Passenger Trains > GOP offers airline bailout

Two key Republicans have presented a bill to continue benefits for major airlines.

There's general agreement that both parties want the benefit to pass, but the negotiated details often get in the way

https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2020/09/21/key-gop-senators-introduce-bill-give-airlines-28-billion-more-payroll-aid/

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Very small chance of passing in this climate. They can't even agree on a " clean" CR. Plus, the whole Supreme Court issue is now ratcheting up the rhetoric and the temperature to the determinate of all else.  My WAG is that Oct.1 will come with no additional airline help ??

   Time will tell. Ross Rowland 

Come on Ross, they love bailing out the airlines without a flinch, when it comes to highways same thing, Amtrak? Don't ask!

Amtrak just needs better lobbyists. If they had the bankroll the highway and airline lobbies do, it would be a whole different story.

DevalDragon Wrote:
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> Amtrak just needs better lobbyists. If they had
> the bankroll the highway and airline lobbies do,
> it would be a whole different story.


Also, if Amtrak weren't a line item in the budget that stuck out like a sore thumb. Wish it were a bit more hidden.

Amtrak is a minuscule, irrelevant and in many places insignificant part of the transportation system;
and its own management is intent on making it more minuscule, more irrelevant and more insignificant. 

Amtrak as it is now run does not deserve a bailout.

DevalDragon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Amtrak just needs better lobbyists. If they had
> the bankroll the highway and airline lobbies do,
> it would be a whole different story.

Didn't Amtrak lose the opportunity to hire and use outside lobbyists in one of the 1990s funding packages?  I seem to recall there was a lot of concern about a government agency / enterprise using partly taxpayer money to lobby Congress.

Amtrak has government relations people, of course,who respond to requests for information

There is COO Stephen Gardner running around the Hill telling staff and members of the NEC that LD trains are "bleeding us dry". 
So much for Amtrak's desire to lobby. 

The most influential voices for airline assistance are the airline worker unions - the pilots, mechanics, flight attendants, etc.  If 20% of the airline workers are furloughed, the union dues revenue also drops by 20%.  Major incentive to push both sides of the aisle to get something done.  Would not be surprised to see Amtrak put into any airline deal.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/22/20 06:56 by prr60.

prr60 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The most influential voices for airline assistance
> are the airline worker unions - the pilots,
> mechanics, flight attendants, etc.  If 20% of the
> airline workers are furloughed, the union dues
> revenue also drops by 20%.  Major incentive to
> push both sides of the aisle to get something
> done.  Would not be surprised to see Amtrak put
> into any airline deal.

The major airline companies have threatened to suspend or terminate service to many smaller and mid-sized airports, too.

Nothing gets the attention of local Chambers of Commerce, business groups, etc faster than the risk of losing your local air service.

Lackawanna484 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> prr60 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > The most influential voices for airline
> assistance
> > are the airline worker unions - the pilots,
> > mechanics, flight attendants, etc.  If 20% of
> the
> > airline workers are furloughed, the union dues
> > revenue also drops by 20%.  Major incentive to
> > push both sides of the aisle to get something
> > done.  Would not be surprised to see Amtrak
> put
> > into any airline deal.
>
> The major airline companies have threatened to
> suspend or terminate service to many smaller and
> mid-sized airports, too.
>
> Nothing gets the attention of local Chambers of
> Commerce, business groups, etc faster than the
> risk of losing your local air service.

Lots of constituents drive and fly. Almost none ride trains.

How much does Amtrak contribute to the national GDP? The airline industry contributes roughly 5% to the GDP of the entire country. Am I saying Amtrak shouldn't get a bail out, not at all, infact, I believe they deserve one probably more than the airlines do.

joemvcnj Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> There is COO Stephen Gardner running around the
> Hill telling staff and members of the NEC that LD
> trains are "bleeding us dry". 
> So much for Amtrak's desire to lobby.

And his claim is such bull crap is not even funny, I wish they could get rid of idiots like him and get people who want Amtrak to improve, they had that in the 80s and 90s, except for David Gunn in the mid 2000s,  it seems all the mindset is is to dismantle Amtrak, anyone wanna bet a 50TH Birthday will be worth celebrating in May?



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 09/24/20 19:18 by ProAmtrak.

DevalDragon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Amtrak just needs better lobbyists. If they had
> the bankroll the highway and airline lobbies do,
> it would be a whole different story.

Sorry, but Amtrak, "a gov't entity" according to the USSC, cannot hire professional lobbyists.

GenePoon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Amtrak is a minuscule, irrelevant and in many
> places insignificant part of the transportation
> system;
> and its own management is intent on making it more
> minuscule, more irrelevant and more
> insignificant. 
>
> Amtrak as it is now run does not deserve a
> bailout.
I really think they should be told that to their face. Maybe that would result in a needed shake-up.

Nope.

ProAmtrak Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> joemvcnj Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > There is COO Stephen Gardner running around the
> > Hill telling staff and members of the NEC that
> LD
> > trains are "bleeding us dry". 
> > So much for Amtrak's desire to lobby.
>
> And his claim is such bull crap is not even funny,
> I wish they could get rid of idiots like him and
> get people who want Amrak to improve, they had
> that in the 80s and 90s, except for David Gunn in
> the mid 2000s,  it seems all the mindset is is to
> dismantte Amtrak, anyone wanna bet a 50TH
> Birtthday will be worth celebrating in May?