Is it okay to trip a conductor?

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I've only tipped sleeping car attendants, and if you've noticed my other post "Help please, I don't know if Amtrak will let me do this" I may be asking the Conductor to let me off in Kingman, instead of L.A., like my AGR ticket says. I will be in a sleeping car.

Is it proper to tip him as a thanks when I ask or at the end? Also, since the conductors are in charge, kind of like a manager, I don't know it they would even want a tip or allowed to accept one. Don't want to offend anyone.

Thanks, again!
 
Looking at the title, I thought "I doubt it, he might get really ticked when he loses his footing!"

That said, tipping Conductors is not customary at all, and may have some rule hiccups as well.
 
Well I would not intentionally trip a member of the train crew ;) That's just common courtesy.

Seriously though, there is no need to tip a conductor I am not even sure if they could take your tip anyhow. They are train crew keeping you moving and safe. The OBS are the hospitality department and often do deserve a tip.

Plus, you conductor will change several times during a long trip. They change every 6 hours or so on a long distance run.

From the Amtrak Rule Book:

E. Prohibited Behavior The following behaviors are prohibited:

1. While on duty or on company property: Gambling, fighting or participating in any illegal, immoral or unauthorized activity.

2. When required to perform service: Sleeping or assuming the attitude of sleep. Having or using electronic devices not related to their duties, unless authorized by the railroad. Card playing or reading other than Company instructions.

3.Solicitation of gratuities from patrons.
 
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No!
Do you tip the pilot of your jet? Do you tip the captain of your cruise ship? Do you tip the presidents of GM, GE, Boeing or MGM? The conductor is in charge of operation of the train.

I think it is important to remember that the OP is a first time or new traveler to Amtrak negotiating a rather complex process. While one would not tip a pilot, or captain, it is rare to even cross paths with these people except while getting on and off the plane or boat. A conductor is more visible, and can be seen doing customer service actions such as assisting with suitcases, etc. So it would be hard to determine if he was part of the operating crew or a OBS crew. In fact, I bet my girlfriend, who has been on Amtrak with me numerous times, probably would not know or care about the difference. I could see her trying to tip/thank a conductor who gave her extraordinary service.
 
There is nothing that says conductors can not accept tips. That said, It is usualy a suprise when I get a tip...and 90% of the time I turn it down. Its not that I am offended, but I would rather the person tip the OBS crew, especially on the long-haul trains. IE: California Zephyr, Coast Starlight, etc. If the tip is for somthing I did such as carrying a passengers bags or somthing of that nature on our corridor trains I may take it. Usualy I turn them down as I dont need the tip, however if the passenger presists I do take them; this is just my personal pratice however. I can't think of any reason that a conductor would be offended by 'free money' maybe confused because its not the norm, but definatly not offended.
 
There is nothing that says conductors can not accept tips. That said, It is usualy a suprise when I get a tip...and 90% of the time I turn it down. Its not that I am offended, but I would rather the person tip the OBS crew, especially on the long-haul trains. IE: California Zephyr, Coast Starlight, etc. If the tip is for somthing I did such as carrying a passengers bags or somthing of that nature on our corridor trains I may take it. Usualy I turn them down as I dont need the tip, however if the passenger presists I do take them; this is just my personal pratice however. I can't think of any reason that a conductor would be offended by 'free money' maybe confused because its not the norm, but definatly not offended.
And there is nothing wrong so long as the tip is not intended to be a "bribe" to perform a service that is either unfair to other passengers, or illegal.
 
There is nothing that says conductors can not accept tips. That said, It is usualy a suprise when I get a tip...and 90% of the time I turn it down. Its not that I am offended, but I would rather the person tip the OBS crew, especially on the long-haul trains. IE: California Zephyr, Coast Starlight, etc. If the tip is for somthing I did such as carrying a passengers bags or somthing of that nature on our corridor trains I may take it. Usualy I turn them down as I dont need the tip, however if the passenger presists I do take them; this is just my personal pratice however. I can't think of any reason that a conductor would be offended by 'free money' maybe confused because its not the norm, but definatly not offended.
And there is nothing wrong so long as the tip is not intended to be a "bribe" to perform a service that is either unfair to other passengers, or illegal.
It definitely is not the custom, though, and everyone is different. I think there is a chance that a conductor or AC might get offended.
 
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I also suggest you tip your plumber, auto mechanic, and dentist. It's pretty much the same as tipping a conductor for doing a job that he or she is very well paid to perform.
 
I also suggest you tip your plumber, auto mechanic, and dentist. It's pretty much the same as tipping a conductor for doing a job that he or she is very well paid to perform.
Then why do we tip SCA and dining car servers? They are well paid (probably make more than I do) and doing their job, too? If they were paid as hotel maids and wait staff are, that would be different.
 
I've only tipped sleeping car attendants, and if you've noticed my other post "Help please, I don't know if Amtrak will let me do this" I may be asking the Conductor to let me off in Kingman, instead of L.A., like my AGR ticket says. I will be in a sleeping car.
Is it proper to tip him as a thanks when I ask or at the end? Also, since the conductors are in charge, kind of like a manager, I don't know it they would even want a tip or allowed to accept one. Don't want to offend anyone.

Thanks, again!
 
I also suggest you tip your plumber, auto mechanic, and dentist. It's pretty much the same as tipping a conductor for doing a job that he or she is very well paid to perform.
Then why do we tip SCA and dining car servers? They are well paid (probably make more than I do) and doing their job, too? If they were paid as hotel maids and wait staff are, that would be different.
I've wondered the very same thing. I do it, it's tradition, but given the compensation of those jobs today, I can't for the life of me figure out why. Maybe I should put a tips jar on my desk at the office and see if I get any takers.
 
I also suggest you tip your plumber, auto mechanic, and dentist. It's pretty much the same as tipping a conductor for doing a job that he or she is very well paid to perform.
Then why do we tip SCA and dining car servers? They are well paid (probably make more than I do) and doing their job, too? If they were paid as hotel maids and wait staff are, that would be different.
I've wondered the very same thing. I do it, it's tradition, but given the compensation of those jobs today, I can't for the life of me figure out why. Maybe I should put a tips jar on my desk at the office and see if I get any takers.
And, I guess the answer is, many don't tip them, because they aren't aware of the tradition.
 
I also suggest you tip your plumber, auto mechanic, and dentist. It's pretty much the same as tipping a conductor for doing a job that he or she is very well paid to perform.
Then why do we tip SCA and dining car servers? They are well paid (probably make more than I do) and doing their job, too? If they were paid as hotel maids and wait staff are, that would be different.
I've wondered the very same thing. I do it, it's tradition, but given the compensation of those jobs today, I can't for the life of me figure out why. Maybe I should put a tips jar on my desk at the office and see if I get any takers.
You wouldn't have to, if you worked on "Wall Street". The brokerage employees are fairly paid, but the "tips" they receive (bonuses) are obscene.
 
LMAO!!

That visual of a sneaky passenger trying to trip the conductor is priceless!

And the following image of the passenger being booted head first out the nearest door... HA! "Thanks for riding AMTRAK!"
 
LMAO!!
That visual of a sneaky passenger trying to trip the conductor is priceless!

And the following image of the passenger being booted head first out the nearest door... HA! "Thanks for riding AMTRAK!"
Straight into the hands of police and then straight to jail I suspect.

Isn't it a crime to do something to disrupt the safe operation of a train?
 
If anyone has me for their pilot, you can tip me. :)
Only if you come over the PA and say, "All Aboard" as you push back from the gate. :lol: :lol:
Now I would like to be on that flight!

Aloha :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
Specially if he throws in the two toots of the horn over the PA :lol: :rolleyes:
I hope Saxman is taking notes for his next flight :lol:

1. Say all aboard

2. Get air horn on plane

3. Be the coolest airline pilot in history
 
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