Thursday, September 01, 2005

Charlotte runs out of gas

Great to see the place I'm moving to knows how to respond to a crisis: http://www.news14charlotte.com/content/local_news/?AC=&ArID=101499&SecID=2
Minutes after local and state leaders asked people to conserve gasoline because of a temporary supply shortage, long lines formed at gas stations all across the region.

...

City leaders asked people not to panic, but it seems like that is exactly what is happening. Instead of conserving, people are filling up.

“I'm not even on empty,” one woman said. “I've got three-quarters of a tank. I'm not taking the chance.”

I hope that the last gallon pumped from each station cost $100. I doubt it, though. It probably wouldn't've helped quell any hysteria, but it would've made people think twice about whether they really wanted to spend $800 to top off their tanks, unless they really needed it.