there is no problem with pulling the hose to the far side of the car, I do it all the time, PROVIDED: (1) you stay with the handle (down here you have to - no auto pumps) and (2) the hose is long enough.
The issue here was the idiot leaving it in and the hose not being long enough, not refuelling on the "wrong" side.
No point in lining up one side of the pumps if other bays are open.
as always common sense prevails but some bad apples spoil it for everyone.