From: stephen@sprunk.org

On 14-Apr-15 14:10, hancock4@bbs.cpcn.com wrote:
> Stephen Sprunk wrote:
>> I'm sure the union has invented other "duties" to justify their
>> existence, as with any featherbed job, but it's clear from watching
>> that Amtrak LD is grossly overstaffed, which undoubtedly
>> contributes to them losing so much money.
>
> Would you provide specifics on the union-invented other duties?

You're the one that claimed they existed.

>> You clearly need staff for the snack bar/dining car, but they
>> don't operate step boxes; they're serving customers even during
>> stops (which can last an hour or more each, thanks to schedule
>> padding).
>
> My own experience is that people do not board a snack or dining car
> unless it is the type that does have revenue seats, and some do.

Doesn't matter; the door is still open, and there's a step box at it,
along with a crew member to operate that step box--and refuse to let
anyone board, even if they have valid tickets.

>> You clearly need at least one person to collect tickets in the
>> coaches, but less than one per car, and they can do other things
>> after that task is completed following each stop. What else do you
>> need?  Why is there at least one crewman standing at _every_ door,
>> in addition to the dozen inside--for a six-car train? (And that's
>> just the staff on duty, i.e. not counting those sacked out in the
>> dorm car.)
>
> My own experience on Amtrak LD trains is that there are much less
> crew than you suggest.

I've been on three Amtrak LD trains in completely different parts of the
country and separated by many years, and that was the case on all three
of them.

S

--
Stephen Sprunk         "God does not play dice."  --Albert Einstein
CCIE #3723         "God is an inveterate gambler, and He throws the
K5SSS        dice at every possible opportunity." --Stephen Hawking

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