so i was listening to the am radio today...

[Anonymous]

...and the two women were taking calls about airport security and how it might've been different on 9/11 as opposed to any other day. a few people called in talking about how their elderly mother/grandmother in a wheelchair always got hassled, etc etc. then a flight attendant called in and mentioned how she ALWAYS got the full search when she was flying off-duty. the part that struck me odd is how she mentioned she takes the TRAIN whenever she can to travel, her and a few of her friends always do. the two talk show hosts were astounded to learn that a train went from chicago to Minn/st. paul as they recently flew to the same place.

moral of the story, a flight attendant pluggin amtrak on prime time radio and how un-informed the majority of the people are.

[Anonymous]

Moral of the moral: Let's hope Amtrak security measures do not emulate current airport security abuses - Amtrak needs all the hotties it can get!

[Modelcar]

.....That's been my thinking right along....A large quanity of people in this country are not even aware {for lack of any evidence}, that railroads are still there to do business....freight and passenger...I'm aware Amtrak is slim on budget and can't really get the word out like is needed so if some way could be devised to do so, I believe a quanity of passengers could be added to the roster.....

[SchemerBob]

This isn't suprising. The only time any news media ever mentions Amtrak is when a train wrecks or if they think it's going to go out of business.

Last Thanksgiving when ABC was doing their "Thanksgiving Travel" reports, they said the word "rail" but that was it!!

[swknox]

Wait Wait There still such a thing as AM radio? And you were listening to it !!!

[ValleyX]

AM. AMtrak. Is there a connection?

People don't think of the railroad in any context anymore, it really hasn't been that long since, when someone learned I worked for the railroad, asked me if they still used steam. They were completely serious.

[Mookie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ValleyX

AM. AMtrak. Is there a connection?

People don't think of the railroad in any context anymore, it really hasn't been that long since, when someone learned I worked for the railroad, asked me if they still used steam. They were completely serious.

And some people in California still think Nebraska is on the other side of AZ and some New Yorkers can't believe we have Native Americans and cowboys that drive a Lexus and are astute business people! I have heard them both!

[Anonymous]

You won't think Amtrak is so Great once you are sitting in a siding for over a hour waiting for conflicting Traffic to run by you. Allan.

[JDV5th]

Sounds like Amtrak needs to do some advertising.

By the way, what is their financial status? Will they continue to operate after October 1? Anyone know?

[zapp]

The one I get most often, after they find out I work for the RR, is "how do you steer/drive[#wstupid] that thing?"

QUOTE: Originally posted by ValleyX

AM. AMtrak. Is there a connection?

People don't think of the railroad in any context anymore, it really hasn't been that long since, when someone learned I worked for the railroad, asked me if they still used steam. They were completely serious.

[JDV5th]

What railroad do you work for and where?

[oltmannd]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ValleyX

AM. AMtrak. Is there a connection?

People don't think of the railroad in any context anymore, it really hasn't been that long since, when someone learned I worked for the railroad, asked me if they still used steam. They were completely serious.

Totally agree!

On the same day they cleaned up and opened the NO airport to much media fanfare, NS ran it's first interchange train to the UP, after an amazing, privately funded rebuilding of their 6 mile Lake Pontchartrain Bridge. Nary a peep.

When Mineta was talking about rebuilding transportation infrastructure after Katrina, he mentioned, highways, airports, the port and piplelines, but didn't even think to say the word "rail".

A friend of mine once said, "RRs are like sewers. Nobody notices them until something goes wrong."

[zapp]

UP-north texas

QUOTE: Originally posted by JDV5th

What railroad do you work for and where?

[JDV5th]

Cool. UP is one of my favorites, and go Cowboys?

[Modelcar]

...Don't depend on Sec. Mineta to say anything valuable about railroads....Further reflects on my point in earlier post....MANY of our population has no idea of functioning rail systems hauling mass tonnage in this country....Really don't know how the secret is kept so much in the dark.

[jeaton]

You mean someone calling into an am radio talk show actually knew what they were talking about?

Amtrak funding for FY 2006 has passed both houses. Not enough in the House bill, just barely enough in the Senate bill. Given all the other stuff going on, Congress will probably have to pass a Continuing Resolution which will keep the funds going at the FY2005 rate until there is a final resolution and passage of the spending bills. It is not an unusual situation.

Jay

[jeaton]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BNSF railfan.

You won't think Amtrak is so Great once you are sitting in a siding for over a hour waiting for conflicting Traffic to run by you. Allan.

And like that is Amtrak's fault? Perhaps they should have someone standing right behind the dispatcher threatening dire consequences if the Amtrak train is not released.

I assume you have never sat on a plane for an hour waiting for clearance to take off. That's a real good time.

[chad thomas]

QUOTE: Originally posted by swknox

Wait Wait There still such a thing as AM radio? And you were listening to it !!!

Tommy Chong voice---Oh wow man,like I'm not into AM man.[8D]

[AntonioFP45]

QUOTE: Originally posted by JDV5th

Sounds like Amtrak needs to do some advertising.

Amtrak had some Excellent commercials years back, in the late 70s and 80s. Some of you over 35 might remember a few of these cool jingles:

1. See the Country, Travel Amtrak! (late 70s)

2. America is getting into "Train-ing", train the Amtrak way! (early 80s - 3 versions of this jingle, including one in Spanish)

3. Take the "A" train, the Auto Train! (Duke Ellington song was even used) IMHO, the coolest and my favorite jingle.

Things seemed to be looking up for Amtrak then, especially after the Heritage car rebuilds and the brand new Superliners.

[JDV5th]

Thanks for the distant memories. I vaguely remember some of those from my childhood.

[richardy]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jeaton

QUOTE: Originally posted by BNSF railfan.

You won't think Amtrak is so Great once you are sitting in a siding for over a hour waiting for conflicting Traffic to run by you. Allan.

And like that is Amtrak's fault? Perhaps they should have someone standing right behind the dispatcher threatening dire consequences if the Amtrak train is not released.

I assume you have never sat on a plane for an hour waiting for clearance to take off. That's a real good time.

[#ditto] At least Amtrak has air conditioning (most of the time) when standing still. An airliner away from the terminal and not in the air is a high temerature oven. I spent over three hours on the ground in one once, then spent eight hours in the air, in coach!

[Anonymous]

they were giving away cubs tickets on the radio that day so i thought i'd tune in. normally i'm listening to the XM radio...best thing since sliced bread[8D]

[richardy]

QUOTE: Originally posted by farmer03

normally i'm listening to the XM radio...best thing since sliced bread[8D]

[:(!]

[Anonymous]

I listen to AM radio as I am no brain dead rock & roller. Sports talk radio next to country &wstrn music (those Johnny Ca***rain songs are my favorite). If anyone is near Wichita, KS sometime & classic country music is what you like, then tune into KFTI 1070 AM. They used to have a link to the web site , but no more. You just may hear some old songs about trains that will not be heard anywhere on the dial.

[Anonymous]

i listen to the rock 'n roll and my brain is very much alive and kickin. music with energy is what i go for as i don't want to fall asleep at the wheel. i know there's at least someone on here who can appreciate jammin out to some metallica and the like...