Retired airline executive Anderson to be co-CEO with long-time railroader Moorman
http://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2017/06/26-amtrak-ceo
Brian Schmidt, Editor, Classic Trains magazine
There are both pluses and concerns with Anderson.
1. He does have experience at both Continental and Northwest airlines. Not famaliar with where he fit in during the Continental chaos but being able to see first hand the various union problems at Northwest should give him some idea. The non-union Delta is a different ball game.
2. Will he be able to grasp the ongoing problems of deferred maintenance ? Delta just has not had that much to worry about.
3. He may be able to conjole more Congress critters but who knows. It may help for the 2018 FY budget and get the needed funding for FY2019 ? FY2017 appears a lost cause ? He probably has had more contact to the Federal establishment ?
4. Delta's customer service and on time performance has been up and down so maybe he can get a handle on those metrics. OTP may be improved just by reducing station dwell time ?
5. Food service ? ? ? The 6 - 8 + hour trips on Delta certainly have basic food service.
6. He has seen the problems of congestion but can he do anything ? ?
7. Moorman appears to be committed to passing along his institutional knowledge. Moorman certainly did not get that help.
8. He will probably recognize the importance of the whole Amtrak network.
9. This may allow Moorman to act a as defacto chief maintenance officer trouble shooter getting the problem children either acting responsibily or out the door.
He has direct experience dealing with D.C. policy makers as an airline manager.
Maybe the New Guy could order Brand New Superliner car order and more Viewliners too, and New LD Engines order too.
conrailman Maybe the New Guy could order Brand New Superliner car order and more Viewliners too, and New LD Engines order too.
WASHINGTON — Although incoming Amtrak CEO Richard Anderson made a name for himself in the airline industry, he comes from a railroad family. His father, Hale, was an office worker for the Santa Fe in his native Texas. The family followed railro...
http://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2017/06/26-who-is-richard-anderson
Former CEO Gunn says railroaders can be won over by an operating plan not driven by politics
http://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2017/06/26-amtrak-ceo-reax
"All I know is that the long distance trains had better be preserved or the whole thing will go up in political flames." - Jackson McQuigg
So much for an operating plan not driven by politics. An operating plan free of politics and driven by rational economics would ditch the long distance trains as soon as possible. They don't make any economic sense.
If Amtrak were able to shed the long distance trains, it would realize an operating profit and cover a substantial portion of the NEC's fixed costs. This assumes the states continue to take financial responsibility for the state supported trains.
As long as Amtrak is dependent on the federal government for nearly $1.5 billion per year to keep it afloat, politics will have a heavy impact on how it is managed. The first step to get politics out of Amtrak would be to privatize it.
Rio Grande Valley, CFI,CFII
https://www.c-span.org/search/?searchtype=Videos&sort=Newest&personid[]=90882
JPS 1,
Who is Jackson McQuigg that we should care about his opinion?
Who would be idiot enough to take over ATK even if it was only the NEC with its vaunted operating profit, non compensatory commuter trains, and $xx billion of deferred capital improvements?
As I am sure you know, ATK has always been a political creature and always will be even if gifted to the states it serves.
Mac
JPS1 "All I know is that the long distance trains had better be preserved or the whole thing will go up in political flames." - Jackson McQuigg So much for an operating plan not driven by politics. An operating plan free of politics and driven by rational economics would ditch the long distance trains as soon as possible. They don't make any economic sense. If Amtrak were able to shed the long distance trains, it would realize an operating profit and cover a substantial portion of the NEC's fixed costs. This assumes the states continue to take financial responsibility for the state supported trains. As long as Amtrak is dependent on the federal government for nearly $1.5 billion per year to keep it afloat, politics will have a heavy impact on how it is managed. The first step to get politics out of Amtrak would be to privatize it.
We can give Highways 45 Billion a year and Airlines 15 Billion a year. We can give Poor Old Amtrak little 1.5 Billion a year, which is just unfair amount in 2017.
conrailmanWe can give Highways 45 Billion a year and Airlines 15 Billion a year. We can give Poor Old Amtrak little 1.5 Billion a year, which is just unfair amount in 2017.
Even if your quote were factual, so what? The number of highway users and airline users dwarfs Amtrak LD service. JPS1 has the right idea.
C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan
schlimm conrailman We can give Highways 45 Billion a year and Airlines 15 Billion a year. We can give Poor Old Amtrak little 1.5 Billion a year, which is just unfair amount in 2017. Even if your quote were factual, so what? The number of highway users and airline users dwarfs Amtrak LD service. JPS1 has the right idea.
conrailman We can give Highways 45 Billion a year and Airlines 15 Billion a year. We can give Poor Old Amtrak little 1.5 Billion a year, which is just unfair amount in 2017.
Well, We need Fair Amount in each system like Amtrak, Planes, and Highways. But Today in 2017 Airlines and Highway system, been getting the same amount of Money for past 25 to 30 years. of 15 Billion airlines and highways 45 billion a year for 25 to 30 period. And Poor Old Amtrak been getting anywhere from 1.2 to 1.5 Billion Dollars for past 25 to 30 period. Amtrak needs better amount then little billion dollars a year. Amtrak should getting 2 to 5 Billion a year. to Amtrak First Class Train System. Russia and China spends 10 to 30 Billion Dollars a year on they train system.
conrailmanWell, We need Fair Amount in each system like Amtrak, Planes, and Highways. But Today in 2017 Airlines and Highway system, been getting the same amount of Money for past 25 to 30 years. of 15 Billion airlines and highways 45 billion a year for 25 to 30 period. And Poor Old Amtrak been getting anywhere from 1.2 to 1.5 Billion Dollars for past 25 to 30 period. Amtrak needs better amount then little billion dollars a year. Amtrak should getting 2 to 5 Billion a year. to Amtrak First Class Train System.
Citation? Factual proof? Your airline number seems far off the mark. Highways do receive about $45 billion annually + more from states. Are you suggesting Amtrak should receive an amount proportional to usage? If so, some facts showing that if anything, Amtrak receives far more subsidy than other forms of transportation.
Amtrak accounts for only 1% (5.5 bil.) of commercial intercity passenger-miles and LD would be considrably less; buses 6.8%; airlines 92.2%. The total for all forms of commercial passenger-miles in 2000 was 559.5 billion. To put in perspective, private automobiles accounted for 2.5 trillion passenger-miles.
(from The Past and Future of US Passenger Rail Service, Sept. 2003, Congressional Budget Office)
schlimm conrailman Well, We need Fair Amount in each system like Amtrak, Planes, and Highways. But Today in 2017 Airlines and Highway system, been getting the same amount of Money for past 25 to 30 years. of 15 Billion airlines and highways 45 billion a year for 25 to 30 period. And Poor Old Amtrak been getting anywhere from 1.2 to 1.5 Billion Dollars for past 25 to 30 period. Amtrak needs better amount then little billion dollars a year. Amtrak should getting 2 to 5 Billion a year. to Amtrak First Class Train System. Citation? Factual proof? Your airline number seems far off the mark. Highways do receive about $45 billion annually + more from states. Are you suggesting Amtrak should receive an amount proportional to usage? If so, some facts showing that if anything, Amtrak receives far more subsidy than other forms of transportation. Amtrak accounts for only 1% (5.5 bil.) of commercial intercity passenger-miles and LD would be considrably less; buses 6.8%; airlines 92.2%. The total for all forms of commercial passenger-miles in 2000 was 559.5 billion. To put in perspective, private automobiles accounted for 2.5 trillion passenger-miles. (from The Past and Future of US Passenger Rail Service, Sept. 2003, Congressional Budget Office)
conrailman Well, We need Fair Amount in each system like Amtrak, Planes, and Highways. But Today in 2017 Airlines and Highway system, been getting the same amount of Money for past 25 to 30 years. of 15 Billion airlines and highways 45 billion a year for 25 to 30 period. And Poor Old Amtrak been getting anywhere from 1.2 to 1.5 Billion Dollars for past 25 to 30 period. Amtrak needs better amount then little billion dollars a year. Amtrak should getting 2 to 5 Billion a year. to Amtrak First Class Train System.
Yes, that fact Airlines System gets 15 Billion Dollars for the past 25 to 30 years period. and Yes the Highways get 45 Billion a year. and Poor old Amtrak 1.2 to 1.5 Billion for past 25 plus years. So which unfair?? Amtrak should least get 2 to 5 Billion Dollars to get into First Class Train System.
conrailman Yes, that fact Airlines System gets 15 Billion Dollars for the past 25 to 30 years period.
Yes, that fact Airlines System gets 15 Billion Dollars for the past 25 to 30 years period.
Do you have a source for your claim? Forbes does not agree with your numbers.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/tedreed/2015/04/14/u-s-airlines-have-paid-the-government-250-billion-amazingly-some-claim-they-are-subsidized/#3ff0436b4109
Fair use,
"A government report that surfaced recently shows that U.S. airlines received $155 billion in federal subsidies between 1919 and 1998. The report was unearthed by Kevin Mitchell, chairman of the Business Travel Coalition, who found it online after he saw it mentioned in The National, a UAE publication.
The report makes for fascinating reading. It briefly and accurately relates the history of government spending on the airline industry over the 79 years ending in 1998. It was compiled by the Congressional Research Office, which answers questions for members of Congress.
But it is overstatement to call it a “bombshell report,” as the U.S. Travel Association -- which represents travel agents and supports the status quo for Mid-East carriers -- has done.
Of the $155 billion in spending through 1988 outlined in the report, the vast majority, $140 billion, was spent by the aviation trust fund that supports Federal Aviation Administration spending.
The report does not mention that since 1971, U.S. airlines and their passengers have contributed about $247 billion to the fund, according to Federal Aviation Administration historical data.
The airlines and their passengers today contribute about $10 billion annually to the fund, which currently holds a surplus of about $13 billion. The rest has been spent.
In other words, the U.S. airline industry generally pays for what it gets from the government."
An "expensive model collector"
n021944, thanks:
Obviously Conrailman is a fact-challenged person, prefering to trot out that highly misleading propaganda report (which I also saw), which was originally developed by foreign airlines as a counterweight to domestics' challenging them for unfair competition.
schlimm n021944, thanks: Obviously Conrailman is a fact-challenged person, prefering to trot out that highly misleading propaganda report (which I also saw), which was originally developed by foreign airlines as a counterweight to domestics' challenging them for unfair competition.
That what Congress gives them every year 15 Billion dollars a year. Airlines. You look Congress Website. They give them same for past 25 to 30 years. That the Facts of Life.
conrailman schlimm n021944, thanks: Obviously Conrailman is a fact-challenged person, prefering to trot out that highly misleading propaganda report (which I also saw), which was originally developed by foreign airlines as a counterweight to domestics' challenging them for unfair competition. That what Congress gives them every year 15 Billion dollars a year. Airlines. You look Congress Website. They give them same for past 25 to 30 years. That the Facts of Life.
Proove it! Cite or link to the specific page.
schlimm conrailman schlimm n021944, thanks: Obviously Conrailman is a fact-challenged person, prefering to trot out that highly misleading propaganda report (which I also saw), which was originally developed by foreign airlines as a counterweight to domestics' challenging them for unfair competition. That what Congress gives them every year 15 Billion dollars a year. Airlines. You look Congress Website. They give them same for past 25 to 30 years. That the Facts of Life. Proove it! Cite or link to the specific page.
It on they website every year on congress.
conrailman That what Congress gives them every year 15 Billion dollars a year. Airlines. You look Congress Website. They give them same for past 25 to 30 years.
JPS1 conrailman That what Congress gives them every year 15 Billion dollars a year. Airlines. You look Congress Website. They give them same for past 25 to 30 years. According to the Airport and Airway Trust Fund (AATF) Fact Sheet, between 2012 and 2016 the FAA got most of it funding from a variety of aviation related excise taxes, i.e. fuel taxes, ticket taxes, etc. These revenues sources covered 71.1 percent of outlays in 2012 to 92.8 percent in 2015. The AATF Trail Balance shows similar results for 2016. The shortfalls between FAA generated revenues and expenses are covered by transfers from the general fund. They ranged from $4.6 billion in 2012 to $1.1 billion in 2015. Funds transferred in from the general fund are restricted to FAA operations and maintenance. Facilities and Equipment, Research, Engineering, and Development, and Grants-in-Aid for Airports are funded from AATF sourced revenues. General revenues have contributed to the Facilities and Equipment and Airport accounts through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. In 2015 the AAFT funds were $15.8 billion, of which $1.1 billion or approximately seven percent came from the general fund. NARP as well as others mistakenly assume that the transfers from the general fund solely benefit the airlines. This is not true. Most of the control operations are devoted to general aviation and military flights operating in civilian airspace. When I last checked, which was a few years ago, approximately 30 percent of tower operations and 35 percent of high altitude flights were devoted to and for the benefits of the airlines. So of the $1.1 billion transferred from the general fund to the AATF, the airlines got a freebie worth roughly $358 million. But it is not that simple. The airlines are doing well. They are paying corporate income tax even after the tax loss carry forwards. It could more than cover the $358 million, but someone else can dig into those figures if she is so inclined.
So, I was right all along with AAFT Funds were 15.8 Billion for airlines. I told you people i was right all along.
conrailmanIt on they website every year on congress.
Shouldn't be hard to cite an actual source, then?
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.
conrailman JPS1 conrailman That what Congress gives them every year 15 Billion dollars a year. Airlines. You look Congress Website. They give them same for past 25 to 30 years. According to the Airport and Airway Trust Fund (AATF) Fact Sheet, between 2012 and 2016 the FAA got most of it funding from a variety of aviation related excise taxes, i.e. fuel taxes, ticket taxes, etc. These revenues sources covered 71.1 percent of outlays in 2012 to 92.8 percent in 2015. The AATF Trail Balance shows similar results for 2016. The shortfalls between FAA generated revenues and expenses are covered by transfers from the general fund. They ranged from $4.6 billion in 2012 to $1.1 billion in 2015. Funds transferred in from the general fund are restricted to FAA operations and maintenance. Facilities and Equipment, Research, Engineering, and Development, and Grants-in-Aid for Airports are funded from AATF sourced revenues. General revenues have contributed to the Facilities and Equipment and Airport accounts through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. In 2015 the AAFT funds were $15.8 billion, of which $1.1 billion or approximately seven percent came from the general fund. NARP as well as others mistakenly assume that the transfers from the general fund solely benefit the airlines. This is not true. Most of the control operations are devoted to general aviation and military flights operating in civilian airspace. When I last checked, which was a few years ago, approximately 30 percent of tower operations and 35 percent of high altitude flights were devoted to and for the benefits of the airlines. So of the $1.1 billion transferred from the general fund to the AATF, the airlines got a freebie worth roughly $358 million. But it is not that simple. The airlines are doing well. They are paying corporate income tax even after the tax loss carry forwards. It could more than cover the $358 million, but someone else can dig into those figures if she is so inclined. So, I was right all along with AAFT Funds were 15.8 Billion for airlines. I told you people i was right all along.
Obviously your reading comprehension is impaired or else you are some kid. Try again or get someone to help you understand.
conrailman So, I was right all along with AAFT Funds were 15.8 Billion for airlines. I told you people i was right all along...
So, I was right all along with AAFT Funds were 15.8 Billion for airlines. I told you people i was right all along...
No. The total FAA budget was $15.8 billion. Of that amount approximately $1.1 billion was transferred from the general fund. The transfer would have been authorized by the Congress, but it is a minor source of the funds for the FAA.
Equally important, of the $1.1 billion transferred from the general fund to the AAFT the airlines were only the beneficiary of approximately 1/3rd of the transferred amount.
Whether it is number of airports served or number of operations controlled by the FAA, the airlines are minority users of the system. They are very important players, and it is doubtful the system would be what it is were it not for them, but most of the airports in the United States are general aviation or military airports, and most of the daily flight operations are general aviation or military.
Perhaps Conrailman is the OhioRiverTroll? Similar language problems.
schlimm Perhaps Conrailman is the OhioRiverTroll? Similar language problems.
I try tell people that Congress gives Airlines and Highways gets that same amount of money for past 25 to 30 years period. I can't look up everything on the websites. You people can't gets into your head that Congress gives them same amount of money. and gives Amtrak little 1.2 to 1.5 Billion dollars every year for past 25 to 30 years period. That Facts that Congress is unfair to Amtrak with that little amount of money.
conrailman schlimm Perhaps Conrailman is the OhioRiverTroll? Similar language problems. I try tell people that Congress gives Airlines and Highways gets that same amount of money for past 25 to 30 years period. I can't look up everything on the websites. You people can't gets into your head that Congress gives them same amount of money. and gives Amtrak little 1.2 to 1.5 Billion dollars every year for past 25 to 30 years period. That Facts that Congress is unfair to Amtrak with that little amount of money.
The facts are going over your head. I guess the brainwashing that the NARP tries to give its members has worked on you. Let me post part of the story I linked again,
"In other words, the U.S. airline industry generally pays for what it gets from the government."
Can Amtrak say the same?
The reason folks dispute you is you are not using facts, cannot cite or link to a source and reject actual information as JPS1 and I posted.
"If wishes were horses..."
n012944 conrailman schlimm Perhaps Conrailman is the OhioRiverTroll? Similar language problems. I try tell people that Congress gives Airlines and Highways gets that same amount of money for past 25 to 30 years period. I can't look up everything on the websites. You people can't gets into your head that Congress gives them same amount of money. and gives Amtrak little 1.2 to 1.5 Billion dollars every year for past 25 to 30 years period. That Facts that Congress is unfair to Amtrak with that little amount of money. The facts are going over your head. I guess the brainwashing that the NARP tries to give its members has worked on you. Let me post part of the story I linked again, "In other words, the U.S. airline industry generally pays for what it gets from the government." Can Amtrak say the same?
Yes, I know Amtrak is not the same as the Airlines, But if Congress could give Amtrak more money say 3 to 5 Billion each year, we could better Amtrak System or maybe First Class Amtrak. Why can Russia and China can spend 10 to 30 Billion each year on they train system. When USA can only spend 1.2 to 1.5 Billion each year on Amtrak?? Why??
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