Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion What was your first Petro job?

This hardly counts as a job, but when I was about 10, they built a Gulf full service station at the end of my road (across a busy highway). I watched as they constructed the station and used to sell the construction workers iced tea at lunchtime. After it opened, I was facinated with the place and started hanging out there just watching the cars come and go and the mechanics work on cars.
When feeling puckish, I used to stomp on the hoses that rang the bell inside and then run. I am sure the attendants found this hysterical. Eventually, I got brave enough and applied for a job there (still 10 yrs old!) The guys used to let me sweep up and roll the old tires to a bin out back once a week and give me 50 cents. I guess the boss found out and I was told I wasnt allowed in the station anymore and I lost my "job".
I can't imagine allowing my kids to "roam free" in the neighborhood at only 10, but times have changed. This would have been around 1970.
John

When I was discharged from the Marines, in 1971, I'd do anything to keep from going back to Wyo. (Wind,Snow,Rattle Snakes, sagebrush, & no jobs)
I got hired by Standard Oil to work in a Company station at La Tijera and Centinela in Inglewood, Ca.
Service was the name of the game, and I could do that. I wasn't much good at selling TBA (tires, batterys, and Accessories) and the Mgr. must have realized that. He sent me to the Company school to become an "automotive specialist", doing tune-ups, brake jobs, head lite alignments, and even undercoating. Then they sent me to work at a station at PCH and Lincoln in Marina Del Rey. The station didn't offer any of the services I had just been trained for, so I pumped some more gas. lol
I did love that station though. Lot's of girls in bikini's stopping for gas as it was close to the beach. Some VERY CLEAN windows on those cars.

rebuilding nozzles 1981

While in high school in early 70s i worked part time at sears automotive center in Huntsville Ala. during school year and full time in summers. Full serve gas station pumping gas ,clean windows and checking oil and tires. Made enough to buy my 68 camaro and still pay for an 8 track player. After high school moved back to south florida, started jr. college and took a job for a petroleum contractor. Gas pumps with electronics started coming out in late 70s and i thought that was cool.I moved into petroleum service and repair.Ive had gas ever since.MOM was right i should of stayed in school.