Pump prices stun gas-guzzling Americans

[UpInArms]

http://today.reuters.com/PrinterFriendlyPopup.aspx?type=businessNews&storyID=uri:2005-09-01T192539Z_01_BAU169905_RTRIDST_0_BUSINESS-WEATHER-KATRINA-GASOLINE-DC.XML

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Americans were furious and stunned by record gasoline prices after devastation from Hurricane Katrina and a few drivers even thought of giving up things that define the U.S. way of life: gas-guzzling cars and long summer road trips.

Gasoline prices vaulted to well over $3 a gallon in many parts of the United States after Katrina slammed the Gulf Coast, shutting down most of the region's oil production and refineries. Gasoline had sold for about $2.60 a gallon before the hurricane hit.

"It's highway robbery," said Ed Wykstra, 77, as he filled his car at a Mobil station in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, where regular unleaded gasoline was selling at $3.18 a gallon, up from $2.76 early on Wednesday. "It means I'm going to use the car as little as possible."

Though the latest data shows the nationwide gas price average $2.68 a gallon, the real figure could be 10 to 20 cents higher given reports that some stations are changing prices up to three times daily, said AAA spokesman Geoff Sundstrom.

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"This is ridiculous. You can't even fill up 10 gallons for 30 bucks," Joe Nevins said at a Manhattan pump. "I'm just going to have to quit my job at this rate."

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[napi21]

1. It's going to get worse before it gets better!

At least until they get the supply pipes pumping at 100% again. Then the problem is going to be a refinery shortage.

I know that last comment about having to quit his job might have been just a comment, there are many people who are in exactly that spot! Can't get to work becaue they just dont make enough to put gas in their old wreck!

[KansDem]

2. This morning, I filled up: $42

When I went in to pay, I heard a customer talking about the price of gas and how it differs as much as 30 cents among stations in the same area. He concluded by accusing the oil companies of gouging.

When it was my turn to pay, the clerk "checked" my $20 bills to make sure they weren't fake (with the pen). This practice, which seems to have increased in recent months, really floors me. With all the fraud and corruption going on in this country, starting with the highest levels of government and private corporations, I find it ludicrous that I'm suspected of wrongdoing in attempting to pass a fake $20 bill. So I said (this one time), "I'm amused at how my bills are checked for authenticity. I mean, the real crooks are in the White House." The manager was walking away and snorted something about how he's heard that line so many times this morning. The clerk began to explain how she "has" to do it, but I don't think either one of them understood what I was trying to imply. Next time, if I'm so inclined, I'll say something to the effect, "Billions of dollars missing in Iraq, yet I'm suspected of passing fake $20 bills. I'm not the crook here; they're in the White House."

edited for clarity