Midweek Update, Version XXV-A - This Was The Week That Was - An Amtrak Saga
The weekly response your humble correspondent receives to various TWTWTW issues is often thought provoking and insightful. The following response was received from a former Amtrak manager, who requested to remain anonymous. Much of what was said speaks for itself.
This was dated Monday, October 29, 2001, and referred to the issue of the same day.
“Bruce,“Here we go again, picking on those [Amtrak] senior management types that consistently demonstrate they must “do something” to justify their existence.
“Will it be Stouffer’s or TV Dinners? Remember when airlines decided to go no smoking to cut down on maintenance costs and gain the perception of being a sensible health nanny? Amtrak had to do a ‘me too,’ and watched revenue plummet in the millions of dollars within the next six months. Forget the merits of smoking, that’s not the issue, Amtrak ‘leaders’ had to demonstrate ‘decision’ making abilities just like they do at the airlines.
“Reduction in food service on airlines has been festering for awhile, which is probably more of a benefit to the passengers than anything else. Passengers will consume less en route, in turn, airlines will experience lower usage of restrooms … a double savings!
“Amtrak senior management must mimic these heroic measures that are being implemented on the airlines to be consistent.
“You can see where this is going after fiddling with the food … airlines are now reducing service in double digit amounts. Once Amtrak senior management sees this happening, they’ll have a field day demonstrating decision making abilities.
“Your mention of all the rolling stock (not hocked?) up for sale, suggests the die has already been cast to reduce train service, and that will provide you with plenty of ‘reserve’ equipment for ‘peak’ periods. Also, selling that rolling stock will probably help pay for new upgrades come the first of next year with the Acela Clubs … it’ll be time to redo them for the new year.
“Also, the residual benefits of selling off the low-level rolling stock, probably to Canada, will allow Canada to double its east-west service. Now put your Amtrak senior management hat on … ‘what’s in it for me?’
“Plenty … they’ll have added capacity on the east and west end of the US as feeder routes to VIA’s trans-con route which will probably have another nice set of equipment in a year. Senior management can balance the ‘national system’ easily with one or two ‘real nice’ trains, and everyone will be happy.
“Bruce, you are going to have to convince me you are not buying into senior management’s ‘program.’
“Scratch cooking on 58 & 59 [City of New Orleans], is very economical, and the tradeoff is labor, and some happy passengers. I’ll bet you would not have wasted a couple bucks on M&Ms on the City of New Orleans when you could have had a $3 or $4 ‘home made’ dessert.
“And just maybe, the $9.25 for a burger and steak fries in the diner, where you could smell the aroma of it being cooked … you may have said, ‘why not? Its only money, for a special occasion.’ Its called impulse buying.
“And for a family, that must be practical and within reason, encourage the dining staff to be creative, too. What does that mean? It means common sense that was practiced on dining cars before Amtrak, whereby the staff would guide and encourage a family in sharing meals, so dad still had money left for a tip. This was routine on diners, excepting the likes of the Super Chief, Panama Limited, 20th Century, etc., which were showoff trains … the passengers had money to ride, and they wanted to show the same status in the diner, family or no.
“This may take some finesse today, as we have a couple of generations groomed on McDonald’s ethics, and do not know any difference.
“The same can be said for getting people on a train, period, as it is a dwindling number of Americans that are even aware they can ride on a passenger train. The auto and airline industries have done a magnificent job brainwashing people these are the only two modes of transportation, and the fast food industry has been successful convincing Americans that Bennigan’s is a sit-down McDonald’s that waits on you, and serves booze, too … that’s called dining out.
“I can’t close without commenting on your favorite trains … Acelaland, the Boston-Washington pretty streetcars versus the culture of Metroliners and unreserved NEC trains.
“People are creatures of habit, and food just happens to be your venue. The Brooks Brothers suit business people (men and women nowadays) got on a “Met” and sat down in a parlor or club car seat, ordered a beer or cocktail, never coffee (it was terrible), and then opened a brown bag with a Philly (or NY) pretzel, and asked for a package of mustard.
“These same passengers also bought a big fat pickle on board until Amtrak decided this wasn’t the ‘right kind’ of snack to have in the lounge. They (Amtrak) thought if Sara Lee didn’t make it, we don’t need to sell it in the NEC. Now, Acela carries ‘pretty food.’
Brooks Brothers type people have enough of ‘pretty food,’ and probably much better, off the train, so why shove it down their throat as the only choice? In the NEC, white and blue collar folks, plus politicians, like pickles and pretzels, a good beer, wine, or bottled water. What else? Give them a real sandwich instead of a smelly hot-dog.”
The “me-too” culture of Amtrak senior management as outlined by our correspondent is worrisome for all. Current senior management’s absence of experience operating a long distance passenger railroad network is constantly displayed with their decisions and public pronouncements.
It’s also become apparent in the organizations that so quickly rush to support Amtrak’s every move and decisions, or attempt to rationalize Amtrak’s blunders. Little or no independent thought or judgement is used, just a rush to be like everyone else.
How very sad.
Passenger railroading is a unique science, with a unique set of rules for EVERYTHING. Very few common denominators are found, with the exception of good business sense and good business models. Beyond that, it’s a beast all its own.
People do ride trains, buses, planes, and in cars for the same reason - transportation. But, they make different choices for different reasons.
Each has its own market.
Each has its own merits.
Each has its own detractions.
Each has its own operating principles.
Why try to mix these?
Airplanes are essential for long distance travel in a short period of time. Air travel can cost a lot of money or a little money, depending on the choice of carrier that is made. Levels of service are not necessarily pegged to price. Airplanes are lousy for short hops, but great for quick transcontinental transportation or transoceanic transportation. Personal cell phones may only be used at permissible times under permissible circumstances.
Buses are great to get a specific group of people to a specific location. That can be a bus station, front of a hotel, restaurant parking lot, or any myriad of other choices. Buses use oft-congested highways and expressways. Bus seating is similar to airline seating, and offers little in the way of amenities with the exception of interesting views out windows. Personal cell phones may be used anytime your fellow passengers don’t riot against you for interrupting their reverie.
Trains are great for all types of travel that is not time sensitive. If you have the time and believe getting there is half the fun, then the train is perfect. If you’re in a major metropolitan area and there is fast train service to other nearby metropolitan areas, then you have a consideration to make a choice between a fast train and an airplane. The best part of trains is that they are the ONLY form of land transportation that offers a full range of amenities, including baggage cars, dining cars, lounge cars, sleeping cars, and coach travel. No other form of ground transportation offers these choices bundled with the scenery of train travel. This is what makes train travel unique. Personal cell phones may be used anytime you can get a signal. You may even retreat to enclosed personal space to have privacy while talking.
The automobile is the ultimate in personal convenience, taking its occupants anywhere they want to go that a car with four good tires can go. You leave at your command, travel at your own speed, and stop when and where you choose to stop. As long as you can find gas, you can keep going. But, automobile travel offers no amenities of any sort, beyond your personal choice of music or, for those who don’t have a life, listening to talk radio. If the local law allows, you may use your personal cell phone at any time a signal is available. However, if you’re driving and have an accident in the process of carrying on a conversation, be ready to answer questions from the investigating officer and your insurance company about your talking while driving.
It’s important to understand and remember the uniqueness of passenger rail travel. It is a desirable option for many who are aware of the option, and becomes desirable to those who learn of it through marketing or other efforts.
There is not a finite market for long distance passenger rail travel, there is only a finite market for it if passenger rail travel is so restricted by short sighted managers who want to mimic other modes of transportation.