I was able to fill up both of our cars today (Saturday). Each car was about half full, we had last filled up before Ike hit. There was one station in town that had gas, and I was able to get right in with no waiting lines.

I suspect that a lot of the people that had so much trouble this last week either:

1) Paid no attention to the news and were clueless. They had no idea that a hurricane wiping out refineries in TX & LA could impact their gasoline supplies. Thus, they had little fuel in their tanks to start with. (In contrast, I did know this, I was alert to events, and I knew when Ike hit that I needed to make sure all of our tanks were full.)

or,

2) Drove fuel-inefficient vehicles long distances to work each day, and thus needed mid-week refills -- they couldn't go more than just a few days between refills in any case. (In contrast, I walk to work and my wife drives a Honda Civic just a few miles each day to work. We could have gone at least another week or two if necessary before really needed a refill.)

Lessons to be learned:

1) Arrange your life to minimize your vulnerability to energy supply disruptions.

2) Having done (1) as best as you can, be aware of your remaining vulnerabilities, have contingency plans, and stay alert and ready to implement your contingency plans the moment it looks like a supply disruption is going to happen.

"Lady, with your 10 gallons, you get a free prize of a nice warm cup of STFU. Or you don't get any gas. Your choice."

How long before we see private service stations in
gated communities for members only ?? Think Costco on
a local level ..

Triff ..

Put a sisy bar on your bike and use it as support for a 2-4 gallon jerry can of gas.

I recently bought a 2006 Kawasaki Ninja 250 (used -- I always buy bikes used) to supplement my 78 BMW R80. The old R80 is pretty cool, but at 31-33mpg for city driving, it really isn't a great commuter (especially when I can get that in my car!). The 250 gets 70mpg, and when I've really tried to have absolutely no fun, 77mpg. Tank is over 4 gallons so I don't even think of refilling till 250 miles -- runs perfectly on regular unleaded too. It isn't the kind of bike I'd want to go on a long trip with, but it makes an excellent commuter.