This Amtrak Employee's Rule Breaking Caused An Online Stir Among Passengers

The picture shows a woman seated on a train. The photographer is sitting across the aisle and slightly behind, so the woman is hard to see. Only her arm and eyeglasses are visible beyond the outline of a backrest. She's looking at her phone, which she holds in front of her unseen face. All of this is normal and above board — but look down, and you see the incriminating evidence: The woman has placed her belongings in the seat next to her. Instead of making the seat available for a second passenger, this woman has taken it up with a suitcase and cap. Even the food tray is flipped down, forming a barrier.

Here's the worst part: The woman appears to be an Amtrak employee. Her distinctive headwear and traces of uniform seem to confirm this. When the photo appeared on Reddit, angry comments flooded the thread, many from former Amtrak passengers who recounted similar behavior on past rides. "I love Amtrak, but Amtrak employees can be the absolute worst sometimes," remarked one. "Really drives me mad," added another, "but I am always hesitant to say anything, considering how rude and arrogant the conductors on this route usually are."

Some commenters seemed less incensed, arguing that this really wasn't a big deal. "It's just as easy for someone to say hey, can I sit here? A bag isn't going to deter everyone if the seat is needed." Others suggested action, like sending the photo to Amtrak's customer service. The perspectives were wide-ranging, but there was one thing everyone on Reddit could agree on: No one should be taking up a seat with possessions, Amtrak employees in particular.

Personal space on a train has always been an issue, and now that trains are becoming more popular in the U.S. — with a record-breaking 32.8 million Amtrak customers in 2024 — the debate will only get fiercer. While the Reddit thread was fairly obscure, it did catch the attention of journalist Alessandro Passalalpi, who posted an article in The Travel linking this contentious image to a broader pattern of restrictive rules (e.g. limited lounge hours, age restrictions in quiet cars) and hypocritical behavior (e.g. Amtrak employees spreading out across chairs and tables). "Is it time to crack down on Amtrak table hogging?" Passalalpi writes. "Passengers feel as though this is a legitimate issue that employees have ignited."

Air passengers have struggled with space issues for years, as airlines trim inches from their seating and attempt to jam as many people into their cabins as possible. While your experience on planes is getting more and more uncomfortable, growing interest in rail travel could extend this problem to Amtrak trains as well. Part of the problem may be that Amtrak seats are not usually assigned; you can just pick whatever looks free and comfortable when you board, and if you happen to place a pile of luggage in the seat next to you, you may claim extra elbow-room with pure passive-aggression.

When it comes to traveling coach, many passengers prefer trains because the seats are almost always roomier than on airplanes. Most of us prefer a little empty air around us, but the room inside a train car is finite, especially on well-trafficked routes. Amtrak has faced criticism over missing a family-friendly feature on trains, and even one rule-bending employee inflames passions.

Compared to flying, the Amtrak luggage rules are pretty generous. Passengers can bring two carry-on bags, which can each weigh up to 50 lbs., as well as a personal item of up to 25 lbs. You can carry all this aboard for free, as long as you store items under your seat or on the overhead shelf. The permitted dimensions for carry-ons are generally 28 x 22 x 14 inches, which is comparable to airline requirements. If you're traveling with an infant, you can also push a stroller onboard, and accommodations are routinely made for passengers with mobility challenges.

You can also check two bags for free, which can each weigh 50 lbs. Checked luggage size limits are the same as for carry-ons, and an oversized bag (of up to 100 linear inches) can be transported for a $20 fee. Train station security is also far less intense than in airports, which will come as a relief to many travelers. Amtrak has its weaknesses, of course, but a car full of well behaved patrons (and staff) can make for a very low-stress journey. It does beg the question, though: Is traveling by Amtrak really more affordable than flying?