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Has anyone seen any effects of the airline crisis on Amtrak?
Displaced air travelers taking Amtrak?
Heavier loads on trains?
Any sold out trains?
Any rise in traffic on the Capitol Limited and Lake Shore to and from Chicago? Likewise about the Texas Eagle out of Dallas?
If so, how is Amtrak coping?
Is Amtrak doing anything to get some of these people?
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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Since most of American Airlines NECorridor flight operations are operated by their Regional carrier, American Eagle, which operates a fleet of Brazilian made Embrarer aircraft and not the affected Boeing MD-80, I doubt if there has been any diversion of traffic to Amtrak.
Elsewhere, it is unlikely if too many passengers affected by the flight cancellations even know what a train is and are not about to learn. Accordingly, I doubt if there has been any significant effect on Amtrak ridership.
train lady Member # 3920
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On TV here they keep saying American will make other arrangements but they never mention what they are. Have never hear any mention of trains,except for me. As I hear people complain about the delays I keep saying "take a train" but noone listens!!!
Mr. Toy Member # 311
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Like GBN, I doubt very many are considering Amtrak, mostly due to ignorance or lack of service to their destination rather than lack of interest. But I must say that the airlines are doing their best to make Amtrak's chronic delays look attractive by comparison.
I was watching Modern Marvels on the History Channel the other day. The topic was locomotives. They said a TGV type train could run coast to coast in 15 hours. Given the added comfort, that could provide real competition, even across the "vast distances" that some say make transcontinental train travel impractical.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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While the linked Friday's New York Times editorial relates to the air transport industry's currnet maintenance deficiencies, it does indeed relate to the railroad industry, and specifically for this Forum the passenger railroad industry, as well.
While the railroad industry has largely been de-regulated with regards to rates since "the '80's" , regulation with regards to safety continues . As the editorial points out, both the airlines and their "overseer" have been cutting corners. While there have been no reported incidents regarding the deficiencies, that the 'laxity" on part of both "regulated and regulator' did cut into the margin of safety.
The impact to the railroad industry could be more strigent "FRA directives'; some could have substance, but more likely than not, they would simply comprise "more chicken s^it" (anyone else who has been in Service care to translate?). Even though the safety deficiencies do not (yet) relate to the railroad industry, they could be used as a wedge by those groups, such as small shippers that believe they have been discriminated against as a result of the "Big Four" (and of couse the "lesser three') consolidations, and those who advocate a greater allocation of capacity to passenger trains, to presage "rereg" of rates and service.
Food for thought before (if applicable) church, the still civil broadcast network talk shows, and The Masters:
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My take on it is that the high fuel prices are driving Amtrak ridership higher, moreso than the airline industry problems. Every Surfliner I have ridden recently has been quite full; not SRO, but most seats full. My last airplane ride was Midway Chicago to San Diego on the less-than-opulent Southwest air. Man, those 737s are claustrophobic to me, esp. when full of crying babies, ppl who don't cover their mouth while coughing/sneezing., etc. I am quitting flying for awhile, I think...just stick with the iron rails, get a good book and let the miles slip by...
Hoop Member # 4607
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Some A-hole on #14 yesterday was yelling into his cell phone to his friend that he had cancelled his United flight of $220 from L.A. to Reno, and that he was actually "on a train" to Sacramento, where he'll overnight at the Vagabond and then ride #6 to Reno in the morning. He was so proud of himself for doing this and he was just "loving the train". Unfortuately the rest of us passengers on the train were ready to shoot him and wished he'd a flown instead instead of comin' on the train and yelling into his cell phone every conversation he had on it!
amtraxmaniac Member # 2251
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Right on Hoops! Hillarious commentary. What's at issue is what to do to such a character. On Amtrak there are plenty of stops to dump his @$$. Throwing someone off a plane at 35,000 feet creates an ethical dilema.
PullmanCo Member # 1138
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Small problem:
FRA does not prohibit cell phone conversations.
FAA does.
The "objectionable conduct" clause ...
"Whose conduct is objectionable (such as, but not limited to, being under the influence of alcohol or narcotics);"
... would be just a tad difficult to enforce, especially since it goes right along with the "compliance clause"
"Who refuse to comply with safety or security rules or with instructions of Amtrak personnel;"
Of course, the easiest way to solve the loud conversation issue in coach is to book yourself into sleeper
train lady Member # 3920
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that doesn't always work either. We had several characters in our bedroom section of the car who had long and loud conversations which could be heard all down the aisle. In addition to which when they weren't talking their phones kept ringing.
sbalax Member # 2801
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Train lady is right. People don't seem to understand how thin those partitions are in the sleepers. I believe that on Acela cell or maybe it was the Cascades cell callers were directed to the vestibule areas.
Frank in sunny SBA
4021North Member # 4081
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The best solution is for the guy to speak more softly into his phone receiver, and let the person on the other end of the line adjust their handset volume if need be.
Rick Morris Member # 5347
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I totally agree with all of you with cell phone usage. I'm one that likes to just be off in his own world on board a train. I can't stand these morons who think they have to scream like a banshee just to be heard. It's called having respect for your fellow passengers. Maybe the banshee Hoop was talking about should get a crash course.
irishchieftain Member # 1473
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quote:Mr. Toy wrote:
I was watching Modern Marvels on the History Channel the other day. The topic was locomotives. They said a TGV type train could run coast to coast in 15 hours
That's easily extrapolated from distance traveled divided by potential average speed for an express train. Such a running time is easily within the technological capabilities of such trains. (Incidentally, such an average speed would get you from New York to Chicago in well under five hours.)
As for the cell phone issue, I find it remarkable that people will talk loudly on one while riding a train, but will type text messages on a cell phone while driving. There's something deficient when it comes to common sense and courtesy among the general population when it does not click in the heads of people to do the exact opposite of such scenarios.
Doc Brown Member # 4724
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So no one on in the car took a moment to politely ask the man to speak a little quieter? It may very well be that he didn't realize he was too loud. He may even thank you. Keep in mind that this man is used to being in noisy congested airports and riding on noisy cramped planes. One gets acustomed to being loud, as a habit. Yes, you take a chance he will be offended. Better that he be offended than an entire car of people be annoyed to no end. As an alternative, you can ask an attendant to say something. In my limited experience, most of them don't put up with a lot of crap and will usually be glad to to intervene.
amtraxmaniac Member # 2251
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I won't even get into my storie of 'riding the Hound'. Try telling a drugged up nutcase to keep his conversations with himself to a dull whisper, especially if he's going to use obsenities. He'll say..'ALRIGHT BUDDY-YOUR OFF MY BUS!' LOL
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