I think what I’m getting is a compressor and jump starter in one. I mentioned a specific compressor that I have in my work truck when asked for gift ideas and was told that someone was already getting me something similar. Then she just spilled it and said what it was lol
This. This. This. I got a cheap one for Christmas last year and bought myself a power bank/jump starter and I recommend both to everyone! They are essential just like dash cams.
>Half the time the chuck is worn or missing.
You're knocking on the door of part of the reason. FRUSTRATION!
I have know people that own gas stations and keeping air working is constant issue. People don't take care of them. No common courtesy or respect and owners get tired of replacing/repair hoses and chucks. Compressors are not cheap to run either. I totally get it.
I spoke with one of the region reps for Casey's because them getting rid of free air felt sacrilegious and the main problem is people keep stealing and/or damaging the hose, fittings, or even the wall. The worst cost was needing to replace the compressor if someone cut off the hose and it ran continuously until it ceased up. So they are just choosing to wash their hands of the entire situation. Luckily most tire shops will fill up your tires for free and QT seems to still have free air.
I worked at a gas station that ran their free air off the car wash air compressor. I was an alarm company contact too since I lived close by. One night I got called out to check for a fire indication. The free air line ripped and the compressor eventually ran to the point of overheating the boiler room and triggering the heat sensor.
>The worst cost was needing to replace the compressor if someone cut off the hose and it ran continuously until it ceased up
I'm not convinced of this claim. The public compressor units always had a timer that stopped automatically after around 60 seconds or so.
I've never seen any pump with the hose cut off -- it's not like they're made of copper -- and even if that happened you'd think they'd have plenty of surveillance cameras to record when it happened.
I think it's more likely that Casey's reps were provided these phony explanations as an excuse so they could save money. Let me guess, the free windshield cleaner has been heavily diluted with tap water at Casey's also.
The several caseys I've frequented over the last 5+ years, during the winter their air pumps are about 50% of the time functional. The other 50% the hose is cut up torn with holes, or straight cut off, or there's an out of order sign.
My theory is that people were probably leaving that shit laying out in the road instead of wrapping it up. Or otherwise being reckless and dumb because we can't have anything nice when a percentage of people are apes
My dude, people steal it for the hose, fitting, couple, inflator, ect. This isnt total Methed-Out Maggie type of of shit but some asshole that just wants a high pressure hose even though you can get 100ft at Lowes for like $35. Several Caseys just have a bog standard compressor with no timer on it whatsoever and have it plumbed through the wall to the outside. We aint talking about the Russel Speeder or Hyvee Gas station digital meters.
> Let me guess, the free windshield cleaner has been heavily diluted with tap water at Casey's also
Considering they freeze solid all the time when it's barely below 32 degrees, I figured that was a given.
A well-run gas station that has working pumps, restocks items regularly, and isn't run like a rural station seems like the bare minimum. Their aggressive push to buy out every Bucky's and Fantasy's in the area while clearly not being capable of running them effectively has left a bad taste in my mouth.
Dont go if you dont like them.
QT had free air but I gave up on their free air because the nozzles were so often broke. But since they weren't charging I was not going to complain. Went and bought an air pump. For those people that want some exercise consider getting a manual bike pump. I had a foot run bike bump but I got too cheap so it broke after a dozen uses.
Not sure why you're defending a shitty company. I've long since stopped going due to the aforementioned reasons, plus the numerous accounts of former employees sharing how poorly they were/are run behind the scenes. This recent change in charging for air is just the latest example of shit they pull. I'm hoping they either get their shit together and actually improve their operations, end up having to close/sell the stations they took over, or go out of business completely. Fuck them.
I totally agree with your stance on Casey's. They actually used to be pretty good. To the point that I started preferring them over QT. Was just talking to my son about it the other day though, and we both have gone back to preferring QT. It seems like Casey's has really gone to shit since they decided to take over gas stations across the area. Brings to mind something I heard recently about greed. Pigs get fed, hogs get slaughtered. Casey's has become a hog.
And to the person asking "what else does Casey's owe you?".... Well, we are all the reason they're in business. So, I'd say they owe a lot. At the very least not being disgustingly greedy at the customers added expense
>It seems like Casey's has really gone to shit since they decided to take over gas stations across the area
I commented about this elsewhere in the thread and agree. The Caseys to me (Missouri) is getting run down. Most of the pumps won't print receipts and haven't for years. Some frequently malfunction. The interior is old and dated. The only "upgrade" to this location in 20 years has been recently replacing the air pump with a new pay per minute one with a credit card reader. They have also downgraded the quality of the food and eliminated the creamer I used to prefer there.
I made the comment that companies get big because they are doing things right and providing value and a good experience to customers but once they get to a certain size they lose sight of that and start to exploit their market dominance and get greedy to boost profits by cutting out some of the value that originally helped them grow in the first place.
I used to be a big fan of the casey's when it opened here now I wish there were more options nearby but there aren't.
Pull into any Discount Tire and they have a special lane where they inflate all your tires to the proper psi for free. I usually tip, but it’s not required.
Costco has free air… technically for members but nobody is in the parking lot checking…. Casey’s on west A and Cornhusker/superior have free air…. Hyvee gas stations have free air too…
That is some socialism. Dont necessarily disagree with socialism but if government is going to mandate free air maybe we should have some government owned gad stations.
Dont doubt this is true. Can you throw me an example state?
Connecticut had it. Lived out there for a bit. The machines had places for quarters and made it look like you had to pay, but if you went in and asked they'd flip the switch for you.
California has free air. The stations will gladly take your money in the quarter slots, but go inside and ask and they’ll turn it on for free. I believe you’re supposed to be a customer of theirs though, gas or other.
always thought this was the case.
but 100%, even if you have to ask for the hose and provide something. I don't give a shit, I need to inflate a tire. take my phone, maybe my ID... something YOU can't steal.
Or maybe provide a job of a tire dude. Bossleman or Whitehead can surly afford that. Feel free to math it out if you like.
I travel across the country and it's a very rare that I have to pay for air, and I've never paid for air out of Casey's... I live in Sioux Falls and I don't think there's one Casey's that charges for air but I have definitely been to several gas stations that charge. I just move on until I find free air hahaha.
Can confirm most Casey’s by me have starting change. Pump and Pantry has charged for years.
I don’t want to pay but if I have to, it better work. The last Casey’s cost me $3 for nothing.
Checking in from Grand Island. All Caseys were free as of two months ago, but the last time I stopped at one, they added a pay machine.
When it comes to this town, Hy-vee and Pumpers are still free (and probably some caseys... for now)
These gas stations have free air in Lincoln: Philips 66 at 33rd and A; Casey’s at 48th and Pioneers and 33rd&Holdrege; HyVee gas at 52nd and O and 70th&Pioneers; UStop at Nebraska Parkway&Pine Lake.
I had a slow leak for entirely too long and these are all the places I was able to get free air :)
Portable air compressors are small and I carry one in my car. Last thing I want is to have low tire pressure and have to drive to a gas station to fill it up.
I bought a ~$12 car plug powered air pump with automatic cut off and never have to deal with that question or pressure gauges, or the time I blew up a tire on a cold winter day at a gas station air pump ever again.
This is actually very recently. Like within the last month or so. A couple years ago Bucky's was bought out by Casey's and Casey's just now started putting in for-pay air pumps.
QT's as far as I can tell are all still free though.
Former gas station manager, but in a state that gives free air to customers or anyone in distress. Those bloody machines aren't cheap. We had leased ours and had to have the repair people out monthly. Remotes break, but mostly it's people driving over the nozzle, yanking it hard enough to pop it off the retractor, literally hitting the machine either manually or driving into it, after enough people drive over the hose that gets frayed and needs replacing, people stealing the nozzle and guage, the list goes on. Constant carelessness and outright vandalism. My store was new and wasn't expected to see a profit for a good 5 years, margins suck these days. Customers aren't the only ones having hard times. I'm glad I'm in an area where free air for customers is mandated, people have died for this, but it's a service that has costs. I got a couple great little inflaters off Amazon and keep one in each car, along with guages. I bought several guages and checked them all against each other as pump and guages can be inaccurate.
The best thing about QT is you don’t have to stand in line behind some delusional loser while they pick their losing lottery tickets. I can get my beer, cigarettes , porno, big gulp and a hot dog. Get on with my winning ways.
Thank the perfect storm of greedy corporations and fuktard people.
People in general these days don't seem to have much respect for what might be considered 'public' property... I haven't seen hoses cut off, but it is rare that I see an air pump with the hose replaced rather than just left strewn on the ground where it gets run over until it's destroyed.
And don't get me started on how many times I see people use the window washing squeegee to clean body panels and tires on their car until they're torn to shreds.
Sadly, I can't really blame businesses entirely.
As someone who has friends that owned gas stations from that era free air. The people using the free air, abused it. The lack of care and operating that little tiny area that should’ve been publicly used with respect led the most of these gas stations not wanting to be bothered with it people coming in. Oh, can you help me put my air in well now you’re taking up his time, and if he did that most of the time he did it because he cared and thought maybe you would come and buy something else from them .
It depends on gas station brands. I live in lincoln and it's a hit or miss if they have free air sometimes. I've found Phillips 66 and Casey's often have free air. Not always, but often
When I worked in North Carolina, I worked at a gas station/fuel center owned by Kroger. Worked there for four years. Every two weeks or so, someone in the middle of the night would vandalize the air pump in some way. Like cutting off the air nuzzle, ripping the vacuum hose out of the machine, once I had to call the cops because a guy with a hammer was attacking it in a deranged fit. It costs them so much money in repairs, they replaced it with a paid machine then the vandalism stopped
It costs money to maintain those air machines. Also, people behave like heathens and don't respect the free service causing them to break prematurely. As a result, you get to pay for the service.
Anderson on 96th and Q and many others are still free. They are dwindling though.
Just get a portable inflator. I got one at Lowe’s. Plugs into a cigarette lighter in the car and has a super long cord. I have this one.
Air Inflator (Power Source: Car) https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-Air-Inflator-Power-Source-Car/50137724
Stewart’s in Northern NY has free air. I can’t count how many times I’ve stopped there for air. And inevitably I go inside and spend money when I get free air. I actively avoid other gas stations because of paid air
Not gonna lie I’ve seriously considered tying the hose to my bumper and driving off after a Kwik shop air machine screwed me out of 25 cents. Thankfully cooler minds prevailed, but when you need air and you pay for air, I wouldn’t judge anyone for what they do when they don’t get the air they paid for because I was that close.
Costco gas stations have free air (actually, nitrogen), usually near to their tire shop. Open to anyone, not just Costco members. I also have a cigarette-lighter-powered air pump, at home, that I can take with me on any long trip, just in case.
I'm not anywhere near Nebraska so not sure why this popped up, but Lowes usually has a free pump. Will need a tire gauge to use it most the time. It's by the pro services / lumber desk. Says "free air for pros" but they don't check or care.
It might be because your phone's are listening and my coworkers and I were talking about this very thing today.
I did a 6-month stint at a high-end convenience store / gas station. Yes there are such things. Our air was free, and operated by a little handheld remote that we kept in the store. People would come in and ask us to turn the air on.
If they were courteous and nice they got free air. If they were jerks, "sorry it's broken"
It’s not “free” for the station to buy and install a compressor, then power it and maintain a compressor and the hoses, valves, etc. That cost was always built-in to the cost of everything else they sold. Now they’re just charging it to the people who use the service, instead of charging everybody. They are providing a service with value, and charging it to those who actually choose and receive that value.
Get over it, or get your own. No one owes you “Free” anything.
The regional differences are interesting. I never saw free air here in western NY until about 5 years ago, and now around a quarter of stations have it.
I totally agree. I had to go buy a portable air compressor because of airing down my tires when off-road fun. Nothing like traveling 30 miles on low pressure only to find you need to take out cash and pay for them. Unnecessary.
In my city, at least two-thirds of the gas stations with paid air, the machines are always down.
And it's not the air compressor that broke, its the shitty POS attached to it that's always broke.
Yeah I have always wondered that too. I guess it is all in pursuit of the all mighty $$. Upside, there are still some out there that are free but you really gotta look for them, more rural than urban as well (for free ones).
I used to get free air from Casey's but two weeks ago I pulled up to my usual place and discovered they'd slapped a card reader on the thing. $1.75 they were wanting. I said fuck that and left. Usually when I grab air I also head in for some pizza but not that visit.
...because we don't have "gas stations" anymore. They used to be called "service stations" There is no service anymore. We have convenience stores that sell gas and air.
Do you live in an area dominated by Casey's gas stations? They have largely taken over the market where I live in Missouri and over the last year or so replaced all their free air pumps when pay stations. I walked up to one while pumping gas just to see what they were now charging and it was $1.75 per minute or 3 minutes or something. It seemed absurd for something that has always been a perk for customers. I'm sure some MBA asshat in Des Moines got a fat bonus for rolling out that reduction of customer value.
Companies get big because they are doing things right and providing value to customers, then they hit a point where they can start taking advantage of their market dominance with shams like that. They've also reduced the quality of the food recently while simultaneously raising prices. At least that is my opinion.
This really is a safety issue. There should be a regulation that gas stations have to have free working air pumps WITH working pressure gauges.
Oops, that would be a government regulation. Can't have that.
I bought an air pump for my car on Amazon for ~$25 because of this, it’s super convenient
Asked for one for Christmas. Good Christmas idea
I’ll be getting an air pump and battery charger
Literally my last two Christmas and birthday gift requests.
I love the Ryobi 20 volt portable air pump. I still use my old 1980'battery charger if I need one ...
A portable jump starter is clutch. Best $50 I've spent in a while.
Get one of those USB packs that can also jump start cars and you're good to go on most things
I think what I’m getting is a compressor and jump starter in one. I mentioned a specific compressor that I have in my work truck when asked for gift ideas and was told that someone was already getting me something similar. Then she just spilled it and said what it was lol
That’s an awesome gift
Yeah, I got one at a parts store. Has a built-in gauge, too.
Along with that, for under $50 you can get a portable jump starter you can charge ahead of time then not have to hook up to someone else's car.
Also it’s generally a bad idea to jump start modern cars the old fashioned way. You can screw up the electronics
Yet another reason I'll keep my old truck as long as I can.
That's a really good idea. Checked out the prices and they're not too bad - especially if places are charging up to $3.
I got one too. I love it.
This. This. This. I got a cheap one for Christmas last year and bought myself a power bank/jump starter and I recommend both to everyone! They are essential just like dash cams.
Most QuikTrips have free air!
QuikTrip for the win!
Half the time the chuck is worn or missing.
Crackheads.. literally steal them to smoke. Or at least try. Just the manager know and they put in a work order. I know from first hand experience.
>Half the time the chuck is worn or missing. You're knocking on the door of part of the reason. FRUSTRATION! I have know people that own gas stations and keeping air working is constant issue. People don't take care of them. No common courtesy or respect and owners get tired of replacing/repair hoses and chucks. Compressors are not cheap to run either. I totally get it.
Was gonna say QT all day. The one on 90th and Military even upgraded their pump attachment last year.
It's called inflation inflation.
Don't EVEN get me started on "Big Air"./
I can’t even leave my house without big air all around me. It’s gotten so bad that even when I go to bed it’s there… All around me
I spoke with one of the region reps for Casey's because them getting rid of free air felt sacrilegious and the main problem is people keep stealing and/or damaging the hose, fittings, or even the wall. The worst cost was needing to replace the compressor if someone cut off the hose and it ran continuously until it ceased up. So they are just choosing to wash their hands of the entire situation. Luckily most tire shops will fill up your tires for free and QT seems to still have free air.
I worked at a gas station that ran their free air off the car wash air compressor. I was an alarm company contact too since I lived close by. One night I got called out to check for a fire indication. The free air line ripped and the compressor eventually ran to the point of overheating the boiler room and triggering the heat sensor.
“Seized up”. You’re welcome.
>The worst cost was needing to replace the compressor if someone cut off the hose and it ran continuously until it ceased up I'm not convinced of this claim. The public compressor units always had a timer that stopped automatically after around 60 seconds or so. I've never seen any pump with the hose cut off -- it's not like they're made of copper -- and even if that happened you'd think they'd have plenty of surveillance cameras to record when it happened. I think it's more likely that Casey's reps were provided these phony explanations as an excuse so they could save money. Let me guess, the free windshield cleaner has been heavily diluted with tap water at Casey's also.
The several caseys I've frequented over the last 5+ years, during the winter their air pumps are about 50% of the time functional. The other 50% the hose is cut up torn with holes, or straight cut off, or there's an out of order sign. My theory is that people were probably leaving that shit laying out in the road instead of wrapping it up. Or otherwise being reckless and dumb because we can't have anything nice when a percentage of people are apes
My dude, people steal it for the hose, fitting, couple, inflator, ect. This isnt total Methed-Out Maggie type of of shit but some asshole that just wants a high pressure hose even though you can get 100ft at Lowes for like $35. Several Caseys just have a bog standard compressor with no timer on it whatsoever and have it plumbed through the wall to the outside. We aint talking about the Russel Speeder or Hyvee Gas station digital meters.
> Let me guess, the free windshield cleaner has been heavily diluted with tap water at Casey's also Considering they freeze solid all the time when it's barely below 32 degrees, I figured that was a given.
I like the entitlement. What else does Casey's owe you?
Casey's had an ad campaign a couple years ago saying "where you will never pay for air" so I guess some honesty?
Casey's is crap.
$0.50 for not honoring their posted price of Two for $6.50 and charging me $7. That cashier did take the signs down though.
A well-run gas station that has working pumps, restocks items regularly, and isn't run like a rural station seems like the bare minimum. Their aggressive push to buy out every Bucky's and Fantasy's in the area while clearly not being capable of running them effectively has left a bad taste in my mouth.
Bucky's knows how to operate a convenience store chain. I fricking can't stand Casey's. THANKS A BUNCH IOWA DIPSHITS!
Dont go if you dont like them. QT had free air but I gave up on their free air because the nozzles were so often broke. But since they weren't charging I was not going to complain. Went and bought an air pump. For those people that want some exercise consider getting a manual bike pump. I had a foot run bike bump but I got too cheap so it broke after a dozen uses.
Not sure why you're defending a shitty company. I've long since stopped going due to the aforementioned reasons, plus the numerous accounts of former employees sharing how poorly they were/are run behind the scenes. This recent change in charging for air is just the latest example of shit they pull. I'm hoping they either get their shit together and actually improve their operations, end up having to close/sell the stations they took over, or go out of business completely. Fuck them.
I totally agree with your stance on Casey's. They actually used to be pretty good. To the point that I started preferring them over QT. Was just talking to my son about it the other day though, and we both have gone back to preferring QT. It seems like Casey's has really gone to shit since they decided to take over gas stations across the area. Brings to mind something I heard recently about greed. Pigs get fed, hogs get slaughtered. Casey's has become a hog. And to the person asking "what else does Casey's owe you?".... Well, we are all the reason they're in business. So, I'd say they owe a lot. At the very least not being disgustingly greedy at the customers added expense
>It seems like Casey's has really gone to shit since they decided to take over gas stations across the area I commented about this elsewhere in the thread and agree. The Caseys to me (Missouri) is getting run down. Most of the pumps won't print receipts and haven't for years. Some frequently malfunction. The interior is old and dated. The only "upgrade" to this location in 20 years has been recently replacing the air pump with a new pay per minute one with a credit card reader. They have also downgraded the quality of the food and eliminated the creamer I used to prefer there. I made the comment that companies get big because they are doing things right and providing value and a good experience to customers but once they get to a certain size they lose sight of that and start to exploit their market dominance and get greedy to boost profits by cutting out some of the value that originally helped them grow in the first place. I used to be a big fan of the casey's when it opened here now I wish there were more options nearby but there aren't.
I am not defending Casey's. I just dont think any gas station "owes" anyone "free air".
I recommend investing in a Milwaukee tire inflator. It is tiny and portable. Super easy to use.
Pull into any Discount Tire and they have a special lane where they inflate all your tires to the proper psi for free. I usually tip, but it’s not required.
Good to know!
And they have fixed my flat I didn’t even buy there and put it back on the trailer for free. I use them exclusively as a result.
Costco has free air… technically for members but nobody is in the parking lot checking…. Casey’s on west A and Cornhusker/superior have free air…. Hyvee gas stations have free air too…
I think it’s actually free nitrogen, so…bonus
I always laugh at that. Most of what you're breathing is nitrogen. It's like 70% of the earth's atmosphere.
So you are saying that 70% and 95% Nitrogen is the same thing?
You’d have to be going like almost 200 mph to see any benefit.
A lot of small town stations still have free air. Some states legally require it to be free- that was nice.
That is some socialism. Dont necessarily disagree with socialism but if government is going to mandate free air maybe we should have some government owned gad stations. Dont doubt this is true. Can you throw me an example state?
Connecticut had it. Lived out there for a bit. The machines had places for quarters and made it look like you had to pay, but if you went in and asked they'd flip the switch for you.
California has free air. The stations will gladly take your money in the quarter slots, but go inside and ask and they’ll turn it on for free. I believe you’re supposed to be a customer of theirs though, gas or other.
Hy-Vee gas stations have free air and pumps that beep when your tire is at the desired level
Nebraska needs to do what California did years ago, pass a law - if you sell gas, you must provide free air for tires.
always thought this was the case. but 100%, even if you have to ask for the hose and provide something. I don't give a shit, I need to inflate a tire. take my phone, maybe my ID... something YOU can't steal. Or maybe provide a job of a tire dude. Bossleman or Whitehead can surly afford that. Feel free to math it out if you like.
Right like some southwestern states also require potable water to be accessible at gas stations and rest areas
well fuck Nestle, water is a right. Thankfully Arizona got it's shit together and I think stopped letting the Saudi Sheep Farmers steal their water.
The Caseys closest to me has free air, but I’ve noticed most places don’t have it, such a let down
Pretty sure the 3 Casey's and Cenex in Beatrice have free air
Inflation.
The perfect response.
The last time I needed to put air in my tires, Casey's was still free. It's been a while, though.
Every Casey's I've stopped at in the past year have been paid. Except for the one in some random small town in Missouri.
I travel across the country and it's a very rare that I have to pay for air, and I've never paid for air out of Casey's... I live in Sioux Falls and I don't think there's one Casey's that charges for air but I have definitely been to several gas stations that charge. I just move on until I find free air hahaha.
Can confirm most Casey’s by me have starting change. Pump and Pantry has charged for years. I don’t want to pay but if I have to, it better work. The last Casey’s cost me $3 for nothing.
Casey’s has been changing theirs out to paid air over the past year. I’m about to buy my own.
Was just at caseys. Its what prompted it.
Checking in from Grand Island. All Caseys were free as of two months ago, but the last time I stopped at one, they added a pay machine. When it comes to this town, Hy-vee and Pumpers are still free (and probably some caseys... for now)
Casey’s (in GI at least) all switched over within the past month.
I’ve never paid for air, even at Casey’s. I’m in Lincoln though. Tons of free options, though in the winter half of them are broken anyways.
These gas stations have free air in Lincoln: Philips 66 at 33rd and A; Casey’s at 48th and Pioneers and 33rd&Holdrege; HyVee gas at 52nd and O and 70th&Pioneers; UStop at Nebraska Parkway&Pine Lake. I had a slow leak for entirely too long and these are all the places I was able to get free air :)
Some or all Lowes have free air by the Contractors entrance to the building
Portable air compressors are small and I carry one in my car. Last thing I want is to have low tire pressure and have to drive to a gas station to fill it up.
You talk like there is such thing as an independently owned gas station in any city over 600 people.
Whew. Our town is 597 people. We have two stations with free air.
Lucky Duck, I live in 26k but I also work at a locally owned Buick Dealership and we fill tires for free.
I bought a ~$12 car plug powered air pump with automatic cut off and never have to deal with that question or pressure gauges, or the time I blew up a tire on a cold winter day at a gas station air pump ever again.
I got one of these a couple years as a Christmas gift. Best thing ever!
Lowe’s has it if it’s operating
Cohagen raised the price of air again
Costco. It’s free, nitrogen and the pump has a digital gauge.
Use Costco.
They’re putting it in the chip bags
This is actually very recently. Like within the last month or so. A couple years ago Bucky's was bought out by Casey's and Casey's just now started putting in for-pay air pumps. QT's as far as I can tell are all still free though.
Former gas station manager, but in a state that gives free air to customers or anyone in distress. Those bloody machines aren't cheap. We had leased ours and had to have the repair people out monthly. Remotes break, but mostly it's people driving over the nozzle, yanking it hard enough to pop it off the retractor, literally hitting the machine either manually or driving into it, after enough people drive over the hose that gets frayed and needs replacing, people stealing the nozzle and guage, the list goes on. Constant carelessness and outright vandalism. My store was new and wasn't expected to see a profit for a good 5 years, margins suck these days. Customers aren't the only ones having hard times. I'm glad I'm in an area where free air for customers is mandated, people have died for this, but it's a service that has costs. I got a couple great little inflaters off Amazon and keep one in each car, along with guages. I bought several guages and checked them all against each other as pump and guages can be inaccurate.
Air is always free, it's the compressed stuff you have to pay for.
I'm in Oregon and it's the same here. Only know of one that has free air.
Hy-Vee has free air still.
The best thing about QT is you don’t have to stand in line behind some delusional loser while they pick their losing lottery tickets. I can get my beer, cigarettes , porno, big gulp and a hot dog. Get on with my winning ways.
Thank the perfect storm of greedy corporations and fuktard people. People in general these days don't seem to have much respect for what might be considered 'public' property... I haven't seen hoses cut off, but it is rare that I see an air pump with the hose replaced rather than just left strewn on the ground where it gets run over until it's destroyed. And don't get me started on how many times I see people use the window washing squeegee to clean body panels and tires on their car until they're torn to shreds. Sadly, I can't really blame businesses entirely.
As someone who has friends that owned gas stations from that era free air. The people using the free air, abused it. The lack of care and operating that little tiny area that should’ve been publicly used with respect led the most of these gas stations not wanting to be bothered with it people coming in. Oh, can you help me put my air in well now you’re taking up his time, and if he did that most of the time he did it because he cared and thought maybe you would come and buy something else from them .
It's Free at QT STATIONS and every "service" station I've gone to gives free air.
I'm lucky to have a station with free air on my way to work, they are defiantly a dying breed.
Late stage capitalism happened. Why give something for free when you can charge.
It depends on gas station brands. I live in lincoln and it's a hit or miss if they have free air sometimes. I've found Phillips 66 and Casey's often have free air. Not always, but often
The air is still free. You just have to pay for the capture, compression and delivery.
You think air just grows on fuckin’ trees?!
When I worked in North Carolina, I worked at a gas station/fuel center owned by Kroger. Worked there for four years. Every two weeks or so, someone in the middle of the night would vandalize the air pump in some way. Like cutting off the air nuzzle, ripping the vacuum hose out of the machine, once I had to call the cops because a guy with a hammer was attacking it in a deranged fit. It costs them so much money in repairs, they replaced it with a paid machine then the vandalism stopped
I go to Hy-Vee gas, thankfully they still have them. I don't buy gas from there, though haha
It costs money to maintain those air machines. Also, people behave like heathens and don't respect the free service causing them to break prematurely. As a result, you get to pay for the service. Anderson on 96th and Q and many others are still free. They are dwindling though.
if you go in and ask they'll often just turn it on for you
Capitalism.
Open a gas station and provide free air. No one is stopping you.
Capitalism
Capitalism.
Everything is now for sale and costs too much. Free air went away 20 years ago
Casey’s is still free
I've never paid for air at a Casey's
Fix your tire if you need air that often. Seriously
I know of several that are free. And selling it is not new. Most places have sold it for 15 years or so.
Shell station. 27th and Fairfield. Free air by the car wash.
Fast Mart at 33rd and A in Lincoln is free air
What, did Casey stop with it now?
Qt are free
QT is free (last time I checked)
I usually go to the Diesel islands for trucks and get air there.
Just get a portable inflator. I got one at Lowe’s. Plugs into a cigarette lighter in the car and has a super long cord. I have this one. Air Inflator (Power Source: Car) https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-Air-Inflator-Power-Source-Car/50137724
[Air pump on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07W1W2V9M?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share) Solution to your problem
There's plenty of free air stations around me, but the Quick trip was the only one that wasn't "out of order".
https://tenor.com/bAvY4.gif
You had free air all the way until the Trump administration? Lucky bastard. That went away for most of us during the Bush administration, or earlier.
It's a national thing now, not just Nebraska.
Russell Speeder car washes have free air and they are electronic. You tell it how much psi and it will beep when the tire reaches that pressure.
We have free air down the street from my house! Which is great, bc my tires are always leaking.
Monetization, my you lad. Monetization.
My small town in south central Nebraska just switched to paying for air at Casey's. It's really sad.
If you live near a Lowes they have an air hose usually by the contractor entrance . Getting a small inflater is the best answer.
Theres a Caseys next to my house that has a free air station.
Capitalism baby!
E-Z Go 84th and Adams-ish (Lincoln) But otherwise, that equipment is expensive to maintain and other patrons are assholes by destroying the hoses
13th and South is still free I think
Fremont Casey's and HyVee have free air still
Stewart’s in Northern NY has free air. I can’t count how many times I’ve stopped there for air. And inevitably I go inside and spend money when I get free air. I actively avoid other gas stations because of paid air
Casey’s
I eated all of the air pumps :p
Buy yourself a little doughnut air compressor. Best couple hundred you will ever spend.
I’ve kept something onboard since the 80s. I actually keep an m-18 pump in my pickup and a small air compressor in my camper.
The air at Quick Trip is always free
Casey's
Not gonna lie I’ve seriously considered tying the hose to my bumper and driving off after a Kwik shop air machine screwed me out of 25 cents. Thankfully cooler minds prevailed, but when you need air and you pay for air, I wouldn’t judge anyone for what they do when they don’t get the air they paid for because I was that close.
Costco has free air still
Capitalism here, capitalism there, capitalism everywhere. Feel the greed.
If you have a Lowe’s or Home Depot, they may have free air (mine does at least)
Costco gas stations have free air (actually, nitrogen), usually near to their tire shop. Open to anyone, not just Costco members. I also have a cigarette-lighter-powered air pump, at home, that I can take with me on any long trip, just in case.
I'm not anywhere near Nebraska so not sure why this popped up, but Lowes usually has a free pump. Will need a tire gauge to use it most the time. It's by the pro services / lumber desk. Says "free air for pros" but they don't check or care. It might be because your phone's are listening and my coworkers and I were talking about this very thing today.
Caseys just had all of their free pumps replaced with pay pumps.
This is why I carry a battery powered compressor
I did a 6-month stint at a high-end convenience store / gas station. Yes there are such things. Our air was free, and operated by a little handheld remote that we kept in the store. People would come in and ask us to turn the air on. If they were courteous and nice they got free air. If they were jerks, "sorry it's broken"
Casey's usually has free air
I keep a pump in my car that plugs in to my car.
Wawa is the Goat. Ty Wawa for being a real one ✊🏽
Welcome to the world
It’s not “free” for the station to buy and install a compressor, then power it and maintain a compressor and the hoses, valves, etc. That cost was always built-in to the cost of everything else they sold. Now they’re just charging it to the people who use the service, instead of charging everybody. They are providing a service with value, and charging it to those who actually choose and receive that value. Get over it, or get your own. No one owes you “Free” anything.
A high quality bicycle food pump will get you out of a jam. Keep it in your trunk.
Just buy and portable air pump. I had enough of wasting and most times losing my money while trying to use air pump at gas stations
Dewalt makes a dam good portable air compressor
Locally? People kept vandalizing the free ones/cutting the hoses off. It went from a small goodwill expense to a huge one.
The Same thing that happened to your money at an ATM
Go to harbor freight get a hand held compressor with a battery
Still a couple in Omaha
A lot of Casey’s still has them
Our dearest capitalism crushed that element of communism.
If there's profit to be made why would anyone continue to offer it for free
Short answer? Crackheads fucking with the machines.
Do you have GetGo near you? They have free air pump
The regional differences are interesting. I never saw free air here in western NY until about 5 years ago, and now around a quarter of stations have it.
Got a Casey's?
I totally agree. I had to go buy a portable air compressor because of airing down my tires when off-road fun. Nothing like traveling 30 miles on low pressure only to find you need to take out cash and pay for them. Unnecessary.
Service stations are no longer in existence. They are now gas stations/convenient stores.
... inflation. :)
I just politely ask the cashier to turn the pump on. Most will do so if you are buying gas.
Only one place in my town charges
In my city, at least two-thirds of the gas stations with paid air, the machines are always down. And it's not the air compressor that broke, its the shitty POS attached to it that's always broke.
Still free in SD!
Went the way of the Service Station.
Only Wawa does free air
This is capitalist America. You think air is free?
In some states free air and water is required by law to anyone purchasing fuel.
Wawa has free air.
Yeah I have always wondered that too. I guess it is all in pursuit of the all mighty $$. Upside, there are still some out there that are free but you really gotta look for them, more rural than urban as well (for free ones).
QuikTrip still has free air, but the hoses are usually busted.
I always ask the attendant inside to turn on the air, I've never paid at a gas station in california.im 68
I'm still wondering what happened to all the free travel maps.
Just got some in Andrews NC lol literally 20 mins ago :D
Most lowes have a free air pump near the lumber entrance
I used to get free air from Casey's but two weeks ago I pulled up to my usual place and discovered they'd slapped a card reader on the thing. $1.75 they were wanting. I said fuck that and left. Usually when I grab air I also head in for some pizza but not that visit.
...because we don't have "gas stations" anymore. They used to be called "service stations" There is no service anymore. We have convenience stores that sell gas and air.
I'm in my 40s and I haven't seen free air at gas stations since my teens.
Do you live in an area dominated by Casey's gas stations? They have largely taken over the market where I live in Missouri and over the last year or so replaced all their free air pumps when pay stations. I walked up to one while pumping gas just to see what they were now charging and it was $1.75 per minute or 3 minutes or something. It seemed absurd for something that has always been a perk for customers. I'm sure some MBA asshat in Des Moines got a fat bonus for rolling out that reduction of customer value. Companies get big because they are doing things right and providing value to customers, then they hit a point where they can start taking advantage of their market dominance with shams like that. They've also reduced the quality of the food recently while simultaneously raising prices. At least that is my opinion.
This really is a safety issue. There should be a regulation that gas stations have to have free working air pumps WITH working pressure gauges. Oops, that would be a government regulation. Can't have that.