BaltACD charlie hebdo BaltACD the Advance Speed Board at the 17.8 was not the ONLY realistic landmark that had the engineer been truly qualified would have been used as braking markers if he deemed the Advance Speed Board was too far from the restriction to take actual braking actions. I wouldn't think the Advance Speed Board would be considered a "landmark." In any case, what would some of those other, easily discernible, distinctive, "realistic" landmarks be? I-5 Overpass at MP 18.19; Center Drive Overpass at MP 18.36; South Dupont Switch at MP 18.45; I-5 Onramp Overpass at 18.53, Control Point 188 and it's Absolute Signal and Signal Bungalo MP 18.8; 10 MPH Freight Speed Sign at MP 18.9; MP 19 sign at MP 19.0; Intermediate Signal at MP 19.3. If one can't use Interstate or other roadway overpasses or Control Points as valid landmarks for train handling actions - one is not qualified to utilize the controls of a locomotive, let alone one hauling passengers.
charlie hebdo BaltACD the Advance Speed Board at the 17.8 was not the ONLY realistic landmark that had the engineer been truly qualified would have been used as braking markers if he deemed the Advance Speed Board was too far from the restriction to take actual braking actions. I wouldn't think the Advance Speed Board would be considered a "landmark." In any case, what would some of those other, easily discernible, distinctive, "realistic" landmarks be?
BaltACD the Advance Speed Board at the 17.8 was not the ONLY realistic landmark that had the engineer been truly qualified would have been used as braking markers if he deemed the Advance Speed Board was too far from the restriction to take actual braking actions.
I wouldn't think the Advance Speed Board would be considered a "landmark." In any case, what would some of those other, easily discernible, distinctive, "realistic" landmarks be?
I-5 Overpass at MP 18.19; Center Drive Overpass at MP 18.36; South Dupont Switch at MP 18.45; I-5 Onramp Overpass at 18.53, Control Point 188 and it's Absolute Signal and Signal Bungalo MP 18.8; 10 MPH Freight Speed Sign at MP 18.9; MP 19 sign at MP 19.0; Intermediate Signal at MP 19.3.
If one can't use Interstate or other roadway overpasses or Control Points as valid landmarks for train handling actions - one is not qualified to utilize the controls of a locomotive, let alone one hauling passengers.
Thanks.
zugmann 243129 Their operating department and their training and hiring procedures should be subjected to intense scrutiny from an oversight committee made up of veteran operating department personnel. Would you volunteer?
243129 Their operating department and their training and hiring procedures should be subjected to intense scrutiny from an oversight committee made up of veteran operating department personnel.
Would you volunteer?
Yes.
243129Yes.
Interesting. In light of recent events, have you ever thought that you should have taken a RFE position? (hindsight 20/20 and all).
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.
zugmann 243129 Yes. Interesting. In light of recent events, have you ever thought that you should have taken a RFE position? (hindsight 20/20 and all).
243129 Yes.
No.
243129 zugmann 243129 Yes. Interesting. In light of recent events, have you ever thought that you should have taken a RFE position? (hindsight 20/20 and all). No.
Being a company official requires many other skills in addition to technical competence in the operating crafts. Just being an exlempary Engineer, Conductor, Yardmaster or Dispatcher does not make one an effective company official.
Supervision of employees to get them 'pulling in the same direction' is among the first skill that has to be learned and then practiced. As we all know, no two individuals are the same and the techniques necessary to get a work force 'working for' you are many and varied.
Politics, as much as we hate it, is a real game that has to be played. Making your boss feel that 'he thought' of the idea package you are pushing is a critical skill to be learned. Picking battles to actually fight over is another skill that needs to be learned.
Being a company official is not for everyone.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
BaltACD 243129 zugmann 243129 Yes. Interesting. In light of recent events, have you ever thought that you should have taken a RFE position? (hindsight 20/20 and all). No. Being a company official requires many other skills in addition to technical competence in the operating crafts. Just being an exlempary Engineer, Conductor, Yardmaster or Dispatcher does not make one an effective company official. Supervision of employees to get them 'pulling in the same direction' is among the first skill that has to be learned and then practiced. As we all know, no two individuals are the same and the techniques necessary to get a work force 'working for' you are many and varied. Politics, as much as we hate it, is a real game that has to be played. Making your boss feel that 'he thought' of the idea package you are pushing is a critical skill to be learned. Picking battles to actually fight over is another skill that needs to be learned. Being a company official is not for everyone.
Those are reasons I chose not to become a company official. I do not play politics and I do not shmooze. I tend to tell it like it is and that is something Amtrak does not wish to hear.
243129 zugmann 243129 Their operating department and their training and hiring procedures should be subjected to intense scrutiny from an oversight committee made up of veteran operating department personnel. Would you volunteer? Yes.
So did you volunteer? If so, what happened?
243129Those are reasons I chose not to become a company official. I do not play politics and I do not shmooze. I tend to tell it like it is and that is something Amtrak does not wish to hear.
And those are things that tend to get subordinates working against you, let alone your superiors in the chain of command.
243129 BaltACD 243129 zugmann 243129 Yes. Interesting. In light of recent events, have you ever thought that you should have taken a RFE position? (hindsight 20/20 and all). No. Being a company official requires many other skills in addition to technical competence in the operating crafts. Just being an exlempary Engineer, Conductor, Yardmaster or Dispatcher does not make one an effective company official. Supervision of employees to get them 'pulling in the same direction' is among the first skill that has to be learned and then practiced. As we all know, no two individuals are the same and the techniques necessary to get a work force 'working for' you are many and varied. Politics, as much as we hate it, is a real game that has to be played. Making your boss feel that 'he thought' of the idea package you are pushing is a critical skill to be learned. Picking battles to actually fight over is another skill that needs to be learned. Being a company official is not for everyone. Those are reasons I chose not to become a company official. I do not play politics and I do not shmooze. I tend to tell it like it is and that is something Amtrak does not wish to hear.
Balt is right. It's a lot easier to just sit there and kvetch in letters and posts than try to do something constructive.
charlie hebdo 243129 zugmann 243129 Their operating department and their training and hiring procedures should be subjected to intense scrutiny from an oversight committee made up of veteran operating department personnel. Would you volunteer? Yes. So did you volunteer? If so, what happened?
They do not want anyone that knows more than they do, which is easy, because it exposes them for what they are. Clueless. They prefer the hit-and-miss trial-and-error system.
BaltACDagainst
BaltACD 243129 Those are reasons I chose not to become a company official. I do not play politics and I do not shmooze. I tend to tell it like it is and that is something Amtrak does not wish to hear. And those are things that tend to get subordinates working against you, let alone your superiors in the chain of command.
243129 Those are reasons I chose not to become a company official. I do not play politics and I do not shmooze. I tend to tell it like it is and that is something Amtrak does not wish to hear.
If the subordinates are doing their job there's nothing to worry about. The superiors should recognize that they'd have someone who could make them look good. They should just shut up and take the credit.
charlie hebdo 243129 BaltACD 243129 zugmann 243129 Yes. Interesting. In light of recent events, have you ever thought that you should have taken a RFE position? (hindsight 20/20 and all). No. Being a company official requires many other skills in addition to technical competence in the operating crafts. Just being an exlempary Engineer, Conductor, Yardmaster or Dispatcher does not make one an effective company official. Supervision of employees to get them 'pulling in the same direction' is among the first skill that has to be learned and then practiced. As we all know, no two individuals are the same and the techniques necessary to get a work force 'working for' you are many and varied. Politics, as much as we hate it, is a real game that has to be played. Making your boss feel that 'he thought' of the idea package you are pushing is a critical skill to be learned. Picking battles to actually fight over is another skill that needs to be learned. Being a company official is not for everyone. Those are reasons I chose not to become a company official. I do not play politics and I do not shmooze. I tend to tell it like it is and that is something Amtrak does not wish to hear. Balt is right. It's a lot easier to just sit there and kvetch in letters and posts than try to do something constructive.
If they do not entertain my offers how can I do something constructive?
243129 charlie hebdo 243129 BaltACD 243129 zugmann 243129 Yes. Interesting. In light of recent events, have you ever thought that you should have taken a RFE position? (hindsight 20/20 and all). No. Being a company official requires many other skills in addition to technical competence in the operating crafts. Just being an exlempary Engineer, Conductor, Yardmaster or Dispatcher does not make one an effective company official. Supervision of employees to get them 'pulling in the same direction' is among the first skill that has to be learned and then practiced. As we all know, no two individuals are the same and the techniques necessary to get a work force 'working for' you are many and varied. Politics, as much as we hate it, is a real game that has to be played. Making your boss feel that 'he thought' of the idea package you are pushing is a critical skill to be learned. Picking battles to actually fight over is another skill that needs to be learned. Being a company official is not for everyone. Those are reasons I chose not to become a company official. I do not play politics and I do not shmooze. I tend to tell it like it is and that is something Amtrak does not wish to hear. Balt is right. It's a lot easier to just sit there and kvetch in letters and posts than try to do something constructive. If they do not entertain my offers how can I do something constructive?
I believe that you can do something constructive by offering your suggestions to somebody who can order Amtrak to consider them.
Amtrak has proven that they will not consider your suggestions. Of course they won't. They are the problem that your suggestions want to fix. So you have to go over the head of Amtrak and talk to their boss.
I've written to numerous committees, poliliticians,FRA, the media, Amtrak corporate and board members etc. to no avail.
Got any suggestions?
243129I've written to numerous committees, poliliticians,FRA, the media, Amtrak corporate and board members etc. to no avail. Got any suggestions?
Honey catches more flies than vinegar.
That being said, a home remedy for gnats and fruit flies - a solution of dish detergent and water with a pinch of sugar topped off with a slurp of Apple Cider vinegar. Apple Cider and the surgar are the attactant, the detergent and water defeat their water bouancy and they drown.
Coming on STRONG to political functionaries and their staff immediately cause them to retreat. They have to be 'sucked in' and then trapped.
I don't engage in ass kissing. If they cared enough about the 'product' they would listen no matter how it was presented.
I presented it. They didn't listen.
Below is a link to one of the 'Talking Points' .
file:///E:/Amtrak%20%232/Talking%20points.pdf
243129I don't engage in ass kissing. If they cared enough about the 'product' they would listen no matter how it was presented. I presented it. They didn't listen.
If you don't care enough to change your tactics to get them to listen - you don't care.
Whether we like it or not - society changes through political effort. If you don't care enough to play the political game you are not a crusader for the cause; you just become another element of noise to be looked past by those that are making decisions.
If I did not care then why am I crusading for change? As I stated previously, if they cared enough about their product they would at least listen. I believe that the posted link to the talking point speaks for itself .
Hollow laughter and the corporate style of back slapping disgusts me. Phony bastards.
If you are part of the solution, you are part of the problem. Get over yourself. Anyone and Everyone that has ever accomplished change has had to undertake roles they felt were beneath them - beneath their knowledge and qualifications - but they undertook those roles to accomplish the results they desired.
Transform myself in to one of those clueless uncaring phony bastards? Not in my make up. I have knowledge to impart to improve the product. If you care enough about your product (they don't) you will listen.
243129 I've written to numerous committees, poliliticians,FRA, the media, Amtrak corporate and board members etc. to no avail. Got any suggestions?
You have been given suggestions by Balt and earlier I gave you some. You rejected all. That tells any objective observer you really are not interested in effecting and change.
charlie hebdo 243129 I've written to numerous committees, poliliticians,FRA, the media, Amtrak corporate and board members etc. to no avail. Got any suggestions? You have been given suggestions by Balt and earlier I gave you some. You rejected all. That tells any objective observer you really are not interested in effecting and change.
If you are sincerely looking to better your product would you not consult someone with in depth knowledge of that product? Other concerned employees have approached Amtrak with offers to share their experience only to be ignored. Kissing ass may fall within your purview but not mine.
243129 charlie hebdo 243129 I've written to numerous committees, poliliticians,FRA, the media, Amtrak corporate and board members etc. to no avail. Got any suggestions? You have been given suggestions by Balt and earlier I gave you some. You rejected all. That tells any objective observer you really are not interested in effecting and change. If you are sincerely looking to better your product would you not consult someone with in depth knowledge of that product? Other concerned employees have approached Amtrak with offers to share their experience only to be ignored. Kissing ass may fall within your purview but not mine.
No one is talking about kissing ass. That is your problem. We are saying if you want to have a positive impact on others through communication, you have to present yourself and your message in a way that will invite others to listen. There were many metaphors others used for this, honey and vinegar, etc.
I have read your various letters. To be honest, the tone seem accusatory and abrasive from the opening. It is likely most people don't even bother to finish reading them because you come across as a disgruntled crank. The reaction of dismissive laughter becomes universal. Again, if you are serious, you should consult with someone informally who can assist you in the art of persuasion.
243129Other concerned employees have approached Amtrak with offers to share their experience only to be ignored.
One thing the railroads will never be lacking is people willing to share their ideas/experience. Now whether that information is actually useful is another thing enitrely. Many people can be good at something, but can't teach or even express their ideas well. And some like to complain because they don't personally agree with something.
Complaining is the national pastime out here. So there has to be something that makes one's complaiing something more valuable than your standard control stand grumbling. But wrapping good advice in a package of contempt isn't going to be the way, I'm afraid.
charlie hebdo 243129 charlie hebdo 243129 I've written to numerous committees, poliliticians,FRA, the media, Amtrak corporate and board members etc. to no avail. Got any suggestions? You have been given suggestions by Balt and earlier I gave you some. You rejected all. That tells any objective observer you really are not interested in effecting and change. If you are sincerely looking to better your product would you not consult someone with in depth knowledge of that product? Other concerned employees have approached Amtrak with offers to share their experience only to be ignored. Kissing ass may fall within your purview but not mine. No one is talking about kissing ass. That is your problem. We are saying if you want to have a positive impact on others through communication, you have to present yourself and your message in a way that will invite others to listen. There were many metaphors others used for this, honey and vinegar, etc. I have read your various letters. To be honest, the tone seem accusatory and abrasive from the opening. It is likely most people don't even bother to finish reading them because you come across as a disgruntled crank. The reaction of dismissive laughter becomes universal. Again, if you are serious, you should consult with someone informally who can assist you in the art of persuasion.
Since when is presenting facts not a good way to get people to listen? Cannot the poor souls handle big boy talk? As I said before if you care enough about the product you will listen for ways to improve that product.
If no one else will listen you could always try contacting a investigative reporter from a cable news channel.
Frame your story as a juicy exposé of how unsafe the big bad railroad is and someone will snap it up.
Greetings from Alberta
-an Articulate Malcontent
SD70DudeIf no one else will listen you could always try contacting a investigative reporter from a cable news channel.
Yeah, becuase wehen I think credibility - I always think of investigative reporters from cable news.
SD70Dude If no one else will listen you could always try contacting a investigative reporter from a cable news channel. Frame your story as a juicy exposé of how unsafe the big bad railroad is and someone will snap it up.
I have previously sent letters to Brian Ross at ABC Drew Griffin at CNN all to no avail. With the current circus in Washington masquerading as an Administration is very hard to bring attention to this crisis.
I fear it will take another major catastrophe to shed any light on this situation
243129Since when is presenting facts not a good way to get people to listen? Cannot the poor souls handle big boy talk?
Most people can't handle harsh criticism. It is not only a question of facts but how to present them without hurting their feelings too much and leave them ways to save their face. When one criticises something one should offer a better way not just say there is a better way.
All your letters violate these requirements.
As a reaction you get ignored and in a meeting the managers start protecting themselves.
Google e.g. "How to criticise effectively" or"How to present a good idea". You may find what you need.
But getting a professional to assist you, like Charlie Hebdo suggested, seems the better idea.Regards, Volker
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