Trainmans daughter
OBS Chief
After more than 20,000 Amtrak miles and many letters of commendation, I just sent Amtrak my first complaint. I gave this lots of thought, because people's careers are involved. But I just felt this was something I had to do.
Last week, my sister and I took an overnight trip to SF. This was her 1st Amtrak experience, and I hope not her last.
The trip to SF was terrific, but the bus connection back (SFW to EMY) was crazy! When the driver opened the door, he barked "Take a seat"! (I have dogs, so I don't take the term "barked" lightly)! Since he was still coming down the steps, I really couldn't take a seat immediately, so he barked it again. As soon as I could, I got on the bus since I had no luggage to put in the under-bus bin. My 70 year old sister, on the other hand, had a large duffle and her walker. Yes, a walker. She has broken bones in both of her feet and has walking casts. He opened the bin, stepped aside, and motioned for her to load her stuff. She asked him to please load her bag and walker, and he belligerently did so. She painfully made her way up the stairs while he followed close behind her. I honestly thought he was going to push her, at one point.
At the Ferry Building stop, a very friendly gentleman was waiting. He was forced to load his own bag, also, and told to "take a seat". We smiled and greeted him to make up for the rude driver.
When we got to EMY, the driver did unload the bags, but plopped the friendly gentleman's bag in a puddle. Was it carelessness or deliberate? I don't know, but it was the only puddle in the vicinity. Also, he made no attempt to get my sister's walker close to the bottom of the bus stairs. Glad I was there to take care of her.
The rest of the trip was great. In fact, we are laughing about the whole incident. We have both gone through some pretty tough times in our lives, but are known as the "giggle sisters" for our ability to see the funny side of most situations. That's what makes me feel bad about reporting this event.
Did I do the right thing?
Last week, my sister and I took an overnight trip to SF. This was her 1st Amtrak experience, and I hope not her last.
The trip to SF was terrific, but the bus connection back (SFW to EMY) was crazy! When the driver opened the door, he barked "Take a seat"! (I have dogs, so I don't take the term "barked" lightly)! Since he was still coming down the steps, I really couldn't take a seat immediately, so he barked it again. As soon as I could, I got on the bus since I had no luggage to put in the under-bus bin. My 70 year old sister, on the other hand, had a large duffle and her walker. Yes, a walker. She has broken bones in both of her feet and has walking casts. He opened the bin, stepped aside, and motioned for her to load her stuff. She asked him to please load her bag and walker, and he belligerently did so. She painfully made her way up the stairs while he followed close behind her. I honestly thought he was going to push her, at one point.
At the Ferry Building stop, a very friendly gentleman was waiting. He was forced to load his own bag, also, and told to "take a seat". We smiled and greeted him to make up for the rude driver.
When we got to EMY, the driver did unload the bags, but plopped the friendly gentleman's bag in a puddle. Was it carelessness or deliberate? I don't know, but it was the only puddle in the vicinity. Also, he made no attempt to get my sister's walker close to the bottom of the bus stairs. Glad I was there to take care of her.
The rest of the trip was great. In fact, we are laughing about the whole incident. We have both gone through some pretty tough times in our lives, but are known as the "giggle sisters" for our ability to see the funny side of most situations. That's what makes me feel bad about reporting this event.
Did I do the right thing?