RAILforum: Onboard volunteers?

This is topic Onboard volunteers? in forum Amtrak at RAILforum.

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Posted by stlboomer (Member # 2028) on :

In a recent post, a member mentioned being a volunteer coach attendant out of LAX. I've heard of volunteers assisting at unstaffed stations, but never onboard. This implies a slightly different arrangement.

Can anyone tell me how Amtrak deals with volunteers? To whom are they responsible? Does the railroad exercise any right of approval in their selection? Any right of dismissal? Do they legally represent Amtrak? How are they identified - uniform, badge, hat? Other than Trails and Rails or NPS guides, what other volunteeers does Amtrak use onboard, and on which routes?

Posted by Fumes5 (Member # 1437) on :

That member would be me.

Under normal circumstances, the anwser is NO, but I know a few of the conductors/train attendents out of LA and when I ride the train and they are onboard I get to do things that a normal passenger would not get, in trade (because after all i did have to buy a ticket) I usualy will get free/discounted meals and one time got a night in an unocupied sleeper. Things I have been asked to do are simple tasks like (1) help load/unload passengers from coaches w/o and attendent
(2) Hand out pillows at night
(3) misc. odd jobs, ie: trade videoes with the Parlor car attnedent and the Lounge attendent.

It should be noted that I do want to pursue becoming a Conductor after my Senior Year of HS, and explaing that to crews makes them more inclined to let you help. If you have any other questions be sure to ask.

Posted by rmiller (Member # 341) on :

I think your "volunteering" would not be approved of by Atk mgt.

Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :

When reviewing this thread, the comment once made to me by a BLE General Chairman when I was doing Labor Relations work comes back to mind:

"Well, you (as a carrier representative) may as well spot the boxcar, because we will be filling it up with penalty claims until you cut that practice out'.

As far as I'm concerned, a claim made by the first available LA based Extra Coach Attendant for not being called for work, would be "good as gold".

[This message has been edited by Gilbert B Norman (edited 12-13-2003).]

Posted by MPALMER (Member # 125) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Gilbert B Norman:
As far as I'm concerned, a claim made by the first available LA based Extra Coach Attendant for not being called for work, would be "good as gold".

My understanding is that the volunteers are in addition to, not replacements for, paid employees. Still it could open the door for misunderstandings.