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Insight: In Sandy crisis, motorists stranded at Big Oil's pumps

Reuters -- Superstorm Sandy left a trail of destruction and despair in the U.S. Northeast, but it also exposed a surprising fault line in the ability of gasoline stations to keep fuel flowing.

Motorists in New York and New Jersey, desperate for gas amid constrained supply and power outages, spent hours in snaking lines waiting for a chance to hit the pumps. But those who rushed to stations bearing the names of the world's biggest and best known oil companies were the least likely to find fuel.

It came down to one critical factor: the outlets of the oil majors are franchised, while those of the regional chains are company-run and benefited from the full resources of their corporate parents.

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Submitted Nov 09, 2012 By: NO_SWEAT

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honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,818 Points:1,636,245 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Nov 11, 2012 9:14:29 PM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse One would think, ppl learned from the past?
DrCashFlow Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:7,196 Points:1,653,625 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Nov 10, 2012 11:45:09 PM Ignore DrCashFlow Report Abuse not much common sense going on
swede Champion Author Cleveland Posts:3,897 Points:1,702,500 Joined:Feb 2003	Message Posted: Nov 10, 2012 2:53:12 AM Ignore swede Report Abuse ok
benjy Champion Author Chicago Posts:8,703 Points:1,814,135 Joined:Nov 2003	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 10:39:03 PM Ignore benjy Report Abuse ouch.
bston Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:1,950 Points:669,015 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 10:35:30 PM Ignore bston Report Abuse Will be a long, slow recovery.
Double_Golden Champion Author San Francisco Posts:2,690 Points:631,885 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 9:30:17 PM Ignore Double_Golden Report Abuse what can you do with less gas to pump, nothing...
Zonk Champion Author Michigan Posts:6,616 Points:2,129,490 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 9:25:17 PM Ignore Zonk Report Abuse There is no quick solution to this situation.
us4usa Champion Author Missouri Posts:6,118 Points:1,136,670 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 9:13:45 PM Ignore us4usa Report Abuse NHLiveFree: They simply have to drive north about 40 minutes and its simpler than waiting in line 2 or 3 hours. I was thinking the same thing, just another reason to use the top half of your gas tank...
CDMAuto Champion Author Connecticut Posts:3,927 Points:780,580 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 9:07:35 PM Ignore CDMAuto Report Abuse This is true
rahcat Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:2,676 Points:689,675 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 9:07:17 PM Ignore rahcat Report Abuse Not good
g747 Champion Author Mobile Posts:4,677 Points:960,395 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 9:04:24 PM Ignore g747 Report Abuse It'll get better as time passes by.Please be patient,we know what you guys are going through.
NHLiveFree Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:11,289 Points:1,649,075 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 9:00:46 PM Ignore NHLiveFree Report Abuse Very true jrsva!!! Very sour grapes from extremely bad losers.
rf6480 Champion Author Miami Posts:1,583 Points:569,785 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 8:59:34 PM Ignore rf6480 Report Abuse prayers for all those in the affected areas.
rjoeh Champion Author Michigan Posts:7,202 Points:2,496,340 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 8:58:38 PM Ignore rjoeh Report Abuse With multi-hour lines... being stranded is not surprising for those low on fuel.
clermont40miles Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:10,747 Points:1,798,620 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 8:58:09 PM Ignore clermont40miles Report Abuse Looks like the Wawa management saw what was coming and took action. It paid off. Had more folks done the same things may have improved a bit quicker. Pain to have such supply problems.
NHLiveFree Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:11,289 Points:1,649,075 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 8:58:02 PM Ignore NHLiveFree Report Abuse They simply have to drive north about 40 minutes and its simpler than waiting in line 2 or 3 hours.
Dragnet Champion Author Arizona Posts:15,543 Points:2,933,535 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 8:56:50 PM Ignore Dragnet Report Abuse They just don't learn. I don't pity them
dumba55 Sophomore Author Chicago Posts:142 Points:37,675 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 8:56:07 PM Ignore dumba55 Report Abuse just stay home and let those sucker wait in line
30mpg80 Champion Author Lexington Posts:10,260 Points:1,514,380 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 8:55:44 PM Ignore 30mpg80 Report Abuse Good time to take a week off from work (and commuting) and help with the cleanup.
livedream Champion Author Michigan Posts:3,840 Points:781,785 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 8:55:01 PM Ignore livedream Report Abuse Wow! "Mobil helps no one," said one Mobil station operator on Long Island, who asked not to be identified. "That's why they are the richest company in the world." THAT IS REALLY SHAMEFULL! I hope after this disaster, people there and everywhere will remember this and buy their gas from OTHER gas stations -- and NOT FROM EXXON MOBIL!!!
menagerie1013 Champion Author San Diego Posts:2,365 Points:711,190 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 8:54:42 PM Ignore menagerie1013 Report Abuse Tough times.
granitestater Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:8,975 Points:1,457,475 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 8:54:02 PM Ignore granitestater Report Abuse Bad news...
cwashi3324 Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:2,854 Points:585,840 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 8:51:58 PM Ignore cwashi3324 Report Abuse ok
PoohMcGoo Champion Author Alabama Posts:3,122 Points:822,060 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 8:50:46 PM Ignore PoohMcGoo Report Abuse Ok
serrog Champion Author Nova Scotia Posts:5,700 Points:1,538,855 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 8:44:24 PM Ignore serrog Report Abuse Stay home
Dodge_Me Champion Author Atlanta Posts:2,214 Points:575,730 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 8:41:38 PM Ignore Dodge_Me Report Abuse Sucks
JCClark2012 Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:1,542 Points:422,720 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 8:39:22 PM Ignore JCClark2012 Report Abuse Bigger isn't always better
Jeeputtputt Champion Author Ohio Posts:3,002 Points:677,465 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 8:35:38 PM Ignore Jeeputtputt Report Abuse shame....)-:
Shakleelady31 All-Star Author Fort Wayne Posts:594 Points:422,565 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 8:33:32 PM Ignore Shakleelady31 Report Abuse What a horrible situation.
bojiway1 Champion Author Minnesota Posts:2,185 Points:504,910 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 8:33:10 PM Ignore bojiway1 Report Abuse Plan ahead, they had days to get ready
CCLighthouse Champion Author Hartford Posts:1,126 Points:237,725 Joined:Aug 2012	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 8:32:27 PM Ignore CCLighthouse Report Abuse The bigger they are the harder they fall. The tougher they talk the quicker they crawl.
AC-302 Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:26,845 Points:2,928,295 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 8:32:07 PM Ignore AC-302 Report Abuse HOw is "big oil" at fault here? And I'm not aware that the "indie" stations have their own refineries. They still by from local refineries. Not sure what this article is asserting.
brutherruther Veteran Author Fort Worth Posts:435 Points:237,540 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 8:28:46 PM Ignore brutherruther Report Abuse Ok
Spankster85 Champion Author Chicago Posts:1,849 Points:383,115 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 8:28:04 PM Ignore Spankster85 Report Abuse Sounds like nobody was prepared.
nimpy Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:8,265 Points:1,726,855 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 8:27:51 PM Ignore nimpy Report Abuse need to get it fixed
fenster66 Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:3,485 Points:700,815 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 8:24:26 PM Ignore fenster66 Report Abuse just hope that the right lessons are learned from this tragedy....
mstearno Champion Author Dayton Posts:8,174 Points:1,755,920 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 8:23:42 PM Ignore mstearno Report Abuse because he doesn't have a clue how to do it How can some peaple be dumb enough to vote for a community oraganizer NOT ONCE BUT TWICE?
jrsva Champion Author Virginia Posts:9,994 Points:1,639,725 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 8:20:58 PM Ignore jrsva Report Abuse “Wonder why NoBama didn't step in and solve this crisis. . . ?” Wayoung and the rest of the right-wingers in GB land: President Barack Obama won re-election by a significant margin. He is your president as well as mine and will be for the next 4 years. Now is the time to stop the childish, disparaging word games with his name and pay respect to the Office of the President, even if you do not like its current occupant. The time will come when someone you approve of will hold this office, at which time you will not appreciate this sort of trash talk.
walkingtall Champion Author Toronto Posts:4,129 Points:1,147,430 Joined:Nov 2004	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 8:19:11 PM Ignore walkingtall Report Abuse Sounds like consumers were not prepared.
saleboss Champion Author Phoenix Posts:3,954 Points:1,184,550 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 8:18:41 PM Ignore saleboss Report Abuse Why would anyone sit in lines when a hurricane is coming?
drz614 Champion Author Harrisburg Posts:2,436 Points:625,235 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 8:16:48 PM Ignore drz614 Report Abuse tbrr: good observations. prepared years ago, keep plenty in stock (ie fuel, food, and lead).
suzmar Champion Author Texas Posts:2,223 Points:896,060 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 8:16:04 PM Ignore suzmar Report Abuse Sounds like the consumers weren't exactly prepared either. They did have a week's notice. I guess they expected Big Government to rescue them.
TBRR Champion Author Jacksonville Posts:3,716 Points:605,975 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 8:10:47 PM Ignore TBRR Report Abuse in florida when a hurricane is near, most of us stock pile gas for our generators a few days ahead so we are prepared. looks like new york sat on their hands and then cried help with no help coming from the government. even the FEMA office was closed due to the snow weather after sandy. and they re-elected obummer for four more years of the economy going further down the drain. oh well he can blame it all on bush. new yorkers acted like the folks in new orleans who didn't do anything to help themselves either. better read up on the situation in greece and spain as we are fast becoming the same when the government runs out of our money to fun all the free loaders. take all the welfare folks and put them to work helping cleaning up. also drug test them first to be hired. PUSH WORK ETHIC, NOT RE-DISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH
Mustache_33 All-Star Author Toronto Posts:900 Points:181,455 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 8:10:43 PM Ignore Mustache_33 Report Abuse isn't there any working gas stations in Hoboken or NJ City?
jdc17327 Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:2,582 Points:199,730 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 8:10:42 PM Ignore jdc17327 Report Abuse great
Lukus Champion Author Halifax Posts:8,414 Points:1,700,280 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 8:10:30 PM Ignore Lukus Report Abuse The big oil companies should be ashamed that they didn't have brains enough to get generators for the stations carrying their names.
Rajah Champion Author Illinois Posts:7,642 Points:2,328,480 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 8:08:54 PM Ignore Rajah Report Abuse When the power is off, it's hard to pump gas.
DEG Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:17,740 Points:3,518,505 Joined:Jul 2003	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 8:07:03 PM Ignore DEG Report Abuse wayoung56 is so right!!!
wayoung56 Champion Author Alabama Posts:2,915 Points:844,035 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 8:02:07 PM Ignore wayoung56 Report Abuse Wonder why NoBama didn't step in and solve this crisis like everything else??? Oh I forgot, he doesn't solve anything, just creates more bureaucracy to talk about the issue...
#12#_vabchusa All-Star Author Virginia Posts:872 Points:113,645 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Nov 9, 2012 7:58:44 PM Ignore #12#_vabchusa Report Abuse Nothing new.