OBS Chief?

Shop deals on ebay
shop deals on amazon
Advertise with us
Amtrak Unlimited Discussion Forum

Help Support Amtrak Unlimited Discussion Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
LookingGlassTie

LookingGlassTie

OBS Chief
AU Supporting Member
Joined
Nov 9, 2016
Messages
628
Location
Portsmouth, VA
I've read on AU that the OBS Chief on an Amtrak train is the person in charge of the dining car. Now, given that the Silver Star does not have a diner, does that mean that the cafe car attendant on that train is the OBS Chief? Also, on any Amtrak train, is this person just below the Conductor(s) or Engineer in the chain of command?

Thanks!
 
Iirc the title is now lsa, as in lead service attendant. The chief of on board service position was eliminated some time ago.

On a train with the a diner the LSA is in the diner. On a train without they are in the food service car.

Sent from my iPhone using Amtrak Forum
 
I thought the Conductor was in charge (Chief), even of the OBS, even though Conductors are subject to Hours of Service rules while OBS are not subject to Hours of Service rules.

The Engineer has to stay in the cab of the locomotive and pay close attention to the job of driving the train, pretty much precluding the Engineer from being much of a cog in the chain of command on a passenger train.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Railroad_engineerThe driver is in charge of, and responsible for driving the engine, as well as the mechanical operation of the train, train speed, and all train handling.
Click to expand...
.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
KmH said:
I thought the Conductor was in charge (Chief), even of the OBS, even though Conductors are subject to Hours of Service rules while OBS are not subject to Hours of Service rules.

The Engineer has to stay in the cab of the locomotive and pay close attention to the job of driving the train, pretty much precluding the Engineer from being much of a cog in the chain of command on a passenger train.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Railroad_engineerThe driver is in charge of, and responsible for driving the engine, as well as the mechanical operation of the train, train speed, and all train handling.
Click to expand...
.
Click to expand...

You would be incorrect. Most operating rules put the conductor in charge, followed by the engineer. Most host companies don't have OBS employees or even assistant conductors to consider and since they aren't usually qualified, they aren't in charge.

Even this outdated service manual contained in the Amtrak's SSM, version 8.1 thread mentions this:

All on-train employees are responsible for understanding

and following all of the information contained in

Section B. “General Information” of this chapter. The

Conductor supervises the operation and administration

of their assigned train. All employees must follow the

Conductor’s instructions. Whenever the Conductor is

unable to perform their duties, the Assistant Conductor

(if qualified) can become the Conductor “in charge” of

the train. If the Assistant Conductor is not qualified,

the Engineer will be “in charge” of the train.
Click to expand...
 
Ohh ok, it's been changed to LSA, kinda like my status right now!
default_tongue.png


Anywho, I do know that the Conductor is in charge of the entire train, but I wasn't totally sure who precisely the LSA answers to.
 

Latest posts

Back
Top