Originally Posted by
YCTTSFM
Did you notice how long they remained on the train, and what accommodations they had?
If it's a day trip, or if they get roomettes or better for over one shift, my guess is, it's a perk. Would you rather be trapped in a booth doing a full day's work, or enjoying views of the prairie while eating AmTrak food and being mostly out of cell range?
Hmmm... views of a prairie. "Grassland: this is the Border Patrol. Papers please. Headquarters: the grassland is undocumented... we're placing it into custody. Over. [static]."
I saw them during the day. AFAIK they boarded in the daylight AM and did not stay very long; though they could have been hassling the coach and Portland-bound sleeper pax for hours. I was staying in the 2nd car; after the baggage and crew cars the 1st two cars are Seattle-bound sleepers (mostly retired white couples and railfans; Mrs. ralfp and I were oddballs) and the 3rd car is the dining car.