explanation for how conductors use seat check stubs as code?
Jun 27, 2015, 6:53 am
#1
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explanation for how conductors use seat check stubs as code?
I am just curious in general as to how the seat check stubs work on Amtrak and lots of other commuter rail lines.
Do the conductors rip the stub so other conductors can see how far the passenger is going, and the longer the remaining stub the farther the destination? I notice that the stubs can be 1) ripped, 2) folded, 3) hole punched in various ways.
Do they change the color/markings on the stubs every day?
Do they have a daily email explaining what the code is going to be?
Thanks!
Do the conductors rip the stub so other conductors can see how far the passenger is going, and the longer the remaining stub the farther the destination? I notice that the stubs can be 1) ripped, 2) folded, 3) hole punched in various ways.
Do they change the color/markings on the stubs every day?
Do they have a daily email explaining what the code is going to be?
Thanks!
Jun 27, 2015, 4:55 pm
#2
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I am just curious in general as to how the seat check stubs work on Amtrak and lots of other commuter rail lines.
Do the conductors rip the stub so other conductors can see how far the passenger is going, and the longer the remaining stub the farther the destination? I notice that the stubs can be 1) ripped, 2) folded, 3) hole punched in various ways.
Do they change the color/markings on the stubs every day?
Do they have a daily email explaining what the code is going to be?
Thanks!
Do the conductors rip the stub so other conductors can see how far the passenger is going, and the longer the remaining stub the farther the destination? I notice that the stubs can be 1) ripped, 2) folded, 3) hole punched in various ways.
Do they change the color/markings on the stubs every day?
Do they have a daily email explaining what the code is going to be?
Thanks!
Jun 27, 2015, 6:28 pm
#3
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I am just curious in general as to how the seat check stubs work on Amtrak and lots of other commuter rail lines.
Do the conductors rip the stub so other conductors can see how far the passenger is going, and the longer the remaining stub the farther the destination? I notice that the stubs can be 1) ripped, 2) folded, 3) hole punched in various ways.
Do they change the color/markings on the stubs every day?
Do they have a daily email explaining what the code is going to be?
Thanks!
Do the conductors rip the stub so other conductors can see how far the passenger is going, and the longer the remaining stub the farther the destination? I notice that the stubs can be 1) ripped, 2) folded, 3) hole punched in various ways.
Do they change the color/markings on the stubs every day?
Do they have a daily email explaining what the code is going to be?
Thanks!
Destination and count is written on stubs
Sometimes writing on front sometimes on back
Different colors used for different days (?)
Fold/tear/punch used to identify who lifted the ticket (?)
No instructions to move your stub should you choose to move seats
Edit: now that printers are being used on the Capitol Corridor (and others I presume), much less to guess about.
Last edited by RogerD408; Jun 28, 2015 at 11:32 am Reason: As RoadMan points out later, the new printers take all the fun out of it.
Jun 28, 2015, 11:05 am
#4
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Most of my conductors on the Capitol Corridor trains now use the seat check printers. They scan the ticket and the seat check with the Station Code (and some other information such as origin, date, res #, etc...) are printed out. It makes interpreting the stubs much less interesting than before!
For those still using the traditional seat checks I've noticed either the destination written on it or the orientation of the seat check mixed with various folds to denote the destination.
For those still using the traditional seat checks I've noticed either the destination written on it or the orientation of the seat check mixed with various folds to denote the destination.
Jun 28, 2015, 11:52 am
#5
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I can't find the article, but there was an article that I read written by a retired conductor, who explained some of the special marks they made on the seat checks as well. Depending on the position of the mark, it related to your race and gender. This was to prevent people from taking someone's seat check, and if someone did, the conductor could tell just by looking at it and then would ask for your ticket.
Jun 28, 2015, 12:38 pm
#6
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I can't find the article, but there was an article that I read written by a retired conductor, who explained some of the special marks they made on the seat checks as well. Depending on the position of the mark, it related to your race and gender. This was to prevent people from taking someone's seat check, and if someone did, the conductor could tell just by looking at it and then would ask for your ticket.
Jun 28, 2015, 6:57 pm
#7
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I was told, via some folks who claimed to be Metro-North Railroad conductors, that there are no hard and fast rules re: seat checks; each person (or train crew) just does it his/their own way.
NYC-area commuter railroads have seat checks with a bunch of numbers on them, sometimes with letters. I figured that the letter indicated the direction of the trip and the number indicated the fare zone number, but in practice that's not necessarily how seat checks work.
NYC-area commuter railroads have seat checks with a bunch of numbers on them, sometimes with letters. I figured that the letter indicated the direction of the trip and the number indicated the fare zone number, but in practice that's not necessarily how seat checks work.
Jun 28, 2015, 7:46 pm
#8
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Most proof of purchase systems don't offer refund as far as I can tell so lifting tickets is not a big issue.
Jun 28, 2015, 9:50 pm
#9
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This is my observation for the Amtrak Northeast Corridor.
If your destination is at or beyond the next crew change point, the conductor will just put a full seat check above your seat. The next crew will simply remove all of the seat checks and start again when scanning everyone's tickets.
If your destination is within the current crew's operating territory, they'll either circle the destination on the seat check, or write on the back, or write the station code on a blank white seat check. If the station is listed on the edge of the seat check, they may also tear it.
If your destination is at or beyond the next crew change point, the conductor will just put a full seat check above your seat. The next crew will simply remove all of the seat checks and start again when scanning everyone's tickets.
If your destination is within the current crew's operating territory, they'll either circle the destination on the seat check, or write on the back, or write the station code on a blank white seat check. If the station is listed on the edge of the seat check, they may also tear it.
Jun 29, 2015, 3:51 pm
#10
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Most of my conductors on the Capitol Corridor trains now use the seat check printers. They scan the ticket and the seat check with the Station Code (and some other information such as origin, date, res #, etc...) are printed out. It makes interpreting the stubs much less interesting than before!
I stumbled upon this thread when searching to see if anyone else had seen these yet.
Greetings from somewhere between Newark and Milpitas, where we are currently sitting still.
And yes, I know my confirmation number is displayed in the photo, but the trip will be done in 30 minutes, so potential damage is minimal and not worth the hassle of blurring it out.
Jun 30, 2015, 7:14 am
#11
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Jan 21, 2020, 9:35 am
#12
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Do Amtrak conductors start checking tickets from front or rear?
Silly question I know, but asking for a reason
Does anyone know if Amtrak conductors start checking & scanning tickets from the front or the rear of the train?
Thanks!
Does anyone know if Amtrak conductors start checking & scanning tickets from the front or the rear of the train? Thanks!
Jan 21, 2020, 3:48 pm
#14
Join Date: Aug 2015
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To me it's more where you're sitting. A car near the front they start from there and go back. Close to the back they check from the back and go forward. I never sit in the middle so couldn't say.