I understand the fear of the SA feeling like it is going to come out of his/her pay. Firstly, Amtrak needs to trust their employees and get rid of those they don't. Yeah, I know - easier said than done. Secondly, if the matter is properly handled, it would be just a minor bit of inconvenience, but perhaps asking a BC customer to sign a receipt with their ticket number on it would be helpful.
I remember the "gool ol' days" when I would find a Coke guy stocking up a vending machine, and he'd hand me a cold one from the bottom of the machine. He didn't care about losing control of one or two in inventory.
Dishonesty and bottom line, though . . . two opposing forces that are not so customer friendly.
ACL - I remember your triplogue, but that again is another problem with Amtrak - BC on the Palmetto is NOT the same BC on the Carolinian nor the Penny. They need to try to do their best to have similar service across their different trains.