Re: Another angry Conductor -- can't quite tell what's happening
Author: Erik H.
Date: 07-22-2017 - 16:59
Steamfan Wrote:
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> They are supposed to be standing on the platform ready to board when the train comes in.
Do that in Portland, Seattle or Los Angeles and you'll have angry security guards threatening to arrest you.
Maybe if Amtrak had CONSISTENCY across its system, people would know what to expect. A person who starts their trip in Portland expects to wait IN THE STATION (never on the platform) until Amtrak uniformed personnel open the door and announce a boarding call. So that's precisely what people do. How are they supposed to know the process is different in San Luis Obispo?
A person who normally rides the Cascades expects to wait in a long line for a Conductor to exchange their ticket for a boarding pass; if that person boards a Coast Starlight the process is totally different. Again, how are the riders supposed to know the individual boarding process for each train, and each station? Airlines have a consistent process - it doesn't matter if you're flying JetBlue or Spirit or United or American or Delta or Alaska; it doesn't matter if you're in Fargo, Honolulu, Austin, Tampa, New York, or Medford. It's the same process. Amtrak makes it up depending upon the alignment of the sun, moon, and the direction of wind. And then Amtrak's own employees get mad at the Customer - no wonder social media is full of "never agains" with Amtrak. The fanbois seem to defend this poor service at every turn, but the general public won't.