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Amtrak and new CEO Andersen's New Five Year Plan for Amtrak

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Posted by zugmann on Saturday, April 28, 2018 9:02 PM

CMStPnP
Seems very much so they have inherited the "US vs THEM" atmosphere that pervades the Freight Railroad side of the fence. Which of course is a big part of Amtraks problem with comming up with a innovative solution here. They could resolve a lot of their issues faster with a "WE" or teamwork approach but I have to say onboard a train or just reading about Amtrak........I don't see that happening.

Well, last I heard they had a couple ex-freight guys as upper tier managers, so...

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

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Posted by CMStPnP on Saturday, April 28, 2018 8:25 PM

PJS1
Without access to Amtrak's current labor contracts, it is impossible to know for sure what wiggle room, if any, Amtrak has in adjusting its unionized labor force.  And approximately 85 percent of Amtrak's employees are unionized. 

There is the rub.   Amtrak is technically insolvent operationally and a major contributor to that insolvency right now is Dining Car Service deficits.     You would think if Amtrak opened it's books to the Union the Union would cooperate on some kind of two-tiered approach to fixing that specific issue.    I would not be surprised though if Amtrak management even approached the Union with the issue at hand or even asked for it's help in the matter.    I know via my very limited one or two conversations with the Amtrak Passenger Advocate.........Amtrak Management sounds very anti-Labor.   

Seems very much so they have inherited the "US vs THEM" atmosphere that pervades the Freight Railroad side of the fence.    Which of course is a big part of Amtraks problem with comming up with a innovative solution here.    They could resolve a lot of their issues faster with a "WE" or teamwork approach but I have to say onboard a train or just reading about Amtrak........I don't see that happening.

When was the last time Amtrak Unions threatened a strike?   Another clear sign that Management is probably rolling over to all demands made vs negotiating hard at the table.

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Posted by PJS1 on Friday, April 27, 2018 9:10 PM

Overmod
 

But how do you jibe this first claim with the language Fred Frailey invokes for PRIIA stating that no Amtrak service employee will lose their employment due to the profitability mandate for food service? 

Without access to Amtrak's current labor contracts, it is impossible to know for sure what wiggle room, if any, Amtrak has in adjusting its unionized labor force.  And approximately 85 percent of Amtrak's employees are unionized. 

Rio Grande Valley, CFI,CFII

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Posted by charlie hebdo on Thursday, April 26, 2018 5:20 PM

Overmod

 

 
charlie hebdo
Cutting dining service almost eliminates the first and reduces the second and the third.

 

But how do you jibe this first claim with the language Fred Frailey invokes for PRIIA stating that no Amtrak service employee will lose their employment due to the profitability mandate for food service?

 

I do not know.  But if the service no longer exists, those employees can probably be riffed.  But who am I to doubt FF's knowledge?

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Posted by Overmod on Thursday, April 26, 2018 3:37 PM

charlie hebdo
Cutting dining service almost eliminates the first and reduces the second and the third.

But how do you jibe this first claim with the language Fred Frailey invokes for PRIIA stating that no Amtrak service employee will lose their employment due to the profitability mandate for food service?

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Posted by charlie hebdo on Wednesday, April 25, 2018 4:03 PM
Following the Federal requirements of the FAST Act is the key on LD service. Reducing food service costs, which is the easiest of the three cost centers to cut, is the goal. On-board Service ($122.3 mil); maintenance ($149.8 mil); Train and engine crew ($156.2 mil). Cutting dining service almost eliminates the first and reduces the second and the third.
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Posted by CMStPnP on Wednesday, April 25, 2018 7:10 AM

Deggesty
I will miss my high-fiber breakfast cereal.

Why can't you bring it as a carry-on?    We are only talking about two short Long Distance runs here and unless you just walked across the Sahara Desert and are starving to death, two meals max is about all you will consume on either train.   

I can't eat three full sit down diner meals on the Capitol Limited with it's short timetable.     I can't even eat three sit down diner meals on the Texas Eagle from Dallas to Chicago.    Two max and maybe a snack if I get hungry between.

Having ridden both trains I have never seen a Gym car nor have I seen passengers jogging the length of the train to burn calories.     So the whole three full meals in the Dining Car thingy does mystify me a little.     I can see kids eating that much and maybe some young adults, perhaps even a diabetic person.     Older adults over 30?     Not so much.    

The other big mystery of course is how so many on here swear by Amtrak Dining Car Food.    If that is the standard in cuisine with your palate, I wonder how many of you folks eat out at restaurants rated higher than the Waffle House.

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Posted by Gramp on Tuesday, April 24, 2018 9:37 PM

How much was spent to produce this puff piece?  Delusional. 

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Posted by Deggesty on Tuesday, April 24, 2018 9:33 PM

CMStPnP

I was able to open it in a new tab.

Johnny

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Posted by Deggesty on Tuesday, April 24, 2018 9:32 PM

I couldn't get either link to produce anything readable.

I did find this on the web: http://www.vindy.com/news/2018/apr/20/new-and-contemporary-dining-soon-two-amtrak-routes/

I was able to view it in a new tab.

It shows what Amtrak plans to serve.

I will miss my high-fiber breakfast cereal.

Johnny

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Posted by CMStPnP on Tuesday, April 24, 2018 9:22 PM
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Posted by runnerdude48 on Tuesday, April 24, 2018 8:24 PM

[quote user="CMStPnP"]

H-h-h-h-m-m-m-m, elimination of the operating loss and break-even by 2021.   That goal alone is going to pizz off some train buffs here, (heh-heh).

Here is the link:

https://www.amtrak.com/content/.../Amtrak-Five-Year-Service-Plans-FY18-FY23.pdf

 

 Link doesn't work.

 

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Amtrak and new CEO Andersen's New Five Year Plan for Amtrak
Posted by CMStPnP on Tuesday, April 24, 2018 7:55 PM

H-h-h-h-m-m-m-m, elimination of the operating loss and break-even by 2021.   That goal alone is going to pizz off some train buffs here, (heh-heh).

Here is the link:

https://www.amtrak.com/content/.../Amtrak-Five-Year-Service-Plans-FY18-FY23.pdf

 

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