I think that this past time was the very first time that I ever was escorted out solo by a Redcap. Most times there are at least 2 or 3 other people in tow. And again, there were two other Redcaps on duty yesterday, both of whom also took other passengers out to the train. One even brought someone into the FC car where I was. You seem to think that a Redcap can only handle one person at a time, which is so far from the truth. Between the 3 Redcap in Boston yesterday, had my Acela been full, it's quite conceivable that with each making two trips they could have easily brought 48 people or more out to the train before general boarding started.All of this might be OK if we knew for sure that Redcaps are consistently serving those with true needs FIRST. What I saw last night failed this standard miserably.
In a post from last year, you wrote:
"And for the record, I've grabbed a Red Cap once even without luggage to get me out there early. Yes, I still slipped him a couple of bucks for the favor, even though he did nothing more than escort me out to the train."
What I am trying to figure out is how you're able to rule out that the "favor" you're asking of the Redcap isn't displacing somebody else with special needs? Sure, that person may get help eventually under your argument above, but shouldn't they be served before anyone else? Before you? How are you ensuring that this is faithfully happening each time?
And normally when I'm in the lounge longer, which is typical (I don't usually cut things so close like I did yesterday), the Redcap that I got usually has a couple of other people that he calls for at the same time. Heck, I've even seen my Redcap ask other as he walks by if they'd like his services as I'm following him out of the lounge. Additionally, there are often people waiting downstairs who don't have lounge access, that are also waiting for him to get us and take all of us out to the train.
And many's the time that I've sat in an FC car at the rear of the train watching not only my Redcap go by with other people, but him making additional trips. And the other Redcaps are doing the same. Sometimes they have only a couple of people on a trip, sometimes they have a luggage cart that is full and half a dozen or more people in tow.
That's how I know that my favor didn't cost someone in need a chance to use a Redcap.
So once again, if there is some person truly in need who did not get helped to the train, then its because they didn't ask for help!
By the way, there were only 2 people even in the lounge yesterday when I ran up to get my ticket and use the restroom, prior to walking back down to my Redcap and the train. He had no bags on his cart, didn't even take it with him. So I know that he had no other passengers at that time to help. Clearly someone did approach him later, as I did see him go by again as I mentioned earlier.
I think part of your problem here is that you see the Redcaps purpose as being to help those in need. That is incorrect! They are there to assist anyone who asks for assistance, without regard to need or even luggage. To do anything else would be as bad as ignoring ADA rules. You're now singling out a special group. That would be illegal.When I look at the description of Redcaps on amtrak.com, I see several references to their function of helping passengers with their luggage. What I don't see is any mention of their function as a shortcut-for-hire -- or as you put it, a favor -- to confer preferential early boarding privileges upon pax with neither luggage nor special needs.
How isn't your use of the Redcaps in this way a contravention of the spirit of their purpose?
Redcaps are there for anyone's use, without regard to need.