Isn't what is a reasonable procedure for Amtrak also applicable to commuter rail and subways? If so, then we need the same thing applied to mass transit systems! I can't wait to hear the Senator explain that to his voters.
Phoebe Vet [snipped] Oddly enough: Giving up even an ounce of precious freedom is a very serious thing to do. Charles Schumer
Giving up even an ounce of precious freedom is a very serious thing to do. Charles Schumer
The US freight railroad system may be "the exception which proves the rule" about the generally poor state of the transportation infrastructure in the US.
Although the ASCE report linked by zugmann above is a little bit self-serving - after all, guess who gets paid to plan, design, and oversee the recommended repairs, upgrades, and new construction ? - there's still a lot of validity to it, in that the physical condition of a lot of roads and bridges leaves a lot to be desired. (Here in Pennsylvania, we're either 1st or 2nd in the nation with our large number of deficient, obsolete, under-capacity, or even unsafe bridges.)
There may also be the effect of some regional influence and experience with this perception. When I've been in Arizona over the last 2 years - where our fellow Forum member dining car resides, I believe - I've been quite impressed by the quality of the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the Interstates and other major highways and secondary roads. We have a few - very few - roads that good here in Pennsylvania, but most are much worse, and some are downright hazardous, and have been for years - decades, even - yet are not scheduled for any major improvements until 2015 at the earliest and most optimistic outlook (U.S. Rt. 22 through the Lehigh Valley here being the "poster child" for that assertion).
The broader issue for me is not so much the physical condition of what we do have, but the lack of planning and coordinating and then building and funding the various modes and their respective facilities - in other words, the lack of an integrated national transportation policy - which results in what we don't have, which by definition is invisible and can't deteriorate because it doesn't exist here yet (as compared to Europe and Japan, etc.).
- Paul North.
Phoebe Vet Victrola1: "Anyone, even a member of al-Qaida could purchase a train ticket and board an Amtrak train without so much as a question asked,” Schumer said. “So that’s why I’m calling for the creation of an Amtrak no ride list. That would take the secure flight program and apply it to Amtrak trains.” http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/05/08/schumer-calls-for-do-not-ride-list-for-amtrak/ Would not an attack on track, bridges, etc. be a greater threat? It's political pandering to the frightened Americans. It will accomplish nothing except to drive a few more people away from Amtrak. Just another politician trying to further his career at our expense.
Victrola1: "Anyone, even a member of al-Qaida could purchase a train ticket and board an Amtrak train without so much as a question asked,” Schumer said. “So that’s why I’m calling for the creation of an Amtrak no ride list. That would take the secure flight program and apply it to Amtrak trains.” http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/05/08/schumer-calls-for-do-not-ride-list-for-amtrak/ Would not an attack on track, bridges, etc. be a greater threat?
"Anyone, even a member of al-Qaida could purchase a train ticket and board an Amtrak train without so much as a question asked,” Schumer said. “So that’s why I’m calling for the creation of an Amtrak no ride list. That would take the secure flight program and apply it to Amtrak trains.”
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/05/08/schumer-calls-for-do-not-ride-list-for-amtrak/
Would not an attack on track, bridges, etc. be a greater threat?
It's political pandering to the frightened Americans. It will accomplish nothing except to drive a few more people away from Amtrak. Just another politician trying to further his career at our expense.
Schumer is a real pro at it.... I'd say his motto is, "Be the first to say something that sounds profound, no matter how stupid it really is."
-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/)
What is the "no-ride" list supposed to accomplish? The "no-fly" list is supposed to keep terrorists off planes for the safety of the rest of the passengers. But the "no-ride" list might only protect the passengers in one car. I agree an attack on a bridge or on a tunnel would be more damaging.
This is a dumb idea at best, I can just see the problems here in CA. where Amtrak California is part of the local transit system. I can just see the lines on the San Jose - Sacramento run, Gilroy - San Francisco run or the Pacific Surfliner. I'm not that knowledge about the NEC or other areas in the East. My only concern is how we deal with the terrorists sitting in Congress and the Senate!
I lived in New York State from '68 to '84. To me Schumer was the worst of the lot; he never saw a camera he didn't want to be in front of. And if HE said something was so, odds were he was 180 degrees out of phase.
OOPS, too much politics, but I didn't say the R word or the D word!
Was on NJ.COM checking stories in the Star Ledger and got liked to two stories in the NY POST. One was about a guy who jumped off the platform at WTC PATH and walked to New Jersey via the tunnel despite guards on the platform. The other was about four youths who decided the dark environs of the Second Avenue Subway Tunnel was good hiking trails. Both instances were where transit agencies maintain patrols and guards and both instances were not discovered until several hours after the first entry into the tunnels! Terrorists, take note, we don't need you. We are terror stricken, power infatuated, and clueless as to what is happening. Terrorists need do nothing as we will do ourselves in without their inconveniently blowing themselves up.
RIDEWITHMEHENRY is the name for our almost monthly day of riding trains and transit in either the NYCity or Philadelphia areas including all commuter lines, Amtrak, subways, light rail and trolleys, bus and ferries when warranted. No fees, just let us know you want to join the ride and pay your fares. Ask to be on our email list or find us on FB as RIDEWITHMEHENRY (all caps) to get descriptions of each outing.
henry6 Only half in gest [sic] I would say terrorists would be wasting their time in considering any attack on the US transportation system. It already is in shambles with an infrastructure in bad need of upgrading, repair, and rebuilding. Only political camps of lobbyists, back scratchers, and other pork barrel tactics are both keeping it together and preventing any progress, repair or change. Most things that could be targeted for any reason are apt to be on the verge of falling apart or are in need of replacement. That goes for rail, highway, air, and waterways. So, the only thing that might happen is that the US will be pushed into making decisions as to what gets attention first. Just hope its not done with loss of life.
Only half in gest [sic] I would say terrorists would be wasting their time in considering any attack on the US transportation system. It already is in shambles with an infrastructure in bad need of upgrading, repair, and rebuilding. Only political camps of lobbyists, back scratchers, and other pork barrel tactics are both keeping it together and preventing any progress, repair or change. Most things that could be targeted for any reason are apt to be on the verge of falling apart or are in need of replacement. That goes for rail, highway, air, and waterways. So, the only thing that might happen is that the US will be pushed into making decisions as to what gets attention first. Just hope its not done with loss of life.
Victrola1 "Anyone, even a member of al-Qaida could purchase a train ticket and board an Amtrak train without so much as a question asked,” Schumer said. “So that’s why I’m calling for the creation of an Amtrak no ride list. That would take the secure flight program and apply it to Amtrak trains.” http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/05/08/schumer-calls-for-do-not-ride-list-for-amtrak/ Would not an attack on track, bridges, etc. be a greater threat?
Oddly enough:
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
Diningcar, do you read newspapers, listen to news reports of any kind, drive a car, ride public transit, or understand the conversations in our Federal and state capitals concerning our overall transportation infrastructure? My cynical sarcastic remark has more truth than you can imagine.
diningcar henry6, what generalizations you offer! Please cite specific examples, both in number and the extent to which you suggest the US transportation system is in shambles.
henry6, what generalizations you offer! Please cite specific examples, both in number and the extent to which you suggest the US transportation system is in shambles.
http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2007/08/20-heavily-traf.html
diningcar henry6, what generalizations you offer! Please cite specific examples, both in number and the extent to which you suggest the US transportation system is in shambles. Germane to this Trains site, there is ample evidence that the Class I railroads have excellent infrastructure and they are continuing to maintain and upgrade it. The Sunset Route of UP and the BNSF Transcon are prime examples.
Germane to this Trains site, there is ample evidence that the Class I railroads have excellent infrastructure and they are continuing to maintain and upgrade it. The Sunset Route of UP and the BNSF Transcon are prime examples.
http://www.asce.org/Infrastructure/Raise-the-Grades/
It's been fun. But it isn't much fun anymore. Signing off for now.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any
This really does strike me as silly. The "no-ride" list does nothing to stop a terrorist from sabotaging rail infrastructure, which is what the intel on Bin Laden's computers allegedly says was their plan. Meanwhile, the "no-fly" list has a terrible history of catching non-terrorists. My personal favorite story was when Yusuf Islam (formerly known as Cat Stevens) was discovered to be on the list and deported. Jon Stewart's comment went something like this: This is what the war on terror has come down to. We're deporting the man who wrote "peace train."
Only half in gest I would say terrorists would be wasting their time in considering any attack on the US transportation system. It already is in shambles with an infrastructure in bad need of upgrading, repair, and rebuilding. Only political camps of lobbyists, back scratchers, and other pork barrel tactics are both keeping it together and preventing any progress, repair or change. Most things that could be targeted for any reason are apt to be on the verge of falling apart or are in need of replacement. That goes for rail, highway, air, and waterways. So, the only thing that might happen is that the US will be pushed into making decisions as to what gets attention first. Just hope its not done with loss of life.
Why would a terrorist ride Amtrak?
Mechanical Department "No no that's fine shove that 20 pound set all around the yard... those shoes aren't hell and a half to change..."
The Missabe Road: Safety First
Good,Grief!
I guess we'll need to be braced for more Passenger groping!
Seems as if the major theft as a result of Terrorism here,
is our personal freedom.
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