UPDATE -- See comment below.
MACOMB -- At six months into the Obama Administration, Amtrak remains stuck in the 19th century. Here's the latest folly, described in a letter my husband, George Hopkins, wrote to the Peoria Journal Star, which they have ignored:
Letter to Forum:
How sad that Amtrak cannot operate rationally. This morning (July 8) I put my 17-year-old grandson on the Amtrak train at Macomb for Chicago after a golf visit with me.
The conductor would not allow him to carry his golf clubs aboard. I have carried golf clubs on that same train myself repeatedly. Apparently this policy is announced nowhere except on the website and is only sporadically enforced. Now I must drive my grandson's golf clubs to the Chicago suburbs.
What an absurd policy! Are golf clubs really so dangerous? Too bulky? Any of the huge bags being carried aboard this morning could easily have contained golf clubs--or anything! None I saw were inspected. Bikes are permitted! Ski poles too!
Illinois supports Amtrak with tax dollars. Ruining a family visit with our own tax dollars is a great way to support "Illinois Adventures!"
George E. Hopkins,
Peoria and Macomb
But that's not all that was ignored. I sent an e-mail to former Macomb mayor Tom Carper, who is now chairman of the national Amtrak Board of Directors. He's an acquaintance. No response.
I also sent a complaint to the Amtrak website. Here's their response:
Dear George E Hopkins,
Thank you for contacting us.
We have forwarded your e-mail to our Customer Relations Department. They will contact you as soon as possible in the order that the e-mail was received.
If you prefer, you can contact them through our toll free number, 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245). Select the number '0' immediately to avoid the automated information menu, and an agent will transfer your call. The Customer Relations Department is staffed Monday through Friday between 7am -10pm (ET).
Thank you,
Sincerely,
Pam
Amtrak Customer Service
That was a week ago. Since then, nothing.
What on earth is Amtrak thinking, that a conductor has the option to refuse to allow golf clubs on the train? That's the situation. Some conductors allow the clubs, some don't.
Another Macomb friend took his expensive clubs to Seattle, on Amtrak, with no problems. But on the return trip, the conductor refused to allow him to bring them aboard. Luckily his friend was seeing him off at the station. The friend had to ship them to Macomb, at considerable expense.
This is insane. Amtrak doesn't inspect its baggage. Someone could board with a machine gun in a box. But not golf clubs?
This kind of thing from a quasi-government agency is why some people are suspicious of government programs of all types -- including expanded medical care: arbitrary, insane authority exercised by petty bureaucrats having a bad day.
The airlines wonder why people aren't traveling on them! Answer: It's a hassle. We go via car whenever possible. No extra fees, intrusive searches, fear of a bureaucrat having a bad day, or life.
Finally, some people get revenge. There's a terrific video made by a Canadian musician after United Airlines destroyed his beloved guitar.
Here's a good Chicago Tribune story on him, with a link to the video. I'd make one about Amtrak if I could!.
-- Elaine Hopkins
Comment, 7/28/09. Elliott R writes: I had basically the exact same experience as what you wrote about.
I was going from Chicago to Kalamazoo, and I have taken my golf clubs before, but this time they stopped me and refused to allow me on board.
They said I had to go talk to a manager, who then said I had to go talk to the conductor. The manager was actually somewhat helpful as she walked me out to meet the conductor.
The conductor reeked of alcohol (this was a 7 am train btw) and he initially refused
to let me on board. I basically had to beg him, and he relented and put my clubs in a baggage car. If they're going to do something like that at least make that clear on the website.
Like you said, you could walk on with a nuclear bomb, but not golf clubs.
It was one of the most unbelievable examples of idiotic bureaucracy I've ever seen -
especially when they want more people to ride the train. -30-
Elaine Hopkins responds: Wonder if he wanted a bribe? -30-
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