Now I've seen it all on Amtrak
#16
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The quiet car is usually hit or miss on NE Corridor! The conductor may make announcements but rarely enforces the rules. To me it's more of a honor system where the responsibility lies with the patrons.
In this case the parents have to blame...again a reminder that there will always be annoying folks you meet everyday.
My guess is that although the conductor could have asked them to leave and if they refused call the police at the next station, he preferred to just stay quiet for the kid situation. Unfortunately the elderly folks had to bear the inconvenience. A complete lose-lose situation due to the attitude of the parents.
In this case the parents have to blame...again a reminder that there will always be annoying folks you meet everyday.
My guess is that although the conductor could have asked them to leave and if they refused call the police at the next station, he preferred to just stay quiet for the kid situation. Unfortunately the elderly folks had to bear the inconvenience. A complete lose-lose situation due to the attitude of the parents.
#17
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The conductor did eventually concede and ask the offenders to move. He apologized to the elderly couple and blamed the redcap for putting the parents in the Quiet Car. BUT before the train ever left the first station, the parents were made aware that they were in the wrong place, and the conductor told the elderly couple to move instead. This was not a young conductor, either. So I don't think it's a training issue.
#18
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The conductor did eventually concede and ask the offenders to move. He apologized to the elderly couple and blamed the redcap for putting the parents in the Quiet Car. BUT before the train ever left the first station, the parents were made aware that they were in the wrong place, and the conductor told the elderly couple to move instead. This was not a young conductor, either. So I don't think it's a training issue.
Yes, the redcap should have known better. But it sounds like the conductor was taking the easy way out telling the first people complaining to move. Probably took up the cause once more people made comment. Still a service failure on the part of the conductor and reporting it is appropriate.
#19
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The flimsy signs way above everyone's heads are not sufficient, nor is the occasional announcement that the second car is the Quiet Car, etc. No one counts cars. They get on whichever car they're closest to when the train pulls in. And they don't crane their necks to read signs above them… they're looking for a seat.
The solution is simple. 1) At EVERY STOP, when the conductor enters the car to collect tickets, he announces that this is the Quiet Car, and if you need to make noise of any description, you need to move. And if you choose to stay, you must be quiet. Or 2) Where the ability exists, the announcement (that I've heard before) is made AT EVERY STOP, after people get on, "If you can hear my voice, that means you're in the Quiet Car…" followed by the rules.
Either way, it must be made clearer to everyone getting on, at every stop, that they are in a car that has rules, and those rules must be followed. If they can do it for First and Business, they can do it for the Quiet Car.
#20
Join Date: Apr 2015
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The solution is simple. 1) At EVERY STOP, when the conductor enters the car to collect tickets, he announces that this is the Quiet Car, and if you need to make noise of any description, you need to move. And if you choose to stay, you must be quiet. Or 2) Where the ability exists, the announcement (that I've heard before) is made AT EVERY STOP, after people get on, "If you can hear my voice, that means you're in the Quiet Car…" followed by the rules.
Either way, it must be made clearer to everyone getting on, at every stop, that they are in a car that has rules, and those rules must be followed. If they can do it for First and Business, they can do it for the Quiet Car.
Either way, it must be made clearer to everyone getting on, at every stop, that they are in a car that has rules, and those rules must be followed. If they can do it for First and Business, they can do it for the Quiet Car.
#21
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It's a little different in cattle class than on the Acela. You pay twice as much, you get treated twice as well. If I could afford the Acela, I'd take it every time. But I can't, which is why I don't count and Amtrak can't be bothered to enforce any rule that doesn't directly benefit themselves (like "you must have a business-class ticket to sit in business class").
#22
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It's a little different in cattle class than on the Acela. You pay twice as much, you get treated twice as well. If I could afford the Acela, I'd take it every time. But I can't, which is why I don't count and Amtrak can't be bothered to enforce any rule that doesn't directly benefit themselves (like "you must have a business-class ticket to sit in business class").
#24
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I did. More than once. They ignored me. And BTW, I do this every time. Their only response has ever been "Call customer service and complain." I JUST COMPLAINED. Do YOUR job and pass that on to customer service.
#25
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Also, understand AGR is NOT Amtrak. It is a marketing department function that works alongside Amtrak managing the loyalty program. They have limited powers to "fix" on-board problems, if at all. One of the toughest problems these days if finding the right group to contact for a particular problem.
#26
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The email agents most likely don't report to Amtrak. So many functions are outsourced and/or off-shored these days they don't have the means to get the visibility needed within the company. So unless you have a personal contact within Amtrak (neighbor, relative, friend of a friend) calling and speaking with an agent is the way to get your complaint heard.
Also, understand AGR is NOT Amtrak. It is a marketing department function that works alongside Amtrak managing the loyalty program. They have limited powers to "fix" on-board problems, if at all. One of the toughest problems these days if finding the right group to contact for a particular problem.
But still one's best chance at being heard is to call Amtrak and be connected with the Customer Service department or to write the Office of the President.
#27
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Thanks for the corrections Alan. I was trying to drive home the point you can't just drop the problem on the first person you see and expect the world to change. Doing the research to find the right person/department can be challenging in just about any organization.
#28
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The solution is simple. 1) At EVERY STOP, when the conductor enters the car to collect tickets, he announces that this is the Quiet Car, and if you need to make noise of any description, you need to move. And if you choose to stay, you must be quiet. Or 2) Where the ability exists, the announcement (that I've heard before) is made AT EVERY STOP, after people get on, "If you can hear my voice, that means you're in the Quiet Car…" followed by the rules.
#29
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It's certainly a better suggestion than announcing it once at the beginning of the run and expecting people at every stop thereafter to enter the car with the necks craned, at just the right moment, to see one of only two signs posted above their heads.
Noisemakers generally tell fellow passengers to go eff themselves when reminded they're in the Quiet Car, and continue their conversations either with their companion or on the phone. Passengers have no enforcement authority. It has to come from the conductor. I'm a customer, it's not up to me to make sure people follow the rules that Amtrak has set forth. They should either make an effort to enforce the rules, or not have any rules. Again, if they can enforce the rules of the chi-chi cars, they can do the same for the Quiet Car. It's not hard.
#30
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The email agents most likely don't report to Amtrak. So many functions are outsourced and/or off-shored these days they don't have the means to get the visibility needed within the company. So unless you have a personal contact within Amtrak (neighbor, relative, friend of a friend) calling and speaking with an agent is the way to get your complaint heard.
Also, understand AGR is NOT Amtrak. It is a marketing department function that works alongside Amtrak managing the loyalty program. They have limited powers to "fix" on-board problems, if at all. One of the toughest problems these days if finding the right group to contact for a particular problem.
Also, understand AGR is NOT Amtrak. It is a marketing department function that works alongside Amtrak managing the loyalty program. They have limited powers to "fix" on-board problems, if at all. One of the toughest problems these days if finding the right group to contact for a particular problem.