Amtrak to Step Up Security Measures

alphaGeek · 02-19-2008, 08:31 AM

Amtrak will screen passengers' bags - Yahoo! News

WASHINGTON - Amtrak will start randomly screening passengers' carry-on bags this week in a new security push that includes officers with automatic weapons and bomb-sniffing dogs patrolling platforms and trains.

The initiative, to be announced by the railroad on Tuesday, is a significant shift for Amtrak. Unlike the airlines, it has had relatively little visible increase in security since the 2001 terrorist attacks, a distinction that has enabled it to attract passengers eager to avoid airport hassles.

Amtrak officials insist their new procedures won't hold up the flow of passengers.

"On-time performance is a key element of Amtrak service. We are fully mindful of that. This is not about train delays," Bill Rooney, the railroad's vice president for security strategy and special operations, told The Associated Press.

Nor will the moves require passengers to arrive at stations far in advance, officials said. Passengers who are selected randomly for the screening will be delayed no more than a couple of minutes, Amtrak chief executive Alex Kummant said.

"We're very conscious of the fact that you're in an environment where commuters have minutes to go from train to train," he said.

Concern about Amtrak security has been mounting since the 2004 bombings of commuter trains in Madrid that killed 191 people. Trains also have been bombed in London, where 52 people were killed in a series of blasts in 2005, most of them on subway trains, and in Mumbai, India, where 200 people were killed in 2006 on commuter trains. Russia also has had several bombings on subway, commuter and long-distance trains.

The new procedures draw heavily on measures being used in the New York City subways, Rooney said. That model has been upheld in court challenges, he noted.

Amtrak plans to roll out the new "mobile security teams" first on the Northeast Corridor between Washington and Boston, the railroad's most heavily used route, before expanding them to the rest of the country.

The teams will show up unannounced at stations and set up baggage screening areas in front of boarding gates. Officers will randomly pull people out of line and wipe their bags with a special swab that is then put through a machine that detects explosives. If the machine detects anything, officers will open the bag for visual inspection.

Anybody who is selected for screening and refuses will not be allowed to board and their ticket will be refunded.

In addition to the screening, counterterrorism officers with bomb-sniffing dogs will patrol platforms and walk through trains, and sometimes will ride the trains, officials said.

Tim Connors, director of the Center for Policing Terrorism at the Manhattan Institute, said rail systems require a completely different approach to security from the one used in aviation.

"Rail moves a lot more people than air does," he said. "It's designed to be an open system that can move a lot of people fast."

One of Congress' biggest advocates for passenger rail, Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said the security initiative makes sense as long as it doesn't cause delays.

"Given that terrorists have chosen passenger rail as one of their targets of choice, provided this doesn't slow things down or require additional longer lines and waits, this plan is certainly worth trying," he said in a statement.

Connors said random screening could be effective.

"A random approach is actually more effective than a constant one," he said, adding that when procedures don't change, it's easier for would-be terrorists to find weak spots.

Amtrak hopes the new force can serve as a powerful deterrent to would-be terrorists.

"What we are trying to do is make sure the bad guys know we're out there but don't know where we'll be, or when," Rooney said.

Amtrak did not provide figures for the program's cost, but said its total security budget — including police, security strategy and emergency preparedness — is about $60 million. The railroad has about 400 security personnel, including about 300 sworn police officers, Kummant said.

Amtrak's previous passenger screening consisted of sporadic identification checks by train conductors, which the railroad says it plans to continue. Passengers also are required to show ID when buying tickets from station agents, though there is no such requirement from passengers buying tickets from self-serve kiosks.

The Transportation Security Administration is also expected to continue sporadic deployments to stations around the country.

Amtrak has received a number of federal grants aimed at boosting security, but officials said there was no specific mandate to implement the changes.

"There is no new or different specific threat," Kummant said. "This is just the correct step to take."

alphaGeek · 02-19-2008, 03:17 PM

Der papers... ve must see der papers.

Ya know it seems more and more we live in a militarized state I mean, c'mon, storm troopers on trains? It has been 7 years since September 11th and we are just now getting around to protecting the rail system. It is apparent that in the last 7 years we have had so many issues we now need to protect the rail lines too?

Who's won this war, the terrorists or the American government?

--AG

midlifecrisis · 02-20-2008, 03:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alphaGeek

Der papers... ve must see der papers.

Ya know it seems more and more we live in a militarized state I mean, c'mon, storm troopers on trains? It has been 7 years since September 11th and we are just now getting around to protecting the rail system. It is apparent that in the last 7 years we have had so many issues we now need to protect the rail lines too?

Who's won this war, the terrorists or the American government?

--AG

Have you ever traveled by Amtrak? I did once. And I would have appreciated the security. It was a filthy scarey experience.

alphaGeek · 02-20-2008, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by midlifecrisis

Have you ever traveled by Amtrak? I did once. And I would have appreciated the security. It was a filthy scarey experience.

When I was younger (19 years ago) I used Amtrak to get me up & down the east coast. It was cheap & easy. Yeah there were people I was uncomfortable with riding on the train but they did not pick a fight with me.

In fact one of the times I was listening to the superbowl and was sharing the score with those around me... and some people who I would have not considered even talking to before started up conversations I found very eye-opening.

Perhaps it is the perspective I have but the fix to all situations one does not need a show of force. Rather look to the root of the problem & deal with it.

So what happened to you? I'm curious about the time/experiences I had to your experience.

--aG

midlifecrisis · 02-20-2008, 05:46 AM

Back around 1990 I traveled from Mobile Alabama to New Orleans on the Sunset Limited (yes, the same one that later went off the tracks and into a bayou killing almost everyone aboard). I had it in my mind that traveling by rail was somehow nostalgic if not romantic. I envisioned "murder on the orient express" or some other such elegence. What I got was a greyhound bus on tracks. It was filthy, bumpy, noisy, smelly and just plain terrible. There were peanut shells on the floor, dirty newspapers from weeks ago, and people who looked like they should be under a bridge somewhere. Not a good expereince and I wont ever do it again if I can help it.

Anya · 02-20-2008, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by midlifecrisis

Back around 1990 I traveled from Mobile Alabama to New Orleans on the Sunset Limited (yes, the same one that later went off the tracks and into a bayou killing almost everyone aboard). I had it in my mind that traveling by rail was somehow nostalgic if not romantic. I envisioned "murder on the orient express" or some other such elegence. What I got was a greyhound bus on tracks. It was filthy, bumpy, noisy, smelly and just plain terrible. There were peanut shells on the floor, dirty newspapers from weeks ago, and people who looked like they should be under a bridge somewhere. Not a good expereince and I wont ever do it again if I can help it.

GET OUT! Are you serious? I took that run too. When did that happen? Going across Lake Ponchatraine scared the shit out of me. The bridge was so narrow that when pressed your face against the window and looked down all you could see was the water. I was terrified the whole time.

NWMUSCLE · 02-20-2008, 06:39 AM

The Terrorists initial goals are of course to cause terror and disrupt the normal movements of the citizens in a society.
So, the answer to your question post 911 is pretty obvious..

They defianatly are winning on the home front, albeit at the lowest level.

alphaGeek · 02-20-2008, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by midlifecrisis

Back around 1990 I traveled from Mobile Alabama to New Orleans on the Sunset Limited (yes, the same one that later went off the tracks and into a bayou killing almost everyone aboard). I had it in my mind that traveling by rail was somehow nostalgic if not romantic. I envisioned "murder on the orient express" or some other such elegence. What I got was a greyhound bus on tracks. It was filthy, bumpy, noisy, smelly and just plain terrible. There were peanut shells on the floor, dirty newspapers from weeks ago, and people who looked like they should be under a bridge somewhere. Not a good expereince and I wont ever do it again if I can help it.

Wow!!! I guess it was different on the East coast (PA to VA generally.) I wouldn't feel too good about rail service either based on what you experienced.

midlifecrisis · 02-20-2008, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anya

GET OUT! Are you serious? I took that run too. When did that happen? Going across Lake Ponchatraine scared the shit out of me. The bridge was so narrow that when pressed your face against the window and looked down all you could see was the water. I was terrified the whole time.

Happened in 93. Here is the link. It was horrific and still the worst train disaser in Amtrak history I beleive.

Big Bayou Canot train disaster - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mickey · 02-20-2008, 08:40 AM

I have no problem with this as well. I have always thought that the security on trains was shockingly non-existent. I think its about time that they stepped it up since terrorists seem to target them in other countries. However, they do that because most other countries are smart enough to build efficient mass transit for their people, unlike us Americans who are still obsessed with the automobile, and it is used heavily in those places.

midlifecrisis · 02-20-2008, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mickey

I have no problem with this as well. I have always thought that the security on trains was shockingly non-existent. I think its about time that they stepped it up since terrorists seem to target them in other countries. However, they do that because most other countries are smart enough to build efficient mass transit for their people, unlike us Americans who are still obsessed with the automobile, and it is used heavily in those places.

You say that like its a bad thing? Im glad I travel by private auto and not mass transit. Thats not freedom.

jpt · 02-20-2008, 09:59 AM

i would dread sitting in traffic all day long...with mass transit i know my precise schedule...i'm in the office w/ a starbucks coffee everyday at 7:08am and i'm home every night by 5:28pm.

Mickey · 02-20-2008, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by midlifecrisis

You say that like its a bad thing? Im glad I travel by private auto and not mass transit. Thats not freedom.

Aside from terrorism, yes I think that is a bad thing. What did oil close at again yesterday? I don't see the correlation between "freedom" and alternative forms of transportation. I think I have made my stance on this topic known over the past 7 years or so that I've been on here. If we all hang around long enough I will be proven right.

midlifecrisis · 02-20-2008, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mickey

Aside from terrorism, yes I think that is a bad thing. What did oil close at again yesterday? I don't see the correlation between "freedom" and alternative forms of transportation. I think I have made my stance on this topic known over the past 7 years or so that I've been on here. If we all hang around long enough I will be proven right.

Trust me, in all the countries that rely on mass transit, if those citizens could be in the privacy of thier own cars, with supple leather seats, a nice hot mug of coffee, nice warm heat or cool air condition, trust me bro, they would choose it over a stinking railcar or bus, surrounded by mentally unstable characters who do nothig but ride all day. We have it good here and others envy us. Why oh why do we want to go backwards and lower our lifestyle to match thiers? I think its whats called having a bleeding heart. LOL!

Mickey · 02-20-2008, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by midlifecrisis

Trust me, in all the countries that rely on mass transit, if those citizens could be in the privacy of thier own cars, with supple leather seats, a nice hot mug of coffee, nice warm heat or cool air condition, trust me bro, they would choose it over a stinking railcar or bus, surrounded by mentally unstable characters who do nothig but ride all day. We have it good here and others envy us. Why oh why do we want to go backwards and lower our lifestyle to match thiers? I think its whats called having a bleeding heart. LOL!

You know I'm not a bleeding heart, bro! I'm talking about building the future wave of transportation, high speed magnetic rail lines and such. These can be quite luxurious. I'm not talking about the shitty rail lines we have here in this country now.

Oh and last time I checked, most luxury cars originate in Europe (Mercedes, BMW, Ferrari, Porsche, Bentley, Maybach etc) so it's not like the don't use cars there or have access to them.

Like this...

Eurostar - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

JR-Maglev - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

02-19-2008, 08:31 AM	#1 (permalink)
alphaGeek Following my bliss Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 384 Rep Power: 42430	Amtrak to Step Up Security Measures Amtrak will screen passengers' bags - Yahoo! News WASHINGTON - Amtrak will start randomly screening passengers' carry-on bags this week in a new security push that includes officers with automatic weapons and bomb-sniffing dogs patrolling platforms and trains. The initiative, to be announced by the railroad on Tuesday, is a significant shift for Amtrak. Unlike the airlines, it has had relatively little visible increase in security since the 2001 terrorist attacks, a distinction that has enabled it to attract passengers eager to avoid airport hassles. Amtrak officials insist their new procedures won't hold up the flow of passengers. "On-time performance is a key element of Amtrak service. We are fully mindful of that. This is not about train delays," Bill Rooney, the railroad's vice president for security strategy and special operations, told The Associated Press. Nor will the moves require passengers to arrive at stations far in advance, officials said. Passengers who are selected randomly for the screening will be delayed no more than a couple of minutes, Amtrak chief executive Alex Kummant said. "We're very conscious of the fact that you're in an environment where commuters have minutes to go from train to train," he said. Concern about Amtrak security has been mounting since the 2004 bombings of commuter trains in Madrid that killed 191 people. Trains also have been bombed in London, where 52 people were killed in a series of blasts in 2005, most of them on subway trains, and in Mumbai, India, where 200 people were killed in 2006 on commuter trains. Russia also has had several bombings on subway, commuter and long-distance trains. The new procedures draw heavily on measures being used in the New York City subways, Rooney said. That model has been upheld in court challenges, he noted. Amtrak plans to roll out the new "mobile security teams" first on the Northeast Corridor between Washington and Boston, the railroad's most heavily used route, before expanding them to the rest of the country. The teams will show up unannounced at stations and set up baggage screening areas in front of boarding gates. Officers will randomly pull people out of line and wipe their bags with a special swab that is then put through a machine that detects explosives. If the machine detects anything, officers will open the bag for visual inspection. Anybody who is selected for screening and refuses will not be allowed to board and their ticket will be refunded. In addition to the screening, counterterrorism officers with bomb-sniffing dogs will patrol platforms and walk through trains, and sometimes will ride the trains, officials said. Tim Connors, director of the Center for Policing Terrorism at the Manhattan Institute, said rail systems require a completely different approach to security from the one used in aviation. "Rail moves a lot more people than air does," he said. "It's designed to be an open system that can move a lot of people fast." One of Congress' biggest advocates for passenger rail, Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said the security initiative makes sense as long as it doesn't cause delays. "Given that terrorists have chosen passenger rail as one of their targets of choice, provided this doesn't slow things down or require additional longer lines and waits, this plan is certainly worth trying," he said in a statement. Connors said random screening could be effective. "A random approach is actually more effective than a constant one," he said, adding that when procedures don't change, it's easier for would-be terrorists to find weak spots. Amtrak hopes the new force can serve as a powerful deterrent to would-be terrorists. "What we are trying to do is make sure the bad guys know we're out there but don't know where we'll be, or when," Rooney said. Amtrak did not provide figures for the program's cost, but said its total security budget — including police, security strategy and emergency preparedness — is about $60 million. The railroad has about 400 security personnel, including about 300 sworn police officers, Kummant said. Amtrak's previous passenger screening consisted of sporadic identification checks by train conductors, which the railroad says it plans to continue. Passengers also are required to show ID when buying tickets from station agents, though there is no such requirement from passengers buying tickets from self-serve kiosks. The Transportation Security Administration is also expected to continue sporadic deployments to stations around the country. Amtrak has received a number of federal grants aimed at boosting security, but officials said there was no specific mandate to implement the changes. "There is no new or different specific threat," Kummant said. "This is just the correct step to take." __________________ "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." -- Bernard Berenson

02-19-2008, 03:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
alphaGeek Following my bliss Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 384 Rep Power: 42430	Der papers... ve must see der papers. Ya know it seems more and more we live in a militarized state I mean, c'mon, storm troopers on trains? It has been 7 years since September 11th and we are just now getting around to protecting the rail system. It is apparent that in the last 7 years we have had so many issues we now need to protect the rail lines too? Who's won this war, the terrorists or the American government? --AG __________________ "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." -- Bernard Berenson

02-20-2008, 05:46 AM	#5 (permalink)
midlifecrisis ROLL TIDE ! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: #1 IN THE NATION Posts: 3,731 Rep Power: 177735	Back around 1990 I traveled from Mobile Alabama to New Orleans on the Sunset Limited (yes, the same one that later went off the tracks and into a bayou killing almost everyone aboard). I had it in my mind that traveling by rail was somehow nostalgic if not romantic. I envisioned "murder on the orient express" or some other such elegence. What I got was a greyhound bus on tracks. It was filthy, bumpy, noisy, smelly and just plain terrible. There were peanut shells on the floor, dirty newspapers from weeks ago, and people who looked like they should be under a bridge somewhere. Not a good expereince and I wont ever do it again if I can help it. __________________ "It's awfully important to win with humility. It's also important to lose with it. I hate to lose worse than anyone, but if you never lose you won't know how to act. If you lose with humility, then you can come back better the next time." - Paul "Bear" Bryant

02-20-2008, 06:39 AM	#7 (permalink)
NWMUSCLE Proud American Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,605 Rep Power: 97396	The Terrorists initial goals are of course to cause terror and disrupt the normal movements of the citizens in a society. So, the answer to your question post 911 is pretty obvious.. They defianatly are winning on the home front, albeit at the lowest level. __________________ "Qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum." Flavius Vegitius Renatus

02-20-2008, 08:40 AM	#10 (permalink)
Mickey Gold Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Florida Posts: 2,284 Rep Power: 20992	I have no problem with this as well. I have always thought that the security on trains was shockingly non-existent. I think its about time that they stepped it up since terrorists seem to target them in other countries. However, they do that because most other countries are smart enough to build efficient mass transit for their people, unlike us Americans who are still obsessed with the automobile, and it is used heavily in those places.

02-20-2008, 09:59 AM	#12 (permalink)
jpt Gold Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,322 Rep Power: 10415	i would dread sitting in traffic all day long...with mass transit i know my precise schedule...i'm in the office w/ a starbucks coffee everyday at 7:08am and i'm home every night by 5:28pm.

02-20-2008, 12:30 PM	#16 (permalink)
midlifecrisis ROLL TIDE ! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: #1 IN THE NATION Posts: 3,731 Rep Power: 177735