Most outgoing/animated SCA
- Thread starter jmbgeg
- Start date
Help Support Amtrak Unlimited Discussion Forum:
- Status
Here's an idea. Why doesn't AU "reach out" and reward the "Best-of-the-Best" in OB staff employees?
We could have a year long poll, or maybe a shorter period, and vote for top SCA, TA, LSA-Short Haul, LSA Long Haul, LSA/Short Haul or NEC, and/or others, or fewer.
"Prize" wouldn't be much, but I'd certainly kick-in $25 or so, could get the recipient an AMEX gift card or similar.
Prize committee could announce winner at AU gathering.
Voting would be limited to members, one vote per member, per job category.
We'd need to know first and last name, home crew base, and have a one paragraph "nomination". I know just typing it is sounds like "work". But what better way to have an impact on those employees that AU members, which is a dedicated group of train riders, think is the best?
If for whatever reason we can't "Find" the employee to give the gift, we just roll it over to next year, or award the runner-up.
K.I.S.S.
Amtrak doesn't have to have a say in it one way or the other, as they have their own recognition policy.
And who knows, in five years, it may be the "thing" that OBS staffers (those who care) really want to win, more than the company's own prize!
Chime in. I'm new to AU, so maybe this topic has been brought up before and squelched. I'd certainly be on any committee, if it came to pass. (sorry, would have to exempt Amtrak employees from being on the committee, but not from receiving votes......) Geeeze, I've already complicated it........
We could have a year long poll, or maybe a shorter period, and vote for top SCA, TA, LSA-Short Haul, LSA Long Haul, LSA/Short Haul or NEC, and/or others, or fewer.
"Prize" wouldn't be much, but I'd certainly kick-in $25 or so, could get the recipient an AMEX gift card or similar.
Prize committee could announce winner at AU gathering.
Voting would be limited to members, one vote per member, per job category.
We'd need to know first and last name, home crew base, and have a one paragraph "nomination". I know just typing it is sounds like "work". But what better way to have an impact on those employees that AU members, which is a dedicated group of train riders, think is the best?
If for whatever reason we can't "Find" the employee to give the gift, we just roll it over to next year, or award the runner-up.
K.I.S.S.
Amtrak doesn't have to have a say in it one way or the other, as they have their own recognition policy.
And who knows, in five years, it may be the "thing" that OBS staffers (those who care) really want to win, more than the company's own prize!
Chime in. I'm new to AU, so maybe this topic has been brought up before and squelched. I'd certainly be on any committee, if it came to pass. (sorry, would have to exempt Amtrak employees from being on the committee, but not from receiving votes......) Geeeze, I've already complicated it........
RailFanLNK
Conductor
That would be hard because I have had some very good SCA's. One guy that wasn't "animated" or really "outgoing" but was tops with my family and two stepdaughters was Reggie H. out of Chicago. Reminded me of "Linc" from the Mod Squad. Dressed real dapper, very professional, strong but kinda quiet. Also my nomination would recently go to Jim C on the Texas Eagle. Jim was great! Also...Ephram on the SWC. He wasn't animated or super outgoing but just kicked butt when it came to service. Geesh.....those are already 3 guys...how will we narrow it down to one? :blink: Great idea though. Can we find the people that wins? Heck yes, I'm sure a few of us on AU would know someone who works for Amtrak.
Last edited by a moderator:
I nominate Stephanie Utt, my SCA on the Portland section of the EB this last May. She was always in three places at the same time, always there when you needed her, polite, responsive, jovial, and genuinely cared for her passengers, seeing to our every need, or staying out of the way when she wasn't needed.
Ispolkom
Engineer
Yes, she is very good. Always cheery and helpful, but not constantly bothering you. I encountered her on a trip from Minot to St. Paul in early June. Even with a completely sold-out sleeper she managed to find the time to remake my bed so I was pointed in the direction of travel.
I wonder, though, if we all have different notions of what a great SCA is. We all probably can agree on what a bad one is (invisible, for a start), but I think that some people like a more out-going sort, while others (misanthropes like myself) have a more unobtrusive notion of what good service is. I've occasionally encountered SCAs who, while doing there job very well, had an extroverted personality that I found wearing on a long trip.
BeckysBarn
Lead Service Attendant
Last year, on the Coast Starlight, I had the pleasure to have Michelle for the PPC attendant. I told her that her great reputation was known on AU. She was moved to tears. Sometimes just recognition is all that's required.
lyke99
Service Attendant
Interesting to see the Portland section of the Empire Builder has been mentioned twice already. I would nominate Matt Norwood who worked as our SCA on the Portland section of the EB earlier this summer. Friendly and available when you needed him and took extra steps to make our trip special.
I think there are some very unique problems for a Portland section SCA.
The young lady I mentioned was all the time moving from our last car on the train to the dining car and back (a long walk) to assist our car passengers with reservations, etc.
I also had a long chat with her about how it is when they add the extra MSP coach on the rear of the train in the summer. She says she has to almost become an Amtrak cop when that happens. The coach folks have to pass through the sleeper to get to the SSL and dining car. They think the coffee and ice are for them, too, and the security in the car has to be increased.
No doubt recognition is it's own reward for a lot of people, but I've yet to meet someone who doesn't like to get an "award" or prize.
Please hold off on nominations until we figure out if we are gonna do this or not.
Anyone care to help me move this forward? With ideas, criteria, etc.?
I assume the MODS are OK with this????
I'm going to hold this one until the admins/mods can look at it and decide what we should do. I really don't know the answer. So, hold tight until we get back to everyone.
Thanks!!!
Thanks!!!
- Status
