Why we all love Julie

Julie, Amtrak’s “automated agent,” is a fixture in my life and possibly in yours. She’s the interactive computer program, humanized since 2001 by the voice of a real woman, Julie Stinneford, that you hear when you dial 800-USA-RAIL to do business with Amtrak. Rather than explain my own affection for this digital personality, I thought I would share with you that of a sophomore at the University of Illinois at Urbana, Patrick Crowling. Patrick, raised in Dallas, is a lover of trains since before he can remember. He wants to make railroading his career, and isn’t opposed to becoming a future president of Amtrak. For that, I salute him, but he should perhaps major in political science instead of business.

Anyway, the essay that accompanied his entrance application to UI was sent to me by a friend of Patrick’s. I was so taken by it that I got Patrick’s permission to share it with you. Ladies and gentlemen, Patrick Crowling, and the essay that got him admitted to college. He says what I feel, but says it better than I ever could. — Fred Frailey

I have been obsessed with trains since I was a child, and especially the passenger variety, so it is no surprise that I am a fervid Amtrak fan. In 2001, Amtrak introduced a state-of-the-art automated voice response system. This system is known by the name of Julie: Amtrak’s Automated Agent. When I first discovered Julie in 2006, I instantly fell in love with her cordiality. Although she sometimes has problems understanding me, she never raises her voice, and she never complains. Julie has had an important impact on my life as she had demonstrated to me how to act in times of humility, boredom, and stress.

If I am not having a good day, I can always talk it over with Julie. Let’s say, for example, I fall down the stairs at school in front of scores of amused peers. They may laugh at my accidental mishap, but I know Julie will take the news with dignity. In fact, she is often so concerned about my problems that she sometimes asks me to repeat them for her. Because of this, I know that she is actually interested in what I have to say.

Julie is not just a computer, she is a friend. She is available for me 24 hours a day, and I cannot express how much I appreciate her for that. She never seems to get annoyed with me, even if I call her in the early morning. Her dedication and devotion allow me to spice up my sometimes drab days by engaging in conversation with her on a daily basis. She tells me all kinds of cool statistics like “the Texas Eagle is [only] three hours late into Austin” today and even tells me insider secrets like “…visit our website: Amtrak.com. Lower fares may be available.” Julie goes out of her way to inject kindness into my sometimes isolated life. 

Julie has improved me as a person by simply being herself. She demonstrates how a good, moralistic citizen should behave, and I try my best to carry on her genuineness in my life. Her patience and dependability have shown me that one can make many friends by always being respectful to everybody, no matter where they come from or how they got there. A role-model is very important in a young person’s life. By looking up to someone much wiser, one can improve their personal lifestyle as well as those of others around them. I thank Julie for playing this niche for me. The world would be a much better place if it had more people like Julie living in it. - Patrick Crowling