Sad, But True...Or Is IT!!?? - Reader comments at The New York Sun

Recent Blog Posts

Reader comment on:
Potential Amtrak Strike Could Shut Down Penn Station
in response to reader comment: Had a short day, Got to work at 5am just got home it's 7pm.

Submitted by Former Amtrak Sparky, Jan 16, 2008 23:06

Bailing is not an option when you work for the "POINTLESS ARROW" (Amtrak). The logo says it all. Not all employees are bringing the company down, but it's the majority that do which makes Amtrak do a double take when considering to honor union contracts or not.

I've been around the 100+ MPH trains, failing moveable bridges, track fires, flooded sump stations, derailed trains, downed wires, being on call 24/7, etc....none of those things impress me when a company and it's employees produce haphazard work, and fail to properly maintain its infrastructure until it's too late- management on down to the apprentice. (Re: Recent delays/ shutdowns in December/ January on the Northeast Corridor) WORK ETHIC is my cup of tea, in which was NEVER REFILLED at Amtrak! So, no loss here!

Hopefully, to the dedicated employees at Amtrak, you all can fight for a better wage, benefits, promotional and educational advances, better work ethics and working conditions by January 30th, and getting rid of the "dead weight" which holds down an otherwise useful service....as long as your long distance trains are not held hostage by the host railroads! (CSX, Norfolk Southern, BNSF, Conrail, etc..). Did I think twice about leaving Amtrak to become Self- Imployed...who is Amtrak??!! HUH? What?

Note: Comments are screened, and in some cases edited, before posting. We reserve the right to reject anything we find objectionable.

Other reader comments on this article

Comment	By	Date
I regularly travel between trenton and new york city to visit my girlfriend. Once a week, some weeks 2x (neither... [MORE]	Andy	Jan 17, 2008 00:55
thank u andy..very kind words..i am a conductor and i like my job and I treat everyone with respect even... [MORE]	AMTRAK CONDUCTOR	Jan 17, 2008 23:19
National Passenger Corporation (AMTRAK) Board of Directors pockets have been very heavy for eight years while this union and workers... [MORE]	Mary Dozier	Jan 16, 2008 23:17
amtrak workers are GOOD. have been taking their trains since long before it was called amtrak. if there are problems, they're... [MORE]	clio	Jan 12, 2008 08:11
The frontline employees (i.e.: Conductors, Customer Service- depends on which state you're in, ushers, etc..) are good ambassadors of the... [MORE]	Former Amtrak Sparky	Jan 16, 2008 23:12
Amtrak's labor problems have become a crisis for this country. Public agencies along the Northeast corridor are forced to prepare... [MORE]	Stanley	Jan 9, 2008 11:59
Perhaps if the strikers spend few days or weeks without pay they will be motivated to work harder and improve... [MORE]	Mike	Jan 8, 2008 08:28
Sure there are a few bad apples in every barrel but for the most part we are a very hard... [MORE]	End of the line	Jan 10, 2008 22:18
From past experience as a former Amtrak employee, I say YES to Fair Wages and Health Benefits, but NAY to... [MORE]	Former Amtrak Sparky	Jan 11, 2008 00:12
Congrats to you for gettin out from under Amtraks thumb. I chose to stay and along the way maybe I... [MORE]	End of the line	Jan 11, 2008 19:33
Bailing is not an option when you work for the "POINTLESS ARROW" (Amtrak). The logo says it all. Not all...	Former Amtrak Sparky	Jan 16, 2008 23:06
i just started working for amtrak. yea! we need a raise for what is expected of us. time to give... [MORE]	pierre scott	Jan 8, 2008 02:54
I rely on Amtrak on a weekly basis to shuttle me between Boston and New York. The buses are cheaper... [MORE]	Ben Jen	Jan 7, 2008 11:16
amtrak should meet the unions offer and avert this strike,i know people there and they deserve it,they work very hard... [MORE]	christine	Jan 7, 2008 02:39
Christine, your comments are completely false and show that you do not have the facts. Union members do not work... [MORE]	Jen	Jan 8, 2008 10:12
Jen, if you wish to believe management has not received raises you are blind to the truth. Christine's words ring true.... [MORE]	End of the line	Jan 10, 2008 18:12
Some Amtrak union members (IBEW in Particular, NJ & NY) DO get "Sick Time", but it is UNPAID TIME OFF!!... [MORE]	Former Amtrak Sparky	Jan 11, 2008 00:27
I didn't realize some did and some don't. If I don't use vacation days when I have to take off... [MORE]	End of the line	Jan 12, 2008 14:52

Reader comment on:Potential Amtrak Strike Could Shut Down Penn Stationin response to reader comment: Had a short day, Got to work at 5am just got home it's 7pm.

Other reader comments on this article

Comment on Potential Amtrak Strike Could Shut Down Penn Station

Reader comment on:
Potential Amtrak Strike Could Shut Down Penn Station
in response to reader comment: Had a short day, Got to work at 5am just got home it's 7pm.