Don Miller, Jr. aka LionkingCMSL ([info]lowen_kind) wrote in [info]anthrocon,
@ 2008-05-07 12:01:00
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Current mood: optimistic

Trains to AC
Let it be known that I'll be taking the train, the Pennsylvanian, to AC this year. I'll be leaving from Philly on Thursday and returning on Monday.
So, if you're on the train look me up. :=3

On the note on train travel, let me remind everyfur, as I ran into this with a fellow fur on the way back 2 years ago, it is mandatory that you wear footwear when passing through the train.
This is for your safety, as you can get your foot caught when passing between cars, and who knows what has been dropped, spilled, etc. on the various floors. So do not put me, or the train crew, in the position of reminding you of that policy. I may be "off duty", but I still have the responsibility to enforce the rules, or tell the conductors of any unusual occurences. This is the reason I have to have my Amtrak ID visible at all times when travelling by train. I cannot hide my ID, as Amtrak rules require me to have it visible when travelling. That is one of the restrictions imposed upon me when travelling on my pass.

Also please remember that the Conductor is the boss of the train. Arguing with him is like arguing with the captain of an airliner and both are felonies. Plus the Conductor has the option of calling the police at any time and have them meet the train at the next station, if not holding the train where it is.

So while I hope you do take the train, please read the "Rules of Conduct" that are in the public schedule and on your ticket packet. It will make your trip much more enjoyable.


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[info]dustwing
2008-05-07 05:58 pm UTC (link)
Huh, this is interesting, does the train also make a return trip? How much are tickets and stuff?

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[info]lowen_kind
2008-05-07 07:07 pm UTC (link)
Yes, the train makes a return tip.

The prices vary from where you are coming from and other various sundries, like upgrades.

Go to http://www.amtrak.com for more info. BTW, there is a 10% discount for anyone travelling to AnthroCon.

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[info]kamiten
2008-05-07 06:03 pm UTC (link)
Not riding the train, but thought I'd give you a shout out as another Amtrak Fur. Huzzah! Hailing from Boston CETC, here. :)

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[info]lowen_kind
2008-05-07 07:08 pm UTC (link)
Ahh, finally. I was sure I wasn't the only fur working for Amtrak. Philly radio shop here. :=3

ATS 728-2372 or 2376. My real name is Don. :=3

Edited at 2008-05-07 07:10 pm UTC

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[info]foxcross
2008-05-07 06:13 pm UTC (link)
Sure thing. Thanx for the heads up about the train travel. Its been a long time since the last time I've been on one. I'm heading up from Rocky Mount NC on June 25 to Washington with a layover from 7:46am till 11:43 X3. Should be fun. there is apparently lots to do at the Washington DC station. If any one else is passing thru around the same time I'd love to hang out. I'll have a long time of nothing it seems any way XD

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[info]foxcross
2008-05-07 06:54 pm UTC (link)
nope nvm i read it wrong XD ill be in DC from 7:46am till 4:05pm X3. then getting to AC around 11:43pm

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[info]lowen_kind
2008-05-07 07:07 pm UTC (link)
Make sure you got your 10% discount for travelling to AC. :=3

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[info]foxcross
2008-05-07 07:20 pm UTC (link)
I did :3 It really helped too. Thanx for the reminder :D

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[info]flash_t_wolf
2008-05-07 06:18 pm UTC (link)
I'm taking the train this year as well. I'm leaving and coming home around the same time as you. Maybe I'll run into you.

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[info]lowen_kind
2008-05-07 07:11 pm UTC (link)
When heading out to Pittsburgh I'll probably be in the coach nearest the loco, north end, near the end seats. Look for the same type of cap that is on my icon. :=3

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[info]giza
2008-05-07 08:27 pm UTC (link)
> Arguing with him is like arguing with the captain of an airliner and both
> are felonies.

Oddly enough, you don't hear of "train rage" so much these days...

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[info]acinom19
2008-05-07 10:09 pm UTC (link)
Unfortunately I won’t be going to AC this year, but I would love to use the train next time that I can! It just all depends if AMTRAK actually does come back to Pocatello, which I would love to see! *crosses fingers and toes*
I'm sure that your bringing this to other furs attention will bring in more business and hopefully it will end up making more stations come back!

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[info]mtdewhusky
2008-05-08 12:59 am UTC (link)
Thanks for the info. ;) *waves* I'll be taking the train again this year. Milwaukee to Chicago, and then Chicago to Pittsburgh.

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[info]ferdiaferlin
2008-05-08 01:58 am UTC (link)
Is there any reason why furries would be less-likely to wear footwear?
*is curious*

My mom is really looking forward wto her train trip from Chicago to Phoenix with a compartment. The only long trips I have had (a couple from Chicago to Boston) were in the regular compartment. I'd love to have a sleeping compartment.

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[info]lowen_kind
2008-05-08 08:46 am UTC (link)
I guess they might feel less furry or it's not natural to wear footwear. All I know is that when Iapproached said fur about wearing shoes, she basically blew me off and said, paraphrasing, "I know, but I'm not putting them on." I even mentiond I wwas a fellow fur.

In case you are wondering how I knew it was a fur, she still had her AC con badge on.

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[info]ferdiaferlin
2008-05-08 04:16 pm UTC (link)
Well I jsut don't get that myself, I mean wearing clothes is no more natural than wearing shoes, but oh well I suppose I shouldn't encourage anyone to travel nude as that wouldn't be any better.

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[info]dalesql
2008-05-08 05:47 am UTC (link)
Unfortunatley, time and budget are conspiring to keep me away from anthrocon again. Drat. Train is my preferred mode of travel when I'm not driving. I just wish amtrak would actually have real checked baggage again. Yes I know they can't do checked baggage to all the stations, but if they are going to offer baggage service at station R, then by damn, if the station is open and trains are running, the damn baggage office should be open or openable by station staff.

Who spent entirely too much time juggling my baggage on my last train trip, since they couldn't be bothered to actually open the baggage office when I arrived for my return trip, on a weekday before 5pm. The station agent had to go out to the train and explain to the conductor that their baggage office was closed when he didn't want lt let me board with all my bags and boxes.

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[info]lowen_kind
2008-05-08 08:52 am UTC (link)
That is odd, as normally when the trains are running the baggage room is open. However certain trains do not have baggage cars even though the station handles baggage. The Pennsylvanian is a case in point. Always check the public timetable for services offered on the train. Checked baggage is indicated by a "suitcase" icon. Also normally there is a baggageman assigned to that room and other station personnel can't do his job. Union rules. :={

Only the "long distance" trains get the baggage cars and the short to mid distance trains do without. I surely wish the Pennsylvanian would go back to what it once was, renamed the Three Rivers or Broadway Ltd., go back to Chicago from NYC, have sleepers, baggage and a full diner. :=/
However I don't think that will happen.

Edited at 2008-05-09 12:36 am UTC

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[info]dalesql
2008-05-09 02:37 am UTC (link)
The train in question was supposed to have baggage service. The station was just not delivering promised service. I used the baggage service to get all my crap down there the week before. Same train, same stations, etc. they fed me some line of crap about the baggage guys being in a different union, so they were not allowed to handle baggage.
If the unions hate each other to that extent, it's time to combine all the employees into one amtrak employee union and get rid of the featherbedding bs of union turf battles.

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[info]lowen_kind
2008-05-09 11:35 am UTC (link)
It's not a question of hating each other, but respecting each others turf. It's the same at the radio shop. We can do many things, but we are not allowed to touch the comm lines even though we are very capable of doing it. Different craft and different union. It leads to some ruffled feathers now and then, but normally it is smooth sailing.

Again, I'm sorry you went through that and hope that it doesn't put you off from using Amtrak again.

As for incorporating all employees in one large union, it will never happen as the lines have been drawn historically and all railroads have the same unions, except Amtrak does have the passenger related ones.

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[info]capt_campion
2008-05-10 12:42 am UTC (link)
>>Plus the Conductor has the option of calling the police at any time and have them meet the train at the next station, if not holding the train where it is.
>>

The captain of an aircraft also has that option via the agents on the ground, or his dispatcher in the air. Except the case that he's airborne, he/she has to land somewhere first. And, while it seems like a good option, kicking a passenger out of a plane while it's flying doesn't tends to make a mess. ;)

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