Yesterday (Sunday) I took Amtrak from New York to Providence and back in the same day. Security provisions were interesting. At the ticket windows in both New York Penn and Providence there are clear signs saying that to buy a ticket you must show a photo ID. And I know that it true; before when picking up a ticket I had to produce an ID. But not Sunday. The reason is simple. I printed my ticket at home on my own printer. Even going into the gate where I had to show my ticket no one asked for an ID. And the conductor just took a little code reader and read the code and that was it. I always thought I have an honest face and now Amtrak as confirmed it.
You would think that after catching those people in Canada security would be more intense.
tomtom76You would think that after catching those people in Canada security would be more intense.
Or that it would at least exist.
Once, as I remember, I have been asked to show identification; it was just before boarding the Capitol in Washington, five years ago. I have never had to show identification when picking my ticket up here (perhaps because the men who handle the process know me as a regular (once or twice a year) rider.
Last week, while waiting to board the California Zephyr in Chicago, (I was sitting in the coach passengers' waiting area), a dog came up and thoroughly sniffed the baggage of a man sitting close to me, and he gave me one sniff; I have not seen such dogs in the first class lounge.
Johnny
Just how is security enhanced by a requirement to show an ID to purchase a ticket? Unless my name is checked against a "do not train" list, it doesn't really matter if I identified myself correctly or told the ticket clerk I was Santa Claus!
It's just another case of security theater.
I have purchased Amtrak tickets on line and picked them up at NYP before boarding. I had to give names of the users when reserving and paying for the tickets and each of us picking up their tickets had to show ID.
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.
Dakguy201 It's just another case of security theater.
Oh good. Let's have another panic attack and throw some more of our freedom out the window.
Remember when we were the "land of the free and home of the brave"?
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
And for a while now Henry I have had the same experience as you when picking up Amtrak tickets at the station. And not just New York Penn Station, either.
But when I printed out my ticket at home no id was required anywhere along the line.
Phoebe VetRemember when we were the "land of the free and home of the brave"?
New Jersey Transit remembers. NJT never requires id.
DeggestyLast week, while waiting to board the California Zephyr in Chicago, (I was sitting in the coach passengers' waiting area), a dog came up and thoroughly sniffed the baggage of a man sitting close to me, and he gave me one sniff; I have not seen such dogs in the first class lounge.
I've seen the dogs in 30th St Station.
-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/)
oltmanndI've seen the dogs in 30th St Station.
It is well known that Amtrak is a regular route for people carrying drugs up the east coast. I have never read about people carrying tobacco products but it wouldn't surprise me.
John WR [ It is well known that Amtrak is a regular route for people carrying drugs up the east coast. I have never read about people carrying tobacco products but it wouldn't surprise me.
[
In fact, if you go to a community to promote the concept of rail travel, the first thing brought up is that a train will bring the undesirable drug dealers into the town. So, no train means no drugs.
henry6n fact, if you go to a community to promote the concept of rail travel, the first thing brought up is that a train will bring the undesirable drug dealers into the town. So, no train means no drugs.
Yes, Henry. The solution to urban problems is to wall ourselves off from them. No trains. No buses. Only one road and make that only 2 lanes. Build a wall around the town with a gate house to keep out undesirables. Make sure our children only know our kind of people.
Of course I'm not sure about you. Rumor has it you actually travel around on trains and even have been known to ride with people you kind of meet casually. I mean I don't want you to think I'm prejudiced or anything but you know you can't be too careful these days. You'll have to excuse me now; I'm hosting a John Birch Society meeting this evening. There are rumors there is going to be a bus stop, and actual bus stop, within 5 miles of here. We've got to get on top of that immediately and put a stop to it.
John
John! My comments come from actual interviews I've done with people concerning the reintroduction of passenger rail service into the Poconos as well as up here in Broome County, NY area. They really say that, really feel that way!
The problem with security as I see it is, just where do you find a "happy medium", for lack of a better term? Do you try and appease the 30% of the people in this country who aren't happy unless they're terrified of SOMETHING, or do you go along with folks like me who realize life is unfair, the lightning can strike anytime and anywhere, and there's not a *** thing you can do about it, so just take some intelligent precautions and just live your life as usual.
I don't know what the answer is. I will say I was in England in 1975 when the IRA was planting bombs in various places. There wasn't any panic on the part of the Brits. The authorities just advised people to keep their eyes and ears open, be aware of their surroundings and to report anything unusual.
Or maybe it's just there were still a lot of British people around who remembered the last time the bombs came and weren't going to be frightened by some "bush league" efforts.
I just wish some people would stop acting like Osama's hiding in the bushes.
So, way back in the mid 80's, I'm going from Phila to London ON (guess why?) and I'm on the Maple Leaf at Niagara Falls. They stop the train on the bridge. Customs comes on. Dogs sniff around the train from the ground. Customs agents move through the coaches, checking papers. Then then move all of us out of our coach and into the trailing one - temporarily. They grab one guy, give him the third degree and then haul him and his luggage off the train. We went merrily on our way. Still made my connection at Aldershot.
Had to be a drug thing....
henry6John! My comments come from actual interviews I've done with people concerning the reintroduction of passenger rail service into the Poconos as well as up here in Broome County, NY area. They really say that, really feel that way!
I don't doubt for one moment the accuracy of your comments, Henry. I just don't believe the people you describe are very realistic about living in America today.
No doubt it is possible to escape at least some urban problems to living in a remote rural area. But the world is not going to stop changing. And eventually at least some of the problems will follow you.
oltmanndHad to be a drug thing....
No doubt it was drugs. Yet drugs have not stopped coming into the US. The fact of the matter is that they are not controlled.
John WR oltmanndI've seen the dogs in 30th St Station. It is well known that Amtrak is a regular route for people carrying drugs up the east coast. I have never read about people carrying tobacco products but it wouldn't surprise me.
Of course. Everyone knows that drug dealers don't know how to drive or fly, and never use the airlines or Greyhound. It's all Amtrak's fault.
Phoebe VetOf course. Everyone knows that drug dealers don't know how to drive or fly, and never use the airlines or Greyhound. It's all Amtrak's fault.
I have not read anyone who objected to Amtrak's east coast service because of drug runners. And they certainly do uses cars also. I have not read any reports of drug runners using planes or long distance buses up and down the east coast but of course there could be some I have not heard of. But they definitely use Amtrak.
The reports of drug arrests on Amtrak are always sketchy. I suspect the police come in as a result of a tip off. And when they are not tipped off the drugs get through. One thing is clear: Tremendous amounts of drugs are available on the east coast in both large and small cities. Arrests are publicized but the traffic continues.
As long as there's a demand for drugs the miserable stuff's going to get through. Why there's a demand is the biggest mystery of all. Look at what they'll do to you! But I'm sure I'm preaching to the choir here.
But some of the real stupidities of these people's statements are 1) if you look behind the trees over there...that ain't corn or wheat; 2) ya know them big black cars that visit the farm ...they ain't buying fresh meat and 3) the bungalow down the road, the one who always has so many friends from out of state or down state at all hours of the day and nigh "visiting" are not the welcome wagon ladies....
Firelock76As long as there's a demand for drugs the miserable stuff's going to get through. Why there's a demand is the biggest mystery of all. Look at what they'll do to you! But I'm sure I'm preaching to the choir here.
Wayne,
With me you preach to the choir. But increasingly drug abuse is being seen as a public health problem rather than as a law enforcement problem. I think we need to move in that direction.
henry6But some of the real stupidities of these people's statements are
All I can say, Henry, is that Binghamton has no monopoly on stupidity. The same kinds of people making the same kinds of statements can be found everywhere.
This was not in BInghamton...it was NJ, Pocono's, Catskills, Mass, Maine. etc.
I think that's what I said too. I can see a lot of reasons to live in a rural area. Running from urban problems is not one of them.
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