A few months ago, I purchased a special PDX to Seattle r/t Amtrak ticket...even though I planned to get on in Vancouver, and off in Olympia. Amtrak said that was no problem. The $32 r/t ticket was cheaper than the VAN/OLY option. Last weekend was when I used it. On the return leg, I had my luggage, plus a large paper shopping bag full of Christmas goodies. It was raining hard when they called us to board the train. I was more focused on trying to keep somewhat dry, while carefully managing the luggage and goodies. Anyhoo, when on-board, I was able to store my luggage in on of the racks in the vestibule, but not the goodies bag. I decided I would find a seat, then figure that out later. As everyone was finding seats and settling in, the conductor came by asking for tickets. (By the way, a "ticket" is simply what you can print out at home, then they scan the barcode with their smart phones.) I couldn't find it. I knew I had the ticket in the station, but figured it must have fallen out of my jacket when I was fumbling and bumbling scurrying to get on the train. When it was apparent that I didn't have my ticket, a few of those around me began to "size me up" while also looking at my big bag. I can only imagine what was on their minds. Anyway, the conductor asked me to step into the vestibule with him to get things figured out. He asked for my last name. I gave it to him. He then said that I wasn't on his "list." I'm, like, hmmmm. Then it hit me. I was "supposed" to be coming out of Seattle. I told him about the discount thing. He then re-checked and found me at that point. He then said all is well and that I could go sit down. Oh, and I found a good, safe spot in the luggage rack for my Christmas goods. All was well. Except.... a) He never asked me for any ID at any point b) He trusted that the name I gave was good. In other words, anyone could have paid for and printed out the ticket and given to me c) Nobody ever checked my luggage. The Christmas package and/or my luggage could have contained a bomb. No problemo I have NO idea as to why the security was so lax. It was rather concerning as I processed that whole ordeal and the trip home.
You need ID to board the trains in general. I know an illegal who doesn't travel that way because you do need ID to travel, much like air. Probably the slapiness of the people they hired (good ol' labor unions!) :MARIS61:
Well handled Amtrak! The concern for the conductor was if you paid fair for the ride. Good for the conductor to use his own discretion and check things out and not just think you were someone trying to get free ride. On tri-met in Ptd, where they have no records of who purchases tickets, you could have got written up for unpaid fair or even arrested. This conductor sounds like he treated you with courtsey and respect. Asking for an ID sounds appropriate but he probably realized you were legit and didn't need to see one . . . if he did you could have easily shown him one. About the bomb, that really isn't his job. And if you were going to bomb the train with christmas packages, wouldn't you just buy a ticket. Hopefully Amtrak does something about overall safety. But a fare conductor isn't going to stop a christmas package bomb . . . yuck, it turns my stomach just to type those three words
There's nobody except passengers at the Albany station for the morning train going north. I've made it as far as the Salem station before anyone even checked my ticket. Nobody who works for Amtrak (except maybe the engineer as he pulled into the station) saw me and my suitcase at the same time until I grabbed it just before getting off in Seattle. ABM, FYI, Jeff Daniels just doesn't look dangerous. Accept it, and learn to enjoy!
OK, maybe I placed too much emphasis in the Christmas package. What I was really trying to say was, nobody checks luggage....or ID. At least, none of mine. It would be WAY easy to bring a bomb on-board, then detonate at any time. Say, while the train was going across a bridge. Everyone dies.
In this crazy age, you don't even have to be a radical Muslim to pull off murder/suicide missions. Lots of white boys doin' it these days.
i really dont feel safe unless they finger my asshole and grope every old lady on the train feel lucky that you got to pretend we arent living in a police state for 10 minutes abm
I actually get a kick when they are grabbing my junk...it's as if I was violating them. They can't even look me in the eyes.
