In today’s news wire, I saw that criminal charges were up against the engineer that let a passenger into the cab. Now he denies that the passenger operated the train - but are they charges because it was found that the passenger operated the train or just because there was a passenger in the cab? Obviously such a cab ride would have been unathorized and the engineer subject to company discipline, but would he be criminally liable for just allowing a cab ride? Or did he indeed let the passenger operate the train?
IIRC, the passenger sent text messages to his friends to the effect that he was operating the train.
Operating rules were violated, whether the passenger was actually at the controls or not.
I agree that operating rules were violated but the brought criminal charges against the engineer - is there anything criminal about giving someone a cab ride or is it just a rules violation?
an un-authorized cab ride these days will get you suspended.
having a un-authorized person operate a train will get you fired.
So you’re on a flight from NYC to wherever and your non pilot friend who knows the captain tells you he’s going to let him land the plane, no problem the captain said he would talk him through it. Are you OK with this? Some rules are really good.
Well obviously I wouldn’t be ok with the guy landing the airplane, but being a former airline pilot myself, I would have had absolutely no problem with the guy sitting in the cockpit just watching, which sadly after 9/11 ended because of security regs.
Yeah, 9/11 did cab rides in big time…but it wasn’t the start and it isn’t the reason. There is a different breed of railroader today, from management to track gang, couched in legal fears and surrounded by a populace far, far removed from the realities of railroading. Most of us at least over 60 years old have enjoyed, learned, and been blessed by cab rides and other friendly, encouraging, and educational acts by rail employees. Fewer chances to interact with railroaders today disconnects many fans from the reality of railroading. Without the local agent for tickets and freight and express, there is no community involvement, no knowledge of what railroading is actually all about. With all that said, I am glad to see stricter rules and regulations of in cab rides for non employees. I have been at the railfan window on a train an listened to the engineer talk to her girlfriend or whoever on her cell while an 8 car train hurdled down the tracks at 65+ mph…disconcerting to say the least. And the railfans are so niave to say the least, posting and publishing pictures, texting from the cab, bragging about their exlpoits, betraying the trust the railroader put in them. If I were a railroader today, I would be glad of the new and stricter rules and regulations about unauthorized visitors.