Use of Intercom--A Complaint
May 16, 2011 | 5:47 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Seattle, WA USA/Punta del Este, UY
Programs: AS 75K, AA EXP, Hilton Gold
Posts: 936
Use of Intercom--A Complaint
I arrived into Seattle this morning on the Empire Builder. I really object to crew members using the intercom for unnecessary messages. For example one crew member reminded another not to forget the flowers; after an anouncement by someone thanking the crew for a good job, another crew member came on to second the first announcement.
As a passenger I want only short, necessary use of the intercom. Otherwise I prefer quiet, which is advertised as one of the jobs of train travel.
As a passenger I want only short, necessary use of the intercom. Otherwise I prefer quiet, which is advertised as one of the jobs of train travel.
May 16, 2011 | 7:41 pm
#2
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: AGR, PC, HH no status as I stopped paying for travel
Posts: 1,454
Not Allowed
Imagine a friendly happy crew and happy passengers on Amtrak.They will surely be kicked out of the union and disciplined for having a wrong attitude
By the way where is quiet " advertised as one of the jobs of train travel." ?
Last edited by darben; May 16, 2011 at 7:43 pm Reason: corrections
May 16, 2011 | 8:27 pm
#3
Join Date: Mar 2009
Programs: AGR,CO,PC,AA
Posts: 411
Friendly and happy is different from unprofessional. It shouldn't be a pep rally.
May 17, 2011 | 2:41 am
#4
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 5,051
Have to agree with OP. Intercoms are useful. But what business uses them for personal chitchat between staff? Imagine the overhead of a hospital (already too noisy) if people were using them casually. Even the staff would get on edge after a while. If they really need to talk that much, give them walkie talkies with earphones like the people in the local Target store have.
May 17, 2011 | 8:12 am
#5
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: AGR, PC, HH no status as I stopped paying for travel
Posts: 1,454
End of the line
It was the end of the line the OP did not mention them to be unprofessional the rest of the trip. Personally I prefer this than to the sullen, disgruntled Lakeshore limited and NEC crews.
Be careful what you ask for
Be careful what you ask for
May 17, 2011 | 8:33 am
#6
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 5,051
You think they will pout if they can't blast the whole world with whatever crosses their mind?
May 17, 2011 | 11:12 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Seattle, WA USA/Punta del Este, UY
Programs: AS 75K, AA EXP, Hilton Gold
Posts: 936
My typo, sorry
I meant to say one of the "joys" of travel, not "job." My error, sorry.
However I do stand by my original comments. The intercom should be used sparingly, and only when necessary. This does not include chat between crew members--"don't forget the flowers." etc.
However I do stand by my original comments. The intercom should be used sparingly, and only when necessary. This does not include chat between crew members--"don't forget the flowers." etc.
May 17, 2011 | 2:09 pm
#9
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: PDX
Programs: DL DM, Hyatt Globalist, Amtrak peon, Colbert Lifetime Platinum, Walk Score 100
Posts: 4,553
To clarify, it's the PA system that was apparently abused, not the intercom (IC), which I too have heard toward the end of the occasional trip. In fact, situations like that definitely warrant use of the IC, which is the private mode of OBS crew communications between cars.
One of my favorite little quirks of Superliner long-distance trains is when crew briefly ping each other over the PA: "Steward to the IC, please." I take it as a sign of engaged, discreet service professionals. ^
One of my favorite little quirks of Superliner long-distance trains is when crew briefly ping each other over the PA: "Steward to the IC, please." I take it as a sign of engaged, discreet service professionals. ^
