M Shade Wrote:
=======================================================
> While I think that Matthew has a valid point here,
> I also think that Roger has apologized for the
> incident, regardless if one sees it as a major one
> or not and we can move on from it. At one time, I
> would wager that EVERYONE has at one point gotten
> into another's photograph or spoken during a
> video-sound runby. It happens even to the most
> professional and courteous of us. It does however
> bring up a bigger issue of how we as a community
> comport ourselves. I know someone who works for
> the railroad, a woman, and she wandered down to
> Cresco Tank the first day of the charter in
> question and, according to her made every effort
> to stay out of the way and be as unobtrusive as
> possible. She was, according to her, very aware
> that this was a paid charter. However, she
> inadvertently got in somebody's shot from
> somewhere. The problem was and something that
> bothered her was the venom directed at her. I
> think it was "get the f**k out of the way" and
> various other creative uses of the English
> language. I think this attitude and these actions
> are wrong and clearly send the wrong message. I
> have been on other charters and seen people
> literally explode at someone for walking into a
> picture or some other "infraction" of the rules.
> And while of course nobody likes to have a shot
> ruined, what is the worst that can happen? Is
> someone going to die, lose their livelihood, or
> suffer horrific consequences because of one hacked
> shot? This is the sort of thing that can create
> bad feelings between railroad employees, private
> land owners, the general public and us railfans.
> I know the employees and volunteers in particular
> and the private land owners and general public in
> general tolerate us (mostly) coming into their
> community for these events. I think that we may
> be better able to present ourselves as the polite
> and courteous guests we are. I think that it
> would be a benefit to all involved.
I like your post.
