Gilbert B Norman wrote: ↑Tue Apr 20, 2021 10:12 am
Mr. Ridgefield, if CN were to route traffic off the KCS at Shreveport and on to the IC for the favorable grades, then that line would be more congested and adversely affect Amtrak operations.
Mr. Norman- I guess I need to explain a little further.
We often talk about "the Regulators" or "the STB" almost as if they're inanimate objects. They, of course, aren't. They are human beings who happen to work for the Executive Branch of the United States Government. The head of which, of course, is the President.
Now I've never worked for the government. But I have spent a large part of my career working in a capacity in which I am dealing with other companies that do or are seeking to do business with mine. If Company A wants my business, but I happen to know that the big boss doesn't like Company A because of trouble an associate of his had with them in the past, am I going to go out of my way to push Company A's case? Or am I going to look with more favor on Company B?
So, in this case-- is CN's rocky past relationship with Amtrak going to hurt them when they seek merger approval from the Administration of "Amtrak Joe" Biden?