Hello,
This popped up in the news. The thing that shocks me most is not the man but the reporting. The train was en route from Seattle to WHERE?
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Police-Screaming-passenger-thrown-off-Amtrak-train-arrested-217924471.html
NW
If the train he was on was the Starcoast Ltd., then maybe the man was en route to Denver, connecting to the CZ in CA?
C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan
Good. We were on the Starlight southbound in the fall of 2011. Some woman got on in Portland, got up to the observation car and insisted that she should be allowed to go up to the parlor car (sleepers only) to access the wi-fi. She was escorted back to the ob car and a conductor proceeded to explain the issue to her. He asked her for her ticket, she didn't have it handy, and was then escorted back to her seat to fetch the ticket. As they head back the head conductor proceeds to announce over the radio, which our guy had not turned down, that she was 86'd. The train was met in Albany by the local uniforms. When asked to leave the train she refused and got into it with the local cops. They tried to bundle her down the stairs and she bit a cop on the leg. In moments there were three more squad cars at the station. They finally got her off the train for a night in the pokey. We were delayed an easy 20 minutes all because some woman from San Jose couldn't live without Wi-fi for a day. Besides it wasn't working on the way up and it wasn't working this day on the way back. Dumb.
The removal of unruly passengers from Amtrak trains is a relatively common occurence, actually much too common. Without knowing the facts, I would suspect alcahol was in involved in more cases than not.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Amtrak, long distance buses and airlines are common carriers and open to anyone who pays the fare. There will always be some passengers who are unruly. But on a case by case basis there are also people who are removed for no good reason. In this case, biting a police officer does seem to justify that particular decision.
John WR Amtrak, long distance buses and airlines are common carriers and open to anyone who pays the fare. There will always be some passengers who are unruly. But on a case by case basis there are also people who are removed for no good reason. In this case, biting a police officer does seem to justify that particular decision.
Just a little bite! Shoot, in Texas we do things bigger and better. Well, maybe not better, but certainly with a bigger bang.
On December 6, 2011, the Dallas cops boarded Amtrak #22. They were looking for suspected drug traffickers. And apparently they found one. Or he found them. He pulled a gun on them. A big mistake in Texas. The cops blew him to Kingdom Come. And in the process shot a bystander. One of the cops took a round in the hand. Not sure where it came from. The bystander and the cop earned a tale that they can tell their kids and grand kids.
If you have ever been on an Amtrak Superliner coach, you know that it is pretty confined. I cannot imagine the gun report that must have echoed through the car as the locals battled it out with the bad guy from Michigan.
I have seen the Boarder Patrol board the Sunset Limited in Alpine, TX on numerous occasions. They were looking for drug runners. And on at least two occasions over the past two years I have seen them haul someone off the train, handcuff them, and place them in the back of the paddy wagon. Presumably it was not because they did not have a driver's license or other id.
Apparently the druggies have taken to using Amtrak's long distance trains to further their trade. It seems that getting through airport screening with a load of weed is a challenge. Not so much on Amtrak's trains. So maybe I have been wrong about the long distance trains. They do help meet at least one market need albeit not a legal one.
They have barrel makers (coopers) enforcing laws in Dallas?
Johnny
Deggesty They have barrel makers (coopers) enforcing laws in Dallas?
Fixed!
Sam1Apparently the druggies have taken to using Amtrak's long distance trains to further their trade. It seems that getting through airport screening with a load of weed is a challenge. Not so much on Amtrak's trains. So maybe I have been wrong about the long distance trains. They do help meet at least one market need albeit not a legal one.
This also happens on east coast trains, mostly Silver Service I think. I've seen drug sniffing dogs on an Amtrak train. But no shoot outs. Our lives are much more dull than yours is.
I remember taking the Desert Wind in/out of Las Vegas a few times. After boarding, the drug dogs. After the drug dogs, a couple of un-boardings. And, one time (rather common, according to the car attendant), the drunk/stoned/unstable person that would have to be put off at the next scheduled stop (or, if we weren't so lucky, at some desert crossing) after being stuck on board by the Las Vegas authorities to get 'em out of their hair.
We've had to remove passengers from the Auto train, but it's relatively rare. We try to avoid it, but physical abuse of staff or other passengers will get you a free night's lodging at the County's expense in a heartbeat (check your wallet, keys, & belt at the door, thank you). Verbal abuse of staff or other passengers earns you a confrontation with the Conductor and the Chief, wherein you will be apprised of your options (i.e., settle down & behave in a civilized manner or be escorted to the local courthouse by some charming uniformed representatives of the local government). You will also be reminded that the Auto Train will continue to its destination WITH YOUR CAR because, even though we are able to unload unruly passengers at intermediate points, the same cannot be said of your vehicle. This usually results in a chastened, and much more quiet, passenger. Our other passengers (who are mostly wonderful people who just want to have a nice vacation) deserve no less. And the same is true of the hard-working O.B.S. crew, who work long hours and take pride in doing a good job. And you're right; alcohol is usually a factor.
It's also true that dogs are frequently used to "sweep" the train for drugs and/or explosives. Too bad we have to do that, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do.
ACYAnd you're right; alcohol is usually a factor.
I sure hope Amtrak personnel are more competent than New Jersey's finest. Not long ago a couple of State Police officers beat a man who they reported was refusing to obey their orders. He was. He has diabetes and was close to a diabetic coma. He may have smelled like he was drunk; if your glucose is too high you smell like you are drunk. He wound up in jail with a broken rib. He did have some medication in his car but the police, I guess, since they decided he was only non compliant never thought about that.
I confess I have a personal interest because I have diabetes. I also want to add that I have never had any problem whatsoever with any member of Amtrak's operating staff and I don't want to suggest any.
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