Employee Cell Phone Use

[Meat Puppet]

Just got back from a Silver Star trip and I would say the employee cell phone use is way out of control. Car attendants (both coach & sleeper) yapping for hours with their friends. Some of them are worse than the passengers. Lounge attendant too busy texting her boyfriend, while she sits in the booth as to realize there are customers waiting at the counter. Dining car staff watching Monday night football updates on a blackberry. Amtrak should follow the path of other major corporations and allow no personal cell phone use during working hours unless of emergency.

 

[Tony]

Well, when I was stuck on a Silver for 24+hours, I am so glad that the Conductor had a personal cell phone. Amtrak made no attempt at all to provide our train with any info (even the Conductor). Thankfully, the Conductor was able to use his personal cell to call co-workers (on other trains and in their offices), and collect some info.

Clearly, Amtrak should require all employees to have cell phones, since Amtrak itself isn't able to officially get important info to its own trains. Amtrak demonstrated that to me, leaving no doubt at all.

 

[ScottC4746]

Just got back from a Silver Star trip and I would say the employee cell phone use is way out of control. Car attendants (both coach & sleeper) yapping for hours with their friends. Some of them are worse than the passengers. Lounge attendant too busy texting her boyfriend, while she sits in the booth as to realize there are customers waiting at the counter. Dining car staff watching Monday night football updates on a blackberry. Amtrak should follow the path of other major corporations and allow no personal cell phone use during working hours unless of emergency.

I have had situations like this before in other places besides Amtrak. I just walk up to the counter and begin ordering. At the end of the transaction I then apologize for the inconveniance of interupting their telephone call. They usually get the hint as I don't have the same issue again in the future...usually.

On the flip side I worked front desk at a major resort in Vegas and people would come to my window to check in just jabbering away...depending on my mood, I would stand there and do nothing until they finished the latest gosip OR I would just continue as if they were not on the phone.

 

[railiner]

Just got back from a Silver Star trip and I would say the employee cell phone use is way out of control. Car attendants (both coach & sleeper) yapping for hours with their friends. Some of them are worse than the passengers. Lounge attendant too busy texting her boyfriend, while she sits in the booth as to realize there are customers waiting at the counter. Dining car staff watching Monday night football updates on a blackberry. Amtrak should follow the path of other major corporations and allow no personal cell phone use during working hours unless of emergency.

I have had situations like this before in other places besides Amtrak. I just walk up to the counter and begin ordering. At the end of the transaction I then apologize for the inconveniance of interupting their telephone call. They usually get the hint as I don't have the same issue again in the future...usually.

On the flip side I worked front desk at a major resort in Vegas and people would come to my window to check in just jabbering away...depending on my mood, I would stand there and do nothing until they finished the latest gosip OR I would just continue as if they were not on the phone.

On my commute home I am glad the subway gets no cell reception. Nice and peaceful. Then I finish my commute on a local bus, and it seems everyone pulls out their phone.

Especially annoying are those push-to-talk speaker phones chirping away. Sometimes I wish I had a signal jammer (illegal or not), and quiet them all. :angry:

 

[RailFanLNK]

Man....maybe I'm not paying attention but I have never had a trip on Amtrak where I have seen any one other than the conductor on a telephone. Glad, because my tolerance toward cellphones is somewhat low. Sometimes in a large group convention type setting I wished the speaker would have a "seat ejector button" on the podium and the first person whose cell phone rings after being told to "shut off all cell phones and pagers" gets tossed out of their seat by the ejector button! :lol:

 

[PetalumaLoco]

Man....maybe I'm not paying attention but I have never had a trip on Amtrak where I have seen any one other than the conductor on a telephone...

I think I saw a SCA on one, outside at a fresh air break, on this last x-country trip. That's about it for the 14k miles I've ridden.

 

[amtrakwolverine]

Well, when I was stuck on a Silver for 24+hours, I am so glad that the Conductor had a personal cell phone. Amtrak made no attempt at all to provide our train with any info (even the Conductor). Thankfully, the Conductor was able to use his personal cell to call co-workers (on other trains and in their offices), and collect some info.
Clearly, Amtrak should require all employees to have cell phones, since Amtrak itself isn't able to officially get important info to its own trains. Amtrak demonstrated that to me, leaving no doubt at all.

i agree they should have cell phones but for emergency's or talking to other crews and not for personal use while on duty. don't be talking or texting to your girlfriend boyfriend etc while you got people waiting for service at the lounge cafe etc. do your job.

 

[battalion51]

According to FRA Standards Conductors and Engineers are no longer to use personal cell phones while they are at work. This has been put into effect following the Metrolink accident. I believe (and I could be wrong) that Conductors have been issued company phones so that they can contact dispatchers or CNOC if they need to. Of course to the average person they wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a company phone and a personal phone. There is a VERY hefty fine if a Conductor or Engineer is found to be using their personal phone.

 

[MattW]

Is it conductors, or just conductors in the cab? I would doubt that conductors back walking through the cars have a big effect on the outcome of an incident or calling signals and whatnot.

 

[ALC Rail Writer]

According to FRA Standards Conductors and Engineers are no longer to use personal cell phones while they are at work. This has been put into effect following the Metrolink accident. I believe (and I could be wrong) that Conductors have been issued company phones so that they can contact dispatchers or CNOC if they need to. Of course to the average person they wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a company phone and a personal phone. There is a VERY hefty fine if a Conductor or Engineer is found to be using their personal phone.

I think the thread was started about OBS crew using their personal cell phones.

I'll give them a pass on this-- they can spend awhile away from home. The idea that they're suddenly slaves to Amtrak and can't have contact with the outside world is bull pucky.

 

[AlanB]

Is it conductors, or just conductors in the cab? I would doubt that conductors back walking through the cars have a big effect on the outcome of an incident or calling signals and whatnot.

Actually a conductor walking through the cars can still have a very big effect on the outcome of an incident. I'll cite one example where a distracted conductor could be the difference between a fatal accident and avoiding one. Please note that this accident had nothing to do with cell phone use, but it does provide an example of how a conductor could easily be the difference between life and death.

Several years ago there was a fatal collision between a MARC commuter train and the Capitol Limited. The MARC train was running inbound or east to DC, while the Capitol was headed for Chicago or running west. As is often typical on many roads, inbound trains run on the southern most track and outbound typically on the north track. However, the dispatcher had routed the Capitol onto the southern track in an effort to leap frog him around a slower freight train. The Capitol was to cross back over to the northern track after clearing the freight train.

Meanwhile the MARC train approaching a station stop, received an approach signal before the actual station stop, warning him that the next signal he would encounter would be a red or stop signal. The MARC engineer made the station stop, but then apparently forgot that he had just received that approach or slow signal as he left the station. So he accelerated to track speed, instead of running at 20 MPH prepared to stop at the next signal. As a result, by the time the red signal was visible to him, he was already running at a speed that ensured that he would be unable to stop prior to that signal. Despite applying the brakes to slow the train a bit, he nonetheless passed the red signal and ran right into the side of the Capitol Limited that was crossing over the switch at that moment to reach the northern track. The MARC engineer, along with several passengers lost his life in that collision.

At the moment I don't recall if signal calling was required at the time of the accident, although I believe that it was. In any event, out of this accident grew the rule Delayed In Block (DIB). This rule basically says that anytime a train stops along the way for any reason, unless the engineer can see the next signal at the moment that they start to move, they must proceed at a restricted speed, prepared to stop, until they can see the next signal.

So now if we replay this scenario once again, between signal calling and the DIB rule, any conductor paying attention is going to immediately radio the engineer to find out why he's moving so fast under these conditions. Failing to get an immediate response and a speed reduction, that conductor is going to be pulling the emergency brake in the car he/she is in. Whereas a distracted conductor is far less likely to notice that the engineer is going to fast for either the last signal or the DIB rule.

And that could well be the difference between disaster and a safe run.

 

[rrdude]

I'll give them a pass on this-- they can spend awhile away from home. The idea that they're suddenly slaves to Amtrak and can't have contact with the outside world is bull pucky.

TOTALLY disagree! Unless there is an emergency, an OBS employee should never, ever be on the phone, period. They are paid, and paid well. And while on the company time, even during breaks, you toe the company line. Suggestions from several posters on how to deal with them are perfect. Reminds me of going up to (choose ANY fast food logo) the counter, and "waiting" for the cashier to speak............"May I take your order?"

Haha, I have had STARE DOWNS with some FF employees over this, up to 10-15-20 seconds. (doesn't seem like much time, 'til you try it, then seems like an eternity.........)

If you ever do this, just make sure you LOOK THEM IN THE EYE, and have WIDE SMILE on your face. For those who aren't brain dead, it "Clicks" pretty soon........

Back to Amtrak and cell phones. Obviously don't want to get into a confrontation, but unless that employee SNAPS that phone shut (or off) and looks you directly in the eye and says something like "I'm sorry, what can I do for you", I'd take quick note of his name, and send an email to corporate.

You guys might think I like "ratting on peeps" and that is the absolute opposite of the truth. I like keeping people honest. And if Employee-A gets three or four notes in his file about yapping on the phone, they may get the message..........

As for Conductors, that's another matter. They may have valid reasons. But YOU are the passenger, the customer, and YOU should be treated with respect. Because with out YOU, they are out of a job.

 

[battalion51]

I'll say this, in my opinion it's absolutely critical that your Conductors be aware of what's going on. Obviously the railroad operates differently in different areas, but at least in the Southern ways of railroading there's constant communication between Conductor and Engineer with signal indications, slow orders, conditional stop orders, crossing failures, etc. In other areas where you operate in dark territory Conductors and Engineers alike are always completely aware of Track Warrant/Form D limits. Communication is EVERYTHING when it comes to operating safely, and that's what matters most.

 

[ALC Rail Writer]

I'll give them a pass on this-- they can spend awhile away from home. The idea that they're suddenly slaves to Amtrak and can't have contact with the outside world is bull pucky.

TOTALLY disagree! Unless there is an emergency, an OBS employee should never, ever be on the phone, period. They are paid, and paid well. And while on the company time, even during breaks, you toe the company line. Suggestions from several posters on how to deal with them are perfect. Reminds me of going up to (choose ANY fast food logo) the counter, and "waiting" for the cashier to speak............"May I take your order?"

You're kidding, right? That means they have to spend three days totally cut off from the outside world. They are paid all right, not "well". They can make a living but they aren't pulling in six figures.

Telling them they can't use the phone during breaks, during their resting shift, during any of that is simply inhumane.

 

[Philzy]

I'll give them a pass on this-- they can spend awhile away from home. The idea that they're suddenly slaves to Amtrak and can't have contact with the outside world is bull pucky.

TOTALLY disagree! Unless there is an emergency, an OBS employee should never, ever be on the phone, period. They are paid, and paid well. And while on the company time, even during breaks, you toe the company line. Suggestions from several posters on how to deal with them are perfect. Reminds me of going up to (choose ANY fast food logo) the counter, and "waiting" for the cashier to speak............"May I take your order?"

You're kidding, right? That means they have to spend three days totally cut off from the outside world. They are paid all right, not "well". They can make a living but they aren't pulling in six figures.

Telling them they can't use the phone during breaks, during their resting shift, during any of that is simply inhumane.

"Inhumane" is a little strong, no? So then, what did they do before cell phones?

 

[ALC Rail Writer]

I'll give them a pass on this-- they can spend awhile away from home. The idea that they're suddenly slaves to Amtrak and can't have contact with the outside world is bull pucky.

TOTALLY disagree! Unless there is an emergency, an OBS employee should never, ever be on the phone, period. They are paid, and paid well. And while on the company time, even during breaks, you toe the company line. Suggestions from several posters on how to deal with them are perfect. Reminds me of going up to (choose ANY fast food logo) the counter, and "waiting" for the cashier to speak............"May I take your order?"

You're kidding, right? That means they have to spend three days totally cut off from the outside world. They are paid all right, not "well". They can make a living but they aren't pulling in six figures.

Telling them they can't use the phone during breaks, during their resting shift, during any of that is simply inhumane.

"Inhumane" is a little strong, no? So then, what did they do before cell phones?

Times have changed.

 

[ALC Rail Writer]

I'm not saying customers have to stand there for fifteen minutes while they finish their call with their mother, but to say that OBS shouldn't be able to call when they're "on the time" is simply, as I said, inhumane.

A lot of people don't realize that times have changed in such a way that we have re-defined what it means to be human. Humans are social creatures, the advent of technology has created generations of people who are no so plugged into the world unplugging them will cause damage.

(Just like the Matrix, right?)

OBS are paid okay, they don't pull in six-figures. They make a living, in many cases less than some cubicle warriors. They choose to work in an industry that society has (for the most part) declared out dated and old-thinking. Why should we make it worse?

As passengers many of us enjoy being able to get away from it all for three days a week-- but many don't... many people struggle with trying to find ways to remain connected while on a train. I see pax upset that they're disconnected from the world for three days out of their life-- how do you think a person who spends 200 days disconnected feels?

Working for trains on short-turns takes a toll on family life, T&E crews struggle with it... but OBS on the Western LD trains? That's a killer...

 

[AlanB]

I'll give them a pass on this-- they can spend awhile away from home. The idea that they're suddenly slaves to Amtrak and can't have contact with the outside world is bull pucky.

TOTALLY disagree! Unless there is an emergency, an OBS employee should never, ever be on the phone, period. They are paid, and paid well. And while on the company time, even during breaks, you toe the company line. Suggestions from several posters on how to deal with them are perfect. Reminds me of going up to (choose ANY fast food logo) the counter, and "waiting" for the cashier to speak............"May I take your order?"

Sorry, but I too disagree. While on break, I have no problem with an Amtrak employee who is on their personal phone. Especially for an OBS employee who can be away from home for 5 days or more. On the other hand, if they are "on duty", then no, they either shouldn't be on the phone or they need to immediately either hang up or tell the person on the other end that they need to deal with a passenger who is say waiting to buy something in the cafe.

But again, I see no reason that a cafe attendant can't be on their phone while they are on a lunch break. That is their time and they should be allowed to do what they want with that time.

And I tend to be a stickler for the rules as some around here have noticed. I refuse to sign tickets that were not paid for with a credit card. And back prior to Ez-Pass, nothing got my goat more than a toll collector counting the money so that they could get out early, while making me wait. More than one toll collector got told by me that they had best take my money or I would drop it on the floor inside the booth for them. I actually did it twice, but most were smart enough to quickly put their hand out.

 

[ALC Rail Writer]

But again, I see no reason that a cafe attendant can't be on their phone while they are on a lunch break. That is their time and they should be allowed to do what they want with that time.
And I tend to be a stickler for the rules as some around here have noticed. I refuse to sign tickets that were not paid for with a credit card. And back prior to Ez-Pass, nothing got my goat more than a toll collector counting the money so that they could get out early, while making me wait. More than one toll collector got told by me that they had best take my money or I would drop it on the floor inside the booth for them. I actually did it twice, but most were smart enough to quickly put their hand out.

That's all I'm saying. On breaks they should be perfectly free to use their phones.

As for me, personally, I don't mind if a café attendant is on the phone for a moment while I am making my selections. This is just a personal preference, but for somebody to take the extreme side by saying:

Unless there is an emergency, an OBS employee should never, ever be on the phone, period.

Is just... I don't know--

You need to take a happy medium with these issues, neither extreme. My medium is a little more forgiving than others...

 

[Neil_M]

But again, I see no reason that a cafe attendant can't be on their phone while they are on a lunch break. That is their time and they should be allowed to do what they want with that time.
And I tend to be a stickler for the rules as some around here have noticed. I refuse to sign tickets that were not paid for with a credit card. And back prior to Ez-Pass, nothing got my goat more than a toll collector counting the money so that they could get out early, while making me wait. More than one toll collector got told by me that they had best take my money or I would drop it on the floor inside the booth for them. I actually did it twice, but most were smart enough to quickly put their hand out.

That's all I'm saying. On breaks they should be perfectly free to use their phones.

As for me, personally, I don't mind if a café attendant is on the phone for a moment while I am making my selections. This is just a personal preference, but for somebody to take the extreme side by saying:

Unless there is an emergency, an OBS employee should never, ever be on the phone, period.

Is just... I don't know--

You need to take a happy medium with these issues, neither extreme. My medium is a little more forgiving than others...

If they are using their phone as you approach thats one thing, if they carry on using it whilst you are stood there is another. Bet they get the hump if they don't get tipped...... :lol:

 

[MikefromCrete]

IF they are on duty, they have no business making personal calls. Off duty, in the dorm car, there's no problem.

 

[RRrich]

If a worker is behind the counter, on duty, with no customers and no work to do, I have no problem if he is on the phone BUT when a customer shows up then the worker should say a polite good bye to whomever he are talking to (10 or 15 seconds??) and deal with the customer.

Dining car staff eat in the dining car at some time when pax aren't there - no reason the staff can't be on the phone. I assune that the SCAs get breaks which they spend somewhere out of sight of the pax - no reason not to make personal calls. I feel that a worker on break is close to being on his own time when he can do what he wants to do. There are rules for those on break, but lets keep them a light as possible.

 

[rrdude]

If a worker is behind the counter, on duty, with no customers and no work to do, I have no problem if he is on the phone BUT when a customer shows up then the worker should say a polite good bye to whomever he are talking to (10 or 15 seconds??) and deal with the customer.
Dining car staff eat in the dining car at some time when pax aren't there - no reason the staff can't be on the phone. I assune that the SCAs get breaks which they spend somewhere out of sight of the pax - no reason not to make personal calls. I feel that a worker on break is close to being on his own time when he can do what he wants to do. There are rules for those on break, but lets keep them a light as possible.

"Off Duty" fine, out of sight of pax, fine. But on a fifteen minute PAID break. No friggin way. "Times have changed". Changed to what. I worked 5, some 8, and a few 10 days (extra board) and never once did I use a cell phone. (they weren't invented yet) I survived. The pax survived. The world survived.

If I'm in line, while yakking on my phone, and the line moves up, and it's my time to order, I either hang up, or let the person behind me order. So help me if any cashier ever has a phone to their ear, and they try to take my order, that phone is gonna meet the wall of the building as fast as 51 year old far* can throw it.

And the crew IS paid well. I din't say six figures, but they don't need to be yakking while on Amtrak's dime......

But, *sigh*, all things in moderation, I guess Amtrak should enforce the rules they have, and make it clear to the employees what "good service is"...... Maybe everyone who buys a ticket ought to automatically get signed up with their own Twitter account.......

 

[RRrich]

If a worker is behind the counter, on duty, with no customers and no work to do, I have no problem if he is on the phone BUT when a customer shows up then the worker should say a polite good bye to whomever he are talking to (10 or 15 seconds??) and deal with the customer.
Dining car staff eat in the dining car at some time when pax aren't there - no reason the staff can't be on the phone. I assune that the SCAs get breaks which they spend somewhere out of sight of the pax - no reason not to make personal calls. I feel that a worker on break is close to being on his own time when he can do what he wants to do. There are rules for those on break, but lets keep them a light as possible.

"Off Duty" fine, out of sight of pax, fine. But on a fifteen minute PAID break. No friggin way.

WHY NOT???, while the guy drinks his coffee, why can't he call his wife and check on the kids? He is NOT surving the pax, he's on break! .

"Times have changed". Changed to what. I worked 5, some 8, and a few 10 days (extra board) and never once did I use a cell phone. (they weren't invented yet) I survived. The pax survived. The world survived. .

But now that cells phones are available, things different. You didn't use a cell phone then but now?? "Times have changed".

If I'm in liif the guy is on break, while he drinks his coffene, while yakking on my phone, and the line moves up, and it's my time to order, I either hang up, or let the person behind me order. So help me if any cashier ever has a phone to their ear, and they try to take my order, that phone is gonna meet the wall of the building as fast as 51 year old far* can throw it.
And the crew IS paid well. I din't say six figures, but they don't need to be yakking while on Amtrak's dime......

But, *sigh*, all things in moderation, I guess Amtrak should enforce the rules they have, and make it clear to the employees what "good service is"...... Maybe everyone who buys a ticket ought to automatically get signed up with their own Twitter account.......

Be careful of your blood pressur rrdude.

 

[GG-1]

If a worker is behind the counter, on duty, with no customers and no work to do, I have no problem if he is on the phone BUT when a customer shows up then the worker should say a polite good bye to whomever he are talking to (10 or 15 seconds??) and deal with the customer.
Dining car staff eat in the dining car at some time when pax aren't there - no reason the staff can't be on the phone. I assune that the SCAs get breaks which they spend somewhere out of sight of the pax - no reason not to make personal calls. I feel that a worker on break is close to being on his own time when he can do what he wants to do. There are rules for those on break, but lets keep them a light as possible.

"Off Duty" fine, out of sight of pax, fine. But on a fifteen minute PAID break. No friggin way.

WHY NOT???, while the guy drinks his coffee, why can't he call his wife and check on the kids? He is NOT surving the pax, he's on break! .

"Times have changed". Changed to what. I worked 5, some 8, and a few 10 days (extra board) and never once did I use a cell phone. (they weren't invented yet) I survived. The pax survived. The world survived. .

But now that cells phones are available, things different. You didn't use a cell phone then but now?? "Times have changed".

If I'm in liif the guy is on break, while he drinks his coffene, while yakking on my phone, and the line moves up, and it's my time to order, I either hang up, or let the person behind me order. So help me if any cashier ever has a phone to their ear, and they try to take my order, that phone is gonna meet the wall of the building as fast as 51 year old far* can throw it.
And the crew IS paid well. I din't say six figures, but they don't need to be yakking while on Amtrak's dime......

But, *sigh*, all things in moderation, I guess Amtrak should enforce the rules they have, and make it clear to the employees what "good service is"...... Maybe everyone who buys a ticket ought to automatically get signed up with their own Twitter account.......

Be careful of your blood pressure rrdude.

Aloha

I feel the real issue is whether the Cell phone user has the intelligence to decide when, and how, to use the phone. A cashier in a restaurant could call from a land line. If anything a service attendant is doing, causes the first or only customer to wait is wrong.