Ticket scanning and crew changes

[LookingGlassTie]

Got a question:

Does a passenger's eTicket need to be scanned each time that there is a crew change?

I ask because on my most recent trip, I had my ticket scanned more than once while going in the same direction. I just assumed that once a passenger's ticket is scanned, it goes into the main Amtrak system and is accessible to all crews who will be supervising the train that said passenger is on.

It makes sense whenever new passengers board the train at various stations along the route, but I was curious about it being done with passengers who are already on board.

Thanks!

 

[brianpmcdonnell17]

New crews do not usually re-scan tickets, but it does sometimes happen on certain routes. I have never personally seen it on LD routes, although I have heard it is common on some trains such as those running through NYP.

 

[the_traveler]

Correct about NYP.

Although I've never had my ticket scanned twice, when going say WAS-KIN the new crew that boards at NYP asks ALL passengers to show their tickets. The only trains I have not had this happen are when on Acela (at least in First) and 65/66/67 (because it is 3 am).

 

[KmH]

Got a question:

Does a passenger's eTicket need to be scanned each time that there is a crew change?

Only if the conductor that lifted your ticket neglected to put the big RED indelible ink dot on your forehead.

 

[GaSteve]

It happens regularly with at least one conductor on 19 in Atlanta.

 

[crescent-zephyr]

It happens regularly with at least one conductor on 19 in Atlanta.

I bet I know which Conductor you are talking about... She works Atlanta to BHM and BHM to Meridian... She's a real... Treat

 

[Triley]

Correct about NYP.

Although I've never had my ticket scanned twice, when going say WAS-KIN the new crew that boards at NYP asks ALL passengers to show their tickets. The only trains I have not had this happen are when on Acela (at least in First) and 65/66/67 (because it is 3 am).

Most if not all crews still do it on 67/66.

This is done get because of the huge changeover of passengers, and people moving seats without moving their seat checks

 

[GaSteve]

It happens regularly with at least one conductor on 19 in Atlanta.

I bet I know which Conductor you are talking about... She works Atlanta to BHM and BHM to Meridian... She's a real... Treat

She's the most professional conductor I have seen.

 

[ehbowen]

It may not always be the conductor. On my recent southbound Texas Eagle trip the conductor told us that he had received instructions from Amtrak to re-scan all tickets on board the train, between Texarkana and Marshall. (We were running about 4 hours late).

 

[Bob Dylan]

I just rode the Texas Eagle from Longview to Austin while it was in the current Reroute through East Texas.

My ticket was scanned when I boarded in Longview and when we reached Hearne (where a Crew Change takes place only during the Reroute) my ticket was re-scanned by the New Conductor in the Diner while eating Lunch even though The Train had made No stops on the Reroute.

 

[daybeers]

I regularly travel on Northeast Regionals through NYP, and my ticket is always scanned at my boarding station, and again after the crew change in NYP.

 

[the_traveler]

Correct about NYP.

Although I've never had my ticket scanned twice, when going say WAS-KIN the new crew that boards at NYP asks ALL passengers to show their tickets. The only trains I have not had this happen are when on Acela (at least in First) and 65/66/67 (because it is 3 am).

Most if not all crews still do it on 67/66.
This is done get because of the huge changeover of passengers, and people moving seats without moving their seat checks

I agree about the turnover, but I have never been woken up overnight on 66/67.

 

[brianpmcdonnell17]

Correct about NYP.

Although I've never had my ticket scanned twice, when going say WAS-KIN the new crew that boards at NYP asks ALL passengers to show their tickets. The only trains I have not had this happen are when on Acela (at least in First) and 65/66/67 (because it is 3 am).

Most if not all crews still do it on 67/66.
This is done get because of the huge changeover of passengers, and people moving seats without moving their seat checks

I agree about the turnover, but I have never been woken up overnight on 66/67.

Maybe they won't scan your ticket if your seat check is above your seat and you are asleep.

 

[Hal]

Got a question:

Does a passenger's eTicket need to be scanned each time that there is a crew change?

I ask because on my most recent trip, I had my ticket scanned more than once while going in the same direction. I just assumed that once a passenger's ticket is scanned, it goes into the main Amtrak system and is accessible to all crews who will be supervising the train that said passenger is on.

It makes sense whenever new passengers board the train at various stations along the route, but I was curious about it being done with passengers who are already on board.

Thanks!

After a crew change the new crew is supposed to do,a ticket sweep. So yes after a crew change the e-tickets are scanned again of passengers who are already onboard.
From Service Standards Manual 10

2. Ticket Sweep

a) A ticket sweep is the process of verifying that all tickets have been lifted from each passenger that had previously boarded the train.• A sweep is performed after an enroute train crew change.• A sweep can also be performed if it is believed thatthere is a stow-away on-board, or that not all tickets have been lifted.

 

[LookingGlassTie]

Got a question:

Does a passenger's eTicket need to be scanned each time that there is a crew change?

I ask because on my most recent trip, I had my ticket scanned more than once while going in the same direction. I just assumed that once a passenger's ticket is scanned, it goes into the main Amtrak system and is accessible to all crews who will be supervising the train that said passenger is on.

It makes sense whenever new passengers board the train at various stations along the route, but I was curious about it being done with passengers who are already on board.

Thanks!

After a crew change the new crew is supposed to do,a ticket sweep. So yes after a crew change the e-tickets are scanned again of passengers who are already onboard.
From Service Standards Manual 10

2. Ticket Sweep

a) A ticket sweep is the process of verifying that all tickets have been lifted from each passenger that had previously boarded the train.• A sweep is performed after an enroute train crew change.• A sweep can also be performed if it is believed thatthere is a stow-away on-board, or that not all tickets have been lifted.

Thanks for the info!

 

[AmtrakLKL]

After a crew change the new crew is supposed to do,a ticket sweep. So yes after a crew change the e-tickets are scanned again of passengers who are already onboard.
From Service Standards Manual 10

2. Ticket Sweep

a) A ticket sweep is the process of verifying that all tickets have been lifted from each passenger that had previously boarded the train.• A sweep is performed after an enroute train crew change.• A sweep can also be performed if it is believed that there is a stow-away on-board, or that not all tickets have been lifted.

Bingo. Sweeps are supposed to be performed after crew changes. I always sweep and would say about 75% of the time find problems such as:

• Ticket lifted but not seat checked
• Ticket lifted but seat checked to wrong destination
• Correctly seat checked but ticket not lifted
• Sitting in a seat checked to a downline station but was supposed to get off at the crew change point.

Once it's my train everything becomes my responsibility even if a mistake was made before I boarded ("Why didn't you sweep the train like the book says?").

 

[ehbowen]

Bingo. Sweeps are supposed to be performed after crew changes.

Once it's my train everything becomes my responsibility even if a mistake was made before I boarded ("Why didn't you sweep the train like the book says?").

I foresee being awakened at 4 am outside Little Rock by The Knock On The Door and being asked, "Your papers, please?"

 

[crescent-zephyr]

I have rarely seen this done and would find it annoying if it become "standard" practice. My recent trip on the Wolverine, the conductors did what I would expect... Walk the train, look at seat checks, double check verbally about destinations if they felt necessary, etc. Re-Scanning every single ticket is quite overboard imho. unless it's a unique situation like Seattle on the Cascades or NYP.

 

[AmtrakLKL]

Bingo. Sweeps are supposed to be performed after crew changes.

Once it's my train everything becomes my responsibility even if a mistake was made before I boarded ("Why didn't you sweep the train like the book says?").

I foresee being awakened at 4 am outside Little Rock by The Knock On The Door and being asked, "Your papers, please?"

Day or night, I typically won't wake a sleeping passenger to check the ticket. In those cases I cross reference the seat check with the attendant's report and try to check back later when they are awake.

I have rarely seen this done and would find it annoying if it become "standard" practice. My recent trip on the Wolverine, the conductors did what I would expect... Walk the train, look at seat checks, double check verbally about destinations if they felt necessary, etc. Re-Scanning every single ticket is quite overboard imho. unless it's a unique situation like Seattle on the Cascades or NYP.

Well ticket sweeps are considered the "service standard" so there is nothing to be annoyed when properly done. Some passengers do get quite snippy when asked for their E-Ticket Travel Document, though. Just doing my job, ma'am.

 

[crescent-zephyr]

What route do you work? I have never seen this done as a "standard" practice for every crew change.

Again... I see new crew walk the train and check the seat checks... But not re-scanning every ticket.

 

[printman2000]

In all my Amtrak travels I have never seen a rescan done and certainly never asked for my ticket a second time.

 

[looshi]

I've seen it done on the Cardinal at CVS and on some of the Virginia regional trains at WAS.

 

[Triley]

I've seen it done on the Cardinal at CVS and on some of the Virginia regional trains at WAS.

*all Virginia trains at WAS.

And the Palmetto too I'd suspect, since passenger changeover would be quite high there.

 

[Devil's Advocate]

I honestly cannot remember being re-scanned on the LD network except in cases where there was some sort of confusion between the conductor and SCA early in my trip. So long as I'm not sleeping or otherwise indisposed I probably wouldn't care that much.

 

[jis]

I've seen it done on the Cardinal at CVS and on some of the Virginia regional trains at WAS.

*all Virginia trains at WAS.
And the Palmetto too I'd suspect, since passenger changeover would be quite high there.

And the one North Carolina train too.