Railroad Forums
Has Amtrak gone cashless?
- Discussion related to Amtrak also known as the National Railroad Passenger Corp.
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Cash is a pain in the ass to deal with. First, someone has to do accounting for it and make bank runs to deposit it. Second, employees steal. I don't care how loyal or how many decades an employees works for you, they steal. So theft is a big part of it too.
Funny how this month, the only cash I have had in my possession was a $60 tip for the newspaper carrier. That was probably for five minutes, or the time needed to go from the bank's ATM, place it in his envelope and drop it in a mailbox.
Remember, that stuff is transportable, concealable, and universally desired. Because of that, it's sinister. Why Amtrak resumed accepting it escapes me.
Remember, that stuff is transportable, concealable, and universally desired. Because of that, it's sinister. Why Amtrak resumed accepting it escapes me.
Gilbert B Norman wrote: ↑Wed Dec 22, 2021 9:21 pm Funny how this month, the only cash I have had in my possession was a $60 tip for the newspaper carrier. That was probably for five minutes, or the time needed to go from the bank's ATM, place it in his envelope and drop it in a mailbox.If you were to ride more often Mr Norman you would have heard the cries of WTF you mean you don't except cash. So I can't buy ??? Which leads to if I give you the money can you charge it to your card. Akin to panhandling in the cafe car. Just a little interaction between passengers I observed on a deadhead back from NYC one afternoon.
Remember, that stuff is transportable, concealable, and universally desired. Because of that, it's sinister. Why Amtrak resumed accepting it escapes me.
As I said previously in this post cash is king, still pay in cash, still carry cash, and will always negotiate the best cash deal I can get.
Green means GO Red means STOP Yellow your on YOUR OWN
Mr. Junkie, from what I understand, the panhandling you describe is SOP aboard flights. I haven't flown Coach since Oct '19 (two flights last year overseas were in Business) and I got "comped" by an Air Wisconsin Captain and Attendant because I found a girl's Driver's License (she was understandably too panicked to look for it), so I really haven't had any first-hand experience observing such.
OK, subject to a COVID CX, when I go to Florida next month, I will carry a reasonable amount of cash. There are tips to Housekeepers, tips at "comp" hotel Breakfasts, hotel valets, my Times and Journal possibly, and "an extra $20". I'll have the loot "squirreled" over several bags.
Why a hotel Housekeeper's tip cannot be placed on the bill escapes me; that would eliminate the need for $90 of the stuff on this upcoming planned 12 day trip. When I return, second stop (first; PO for my mail) will be the Bank to be rid of whatever is left.
Needless to say, along with any homeowner out there, I have had tradesmen "proposition" me with "could you get me some cash for that?" They are met with a response "I contracted with your incorporated business for the job at this price". That is what their business gets paid, and they are never invited to set foot of my property again.
But I accept. even if I do not agree, with the "other school of thought". This of course goes back a few years as it involves two defunct railroads. I was sent out to San Francisco to do some work (Interline Settlements) at the SP. I was being held out over the weekend (there are worse "punishments" in this life), and this guy with the SP who I was working with said "hey my wife and kids are gone this weekend, can I show you around a bit?" "Sure"; he was a nice guy and we were not really adversaries. He took me out to the Muir Woods and to Point Reyes, then up Mt. Tempallis and over to Sausalito - places I never knew existed or were never going to get to without an auto. Now it's time for Dinner, and expense account be damned, I'm going to pick it up. Well, here comes the check and I have my American Express out. The Waiter returns and I add the tip. My companion then says "can I take care of the tip?", to which I say "all taken care of; it's on the card". He really seemed bewildered, to which I said "holds down on the cash I need to bring" and "this is one tip on which his taxes will be paid". His response to me was "well; that's the best reason I've heard for giving tips in cash".
Nothing further on that point was said.
OK, subject to a COVID CX, when I go to Florida next month, I will carry a reasonable amount of cash. There are tips to Housekeepers, tips at "comp" hotel Breakfasts, hotel valets, my Times and Journal possibly, and "an extra $20". I'll have the loot "squirreled" over several bags.
Why a hotel Housekeeper's tip cannot be placed on the bill escapes me; that would eliminate the need for $90 of the stuff on this upcoming planned 12 day trip. When I return, second stop (first; PO for my mail) will be the Bank to be rid of whatever is left.
Needless to say, along with any homeowner out there, I have had tradesmen "proposition" me with "could you get me some cash for that?" They are met with a response "I contracted with your incorporated business for the job at this price". That is what their business gets paid, and they are never invited to set foot of my property again.
But I accept. even if I do not agree, with the "other school of thought". This of course goes back a few years as it involves two defunct railroads. I was sent out to San Francisco to do some work (Interline Settlements) at the SP. I was being held out over the weekend (there are worse "punishments" in this life), and this guy with the SP who I was working with said "hey my wife and kids are gone this weekend, can I show you around a bit?" "Sure"; he was a nice guy and we were not really adversaries. He took me out to the Muir Woods and to Point Reyes, then up Mt. Tempallis and over to Sausalito - places I never knew existed or were never going to get to without an auto. Now it's time for Dinner, and expense account be damned, I'm going to pick it up. Well, here comes the check and I have my American Express out. The Waiter returns and I add the tip. My companion then says "can I take care of the tip?", to which I say "all taken care of; it's on the card". He really seemed bewildered, to which I said "holds down on the cash I need to bring" and "this is one tip on which his taxes will be paid". His response to me was "well; that's the best reason I've heard for giving tips in cash".
Nothing further on that point was said.
Here is a regional chain of restaurants; note what they do not accept:
https://buckheadrestaurants.com/
Even though this a seafood restaurant, which I do not eat, it is nevertheless the "hotel restaurant" at where I plan to stay in Boca next month - if I even take the trip.
Fortunately, they have a couple of steaks on the menu; just for me.
https://buckheadrestaurants.com/
Even though this a seafood restaurant, which I do not eat, it is nevertheless the "hotel restaurant" at where I plan to stay in Boca next month - if I even take the trip.
Fortunately, they have a couple of steaks on the menu; just for me.