Sebring, FL (SBG) to be Unstaffed Effective June 1, 2017
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Sad, one by one Amtrak eliminates manned stations across the county. I guess the number of transactions the Agent completes on an average day is getting fewer and fewer with on line ticketing and APPs to display tickets. I wonder if the number of checked bags has also decreased?
I wonder if Amtrak has a good way of tabulating actual numbers of checked bags beyond the number of station tags shipped out each year. Unlike airlines, nothing is put in the computer regarding baggage. Even charges for excess checked baggage are written up manually. Regardless, I don't think there has been a decline in usage except that attributed to fewer stations offering the service as they are unstaffed.
The services offered by today's Customer Service Representative (they are no longer titled Ticket Agents, btw), go far beyond just ticketing and checked bags. It's also special services, positioning the wheelchair lift to minimize dwell time, handling unaccompanied minors, etc. Sebring is a bit special in that three trains all call on the station within a very short period and the agent can announce who is up next to board. The platform is also super low. The agent lines up special, extra-tall step boxes every day for each train. I guarantee even if those boxes are chained to a pole, no crew will take the time to use them. They'll just go back to the regular boxes and give out a heartier "Watch Your Step".
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With nothing tracked, the bean counters have nothing to justify the CSR existence except the number of passengers each day. I know that in many of these management meetings quantitative results is all they digest. Subjective accomplishments don't compute.
Thirdrail7
Engineer
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Indeed and depending on the physical characteristics of the station, they can always use train side baggage check for luggage. A lot of this is probably driven by the express numbers since it represents revenue and unaccompanied minors. These are things that are easily tracked.
tricia
Conductor
Given the decreasing number of stations that have staff to accept checked baggage, does anyone here think it likely that Amtrak will figure out a way for the crews of LD trains to accept checked baggage train side? As the recent Slidell thread here indicates, not being able to check baggage is a major impediment for many travelers.
Thirdrail7
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It is already being done in multiple places across the system. The original test stations in 2014 were Williamsburg, VA and Route 128 (Dedham), Ma. It has since expanded and includes stations that have become unstaffed.
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How does this work, and do you know which stations this has expanded to?
Thirdrail7
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Apparently, I was off in my years. The program started in late 2013. Basically, you check the your luggage train side. I've tried to think of the best way of handling the details using publicly available information. We'll use the (outdated but publicly available) information in the Amtrak's SSM, version 8.1. Although this service standards manual has been modified, it gives the basis of the program.
Here are relevant points from the relevant chapter:
The policy has been expanded and also includes select unstaffed stations. An example of this was mentioned in the Winona, MN to become unstaffed soon thread. After the staff was eliminated, they brought in baggage light.
This is from Winona's city profile on the Amtrak website:
Here are relevant points from the relevant chapter:
Limited Baggage Service – 5-Day Stations
Offered at select stations open 5-days per week.
• Station Open: Normal baggage service, with
option for Amtrak Express.
4-8 Baggage Handling
REV. No. 1 10-30-14
• Station Closed: Limited baggage service where
baggage must be dropped-off and picked-up at
the Baggage Car, as indicated on the “Limited
Baggage Service Tag” (old NRPC 300 U or new
NRPC 4000U), (Refer to Figure 4-3). The reservation
system is programmed to not accept firearms
when the station is closed.
<snip>
a) Boarding Passengers When Station is Closed
• Station and platform signage will indicate where
passengers with more than the two pieces carry on
limit can check their baggage when station is
closed (Refer to Figure 4-4). Baggage tags will be
available from kiosks at stations.
• At boarding, crews will direct any passengers
with excessive baggage to the Baggage Car.
• At the Baggage Car, crews will take possession
of the baggage.
<snip>
b) Detraining Passengers When Station is Closed
Passengers on the train who have checked their
baggage will be told to retrieve their baggage at
the Baggage Car.
• Upon detraining, crews will give passengers
directions to the Baggage Car where their baggage
can be claimed. Signage will also indicate where
to pick-up baggage.
• The crew will collect the claim checks, matching
the claim checks to the tags on the bag before
handing the baggage back to the passenger
trainside. (Refer to Figure 4-3 – Example of
“Limited Service Baggage Tag”)
The policy has been expanded and also includes select unstaffed stations. An example of this was mentioned in the Winona, MN to become unstaffed soon thread. After the staff was eliminated, they brought in baggage light.
This is from Winona's city profile on the Amtrak website:
Another example of the aforementioned 5 day station is found in Columbus, WI's city profile:
In this case, walk up service only occurs on weekends and holidays. There are other variables but you have the basics. I haven't track of all of the stations but I'd say they are in the low double digits. I also remembering a few of them pulling out due to excessive dwell, insufficient paths and host anxiety.
tricia
Conductor
Thanks for the details. I suppose it's too much to hope that "baggage lite" will be extended to all unstaffed/unopen stations anytime soon? For any long-distance transportation service NOT to offer checked baggage seems a gross deficiency, and a bit bizarre given that the trains in question all have baggage cars. Surely it shouldn't be impossible to arrange to actually load baggage into those cars at every station?Apparently, I was off in my years. The program started in late 2013. Basically, you check the your luggage train side. I've tried to think of the best way of handling the details using publicly available information. We'll use the (outdated but publicly available) information in the Amtrak's SSM, version 8.1. Although this service standards manual has been modified, it gives the basis of the program.
Here are relevant points from the relevant chapter:
Limited Baggage Service – 5-Day Stations
Offered at select stations open 5-days per week.
• Station Open: Normal baggage service, with
option for Amtrak Express.
4-8 Baggage Handling
REV. No. 1 10-30-14
• Station Closed: Limited baggage service where
baggage must be dropped-off and picked-up at
the Baggage Car, as indicated on the “Limited
Baggage Service Tag” (old NRPC 300 U or new
NRPC 4000U), (Refer to Figure 4-3). The reservation
system is programmed to not accept firearms
when the station is closed.
<snip>
a) Boarding Passengers When Station is Closed
• Station and platform signage will indicate where
passengers with more than the two pieces carry on
limit can check their baggage when station is
closed (Refer to Figure 4-4). Baggage tags will be
available from kiosks at stations.
• At boarding, crews will direct any passengers
with excessive baggage to the Baggage Car.
• At the Baggage Car, crews will take possession
of the baggage.
<snip>
b) Detraining Passengers When Station is Closed
Passengers on the train who have checked their
baggage will be told to retrieve their baggage at
the Baggage Car.
• Upon detraining, crews will give passengers
directions to the Baggage Car where their baggage
can be claimed. Signage will also indicate where
to pick-up baggage.
• The crew will collect the claim checks, matching
the claim checks to the tags on the bag before
handing the baggage back to the passenger
trainside. (Refer to Figure 4-3 – Example of
“Limited Service Baggage Tag”)
Limited baggage brochure.gif
The policy has been expanded and also includes select unstaffed stations. An example of this was mentioned in the Winona, MN to become unstaffed soon thread. After the staff was eliminated, they brought in baggage light.
This is from Winona's city profile on the Amtrak website:
Another example of the aforementioned 5 day station is found in Columbus, WI's city profile:
In this case, walk up service only occurs on weekends and holidays. There are other variables but you have the basics. I haven't track of all of the stations but I'd say they are in the low double digits. I also remembering a few of them pulling out due to excessive dwell, insufficient paths and host anxiety.
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This will work other than potential delays until some idiot realizes the ease of checking a big bag without a ticket that results in multiple agencies including the TSA becoming involved.
Thirdrail7
Engineer
- Joined
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- 4,542
I do not foresee the program being extended to all unstaffed/closed stations soon. If you commit the time and resources to something, there aren't many things that are impossible.
However, is it probable? As I'm fond of observing there are different operating parameters to consider. The vast majority of these trains traverse railroads that belong to other companies. As such, train side baggage check will depend on the platform length and surroundings (is there a safe way to get passengers train side to get your baggage). If the train is long (think about the 13 car Lake Shore Limited), you may need to increase the dwell to allow for a double or (possibly) triple stop. There are some stations where this is feasible but not optimal and in some cases, the host railroads wouldn't even allow it because of dwell. Even the location of the baggage car must come into play.
That is why I don't foresee a wide spread implementation of this plan in the immediate future. Everything from dwell, recovery time, platform length, loading plans and train length (particularly if the train station is near a signal or interlocking) has to be considered.
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To do this Amtrak would have to add an additional person to handle the bags on and off which defeats the cost savings of closing the ticket windows at these stations. You would almost have to board everyone with their bags quickly into say the Coach/Baggage Car where a Baggage handler tags the bags and stores them. At a service stop then the bags are moved to the baggage car. That is getting the bags on which is full of issues, but then how do you get the bags off quickly? I thought of baggage bins, but you need a lift and someone to move the empty bin to and from the tracks. Again, the problem is how to get in and out of the station in 5 minutes or less.
BCL
Engineer
Is there a procedure for unclaimed baggage? I suppose Amtrak deals with forgotten carry-on at the end of the route, so baggage uncollected trainside would probably be left at the next station with a baggage room or at the end station.
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I doubt the train has enough dwell time to wait for all bags to be claimed. Maybe the caretaker puts unclaimed bags inside the building.
dogbert617
OBS Chief
Weird, I had no idea Amtrak had done this at a few stops, where staffing was totally eliminated for checked baggage! Wish they'd roll this out at some of the stations that never had ticket agents/staffing even like 5-10 years ago, myself. Though I wouldn't expect them to roll this out at flag stops that almost never get any use(i.e. Sanderson, TX).Apparently, I was off in my years. The program started in late 2013. Basically, you check the your luggage train side. I've tried to think of the best way of handling the details using publicly available information. We'll use the (outdated but publicly available) information in the Amtrak's SSM, version 8.1. Although this service standards manual has been modified, it gives the basis of the program.
Here are relevant points from the relevant chapter:
Limited Baggage Service – 5-Day Stations
Offered at select stations open 5-days per week.
• Station Open: Normal baggage service, with
option for Amtrak Express.
4-8 Baggage Handling
REV. No. 1 10-30-14
• Station Closed: Limited baggage service where
baggage must be dropped-off and picked-up at
the Baggage Car, as indicated on the “Limited
Baggage Service Tag” (old NRPC 300 U or new
NRPC 4000U), (Refer to Figure 4-3). The reservation
system is programmed to not accept firearms
when the station is closed.
<snip>
a) Boarding Passengers When Station is Closed
• Station and platform signage will indicate where
passengers with more than the two pieces carry on
limit can check their baggage when station is
closed (Refer to Figure 4-4). Baggage tags will be
available from kiosks at stations.
• At boarding, crews will direct any passengers
with excessive baggage to the Baggage Car.
• At the Baggage Car, crews will take possession
of the baggage.
<snip>
b) Detraining Passengers When Station is Closed
Passengers on the train who have checked their
baggage will be told to retrieve their baggage at
the Baggage Car.
• Upon detraining, crews will give passengers
directions to the Baggage Car where their baggage
can be claimed. Signage will also indicate where
to pick-up baggage.
• The crew will collect the claim checks, matching
the claim checks to the tags on the bag before
handing the baggage back to the passenger
trainside. (Refer to Figure 4-3 – Example of
“Limited Service Baggage Tag”)
Limited baggage brochure.gif
The policy has been expanded and also includes select unstaffed stations. An example of this was mentioned in the Winona, MN to become unstaffed soon thread. After the staff was eliminated, they brought in baggage light.
This is from Winona's city profile on the Amtrak website:
Another example of the aforementioned 5 day station is found in Columbus, WI's city profile:
In this case, walk up service only occurs on weekends and holidays. There are other variables but you have the basics. I haven't track of all of the stations but I'd say they are in the low double digits. I also remembering a few of them pulling out due to excessive dwell, insufficient paths and host anxiety.
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- 4,888
Amtrak has a new program that they are testing at Wilmington, DE. You check your bag going northbound on the Silver Star to Wilmington but they unload it in Philadelphia and put it on another train so it arrives an hour and a half later in Wilmington. At least that's what happened to me last week.
Between that and the other testing they were doing on us, we did get a voucher!
Between that and the other testing they were doing on us, we did get a voucher!
dogbert617
OBS Chief
I thought Wilmington, DE was a staffed station? Interesting to hear this news. So you were getting off in Wilmington from a station south of there, and someone on a southbound train traveling on the NEC will drop off your bag in Wilmington who's assigned to one of the southbound trains stopping at Wilmington on the NEC? Interesting, if that's the case. Just explain a little more what you mean, since I was trying to understand how this new test program works.
Wilmington is a staffed station.I believe what happened is that they did not unload his luggage - by mistake - and it went to Philly. WIL probably contacted PHL so they would unload there and send back to WIL.
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100% correct. Took an hour and a half to get my bag back after I arrived in WIL. They did deliver it to the local hotel in WIL we ended up staying at (although we had prepaid for a hotel at our destination. We got off the train and walked up to the counter and asked where we pick up our bag. The agents said "Did you check it?" and I handed them the claim check. Another agent said she had gone up to the train and they told her there were no bags for Wilmington. The other agent looked it up on their computer and verified I had a bag but by that time the train was gone so they called (presumably PHL) and asked to have my bag pulled off and put on a southbound train.
Not as bad an error but a worse result than a trip last year where, in Oregon, they put an Albany (ALB) tag on my Albuquerque (ABQ) bound bag. After arriving in ABQ (after two overnights and a night in LA), I handed my tag to the agent and they, by the look on their faces and their words, said it wasn't the first time. Luckily, the train was still in the station and they pulled off my Albany-bound bag. Even more lucky was the fact it was on the train at all instead of going via Empire Builder through Chicago then to Albany. The Portland agent had put a second tag on it indicating it was to be routed through LA. At least, I didn't have to wait many hours or even a day to get it returned.
Both times the baggage people really made a great effort.
Thirdrail7
Engineer
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Did your luggage receive extra AGR points?
Ryan
Court Jester
Not really, since Amtrak already hauls stuff in the baggage car without a ticketed passenger.
Adding a person to the mix is wholly unnecessary and doesn't solve the problem of "where do you put the bags until you can move them to the baggage car" that prevents this from ever happening.
tricia
Conductor
Hope so.That happened to me once as well. I was returning home to Newark with three other people from Florida (don't remember if it was the Star or the Meteor). The bags for 2 out of 4 of us made it to Newark, the rest never got unloaded and ended up in New York. They were properly tagged so I guess the baggage person on the train or in Newark missed them. Amtrak ended up sending them back from New York to Newark via Northeast Regional 67 but as that train wasn't scheduled to arrive until around 3-4 AM, I opted to pick them up the next morning. Luckily, I live fairly close to Newark Penn station so it was not too much of a hassle.
