Amtrak PASS Program

[amamba]

Kudos to Amtrak Police Chief John O'Connor, the very same gentleman who kicked TSA off of Amtrak property!

Of course there is the very small issue that TSA agents have been spotted on amtrak property after John O'Conner "kicked them off."

Why is that an issue. He had kicked them off pending agreement on a protocol of operation between TSA and Amtrak. Such protocol has apparently been agreed upon and is being executed. let us see what comes of it. Afterall there is no way no how that O'Connor could keep TSA off Amtrak property for ever. Let's get real..... DHS would help find a different Police Chief for Amtrak if he tried to keep TSA off Amtrak property on a permanent basis.

I would love to see a copy of this agreement, I didn't know that one existed yet. To me it was an issue that they were suddenly back on amtrak property because there had been much fanfare made about the Police Chief kicking them off, and then one week later they were spotted on amtrak property. It is not an issue if there is an agreement, but again, I must have missed a thread on that because I was not aware of an agreement.

 

[PRR 60]

Kudos to Amtrak Police Chief John O'Connor, the very same gentleman who kicked TSA off of Amtrak property!

Of course there is the very small issue that TSA agents have been spotted on amtrak property after John O'Conner "kicked them off."

Why is that an issue. He had kicked them off pending agreement on a protocol of operation between TSA and Amtrak. Such protocol has apparently been agreed upon and is being executed. let us see what comes of it. Afterall there is no way no how that O'Connor could keep TSA off Amtrak property for ever. Let's get real..... DHS would help find a different Police Chief for Amtrak if he tried to keep TSA off Amtrak property on a permanent basis.

I would love to see a copy of this agreement, I didn't know that one existed yet. To me it was an issue that they were suddenly back on amtrak property because there had been much fanfare made about the Police Chief kicking them off, and then one week later they were spotted on amtrak property. It is not an issue if there is an agreement, but again, I must have missed a thread on that because I was not aware of an agreement.

Note that the "fanfare" was one report by former Washington Post reporter Don Phillips on the Trains Magazine website that said that the Amtrak police chief took the action against TSA. There was no repeating of that report in any mainstream media, nor by any reporter other than Mr. Phillips. Were this true, I would have expected someone else to pick this up. It would have been a reasonably big story. The Amtrak police and Amtrak never made any public statements, and even Trains had no follow-up reporting.

As far as I know, based on my association with Amtrak, TSA was never banned from Amtrak property. The Amtrak police chief may or may not have said he was going to take that action, but every indication is that the action never happened. TSA was at Philadelphia 30th Street Station the next day, and is there most days working side-by-side with Amtrak Police (with whom they have a good working relationship). Quite frankly, an action like trying to ban the TSA would have to be taken by someone higher up the Amtrak food chain than the police chief.

 

[Ryan]

My only concern is that there is a small segment of people who will see this as an opportunity to become "Junior G-Men" and let an ID card go to their heads! There is nothing worse than a nut-case with a "Special Person ID Card" - who will eventually cause more trouble than good.

Seconded.

I'm not sure if I'm going to sign up - probably will, as (unlike Dax, I guess) I can't see any harm from giving Amtrak info that they already have anyways. Not sure what the point is, but what the heck.

 

[TVRM610]

So on this page one of the "items that should be reported" includes -

"threats or hostile language against the railroad"

look out anti-amtrak politicians, once we get our fancy cards we are reporting you!

 

[jis]

There is no legally binding document to sign.

Actually there is. The one that states you are fully aware of restricted areas and will never dare to trespass on them for any reason. It's a seemingly minor agreement but in a court of law it would be admissible and could make things slightly more difficult if Amtrak or another owning/managing/governing entity decided to take action against you. It's not a huge thing but it's one more thing they could pile on if you were ever charged.

In effect that agreement is something that you are already bound to anyway, since you will be hauled up if you break that agreement no matter whether you ticked that little box or not. So it does not obligate me to do anything more than what the law already obligates me to do. It just makes me explicitly aware of what the rules are, which IMHO is a good thing.

I am of course assuming that the party involved has no intention to be breaking the rules. Breaking the rule unknowingly i.e if it was not clear that the piece of land on which you are standing is owned by who, would not cause ticking that little box to have any different result in the court. OTOH, if your intention is to try to see how far you can stretch things before they break, i.e. to test the rules, yes I agree you should not sign up for this. But since that is not my intention I don't care about that scenario particularly. But then such a person is probably not a good person to be acting as an eye for the railroads either. So no harm done.

But again feel free to not sign up. no one is forcing anyone. It is all completely voluntary.

BTW, as I said earlier, I do have a small concern regarding the issue that haolerider raises. Hopefully it won't manifest itself in its most ugly form.

 

[Ryan]

So on this page one of the "items that should be reported" includes -

"threats or hostile language against the railroad"

look out anti-amtrak politicians, once we get our fancy cards we are reporting you!

Certain posters here at AU might fit that description as well.

 

[PerRock]

signed up, got my card.

peter

 

[Rider]

I agree with daxomni. All one has to do is call 911, and then the Amtrak cops if you want to make sure. Betetr yet, find a cop and point out the suspiscious activity directly to them.

What is the big deal here. Most of the stations have a tape loop that keeps playing over, if you see anything suspicious etc etc "If you see something, say something."

Yeah. A no-brainer. I don't object to anyone joining such a program, but fail to see how it is going to make anyone safer. The article stated that it was aimed at railfans, who "will want to sign up" (paraphrased). Fine. Let 'em. They pay fares too, like all of us.

If I see something, I will say something.

 

[Green Maned Lion]

Could this be an opportunity to pal around with Special Agent Pat?

Maybe, if he applies for and receives his own card. But who would want to?

Guys,

Please let that go. He doesn't even work for Amtrak anymore.

Alan, is there some reason we can't be a community, with all that implies? Including, among other things, inside jokes? Is there some reason that political correctness must override our ability to be a community of friends rather than a bunch of stuffed shirts reporting and discussing train related things, acting like people at a diplomatic summit?

I have been watching this board become more and more cracked down upon in regards to its members enjoying themselves on here. If the purpose of your board is to be a finishing school for politically correct actions and excessive politeness. Then fine, but count me out. As of now.

 

[AlanB]

Alan, is there some reason we can't be a community, with all that implies? Including, among other things, inside jokes?

It wasn't that funny to those involved.

And since as I pointed out, the man no longer works for Amtrak and the unit he was in no longer exists, there is no chance of meeting him and therefore no joke at all.

Finally after months and months of continuous jokes about the entire incident back when it happened, and occasional ones since then, many including myself have simply grown tired of it.

 

[had8ley]

I wonder if Special Agent Patrick, aka Colonel Flag, found a new home ??? :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[tp49]

The instructions for PASS participants are: Report suspicious or unusual activity immediately by calling the Amtrak Police National Communication Center at (800) 331-0008 or by dialing 911. Do not take any further action!

Yes, I noticed that the snitching network already advises folks to do exactly as I said. It's the rest of the website that asks me to hand over my personal information in exchange for patriotic boilerplate that I don't feel so great about. <_<

There is no legally binding document to sign.

Actually there is. The one that states you are fully aware of restricted areas and will never dare to trespass on them for any reason. It's a seemingly minor agreement but in a court of law it would be admissible and could make things slightly more difficult if Amtrak or another owning/managing/governing entity decided to take action against you. It's not a huge thing but it's one more thing they could pile on if you were ever charged.

I don't really seeing something like that as being admissible. Trespass is very cut and dry either you did it or you didn't do it. I wouldn't even bother trying to get something like that introduced.

That said though, I'm not going to sign up for it.

 

[jis]

I wonder if Special Agent Patrick, aka Colonel Flag, found a new home ??? :lol: :lol: :lol:

It's in the graffiti covered decrepit caboose parked on a disconnected siding in East Baltimore that I passed by the other day :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[SP&S]

Alan, is there some reason we can't be a community, with all that implies? Including, among other things, inside jokes?

It wasn't that funny to those involved.

And since as I pointed out, the man no longer works for Amtrak and the unit he was in no longer exists, there is no chance of meeting him and therefore no joke at all.

Finally after months and months of continuous jokes about the entire incident back when it happened, and occasional ones since then, many including myself have simply grown tired of it.

Please accept my apologies.

I had no intention of bothering anybody or opening festering wounds. I only intended to add a little humor.

In my ham handed manner, I was relishing the irony that those who had butted heads with us in the past were now asking for our help.

 

[AlanB]

Please accept my apologies.

I had no intention of bothering anybody or opening festering wounds. I only intended to add a little humor.

In my ham handed manner, I was relishing the irony that those who had butted heads with us in the past were now asking for our help.

No worries!

 

[trainman74]

Can't wait until I have occasion to dramatically pull the membership card folded piece of paper out of my wallet. "It's all right, officer -- I'm a (pause) Partner for Amtrak Safety and Security."

 

[printman2000]

My take on the PASS program is merely a more formal way of asking railfans to report problems. I really do not believe this is anything other than that. The info requested is nothing more of mine than Amtrak already possess.

Some people have worried over the little check box that says they agree not to trespass. Since we are ALL already bound to not trespass, I see no harm in that little box either. Checking it does not mean they can punish us any worse for trespassing that had we not checked it.

 

[Bob Dylan]

The Only Reason it's Worded the way it is? Lawyers!!! :lol:

We don't need No Stinking Badges! :giggle: I won't be Joining, I already would Report any Suspicious Activity to the Proper Authorities No matter where I saw it but as Groucho Marx said: "I wouldnt want to be a Member of any Club that would have Me for a Member!" :lol: :lol: :lol:

Of Course the Exceptions are AU and AGR!!!

 

[the_traveler]

Most of the stations have a tape loop that keeps playing over, if you see anything suspicious etc etc "If you see something, say something."

Please list the names of these "Most of the stations"! The ONLY station that I've heard that tape running over and over is Washington Union Station!

 

[PerRock]

I've heard the security announcement at CUS, NYP, & BOS.

peter

 

[the_traveler]

OK, assuming that is correct (I'm not saying yes or no), that's only 4 out of 500+ stations!

That is hardly "MOST"!

 

[daybeers]

I came across the Amtrak website for the PASS program and wondered if there are any updates. I'm considering signing up.

 

[Qapla]

Please list the names of these "Most of the stations"! The ONLY station that I've heard that tape running over and over is Washington Union Station!

OK, assuming that is correct (I'm not saying yes or no), that's only 4 out of 500+ stations!

That is hardly "MOST"!

Add Tampa to that list. Seems to me I also heard it at Winter Park.

 

[the_traveler]

You do realize you quoted a post from over 9 years ago?

Many things have changed once then. Even that the Silver served real meals in real Dining Cars back then!

Those were the good old days!

 

[west point]

That tape reminds us of that awful tape at LAX airport. The white zone is for immediate loading and unloading only. No parking. 20 years ago and still sticks.