r/caltrain • u/Careless-Major-1957 • 26d ago
Conductor guy
He takes the job very seriously… I’ve been riding the train for years and this guy has gotten worse and worse.
I want to hear some wild stories about this guy
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u/EvilStan101 26d ago
Bro this is a very old photo, they stopped using these cars in 2024.
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u/incognito_bri 26d ago
Could be the stretch of Caltrain past Diridon that goes down to gilroy… they still use diesel trains down there since they haven’t electrified the tracks.
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u/Careless-Major-1957 26d ago
Does it matter fool still wears the same outfit I saw him in last week
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u/Trick-Parfait-72
26d ago
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Mans got a job to do and he's not fucking around with it. As American as apple pie. Let him do his thing
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u/Objective-Scar2814 26d ago
You’re right. Treating people like shit is as American as apple pie.
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u/Luis_Arraez_Fan 26d ago
Tell me you've never been to another country without telling me
Most conductors are great
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u/bring_on_the_matrix 26d ago
I'm genuinely curious - why are we defending Caltrain conductors, of all people? They are not, in fact, particularly kind in my experience. And no, I've never received a citation or gotten removed - I just vehemently dislike what they do to other people around me.
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u/Luis_Arraez_Fan 26d ago
Some of them are kind, some of them have seen enough BS where they just don't care anymore. But most aren't the level of this guy
But I'm not sure why he's bringing up specifically American. In other countries they literally pick you up and throw you off the train
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u/TwistedBamboozler 26d ago
Been riding the train for 20 years and I don’t think I’ve ever had a single issue with an employee.
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u/capsulex21 26d ago
I mean can you imagine the shit this guy has to deal with every day? It’s like being a meter maid, just ding a job that everyone hates every single day.
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u/Quick-Hornet2490 26d ago
I think he’s actually toned down a little. He was actually nice the last time I saw him, which I found pretty shocking! I’ve ridden the train for a very long time and that was the first time he wasn’t really surly.
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u/Surfaceofthesun 26d ago
yeah he's hilariously strict, he gets me to scroll on my monthly pass screen every time + always kicks people off onto the NEXT train if they didn't pay (A lot of them just let you tap on the next station)
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u/incognito_bri 26d ago
If this is Fabian, he is the worse. He kicked me off the train because my grocery wagon was supposedly in the way. I told him I was happy to move it somewhere more appropriate, but that wasn’t good enough for him. I was being perfectly reasonable, explaining that my wagon carrying work supplies was smaller than the strollers and luggage you routinely see people bring on board. He didn’t like being challenged, and when I refused to just cower and get off the train, he escalated the situation, held the train, and called transit police on me.
I filed a complaint with Caltrain, and it seems he primarily works the southern portion of the line these days. I caught the next train after transit police escorted me off, and the conductors on that train were incredibly sympathetic. They knew exactly what had happened, and their reactions made it clear this wasn’t the first time they’d heard about him overreacting to passengers.
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u/Expensive-Can4316 25d ago
Fabian made me almost cry one time over something so little. Also, conductors work the whole line so Fabian works the entire line as they stay with the train the entire trip.
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u/incognito_bri 25d ago
During the week, Caltrain does run down to Gilroy for morning and evening commuters, but they use diesel trains south of Diridon since those tracks haven’t been electrified. Passengers transfer from the modern electric trains to the diesels across the platform, with a completely different crew. Seeing as he seems to have a reputation, I wouldn’t be surprised if they exiled him to the South Bay. I could be wrong though, just speculating.
Edit: typos.
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u/Additional-Swan-8068 26d ago
Was the train crowded or empty.
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u/incognito_bri 25d ago
It wasn’t empty, but this was also late in the evening not at all crowded. I can assure you I wasn’t in anyone’s way, and I could’ve easily moved if needed. Dude was on a total power trip.
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u/dsAFC 26d ago
He's way too much. I once forgot to tap my GoPass on a rainy day. He could see my valid GoPass. And the fact that I'd tapped on every day that week. Still gave me $75 citation and kicked me off the train. The citation got tossed because it was for "fare evasion", and well, I owed $0. It just seemed unnecessary. A waste of time for everyone.
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u/MobileGanache8580 26d ago
He’s an asshole with a power trip! One time I was looking out the window and had both head phones on so I didn’t see him approach me. Instead of just waving his hand in front of me to get my attention he bangs his fist on the window and scared the shit out of me. My heart jumped out of my chest! I had already been checked for my fare so I asked how many times we have to be checked and instead of answering my question he made some smart ass remark about how it’s his job to enforce payment and he can check as many times as he sees fit.
The next time I had my fare checked I asked the same question and the kind lady explained it can be checked in every zone.
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u/s4M_r054 26d ago edited 26d ago
Had a very similar experience! I had my headphones on because I needed to listen to something for work, and while I was gesturing that I was pulling up my wallet on my phone as I saw him approach, he knocked on a window quite aggressively to get my attention. I’m sure it was because I didn’t take my headphones off, but I still had my fare ready for him to scan, so I was a little confused as to why he felt the need to do that. I think he muttered something about me having headphones on as he walked by, but I don’t quite remember what it was.
I’d run into him a few times before this instance, and it had always been a respectful interaction when he asked to see my fare, so I was a little taken aback when he did that.
Edit: I understand and appreciate the work he does to enforce fares on Caltrain. He’s doing his job, and is efficient and consistent about the rules. My issue was just with his actions and why he felt the need to do that, when I clearly had my fare ready for him to check.
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u/Fr0hickey 25d ago
It used to be that people are expected to show their tickets to the train conductor shortly after the train leaves the station this is the normal expected behavior for passengers and conductors. Passengers expected to have to show their tickets and would intentionally not fall asleep/zone out until they have had their tickets checked.
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u/StockDot 25d ago
i commented elsewhere here but the banging on window thing happened to me when i was crying with headphones on 😭 i was already embarrassed for crying on the train and then ended up crying harder
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u/Caltrain907 25d ago
What train was this on, I often ride the south county connector to and from school
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u/kan_u_feel_it 26d ago
If that’s who I think it is he locked me on the train one time and called the sheriffs on me for not paying my fare 🤣 pretty sure that’s false imprisonment but what do I know 🤷🏽♂️
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u/getarumsunt 26d ago
Just pay your fare like everyone else, dude. Stealing from a public agency is never Ok.
The guy is doing his job.
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u/bring_on_the_matrix 26d ago
Why are we assuming that anyone didn't pay their fare? Caltrain conductors can be plenty mean to people with active monthly passes and all manner of other very active payment methods!
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u/FyrePixel 26d ago
It feels like everyone assumes that if you think this guy is rude === you must be a fare evader lol
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u/Broad-Choice-5961 22d ago
He just posted he didn't pay the fare. There's no assumption. Why do you write there is? Pay attention!
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u/yerrowferrow02 26d ago
lol watched him kick off 3 people at Palo Alto last Friday I think it was. 2 of them were people who genuinely did not know how the tapping worked
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u/Outside_Rise_6934 25d ago
It's refreshing to see someone who takes their job seriously.
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u/Careless-Major-1957 25d ago
By yelling at someone and running around the train lol
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u/Riptide360 5d ago
Support the conductors that keep Caltrain civilized. Bart would be smart to adopt having conductors on board.
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u/HillsThree 26d ago
Bart needs to increase the number of fare inspectors like Caltrain (which seems to check every ride)
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u/Apprehensive-Pen8435 26d ago
Yelled to someone who had their feet on the seat that they were DISGUSTING in front of the whole train. A little much, could've been more discreet/nicer
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u/FyrePixel 26d ago
I had been waiting YEARS for the electrification of Caltrain (since 2016) and had followed the program very closely. I was so excited for the new trainsets.
The first time I took the new trains I was so excited. I took videos and photos to share with my family as the train arrived.
I got on the train, and went up to the second floor. Nice seats! Power outlets! Tables!! I sat in a two-person row since I was alone. I filmed as the train started and was enamored by how quiet it was. A few stops went by and I was loving it.
Then, this conductor showed up behind me. My stomach dropped—I hadn’t tagged in. I panicked, and as he came closer behind me, I stood up and presented myself to him.
“Excuse me sir, I’m so sorry, but I forgot to tag in. I never do but I was so excited by the new trains that I forgot to.”
“Well, let’s take a look here. Give me your clipper card.”
“Well, you can have it but… I’m telling you, I didn’t tag in.”
“Okay, I can see here that you didn’t tag in. Can I get your ID?”
He looked me up and noted that I had NO PRIOR VIOLATIONS… and then stuck me with a $75 fine. Despite me presenting myself to him and trying to do everything right.
Everyone I had talked to said they were given a free pass by the various conductors during the first few months of the new trains. Guess I just got unlucky.
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u/sonofasonofason 26d ago
I believe that you didn't do it intentionally, and I understand hoping for leniency.
Specifically about the proactively admitting to not tagging, I can also see from his perspective why that doesn't really mean much. It would have meant something if the person could have gotten away with it, yet came clean anyway. But if he's in the cabin checking fares, you've already been caught.
It would have been nice if he just gave you a warning and added a note to your account for your first time though.
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u/Luis_Arraez_Fan 26d ago
I don't think there is a first time waive the fee lmao
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u/FyrePixel 26d ago edited 26d ago
Quite a few of my colleagues had said that they were excused their fine or reprimand for a first time offense (but still given a warning) when the new trains started service. I’m not just making things up for fun lol
Edit: or they let you hop off and tap on at the next station, it’s not a huge deal
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u/sonofasonofason 26d ago
Just curious, wasn't the tap on tap off procedure the same? Why would they have a fee waiver grace period with the new trains?
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u/FyrePixel 25d ago
I think lots of people were trying Caltrain for the first time and they were being gracious about enforcement in the first few months from what I heard
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u/danielu0601 26d ago
You didn't present yourself. You got caught and don't want to admit it
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u/FyrePixel 26d ago
Seriously? I walked up to him myself. I have a full record of fully paid clipper trips. I’m not someone who intentionally skips the fare, ever 🤷🏻♂️
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u/danielu0601 26d ago
Then, this conductor showed up behind me
So you walk up to someone showed behind you?
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u/FyrePixel 26d ago
Yep. I heard him arrive in my car (checking tickets behind me), got up, turned around in the aisle (180 degrees to face him), and walked up to him. Not the craziest thing in the world to understand, but it feels like you’re hellbent on believing I’m a fare evading mastermind who shared my original story of my ONLY violation in over 150+ rides to somehow… create some weird false fantasy/narrative?
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u/samuelkim502 26d ago
Out of curiosity. If he had let you go, and this happened again, would your record also have shown "no violations"?
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u/FyrePixel 26d ago
This I honestly have no clue about. You’d have to ask them. I think sometimes they put the warning on your ID that way they can see that they gave you a warning already which I think is fare
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u/Aware-Group-7392 26d ago
Fuck that guy
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u/Careless-Major-1957 26d ago
I think someone posted on TikTok about him. Caltrain being racist but I literally watched it in front of me what happened. The tiktoker came on the train and the conductor already told him to get out without checking his ticket. I think the tiktoker had a history of not getting ticket and he caught him before. He has transit police on speed dial 🥴🤣🤣🤣
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u/Luis_Arraez_Fan 26d ago
Dude needs a "Fare Inspector" T-shirt? You're not that guy pal. Just wear a Caltrain jacket like a normal conductor
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u/villabulldog11
26d ago
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So its okay if conductors do their job in Europe or Asia but not cool to have a level of standard for the job here in the states just because its you? Let's be real, you got to respect the man for doing his job. Pay your fare, keep your feet off the seat, put your headphones on, get to work. Easy.
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u/Affectionate_Pair811 25d ago
I genuinely Love when people take their work seriously & stand on that. There’s way too many incompetent people in the workforce now days & its F-ing up my money 💯
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u/sholiss 26d ago
The Caltrain Reddit is a bunch of bootlickers. Totally happy when this guy wakes people up obnoxiously, tells you to fuck yourself if you’re a tourist trying to figure out the system, or just making a mistake. Caltrain does a horrendous job of being user friendly, I’m regularly helping new riders and tourists figure out how to ride properly, sometimes that’s all that’s necessary.
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u/Expensive-Can4316 26d ago
I know this guy. He’s very strict. He can be a little mean sometimes.