Just because we live in metro Atlanta doesn't mean we have access to mass transport either. I also drive a truck, and I can't take MARTA to my work either.

[Cielo Azure]

TXJumper,

I find it odd too. Lets remember all the stories. The first story that it was all about panic and gas run because people were filling their tanks, then the second story about winter versus summer gas, now the story about topping off, and the pipeline story. I find it odd that it wasn't until we were deep in s**t that it was even reporting locally. I find it odd that it still really isn't making the national news (my son in MD has not heard a THING about it on the news).

But what does the price of gas have to do with the shortage? NOTHING! Price gouging isn't going to make the shortage go away. It isn't going to make people who need baby formula stop needing formula. It will only make the rich people able to get formula (because they can pay $100 for a gallon of gas) and the rest of us...not. How would that solve the problem? There is a reason why certain commodities (and utilities) are regulated in their price structure.

Back to the shortage, I hope my feed store doesn't shut down. They are on the edge as it is. Lots of stores just not opening or reducing employees significantly.

I was supposed to get hay delivered this weekend but it got cancelled, as he using a gas truck. I don't know when I will get it now. Still waiting for a call back (I think he is avoiding me).

[Just My Style]

I went out tonight because my son had a hockey game near Northpoint Mall in Alpharetta. Oh my. Lines EVERYWHERE for the few stations that had gas. Guys were standing outside with flags directing traffic in to lines at one place. Most stations did not have it at all. I dumped the boys at the rink and hit up Babies R Us for supplies (diapers, etc) for my LO. The only other place I have gone in the last two weeks is Costco to load up on food. I am leaving the house as little as possible. The horses have a barn full of hay. Guinea pigs are set. I just got the dog 40lbs of food. I am planning on hanging out at home for the next few weeks if I have to. Yuck! If it gets worse, it seems like diesel is still available. I will be forced to drive truckasaurus and drop DH at work.

[CHorseFarm]

Hey Relo, - yeah, I hear you.
Here's a wierd fact: the Colonial Pipeline runs thru my neighborhood - I remember when it was built - lots of snakes for some reason (?) ...also ran thru both of my grandmother's property as well - and they lived 5 miles in each direction from me.

[CHorseFarm]

I Guinea pigs are set.
LOL! I recently pet-sitted for my first GP's...they eat FESCUE HAY and GP food). I told the owners that I could relate to the hay - only on a bigger scale, LOL. Had pretty much any kind of critter EXCEPT GP's and rodents - no reason why...just never got around to them after all the other critters!

[Just My Style]

They are kind of like tiny ponies. I have mine on shavings. They eat pellets and hay. ;) They really are darling. I had them growing up. My older son wanted his own pet and I would not budge on the idea of a tarantula. So, we went with the pigs. Of course, he lost interest like most little kids do, but I still love them.

They typically are easy keepers and healthy, but no one told Wanda. She came to me with lumps and needed major ($400) surgery to remove the tumors. So yeah, we have Trixie and Wanda. Totally cute.

[bird4416]

I love guinea pigs. We had several when my daughter was little. Here is a pic of her with 3 baby pigs.
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2019235720034166832CLuzLl

And back to the original topic. The gas shortage is getting scary. I've started driving the diesel dually. I'm so thankful that we have that truck so we don't get totally stranded.

[LMH]

hey bird-where are you getting diesel near us? I thought both the citgo and shell were out of diesel as well?

I just heard on the news people are now camping out over night waiting on tankers to arrive.

AND have you heard the story about the lady that went inside the store and someone stole the gas from her car!

[Just My Style]

OMG! So cute. My baby just loves the pigs. They are near the kitchen, so they go bonkers everytime you open the fridge and the veggie drawer. And don't even crinkle a plastic bag. They assume that all plastic bags have fruits or veggies in them. When they wheet my baby does a huge belly laugh. He thinks they are hysterical.

And don't even try to get gas in Canton. All out everywhere. DH and I start the carpooling thing Wed, if is doesn't get better. At that point, I will be officially out. Looks like driving a gas guzzling tow vehicle everywhere is the way to go. :no:

[monstrpony]

The gas situation seems to have settled a bit here, but I noticed that the diesel pumps are now "bagged". As usual, I guess they cut diesel production in favor of gas. I have to haul my horse 75 miles to meet the friend (with a gas truck) who is hauling us to the clinic next weekend. I know my truck is about 3/4 full which should get me there and back, and I have locking gas caps since it normally sits in my driveway while I'm at work. Hope there aren't any popular new foils for locking gas caps that I don't know about! (It will sit at another friend's farm while we're gone to the clinic).

[bird4416]

LMH the Race TRac on Mansel had diesel last night as did the Crabapple gas station (can't remember the name but right in Crabapple Corners) This is really starting to suck.

[Cielo Azure]

LMH the Race TRac on Mansel had diesel last night as did the Crabapple gas station (can't remember the name but right in Crabapple Corners) This is really starting to suck.

Lets hope they don't cut diesel, or we soon have a food shortage too. If the semis won't come into GA, we got even bigger problems.

[DownYonder]

Alpharetta peeps - Shell at Hwy 9 and Francis Road (near Grasslands Kroger) had gas at 8 AM today - looked like about 20 or so cars were backed up on Hwy 9 trying to turn in there.

Shell at Hwy 9 and McFarland had SOMETHING, but I only saw trucks there and one older Mercedes, so am guessing all they have is Diesel.

Citgo at McFarland and Union Hill looked empty - no vehicles at the pumps. Ditto for RaceTrac on McFarland.

[Cielo Azure]

Not to sound like Chicken Little but...I read that with the Lehman Bros collapse that the big Atlanta Natural Gas Comp lost their contract for Natural gas. I assume that this means that home heating prices in the Atlanta area are going to be bad this winter. That will put pressure on the electric companies, as people will be using more electric. That could mean more outages (TOTAL SPECULATION ON MY PART). But, I think like this because of having fourteen horses and having lived on farms most of my life, I have to plan ahead. I have been a part of too many bad environmental situations, I try to think ahead now.

Before winter, I vow that I am going to get a generator big enough to hook into our main electrical box (we already have the wiring there to do so -put it in last spring). I really need my well pump to be protected, in case of a long term outage. My generator, although handy, isn't big enough to hook into the main box.

I have about a month's supply of human food, but I am going to up it to two months. I need to keep more dog food on hand. I usually go bag to bag, but I think I want an extra bag or two stored. Poultry, cat food I buy in bulk. Good there.

I am in the process of getting six months of hay in for the winter. I prepaid a local guy for bermuda and fescue but he stopped delivering/stacking with the gas shortage. I need to look at an extra 2-4 months on top of that.

I need to get my winter veggy garden in ASAP.
I want to buy a 55 gal drum of diesel.

This gas thing has got me going into survival planning. I used to be more on top of this when we lived in MD, and we had a lot more land and the weather was more extreme. I think I need to get back into be ready for anything mode. Especially, as I farm and live off the beaten track (at little bit). Anyone else coming to this conclusion or am I the only "crazy" survivalist "out there?"

[BeastieSlave]

I haven't gone into full-on survivalist mode yet....

I am in a funk though. My mom cancelled her visit today. Gas lines in Peachtree City have her scared :(

[Tamara in TN]

I think I need to get back into be ready for anything mode. Especially, as I farm and live off the beaten track (at little bit). Anyone else coming to this conclusion or am I the only "crazy" survivalist "out there?"

anytime we have a storm in any season,there is the chance that we are powerless for a week...it's more a mindset and skill set than anything...it's just the way things are...

best

[gieriscm]

I think I need to get back into be ready for anything mode. Especially, as I farm and live off the beaten track (at little bit). Anyone else coming to this conclusion or am I the only "crazy" survivalist "out there?"

I call it being sensible, not crazy! I'm in an area where ice storms are common, and usually we lose power for a day or so at least once each winter since our lines are primarily above-ground. A generator to keep the water flowing from the well to the beasties is a must, as is a non-electric source of heat for the house.

[CHorseFarm]

Made it to the barn today - yee haw! So glad my horse is well-cared for if I can't make it up - I never worry. How fortunate is that?:) My BO is the best! (note: NOT sucking up, Bird4416, LOL)

[KathyR]

A few stations here in McDonough have gas today. WSBTV website has places that have gas, although they tend to sell out quickly. www.wsbtv.com Have heard that the shortage will last until Columbus Day, if not longer. QT sems to be the best at having gas. I have enough to get to and from work this week, and am hoping I find enough to get through the weekend, without having to spend an hour to fill up.

[equinelaw]

We seem to have gas now. No real lines at the station that sells the cheapest gas today.

[Just My Style]

At 2:00 today, I was at the Publix in Free Home and was chatting with a woman who said she just got gas at the Exxon on 20. So, I got my kid from school and headed that way. Yes, there was gas. However, there were alos over 20 cars in front of me. There were 2 people directing traffic. There were cops everywhere. There was also a 4 gallon limit and it was $4.25. The pump shut off for me at $17 even. It barely raised me up a 1/4 tank, but now I can get my kid to and from school this week. I cancelled a photo appointment for my little guy and I also cancelled his doctor wellness check up for this week. I am staying home!

[Horserich Cashpoor]

Isn't our economy based on supply and demand?
If the supply is down and the demand is up shouldn't the price go up?
Why haven't we seen this?

[relocatedTXjumpr]

We ahd one station (at WalMart) that had it...price was down to $3.87.

[Green Acres]

Isn't our economy based on supply and demand?
If the supply is down and the demand is up shouldn't the price go up?
Why haven't we seen this?

Due to government anti-gouging laws gas prices can't be raised as much as demand. So, the prices are still low even with high demand and with it being so low, many folks are panicking and buying gas even when their vehicle has 3/4 a tank of gas.

[CHorseFarm]

Heard today thea Oct 13 is d-day...whatever that means, but supposedly it is THE DAY gas will flow and be available to us all...we'll see.

[DownYonder]

The Shell station on Hwy 9 / Francis Rd near Grasslands Kroger had gas at 8 AM yesterday, but was out when I went by there around 5 pm.

I heard that it takes about one week for gas to get to Atlanta once it enters the pipeline in Texas. So with many of the refineries just coming back on line last week after the hurricanes, it makes sense that we are just now starting to see availability pick up a bit. It is still very spotty, though, and very limited.

Folks in other areas have no clue how bad it has been. My husband and I have cut out all non-essential driving - we go to work and the grocery store, and I go to the barn (about 4 miles away and between my home and office), and that is it. We had twin nieces born Friday night in Dunwoody, and we can't even go see them - don't want to burn the gas and risk not having enough to get to work. We are hoping things will start to ease up a bit by this weekend, although they are predicting up to another month before the supply has returned to "full pool".

[kearleydk]

Moving more and more into survivalist mode. Don't tell the EPA but I have 200 gallons of used motor oil mixed with diesel stashed away. My old Ford runs great on a 50/50 mix. Finally got my Duece and a half multifuel out of the shop yesterday as well. It gets terrible mileage but will run on most anything that will pour. (got vodka?)

Unfortunately my welder friend has been focused on stall fronts rather than my wood burning truck. Now I really wish I'd been hanging out at his place and pushing along on the wood burning truck.

Going to the pallet yard today to see about cleaning up all their old and broken pallets so I have some fuel for the monster woodstove to heat the greenhouse.

[Dressage62]

Not to sound like Chicken Little but...I
I have about a month's supply of human food, but I am going to up it to two months. I need to keep more dog food on hand. I usually go bag to bag, but I think I want an extra bag or two stored. Poultry, cat food I buy in bulk. "

So, your plan is to fatten up your pets in case you have to eat them??

[Dressage62]

Moving more and more into survivalist mode. Unfortunately my welder friend has been focused on stall fronts rather than my wood burning truck. Now I really wish I'd been hanging out at his place and pushing along on the wood burning truck.


A wood burning truck? Too cool!
Don't tell the gas company you don't need high test anymore!

[dressagetraks]

No gas shortage in my state, but I have relatives in GA. Which along with this thread undoubtedly sparked . . .

Last night, I dreamed that I was traveling down the highway and saw gas at $1.25/gallon. :yes: And NO lines. MANY places. There was gas all over the place, at $1.25/gallon. :)

And I, of course, was riding my horse instead of driving a car and couldn't fill up. :lol:

[Cielo Azure]

So, your plan is to fatten up your pets in case you have to eat them??

Ha. Ha.

No gas.

But what about diesel. What if there was no diesel. Truckers won't come to the SE to do business, if they have to risk not getting diesel for their trucks. I really don't want to be without the essentials for my animals. I want a full two months of supplies for every single animal on my farm.

That may sound strange to you, but when things go south, they go south. As an example (hypothectical): Purina (or other suppliers) won't announce that next week, they won't be delivering to feed stores in the SouthEast because of the gas crisis. They would just do it.

Look at beet pulp. Did you predict there would be no beet pulp available for three/four months this fall? I didn't. Look at hay last year.

So, as I haven't eaten meat in two decades, I don't think I will be eating my pets, but I don't want to be driving into Tennessee looking for dog food either.

If the credit freeze happens bigtime (increasing probability it won't), companies like Purina that rely on credit can go belly up over night. That is why The Pres and Congress keep talking about the credit freeze affecting payroll and supplies. Large businesses rely on credit in all sorts of ways.

Seems impossible that such a thing could happen but think about Heard Chevrolet. Did they give notice that they were closing their doors last week? Nope. It just happened. 2400 people out of jobs in this area, no chevy dealerships in GA. Why? Because of the credit freeze on subprime lending.
http://www.ajc.com/gwinnett/content/metro/stories/2008/09/28/bill_heard_dealerships.html
Heard is just one of the first, in my opinion.

So, to you it may seem really weird. To me, with a potential depression situation just around the corner, it seems reasonable to ME. With a farm full of animals, I feel I have to take precautions. But I know that for people like you, my behavior may just seem...bizarre.

[secretariat]

So, it's been a week. How's the supply situation in Georgia and the Carolinas? My information says gasoline supply is tight but adequate in that area now. Diesel is short (available, but short) in the midwest towards Chicago.

[hunter1985]

Charlotte, NC is pretty much better. A gas station here or there might run out, but no lines, panics, major shortages. Finally a road to recovery!

[Dakotawyatt]

All the main stations here in Cartersville are back online. No lines, thank goodness.