Since neither one of us was there to confirm the Rialto situation, I'll switch to the subject of freight crews. I'd like to see statistics comparing the accident rate to crew member count. I might change my position after seeing the data.

A second crewmember doesn't always equal a second set of eyes. I suspect you're aware that two engineers working nights or split shifts sometimes results in one guy running the train and the other guy taking a nap. What I'm saying is having a second guy might be totally useless. If the engineer knows there is another engineer to bail him or her out, they're less likely to come to work fully rested or fully focused. In these scenarios I think it amounts to 1 + 1 = 1.

Sanchez wasn't a complete loner as you pointed out. I think the moral of the story is that most Metrolink engineers are forced to be loners 5 days a week straight. Therefore, it shouldn't be surprising they reach for their phones while at work, an act rooted in desperation, IMHO. I'm really disappointed the NTSB overlooked their 85 hour work week, out of which 60 hours (at least) Sanchez was all by himself.

This is government and government loves to hire people. So it shouldn't be a problem to hire additional crews for the morning and evening commutes. Eliminating the overtime, layover, and hotel expenses would offset the costs of hiring more people. Besides, it's a drop in the bucket compared to the money Metrolink wastes. Train crews constitute 10% of SCRRA expenses.

I frankly don't understand the SCRRA folks that cling to these ridiculous schedules for the money. I ask myself what's the point of earning that cash for a luxury car or house, when you're never around to enjoy them? How is this any different than working TWO full-time jobs? Alas, they don't see it that way.

That's what happens when you love the green in your wallet. Pretty soon, those red signals begin to look green too.