Amtrak snack bars lost $84.5 million last year

[haolerider]

The $833.8 million that Amtrak lost on its food service for 10 years is less than

the taxpayers of our country lost on the green energy companies that went bankrupt in 1 year!!

And the same amount we give away to oil companies so that they can maintain their record profits every 10 weeks!!!

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/opedcolumnists/the_prez_oil_tax_break_lies_Y2Yj6KCU9QIO0BKHs1Be7M

Wrong. We DO NOT give oil companies subsidies OR tax breaks. There is a common axiom that if you repeat a big lie enough people will believe it. AMTRAK gets a SUBSIDY.

The oil companies take the same "tax deductions" as my father in law who owned a liquor store.

"The latest published data for the fourth quarter of 2011 shows the oil and natural gas industry earned 6.2 cents for every dollar of sales. These earnings are in line with the average of other major U.S. manufacturing industries, which earned 8.3 cents for every dollar of sales. Like other sectors, the oil and natural gas industry strives to maintain a healthy earnings capability to remain competitive and benefit its millions of shareholders, (From Energy Answered)

It is funny how a certain political party demonizes the oil industry yet 95% of all Americans 401Ks have oil, bank and gas holding in their portfolio and 98% of UNION pension funds have the same. Nothing like pissing in your own Cherrios.

As far as the OP and using my economics background and my work background, most food services in connection with a service industry (train, plane, hotel, casino, Disney, Five Flags, professional sports) barely break even or are a loss leader. I guess it may be a shock to the uneducated, but not I.

Remember, my degree is in Economics. Don't bring a knife to a gun fight.

NAVYBLUE

Little sensitive? You could make your point without being crude and aggressive, but I guess that is not your style, plus we are really talking about Amtrak and not the oil companies.

 

[Paulus]

Oil companies don't get tax subsidies or favorable deals?

Read this simple article and tell me otherwise!

History of U.S. Oil Subsidies Go Back Nearly a Century

President Barack Obama announced he is supporting a bill in the Senate that removes subsidies for oil companies. CBS News reports the legislation, sponsored by Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., was voted down in a procedural move. Menendez needed 60 votes to pass the bill but only got 51 votes to move forward. The bill would have ended oil subsidies to large companies such as ExxonMobil, Chevron, BP, ConocoPhillips and Royal Dutch Shell.

Here's a look at the history of subsidies for oil exploration in the United States.

for full article, here's the link:

http://news.yahoo.co...-215500548.html

Oh wow !!! Yahoo News. Now there is an authoritative financial source.

Here is a part of that article. "deducted from a company's expenses for tax purposes" This is allowed under the "TAX" code. There are NO subsidies in the tax code. Just because Yahoo is stupid and doesn't know the difference between a subsidy (congressional law) and a tax deduction (tax code), doesn't mean you have to be a lemming and jump over the cliff with them. If I can give you some advice it would be Yahoo is NOT a good financial source and Wikipedia is for people who are too lazy to do the proper research.

Actually tax deductions can be subsidies, they just aren't as obvious as a direct grant. Consider, for example, the mortgage interest deduction. It was explicitly kept (when other loan interest deductions were eliminated) to encourage home ownership. The largest single tax deduction that the oil companies receive is a domestic manufacturing deduction, introduced in 2004 to keep factories in the US and end off-shoring of jobs.

 

[VentureForth]

Oil companies don't get tax subsidies or favorable deals?

Read this simple article and tell me otherwise!

History of U.S. Oil Subsidies Go Back Nearly a Century

President Barack Obama announced he is supporting a bill in the Senate that removes subsidies for oil companies. CBS News reports the legislation, sponsored by Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., was voted down in a procedural move. Menendez needed 60 votes to pass the bill but only got 51 votes to move forward. The bill would have ended oil subsidies to large companies such as ExxonMobil, Chevron, BP, ConocoPhillips and Royal Dutch Shell.

Here's a look at the history of subsidies for oil exploration in the United States.

for full article, here's the link:

http://news.yahoo.co...-215500548.html

Oh wow !!! Yahoo News. Now there is an authoritative financial source.

Here is a part of that article. "deducted from a company's expenses for tax purposes" This is allowed under the "TAX" code. There are NO subsidies in the tax code. Just because Yahoo is stupid and doesn't know the difference between a subsidy (congressional law) and a tax deduction (tax code), doesn't mean you have to be a lemming and jump over the cliff with them. If I can give you some advice it would be Yahoo is NOT a good financial source and Wikipedia is for people who are too lazy to do the proper research.

Actually tax deductions can be subsidies, they just aren't as obvious as a direct grant. Consider, for example, the mortgage interest deduction. It was explicitly kept (when other loan interest deductions were eliminated) to encourage home ownership. The largest single tax deduction that the oil companies receive is a domestic manufacturing deduction, introduced in 2004 to keep factories in the US and end off-shoring of jobs.

Hmmm... Interesting. If one goes by the premise that one's earnings are theirs and that the government has no wealth but what they seize through taxation, then a subsidy is VERY different than a tax exemption.

 

[Paulus]

Actually tax deductions can be subsidies, they just aren't as obvious as a direct grant. Consider, for example, the mortgage interest deduction. It was explicitly kept (when other loan interest deductions were eliminated) to encourage home ownership. The largest single tax deduction that the oil companies receive is a domestic manufacturing deduction, introduced in 2004 to keep factories in the US and end off-shoring of jobs.

Hmmm... Interesting. If one goes by the premise that one's earnings are theirs and that the government has no wealth but what they seize through taxation, then a subsidy is VERY different than a tax exemption.

Perhaps, though I don't think that's necessarily true even under that framework. However, I do consider that viewpoint to be incredibly wrong, philosophically and theologically, so obviously I wouldn't be making an argument based on such definitions (and of course a discussion on such definitions and their propriety would horribly derail this thread rather far from the point of the board I imagine)

 

[VentureForth]

Actually tax deductions can be subsidies, they just aren't as obvious as a direct grant. Consider, for example, the mortgage interest deduction. It was explicitly kept (when other loan interest deductions were eliminated) to encourage home ownership. The largest single tax deduction that the oil companies receive is a domestic manufacturing deduction, introduced in 2004 to keep factories in the US and end off-shoring of jobs.

Hmmm... Interesting. If one goes by the premise that one's earnings are theirs and that the government has no wealth but what they seize through taxation, then a subsidy is VERY different than a tax exemption.

Perhaps, though I don't think that's necessarily true even under that framework. However, I do consider that viewpoint to be incredibly wrong, philosophically and theologically, so obviously I wouldn't be making an argument based on such definitions (and of course a discussion on such definitions and their propriety would horribly derail this thread rather far from the point of the board I imagine)

Theologically, I would completely agree with you. However, I would never ever choose to consider my involuntary contributions to the government anything close to my voluntary contributions to God.

God only asks for 10% and anything more you want to give is gravy.

I don't consider the Government to be God.

 

[E Runs]

But the problem with the LD trains is that on the one hand, much of their territory isn't duplicated by other trains (and really, there's often very little sharing off of a few corridors outside of endpoints, and those trains with those duplications aren't usually the ones with the food shortages), and on the other they're far more likely to hit nasty delays that would result in them not reaching a "meal restock stop" by the right time.

Speaking of food shortages and re-stocking I was shocked to learn that the entire 6 day CZ run is stocked in Chicago and does not resock in Emeryville. After facing limited options in the diner on the last day into Chicago years running I finally asked. I'd have to imagine the snak cars are the same and can venture they are losing sales because of this.

 

[OBS]

But the problem with the LD trains is that on the one hand, much of their territory isn't duplicated by other trains (and really, there's often very little sharing off of a few corridors outside of endpoints, and those trains with those duplications aren't usually the ones with the food shortages), and on the other they're far more likely to hit nasty delays that would result in them not reaching a "meal restock stop" by the right time.

Speaking of food shortages and re-stocking I was shocked to learn that the entire 6 day CZ run is stocked in Chicago and does not resock in Emeryville. After facing limited options in the diner on the last day into Chicago years running I finally asked. I'd have to imagine the snak cars are the same and can venture they are losing sales because of this.

unfortunately, I am 99% sure that is not true .ETA: There is a commissary in Oakland, so no reason to be having this problem.

 

[E Runs]

Speaking of food shortages and re-stocking I was shocked to learn that the entire 6 day CZ run is stocked in Chicago and does not resock in Emeryville. After facing limited options in the diner on the last day into Chicago years running I finally asked. I'd have to imagine the snak cars are the same and can venture they are losing sales because of this.

unfortunately, I am 99% sure that is not true .ETA: There is a commissary in Oakland, so no reason to be having this problem.

I fully agree OBS, it seemed ridiculous to me. I can only go off what the LSA told me, and after being told the kitchen was out of everything but burgers for lunch on Day 6 two years in a row, I'm inclined to believe her. Dessert options were also extrememly limited the the previous night which is when I jokingly asked if the folks traveling through Calfornia and Utah gobbled up all the good stuff.

PS I'll pay you a kings ransom if you can tell me who supplies the lemon berry tort....

 

[jis]

I'll highly suggest that you go read as many of Jishnu's posts as possible - out of everyone else here, he's almost certainly one of the most knowledgeable and widely respected posters. He doesn't insult people, he doesn't call people names, and he doesn't spend half of his posts telling people how smart he is. Learn his posting style, emulate it, and you'll find that you get treated with a whole lot more respect.

I am duly humbled. Thank you Sir.

 

[OBS]

Speaking of food shortages and re-stocking I was shocked to learn that the entire 6 day CZ run is stocked in Chicago and does not resock in Emeryville. After facing limited options in the diner on the last day into Chicago years running I finally asked. I'd have to imagine the snak cars are the same and can venture they are losing sales because of this.

unfortunately, I am 99% sure that is not true .ETA: There is a commissary in Oakland, so no reason to be having this problem.

I fully agree OBS, it seemed ridiculous to me. I can only go off what the LSA told me, and after being told the kitchen was out of everything but burgers for lunch on Day 6 two years in a row, I'm inclined to believe her. Dessert options were also extrememly limited the the previous night which is when I jokingly asked if the folks traveling through Calfornia and Utah gobbled up all the good stuff.

PS I'll pay you a kings ransom if you can tell me who supplies the lemon berry tort....

Just burgers sounds more like a lazy Chef and/or crew, although it may have been that the other items were extremely limited so didn't bother with them, but again that is laziness. In regards to the Tort, I will nose around the NY commissary and see if they are familiar with it. It may not come this far East, I don't know...

 

[montana mike]

Sorry, but I just had to reply. The govt doesn't "give" any money to "oil" companies. Energy firms are allowed certain tax credits for taking risks in exploration. If they find oil or gas they get to deduct a small portion of their expenses in this regard, AND the taxpayer wins, since they then in turn must pay royalties (assuming they are exploring on federal or state land) to the govt. As far as "record profits", again an urban myth. The average ROI for a large international oil firm is less than 50% of the NYSE company average. Firms like Apple and Google have ROI's 4 to 6 times the return of XOM for example. I chuckle when I see these myths being perpetuated. Where were all of the complainers when no one could make any money in the oil biz 15 years ago!

BTW-I agree that having quality food services on LD AMTRAK trains is essential. SW gets away with barebones stuff because their passengers are "captive" for only a couple of hours, not one or two days! Overall I think the dining car services are run reasonably well.

I do not work for, nor am I affiliated with any energy firm. I just want to set the record straight.

The $833.8 million that Amtrak lost on its food service for 10 years is less than

the taxpayers of our country lost on the green energy companies that went bankrupt in 1 year!!

And the same amount we give away to oil companies so that they can maintain their record profits every 10 weeks!!!

 

[Bob Dylan]

Poor Exxon, BP, Shell, Citgo etc. etc. Barely getting by on the Billions they make and the Evil Federal Government wants to Tax them on these Massive Profits ! The Nerve! (and joe sixpack and you and I pay higher effective tax rates than the Millionaires and Billionaires! Sounds Fair to me! <_< )

 

[Bob Dylan]

I'll highly suggest that you go read as many of Jishnu's posts as possible - out of everyone else here, he's almost certainly one of the most knowledgeable and widely respected posters. He doesn't insult people, he doesn't call people names, and he doesn't spend half of his posts telling people how smart he is. Learn his posting style, emulate it, and you'll find that you get treated with a whole lot more respect.

I am duly humbled. Thank you Sir.

:hi: Seconded!!

 

[montana mike]

The US has the highest corporate tax rates in the world. And I take it you aren't an accountant either.

Poor Exxon, BP, Shell, Citgo etc. etc. Barely getting by on the Billions they make and the Evil Federal Government wants to Tax them on these Massive Profits ! The Nerve! (and joe sixpack and you and I pay higher effective tax rates than the Millionaires and Billionaires! Sounds Fair to me! <_< )

 

[MikeM]

The US has the highest corporate tax rates in the world. And I take it you aren't an accountant either.

Poor Exxon, BP, Shell, Citgo etc. etc. Barely getting by on the Billions they make and the Evil Federal Government wants to Tax them on these Massive Profits ! The Nerve! (and joe sixpack and you and I pay higher effective tax rates than the Millionaires and Billionaires! Sounds Fair to me! <_< )

I am an accountant, and although the corporate tax rate is higher in the US, few large companies ever pay it. As one Mike to another, there are so many dodges, creating offshore entities for reporting purposes, shifting revenue and expenses between countries to take advantage of different tax rates, etc... the games are endless. Used to work for a computer company, which was "headquartered" in Ireland for sales and tax purposes, but everything they did, except for an 11 person office, took place in the US. I don't have much sympathy right now for multinational corporations where taxes are concerned, am more concerned with how many of our country's jobs have been sucked offshore by those same companies in search of more profits.

And yes, I am definitely a capitalist, small government moderate. (An endangered species these days). But at some point, a country needs to manufacture what they consume, or else the middle class collapses and there goes the whole economy.

 

[TimePeace]

Hey, I did MY part. They could have lost only 84.49999 million, if they had just stocked more Sierra Nevada Pale Ale!

I'm with you. On my last trip, outbound on the SWC, all they had for premium beer was Heineken and Corona - I sat in my roomette sipping bourbon. On the return, they had a good supply of Sierra Nevada and they got some business from me, and alot of others I noticed.

 

[Ryan]

Theologically, I would completely agree with you. However, I would never ever choose to consider my involuntary contributions to the government anything close to my voluntary contributions to God.

God only asks for 10% and anything more you want to give is gravy.

I don't consider the Government to be God.

If you're going to go down that path, your contention that you're entitled to all of your earnings and the government "seizes" them in taxes is false. "Render unto Caesar" and all of that jazz... If Jesus considers both of them the same thing, that's good enough for me.

 

[NAVYBLUE]

Sorry, but I just had to reply. The govt doesn't "give" any money to "oil" companies. Energy firms are allowed certain tax credits for taking risks in exploration. If they find oil or gas they get to deduct a small portion of their expenses in this regard, AND the taxpayer wins, since they then in turn must pay royalties (assuming they are exploring on federal or state land) to the govt. As far as "record profits", again an urban myth. The average ROI for a large international oil firm is less than 50% of the NYSE company average. Firms like Apple and Google have ROI's 4 to 6 times the return of XOM for example. I chuckle when I see these myths being perpetuated. Where were all of the complainers when no one could make any money in the oil biz 15 years ago!

BTW-I agree that having quality food services on LD AMTRAK trains is essential. SW gets away with barebones stuff because their passengers are "captive" for only a couple of hours, not one or two days! Overall I think the dining car services are run reasonably well.

I do not work for, nor am I affiliated with any energy firm. I just want to set the record straight.

The $833.8 million that Amtrak lost on its food service for 10 years is less than

the taxpayers of our country lost on the green energy companies that went bankrupt in 1 year!!

And the same amount we give away to oil companies so that they can maintain their record profits every 10 weeks!!!

Ding, ding, ding. We have a winner. First to refresh memories and assist new people.

My expertise is economics, weapons law and determining mental illness.

Economics- (40 ) years writing, assisting, auditing and/or developing federal, state and company budgets.

Weapons- Holder of (3) concealed weapons permits permitting me to conceal carry in (30) states requiring me to know every detail of all (50) states weapons use/concealment and transportation regulations.

Mental illness- Disability claims judge for (11) years with MD/PhD level authority to determine an adults physical or mental disability status under SSA regulations.

That being said, sorry for using stupid. Stupid can only be determined using WAIS/WISC test )for SSA. Politically correct term is mental retardation or mentally handicapped. Proper term for people who make incorrect statements based on no knowledge of the subject is UNEDUCATED.

OK, as MM said, the gov't doesn't give the oil companies money or subsidies. They get tax deductions. Again if you want to pee(political correct) in your Cherrios then disinvest all your 401k/pension plans that have oil/gas stock. It all boils down to class warfare. Those who can't or won't work the hours needed to be rich will always resent those who do. I want to see the middle class and upper class and millionaire class workforce percentage increase and the lower class percentage decrease. Silly me wanting as many people to become successful.

Subsidy-again show me in the tax code(which I understand) where anybody gets a subsidy. Let me help the uneducated understand a subsidy. As a young Navy E4, I could not afford a house. There was a FHA program called FHA-235 started in the 60s and their were various versions of it. I qualified for this no down payment program. The mortgage was $335/month. I paid $225/month. The FHA SUBSIDIZED the remaining amount by paying the other $100. Every April I had to send FHA a copy of my tax return. AS I got promoted and made more money, my mortgage share increased to $335/month as I got promotions/longevity raises and the SUBSIDY decreased form $100 to zero in (3) years. This subsidy had NOTHING to do with the tax code. It had to do with a Congressional LAW being passed. So saying we give the oil companies money/subsidies is an UNTRUTH (politically correct)

The original OP concept was about losing food service money on AMTRAK. As I mentioned and know for a fact, most food services connected with an attraction(Disney/Five Flags, Casinos, etc) and transportation (airline/AMTRAK/cruise ship are a break even or loss leaders. When you are paying a union food service worker an average $36,000/year (http://www.careerbli...rvice+attendant) which equates to $17.00/hour based on a (40) work week it could raise some hackles in D.C. when they continue to get subsidies. In DEFENSE of the AMTRAK train employees, they have to go through more safety training, first aid and other types of training than a majority of food service personnel and their working conditions are more difficult than most other food service employees.

As a former union asst shop steward in the PSSU (part of SEIU) for (11) years in Pennsylvania I worked in the belly of the beast as they never knew I was a gun and bible toting right wing extremist. I learned a valuable lesson. For the most part union LEADERS and for the most part the members want two things. More pay for the same amount of work OR less work for the same amount of pay. If they tell you different they are telling you an untruth.

AMTRAK is NOT going away. My former D and R congressmen in my FORMER state of Pennsylvania who are on the transportation committee are not going to let that happen. The AMTRAK subsidy is like spit in the ocean.

And on to Mr Ryan. He wants respect from me but continually insults me as he knows most of you are NOT former military. I retired as a Master Chief Petty Officer after (28) years in the NAVY. it is the highest enlisted rank (E9) in the military and by Federal law only 1% of the Navy can hold that rank. He calls me Chief which is an insult to me. Chief (E7) is the king pin of the US NAVY and whats makes it work and is very hard to reach and deserves respect. But I am NOT a Chief. And he knows it because he left the US Navy as Lieutenant. Want respect, you got to give it.

NAVYBLUE

PS: Moderators, thank you for refereeing, but I see veiled attacks on Republicans as being OKed because the liberals on this board use code words (sort of like Biden's put you in chains) to try to disguise their agenda. No problem, I have been in the belly of the beast before.I don't hide behind any code words.

 

[Gratt]

While I do not think this would be proper on LD trains has Amtrak ever experimented with saving money by replacing the "snack service" with a few vending machines?

Granted, its not the same and a major downside would be you could not serve alcohol, but today's vending machines can basically take care of anything else Amtrak sells out of the lounge, and I would bet it would cost significantly less to maintain, especially if you contracted out those machines.

I think it might be worth trying on the Empire corridor where NY state has long been complaining about the lack of food service.

 

[Ryan]

And on to Mr Ryan. He wants respect from me but continually insults me as he knows most of you are NOT former military. I retired as a Master Chief Petty Officer after (28) years in the NAVY. it is the highest enlisted rank (E9) in the military and by Federal law only 1% of the Navy can hold that rank. He calls me Chief which is an insult to me. Chief (E7) is the king pin of the US NAVY and whats makes it work and is very hard to reach and deserves respect. But I am NOT a Chief. And he knows it because he left the US Navy as Lieutenant. Want respect, you got to give it.

You're the only Senior Chief/Master Chief I've met in over 15 years of affiliation with the military that has ever taken any offense whatsoever at being simply called "Chief". I won't repeat the exact words that he used, but the retired Senior Chief that I mentioned this to today expressed his displeasure as only a Chief can do.

I do it so that perhaps one day you won't take yourself so seriously, life's too short to get wrapped around the axle about a title.

AMTRAK is NOT going away. My former D and R congressmen in my FORMER state of Pennsylvania who are on the transportation committee are not going to let that happen. The AMTRAK subsidy is like spit in the ocean.

I'm glad that you've got that faith, but 2 congressmen don't have that kind of power. If Romney wins here in a few weeks it'll likely be along with a Republican Senate and a continued Republican House. In a world where symbols matter more than substance, you can expect to see all the popular punching bags taken to the mat posthaste.

I'm still at a loss for what all the gun talk is about. It's completely irrelevant, and quite honestly it's getting a little creepy and more than a little threatening.

While I do not think this would be proper on LD trains has Amtrak ever experimented with saving money by replacing the "snack service" with a few vending machines?

Granted, its not the same and a major downside would be you could not serve alcohol, but today's vending machines can basically take care of anything else Amtrak sells out of the lounge, and I would bet it would cost significantly less to maintain, especially if you contracted out those machines.

I think it might be worth trying on the Empire corridor where NY state has long been complaining about the lack of food service.

Isn't North Carolina doing that on their trains now? Wasn't it wildly unpopular when the SP did it pre-Amtrak? Perhaps this could be a solution for some of the shorter corridors, but even the NEC is long enough to warrant a paid attendant, IMO.

 

[johnny.menhennet]

To answer Gratt, I do believe this was tried on the Pere Marquette a few years ago. I do not know if it was this service or SP's that was labeled as an Auotomat Car but it essentially served that purpose. North Carolina currently has some vending machines, and while they don't have a cafe, they provide complimentary hot drinks to passengers.

 

[Shortline]

Weapons- Holder of (3) concealed weapons permits permitting me to conceal carry in (30) states requiring me to know every detail of all (50) states weapons use/concealment and transportation regulations.

My conceal weapon permit has reciprocity in (36) states....not sure what that has to do with Amtrak....but, since we're measuring and all....

Can we get back to what's REALLY important? Namely, why does the cafe always run out of the good beer????

 

[Trogdor]

And I've walked on the streets of Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Louis, Detroit, Washington, New York, New Orleans, and Los Angeles (among others) without ever feeling the need for a weapon of any sort. But I have eaten in Amtrak cafe and dining cars on trains to/from each of those cities. I don't know, specifically, how much Amtrak "lost" on the food I bought.

 

[NAVYBLUE]

And on to Mr Ryan. He wants respect from me but continually insults me as he knows most of you are NOT former military. I retired as a Master Chief Petty Officer after (28) years in the NAVY. it is the highest enlisted rank (E9) in the military and by Federal law only 1% of the Navy can hold that rank. He calls me Chief which is an insult to me. Chief (E7) is the king pin of the US NAVY and whats makes it work and is very hard to reach and deserves respect. But I am NOT a Chief. And he knows it because he left the US Navy as Lieutenant. Want respect, you got to give it.

You're the only Senior Chief/Master Chief I've met in over 15 years of affiliation with the military that has ever taken any offense whatsoever at being simply called "Chief". I won't repeat the exact words that he used, but the retired Senior Chief that I mentioned this to today expressed his displeasure as only a Chief can do.

I do it so that perhaps one day you won't take yourself so seriously, life's too short to get wrapped around the axle about a title.

AMTRAK is NOT going away. My former D and R congressmen in my FORMER state of Pennsylvania who are on the transportation committee are not going to let that happen. The AMTRAK subsidy is like spit in the ocean.

I'm glad that you've got that faith, but 2 congressmen don't have that kind of power. If Romney wins here in a few weeks it'll likely be along with a Republican Senate and a continued Republican House. In a world where symbols matter more than substance, you can expect to see all the popular punching bags taken to the mat posthaste.

I'm still at a loss for what all the gun talk is about. It's completely irrelevant, and quite honestly it's getting a little creepy and more than a little threatening.

While I do not think this would be proper on LD trains has Amtrak ever experimented with saving money by replacing the "snack service" with a few vending machines?

Granted, its not the same and a major downside would be you could not serve alcohol, but today's vending machines can basically take care of anything else Amtrak sells out of the lounge, and I would bet it would cost significantly less to maintain, especially if you contracted out those machines.

I think it might be worth trying on the Empire corridor where NY state has long been complaining about the lack of food service.

Isn't North Carolina doing that on their trains now? Wasn't it wildly unpopular when the SP did it pre-Amtrak? Perhaps this could be a solution for some of the shorter corridors, but even the NEC is long enough to warrant a paid attendant, IMO.

Your Senior Chief friend is entitled to his opinion.

Here's how it goes in a social setting if I was introduced to you and also found out you where in the Navy.

Me: I was in the Navy also. Where where you stationed ?

You: I was a Lieutenant on the USS Whatever. Was "A" gang division officer.

Me: Thank you LIEUTENANT for your service.

You: Please call me Ryan

Me: I was in (28) years on various east coast sea/shore commands and retired as a Master Chief, but PLEASE call me Mike.

That's how I do it with all military vets/retirees from all branches I meet. I respect every person who ever served AND I respect the rank they reached as I know how hard it was for them. I have met 70-80 year vets who were O3s back when there were double stackers and call them Lt. I have met retired Captains and Admirals and call them Admiral. I met former Army E5s I call Sergeant. I do it to everyone until they tell me otherwise. The smile on their faces is priceless. It is not an ego thing. It is a military respect thing that is NORMALLY engrained in most E7-E9s and O3-O9s that I have met.. I will not change. I got more from the Navy than I could have ever imagined.

As far as the PA Congressmen, we have averaged 5-7 on the various transportation subcommittees that deal with roads, buses, AMTRAK, airlines as far back as 1966 including the "pork barrel" kings Bud Shuster and John Murtha. No Ryan, that is where the sausage is made and to think otherwise is ..................................... You fill in the blank with whatever word you find non offensive.

The subsidy MAY go away but AMTRAK is here to stay. I see HSR dying a slow or maybe quick death everywhere except the Northeast.

NAVYBLUE

 

[Big Iron]

Weapons- Holder of (3) concealed weapons permits permitting me to conceal carry in (30) states requiring me to know every detail of all (50) states weapons use/concealment and transportation regulations.

My conceal weapon permit has reciprocity in (36) states....not sure what that has to do with Amtrak....but, since we're measuring and all....

Can we get back to what's REALLY important? Namely, why does the cafe always run out of the good beer????

Gotta love a man that has his priorities straight