Jockeying to fill your tank: pump attendant shares his experience

A lot of people are braving the cold conditions – and some are even fuelled by it.

One of those is Lincoln Headrick, who’s been working as a pump attendant at the Stonebridge Co-op gas station for a year.

Read more:

• ‘Coldest weather we’ve seen so far’: Environment Canada
• Bone-chilling cold warnings sweep the country, forecasting lows near -50 C
• Pumping gas at -40 C: Co-op attendants brave Sask. cold snap

Headrick said the main reason he chose this job was to help people.

“That’s really what you’re doing out there, is helping them get their gas, or washing (their) window or checking (their) oil,” he said.

There’s also the added perks of earning money for school and getting to be outside – which holds true even when Saskatoon’s in a deep freeze.

“I could stay out there for like two hours,” he said on Jan. 22, a day when the temperature peaked at -29 C.

But, working outside in extreme cold conditions means coming prepared.

According to Headrick, the key is layering.

Co-op provides its attendants with a big jacket and ski pants. In addition to that gear, Headrick wears a tuque, gloves, electric socks and sometimes two balaclavas.

“It depends because when you’re breathing, it can get wet inside or moist in the ski mask. So, then it freezes,” he said.

There’s even been times where the wind and blowing snow meant Headrick had to bring ski googles to work so that he can, “see enough to squint outside.”

With that preparation, he said he’s never gotten close to developing frostbite.

“I’m pretty careful. If I … feel like I’m getting frostbite, I’ll go inside and warm up or maybe add another balaclava or something or adjust what I’m wearing,” he said.

But, there’s another risk that Headrick contends with.

“I definitely say slipping, but that’s partially on me. So, I blame myself for not skating more,” he said.

On days when it’s this cold, the team of attendants rotate inside more often – not only to warm up, but also to dry off those balaclavas.

Wiping the truck’s windshield without having to be asked, Headrick’s passion to help customers goes beyond just filling their tanks. (Marija Robinson/650 CKOM)

Customers flock to Co-op for fuel

According to Headrick, when temperatures drop, business booms.

“I don’t mind that. Time goes by faster,” he said.

With more customers avoiding the cold, Headrick said it reflects in the generosity of their tips.

But, though it’s an added bonus, Headrick’s favourite part about the job all comes back to why he wanted to be a pump attendant in the first place – to help people.

“If there’s anything I can do that help them or make their their day a bit better, I’ll do it,” he said.