TV just broadcast Amtrak's David Gunn fired...!!!!!!

[TomDiehl]

On CNN, their report ended with the statement that his firing might be politically motivated.

YA THINK????

A real "DUH" moment in newscasting.

[chad thomas]

QUOTE: Originally posted by TomDiehl

On CNN, their report ended with the statement that his firing might be politically motivated.

YA THINK????

A real "DUH" moment in newscasting.

That's CNN for ya.[V]

[Anonymous]

The Administration wants Amtrak to make a profit, just like other transportations systems. Has the Admin. checked with the airlines lately? The're still sucking our tax money.

David Gunn has done a brilliant job of running Amtrak in the face of a transportation- iliterate Administration.

[Modelcar]

...Yea, CNN...Probably had it right this time....

[Anonymous]

And does the letter delivered by the Pakastani cab driver, even though it says Western Union, get into the Congressional offices? What kind of security is that? I'm not sure.

I did not want to argue with you, jarubel. We are on the same side....want the same thing. I don't want to come off as a know-it-all, because I don't. I only stuck my nose in because I am involved in other political matters, both here in NJ and in Washington. I learned this information from the large groups that always have the Congressmens' ears, and also thier very own staffers. I do not know what happens when you send a letter to your congressman's office in your home state, but I'm pretty sure a well written letter fax'ed to his Washington office, and also mailed and stated so, is the way to go.

Jim


Jim: *****************************************************************************************
Maybe things have changed recently ..... but letters sent via Express Mail (USPS) or Next Day Air (UPS) still get the security check. Used to, anyway. Who delivers the telegram to the Congressman's office? The local Western Union center? In my case, it is the Iranian immigrant who runs the little convience store.

Jim
***********************************************************************************************

QUOTE: Originally posted by jarubel

QUOTE: Originally posted by ConrailJim

I corrected my post after I thought about it, jarubel. How does that work, though? For $14.99, how does your message get to the person, and when does it get there?

Jim

QUOTE: Originally posted by jarubel

QUOTE: Originally posted by ConrailJim

Letters get the most attention. However, all mail to Congress in Washington gets screened for anthrax, etc. They state a delay of at least 2 weeks, but it really runs about 6 weeks until they get your letter.

FAX it to them.

Jim

I think if someone spent $14.99 to send me a telegram instead of 37 cents to send a letter it would carry a hell of a lot more weight.
http://www.westernunion.com/info/osTelegram.asp?country=US

Heres a link to frequently asked questions at the Western Union website regarding sending a telegram. http://www.westernunion.com/info/faqTelegram.asp
Apparently they don't have Western Union messengers anymore and all delivery is contracted out to couriers or some other form of delivery service. I delivered a few myself when I was a driver for a taxi company, but that was almost 15 years ago.

[BaltACD]

QUOTE: Originally posted by trainboyH16-44

But why?!!

From my perspective, Gunn was too close to making Amtrak a going concern....The Bush adminsitration wants to end Amtraks existance and Gunn was a roadblock to that aim. Goodbye Amtrak!

[BaltACD]

QUOTE: Originally posted by SteamerFan

Ah now maybe Amtrak will evolve instead of just meeting the status quo.

A corpse is the evolution of living things....Amtrak is evolving to another Bush inspired corpse.

[Anonymous]

A GOOD MAN GONE, ALMOST LIKE A DEATH IN THE FAMILY. PL

[grandeman]

So, someone fired the gunn... [:p]














Sorry guys, just couldn't help it. [:)]

[Anonymous]

Do I hear "City of New Orleans"?

[espeefoamer]

Gunn was so good,he had the board of directors running scared.He was not afraid to shake things up and get to the bottom of a problem.The board of directors couldn't stand this,as they needed someone who would play thier game and keep quiet. They were probably happy with a loser like George Warrington[:(!][B)][8].

[CopCarSS]

At the risk of getting everybody in the forum upset with me...

While I do sympathize with you all, and like what Gunn was doing, at the same time I also realize that this is an anachronistic microcosm of American society that still believes in the viability of rail travel. So what if it is a move by the administration to begin the end of Amtrak?

I'd guess that upwards of 98% of Americans could really care less about Amtrak. How many of your non-railfans seriously consider train travel when they travel cross country? Granted, when I ride the train, the actual numbers of railfans is pretty low, but I also know that very few people consider train travel. To prove that, look at an Interstate Highway or an Airport Terminal. At peak times those entities service more people per minute than Amtrak could in a week. Perhaps a month in some markets.

Gunn was a good thing for Amtrak, but nothing he could have done could have changed the key problem with rail travel, the American mentality. In today's America, that isn't really likely to happen. Americans value speed and convenience as the paradigms of our society. Air travel offers speed, Auto travel offers convenience. Rail travel offers neither.

Even a hit in the pocketbooks (probably the third pillar of American life) hasn't done much to bring the masses to the rails. I'm traveling to Chicago in one week round trip for $160. Even with the rate war that Southwest Airlines has induced by finally jumping into the Denver market, there's no way I could match that by air or auto. It doesn't matter to most of America.

I travel Amtrak between Denver and Chicago at least 4 times a year. Would I miss Amtrak? Of course I would. Do I think that Gunn had a lot going for Amtrak? Yes I did. Do I think that there's a place for rail travel in America? Yes I do. Do I realize that I live in a land where the majority rules (and in this case it's a huge majority)? Yup.

If it's part of "The Plan" to fire Gunn and kill Amtrak, I say let it die. The coming energy crisis will force the issue when the time is right, and we'll see passenger trains on the tracks again. Perhaps at that time, it will be better received, and a man of Gunn's talents at the helm could truly bring the dream that we all have for passenger rail travel to fruition.

Stepping off the [soapbox] and putting on the asbestos suit!

[jeaton]

Chris-

Your arguements have merit, but it is interesting that surveys suggest that 70% of the American public thinks that rail passenger service is a good thing to have. True, they don't vote the subject with their pocket books (buying tickets), but the preference to have the service is clear. Why? I don't know. Maybe the general public just feels that the nation with the world's leading economy should have top quality highways, airports AND railroad trains.

As for me, Friday I am going to Washington, DC on Amtrak. Not only is it cheaper than driving and flying, but at certain times enroute I'll be able to step off the train for a quick smoke. Try doing that when flying.

Jay

[Train900]

Here's the press release from amtrak :

National Railroad Passenger Corporation
60 Massachusetts Avenue NE
Washington, DC 20002
www.amtrak.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Media Relations [phone]
ATK-05-090


November 11, 2005
Amtrak Board Releases Gunn

Railroad Begins Search for Experienced Reform Leader; David Hughes will run Amtrak until Successor is found
WASHINGTON - Amtrak's Board of Directors today released its President, David Gunn, saying that the passenger rail service needed to intensify the pace and broaden the scope of its reforms. Amtrak said that David Hughes, Chief Engineer, has been named Acting President and CEO, and that its Board of Directors has launched a national search to find the railroad's next leader.

Announcing the Board's decision, Amtrak Chairman David M. Laney said: "David Gunn has helped Amtrak make important operational improvements over the past three years. Amtrak's future now requires a different type of leader who will aggressively tackle the company's financial, management and operational challenges. The need to bring fundamental change to Amtrak is greater and more urgent than ever before. The Board approved a strategic plan in April that provides a blueprint for a stronger and more sustainable Amtrak. Now we need a leader with vision and experience to get the job done."

Gunn came out of retirement in May 2002 to lead Amtrak after a career that included running transit systems in New York and Washington, D.C.

The strategic plan produced by Amtrak's Board and management calls for fundamental change with the goal of delivering better service for passengers and an improving financial performance. The plan calls for competition in U.S. rail passenger service, shared federal-state financial responsibility for passenger rail, as is the case with highways and aviation, and predictable multi-year federal funding.

A report released last week by the Government Accountability Office credited Amtrak's management with some positive changes in recent years, but also was uncharacteristically blunt in concluding that more far-reaching changes were needed along the lines of those proposed by Amtrak's Board.

[SchemerBob]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CopCarSS

Would I miss Amtrak? Of course I would. Do I think that Gunn had a lot going for Amtrak? Yes I did. Do I think that there's a place for rail travel in America? Yes I do. Do I realize that I live in a land where the majority rules (and in this case it's a huge majority)? Yup.

If it's part of "The Plan" to fire Gunn and kill Amtrak, I say let it die. The coming energy crisis will force the issue when the time is right, and we'll see passenger trains on the tracks again. Perhaps at that time, it will be better received, and a man of Gunn's talents at the helm could truly bring the dream that we all have for passenger rail travel to fruition.

I have thought the exact same thing.

[coborn35]

"One ought never to turn one's back on a threatened danger and try to run away from it. If you do that, you will double the danger. But if you meet it promptly and without flinching, you will reduce the danger by half. "-Sir Winston Churchill

"The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining."
-John F. Kennedy

"We need men who can dream of things that never were."
-John F. Kennedy, speech in Dublin, Ireland, June 28, 1963

"It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one."
-George Washington

"Never trust the advice of a man in difficulties."
-Aesop

"Self-conceit may lead to self-destruction."
-Aesop


Mineta.......

R.I.P. AMTRAK 1973-2006

[CSXrules4eva]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jeaton

Chris-

Your arguements have merit, but it is interesting that surveys suggest that 70% of the American public thinks that rail passenger service is a good thing to have. True, they don't vote the subject with their pocket books (buying tickets), but the preference to have the service is clear. Why? I don't know. Maybe the general public just feels that the nation with the world's leading economy should have top quality highways, airports AND railroad trains.

As for me, Friday I am going to Washington, DC on Amtrak. Not only is it cheaper than driving and flying, but at certain times enroute I'll be able to step off the train for a quick smoke. Try doing that when flying.

Jay

A while back the government, came up with an alternitive to Amtrak, if it were to go into real deep water. Part of that proposal was the breaking up of Amtrak into state controlled rail operations. However, the government would contiune to run the NEC, so if something like the dismantal of Amtrak were to happen I don't think you would have to worry too much about the NEC going bye bye. I do think the faires might to ride the NEC might go up a bit, because of the "new" funding system.

AS far as David Gunn goes, I think the Board of Directors for Amtrak made an terrible mistake, Gunn held Amtrak together for the past three years. He was a leader with a true vision, and I believed that Gunn would of eventually, brought Amtrak back on it's feet. Well, we'll just have to see how good this new CEO does runing Amtrak.

[Modelcar]

...Chris and everyone else are entitled to their opinions....I believe that as some others do, that there is more support for the system or a good system than just rail fans.
I personally dislike the spin in some press releases of needing an energetic, forward thinking leader...{or similar words}, to run the railroad....We all know what energy Mr. Gunn put into the system trying to improve all angles of it with limited money each year, etc....It just seems like a shady approach the Board..{administration} took....

[narig01]

The Bush administration doesn’t want competence in government. It wants the U.S. to become a 3rd world country, like maybe Somalia?

[Anonymous]

Truth be told, It sounds more like bad board room politics to me. It is common practice among the politically well connected in any company to tra***he one that has been responsible for the success of a pilot, venture or even the successful years of a company's growth and profitability. David Gunn is a highly respected person and, from what I have heard, a person of high personal integrity. Replaceing him with a person of similar respect and ability will not be easy. [2c]

[Grinandbearit]

Amtraks loss will be someone elses gain unless he decides to retire again!

[overall]

I USED to be a supporter of George Bush. No more. This underhanded manuver to destroy Amtrak is a new low. He was fired because he was doing too well with Amtrak. The Bush administration did not want it to do well. I guess they will install a little prostitute that will simply do what hs/she is told. I will call my congress people in the morning and voice my disapproval. Bush has ignored the people's will on this and other issues too much. He deserves his low poll numbers.

George

[gfjwilmde]

Although i didn't like Mr. Gunn because of his stance he took with us(unionized labor), some of us fear there are going to be harder times ahead. At least he(Mr. Gunn) was someone with a railroading background. Not like these 'other' pinheads that couldn't tell a train from a plane if one ran them down. Mr. Laney is as worthless as they come(along with Mr. Mineta and the rest of the board of directors). Animal manure has more of a purpose than anyone of them. These idiots are a waste of dna and space.



GLENN
A R E A L RAILROADER!!!!!
A R E A L AMTRAKER!!!!!
A T R U E L Y A N G R Y AND E M B A R R A S S E D AMERICAN!!!!!!!!!!

[mshuster]

I suggest that all Trains readers (Trains editorial staff please take note) strongly urge their Senators and Congresional Representitives to hold hearings on this travesty and take a prominent public stand. This reaks of deliberately trying to derail Amtrak. We can not let this stand.

[coborn35]

QUOTE: Originally posted by gfjwilmde

Although i didn't like Mr. Gunn because of his stance he took with us(unionized labor), some of us fear there are going to be harder times ahead. At least he(Mr. Gunn) was someone with a railroading background. Not like these 'other' pinheads that couldn't tell a train from a plane if one ran them down. Mr. Laney is as worthless as they come(along with Mr. Mineta and the rest of the board of directors). Animal manure has more of a purpose than anyone of them. These idiots are a waste of dna and space.



GLENN
A R E A L RAILROADER!!!!!
A R E A L AMTRAKER!!!!!
A T R U E L Y A N G R Y AND E M B A R R A S S E D AMERICAN!!!!!!!!!!

Kind of like what is happening with the proposed rail line between Duluth and the Twin Cities. The people running it are IDIOTS!! Heck, I'm only 14, but I was burning people left and right at a meeting. "yea we are going to run 20 budd cars 70mph" I mean they are DUMB! They didnt even know what the SOO LINE was!

Sorry to detract from the subject.

[Modelcar]

Thanks for all the response on the subject at hand and may I say again....Write, call, fax and of course email your Rep's. and Senators if you care about this subject....At least we will be letting the "board members" know what we think about such decisions....The'll get the word if enough of us put it out.....

[swknox]

Just remember Mr. Bush is the puppettier controling all the strings.... I think the democrates are going to kick the republicans butt in a year in the next round of voting.

[miniwyo]

Alright, First of all, What does Bush have to do with this guy getting fired? From what I have read, it sounds like the Board incharge of Amtrak did it.

Second, Although it has been nice seeing Amtrak roll through here at 40 MPH, It would not bother me one bit if they went under. Of course I would like to ride it from here to somewhere else, but wait! They havent stopped here for probably about 10 years. No skin off my nose about this.

[swknox]

Also I agree that high fuel prices will force the issue for a first rate transportation system that includes trains. With the high gas prices and all of the Airlines going bankrupt we need trains more than ever... for the fine people who read my post let me say im sorry for downing the republicans in my last few post but come on people wake up, they along with George W. are turning this country into a 3rd world country. Bill Clinton did something wrong with an intern in the oval office which was wrong... an got impeached for it, Bush and his "Friends" have been in scandals, in leauge with the oil companies, gotten us in a war for all the wrong reasons - which cost us billions and billoions of dollars and most importantly 2000+ troops that have been lost. Mr. Gunn has been fired for all the right reasons, he knew how to run amtrak, ran it right, knew what to do with amtrak and thats what scared Bush's appointed amtrak board the most. Now Bush will get his way (again) and Amtrak will be dead in a few years. To think they called President Reagan the Teflon president - Mr. Reagan had nothing Compared to Geroge W. Bush.

[arbfbe]

The Bush administration has made no secret they want to dismantle, abandon, trash Amtrak. So they fire the guy who was making a serious effort to keep trains running and to meet the goals Congress has set for the agency. So now they need a new President of the railroad. Perhaps Brown the clown formerly the the disgraced director of FEMA can be called out to meet the challenge. He knows what total destruction looks like.

Miniwyo. Sure the AMTK board fired Mr. Gunn but who do you think appoints those directors to their jobs? Do you suppose Pres W has had a say in that?