Car won't start FUEL PUMP?

I am helping my neighbor fix their car and need some advise. It is a 96 Sunfire which they ran out of Gas. Now it won't start at all, turns over fine, but never fires. I can't hear the fuel pump when the car is turned into the run position, can the fuel pump normally be heard on these cars? I told them chances are it burned up the fuel pump is there anything else I should check?

If it is the fuel pump how hard is it to drop the fuel tank, can someone tell me how?

Thanks.

To check the fuel pump the easy way to see if it is coming on is to listen at the fuel tank with a stethoscope or put something against the tank and place it to your ear like a screwdriver then have someone turn the key on, if the pump is working then you should hear it. If not it will be silent. As for other issues that may cause the problem check the fuel pump fuse to make sure it is good. Check the owners manual for the location. This is the easist way to check.
It is not hard to drop the fuel tank unless it is full of gas at the present time. I would recommend that you use a wide board and secure it to a jack. Then loosen the straps holding the tank and gently lower it to the ground. Make sure to disconnect the fill tube from the car. Once you have it lowered you will probably need to use a non-sparking punch to remove the ring. Once the ring that holds the pump in place is loose remove the pump and reinstall in reverse order. Be very careful to disconnect the battery and make sure not to spill gasoline.

make sure they put more than a couple gallons of gas back in...