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[quote user="4merroad4man"] [quote user="oltmannd"][quote user="Sam1"]So why should I conclude that Phillips has any inside knowledge to buttress his opinions?  Why should I believe that he is in a position to assess Mr. Boardman's leadership skills?[/quote]None needed and Phillips stated so in his column. The judgement of lack of leadership is based primarily on what Boardman has said publicly measured against what Amtrak hasn't done in the past year. Pretty fair yardstick, I think.[/quote] OK, I give.  What hasn't Amtrak done in the past year?  They haven't killed off any trains, and in some instances, improved their service options, i.e., a long overdue restoration of checked baggage service at austin, TX, they have, I believe either ordered new baggage cars and/or are rebuilding some in Beech Grove, they are restoring P40's to service and some badly needed Superliners.  They settled, for now their Union contracts for the first time in 11 years, and according to Mr. Boardman, are finalizing a capital request aimed specifically at acquisition of new equipment.  They have conducted route studies for reestablishment of various routes, are still working on Las Vegas service and seem to be on the verge of retaking LA's troubled Metrolink operation.  Oh yes, I believe the on time performance for the system is up as well, but someone can correct me on that one.  Amtrak always leaves something to be desired, but so does every railroad in the country.  Amtrak is moving forward, albeit without Hollywood spotlights and neon signs to signal the activity. I guess my point is that Mr. Boardman needn't report to anyone except Congress and the DOT, and to a certain degree, his workforce, and in so doing, he can let Amtrak's work be his report and resume. [/quote]   Spot on!  A key point to keep in mind is that the leader of Amtrak has to continuously cover his or her back from an attack by 535 legislators, as well as the White House, who are convinced that they know more about running Amtrak than the management team.    I understand that Amtrak wants to run the Texas Eagle through to LA on a daily basis, kill the Sunset Limited, and offer a day train between San Antonio and New Orleans.  I further understand that they were ready to implement it this fall, but were blocked by local politicians, with help for their Congressional pals, who did not like the plan.  How Amtrak ever gets a competent executive to run a national passenger railroad whilst dealing with the politicians and others who are convinced that they know best how to run the system amazes me.
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