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

[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!

[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].

[Anonymous]

Do I hear "City of New Orleans"?

[grandeman]

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














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

[Anonymous]

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

[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.

[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!

[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.

[Modelcar]

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

[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.

[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]

[TomDiehl]

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

YA THINK????

A real "DUH" moment in newscasting.

[edbenton]

Remember who appt Mineta Good ole boy W Bush did. He is just like his father when it comes to energy policy to heck with anything that might be efficent. We are in so much trouble with one party in control of the goverment it is not funny. Bush can almost push anything thourgh that he wants. At least when Sr was in office he had to negociate to get anything through. I have already sent emails to everyone of my reps in congress and I know that nothing will happen form them since I am only one voice. However next year our chance comes up to make a change we can STAND UP to big business and the special interests groups and VOTE OUT EVERYONE AND CHANGE CONGRESS. Maybe if that happens we will be taken seriously again. We do have the power in this country if we vote with our minds not just our party. If we want a good national rail system in this country elect people that will support one not just let it flutter in the wind.

Remember this leadership will stop at nothing to eliminate any oppisition to their plans.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

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

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

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

[Anonymous]

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

[StillGrande]

Seems he would not sing the administration's tune on what to do with Amtrak, so they fired him. The Board wants to break it up, he wanted to keep it together. The administration wants to end the subsidy, he want a bigger one (and Congress keeps giving something).

They will find someone with the "vision" to split the thing up and kill the long distance trains in favor of small regional or commuter style runs.

[Anonymous]

Letters get more attention than phone calls and emails, because they take the most effort. 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 the letter to them. Make it short, polite yet firm, and intelligent.

Jim

[Anonymous]

Has anyone considered sending a telegram to your elected officials? Seems like emails don't have much impact. I believe I read somewhere that a letter has more influence than an email, a phone call more than a letter and a telegram even more than a phone call.

[Anonymous]

I just emailed another state senator. I know it will take days for a real reply, but at least I am voicing my opinion.

I am afriad, if we do not stand up for Amtrak now, we will loose it forever.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Modelcar

....Ok Jim, I just emailed my two Senators....Come on all you supporters of rail passenger service in our great country...get on the horn to your Rep. or Senators...

For those needing a little help in finding email address, use this:

http://www.webslingerz.com/jhoffman/congress-email.html

[Anonymous]

So the name of the game is do your job, but don't do it too good, or you'll get fired. That's pathetic.

[Modelcar]

....But we tried....!

[jchnhtfd]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Modelcar

....Ok Jim, I just emailed my two Senators....Come on all you supporters of rail passenger service in our great country...get on the horn to your Rep. or Senators...

Done... although I am enough of a cynic to think it won't make any difference.[:(]

[Modelcar]

....Ok Jim, I just emailed my two Senators....Come on all you supporters of rail passenger service in our great country...get on the horn to your Rep. or Senators...

[jchnhtfd]

so much for Amtrak and passenger rail travel in the US... maybe now the folks who want to see the end of Amtrak (and there are a lot of them on this forum) will be happy; they certainly should be.

Sigh. Now folks like me, who are medically unable to use aircraft, will not be able to travel. At least I can still get across the Atlantic, thanks to the Brits and Cunard.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by bbrant

Who will be named to replace David Gunn?

My guess, someone from Haliburton (spelling) who will mismanage more than ever done, and be paid 5 times the money Gunn was paid.

[Anonymous]

F Y I

Do you remember the article in Trains a while back about Mineta wanting to end Amtrak? In his speeches he gave false information about Amtrak. Mr. Mineta KNOWS the truth. He sits on the Amtrak Board. YES, he is a board member.

I thought board members were suspose to do what is right for the company or organization they oversee. It appears that even though Mineta knows the truth he continues to spread untruth.

Mineta and the whole Amtrak board should be unseated, immediately. A new board should be appointed but not by the president.

Mr. Gunn should be rehired, IMMEDIATELY.

I have never distrusted an administration more than the current one. This firing is nothing BUT politics.

[Anonymous]

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

[UPTRAIN]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Modelcar

...Your so right...they just fired one of those...re: "leader with vision and experience"....They will have to search high and low to find a dedicated and knowledgeable person on the subject at hand....I doubt if anyone will want to take it on...That is one that will not be a puppet of this administration.....What a sad bunch of crap this notice is today...Coundn't hardly believe what I was seeing as I saw the bulletin coming across the TV screen this morning....
I agree with Jim above....Scream loud and clear to all the congresspeople you can think of....They all should hear it and the facts....!!

I agree completely when you're talking about the "vision and experience", he was all of that, made a bunch of progress, and look at where he had been! Bob Johnston just did a huge article in TRAINS last month about how far he has come!