Help getting on train?

[the_traveler]

Perhaps if we went over and said "is there anything I can help you with mame?", the problem may have been solved. Must be my Midwestern values taught by my mom.

If you said, "Can I help you mame" to me, you would get punched in the face! I'm called many names, but not that! :giggle:

 

[Steve4031]

I was boarding bc on a Lincoln service train in stl with my gf. As usual, she packed a bit more than was necessary and I did not want her struggling up the icy, snow encrusted stairs with luggage. I had her wait on the platform and watch the luggage why I carried each piece of luggage up the stairs to place near are seats I'm bc. This took three or four trips before I had gf board. On the last trip down the stairs my way was blocked by a huge suitcase. This woman had placed her suitcase on the step and stood there looking at me. She didn't even bother to speak to say "could you please help me." She was in her 40s or 50s and healthy enough.

I said, "excuse me, I'm trying to get off the train". She moved it a bit and I got off. I assisted gf onto the train and ignored the woman. The woman grumbled "really?!" I replied back, "yes, really. You pack it, you carry it."

I don't recall where the amtrak employee was. This woman's suitcase was definitely heavier then 50 pounds. So the employee would have been reprimanded if injured hauling the suitcase up the stairs.

She got it on, and sat down huffing and puffing for 20 minutes. Didn't say nothing too me.

I've got zero tolerance for women like this. And I won't help them period. If it's somebody who needs help I'll help them.

 

[Orangesaint]

In my opinion, because of the age of cellphones, too many people have lost the ability to communicate face-to-face. This woman was one of them. Things didn't go her way at first and her first reaction was to throw a temper tantrum instead of perhaps request the person behind her or a person nearby give her a little assistance. I will be happy to assit someone who asks me in a courteous manner, but not someone who is throwing a temper tantrum.

And if I were behind Steve4031 in line with that lady with the big suitcase, I too would have walked right by; especially if overheard the snarky comment she gave him.

 

[NW cannonball]

I'm starting to regret mentioning anything about her weight. It was secondary and only a guess on my part that her weight might have had anything to do with her request for assistance. She was also only carrying a couple of items, but one was pretty big.

My main question was whether or not Amtrak personnel have any duty to assist passengers boarding the train short of obvious cases where someone is disabled or assistance was requested upon making the reservation

In general yes. But if the item was very big. Say over 50 lbs. Or appeared to be over 50 lbs, no. You say it was pretty big. Pretty big is subjective but that might have been a reason. If an employee injures themselves lifting a bag they will be subject to discipline.

I meant "big" as in bulky. It was a large plastic bag that was about the size of those plastic bags that a dry cleaner would use to cover a men's suit. Other than that she seemed to have a carry-on sized bag and lifted her kid's luggage.

There's no way ever to tell whether the person asking for help is asking because they need help, or because they are a domineering psychopath. Unless they are obviously damaged or bleeding.

No way to tell. No way to win the confrontation. No way to ever know. -- And, if they are bleeding -- run away fast - they might have Ebola or Aids or Sars or something.

My mantra is -- offer help, but if the demander seems toxic, walk away with no regrets.

Once, between Munich and Augsburg, I "helped" a totally not-needing ***** with her bags, because she demanded, and it was easier, and I was a foreigner. I regret that, but her relatives (that haven't killed themselves or her in the meantime) have probably punished her enough. I'll never "help" her again.

As far as, like "strangers on the train" who demand anything, I calmly advise, but I will not serve

And, remember, about the ADA -- yes, there's lots of people who need and deserve assistive tehcnologies, and there's a probably smaller number that play that privilege for all it's worth.

And there's no way to tell, just by looking.

Trust your own judgement, If you can't trust yourself, who can you trust. And err on the side of tolerance - cause there's no provision for ca citizen single-handedly deciding that some other citizen is expoiting the ADA.

But you never have to help a whiner.

Clear??