Since Assi invoked the T word (TRAIN), I'm going t
Post# of 36536
Before a train can pass through a border, it has to be inspected. There are multiple types of possible inspections, including mechanical (making sure the locos/cars are safe to enter the new country), personnel/goods (making sure there are proper papers for both crew and goods on the train) or even "immigration" (making sure nobody is using the train to smuggle themselves across the border). When a train pulls up to a border, you are at the mercy of the Customs & Immigration officers as to how in depth the inspection will be. Some days it just papers for goods and train crew, other days it's the whole enchilada where every car is walked and inspected for mechanical or rider issues. I believe the SEC "investigation" that has been alluded to amounts to GNBT's inspection.
Once the train has stopped for inspection, you wait for them to complete their job, at their pace. Asking questions, being chummy, storming around cursing about delays does no good - in fact, it usually created animosity that slowed the process down. (Side story: first time I went through a border crossing between US/Canada as a railroad operating supervisor, my boss was driving me around in his vehicle. He told me "watch this", then proceeded to drive up to the C&I window and said "Two hamburgers, cokes and fries" as a joke. We then waited 3 hours while the C&I agents searched our truck for nothing in particular except to send a message that they didn't appreciate the "joke". I learned right then and there, show up, shut up, and say yes sir or no sir if they asked you any questions.)
When the inspection is complete, one of two things will happen; the train will be allowed to proceed, or the train will be retained until whatever is "wrong" is corrected (yes, we literally had to set out locos or cars if they did not meet inspection criteria. Send a mech employee, fix the flaw, have C&I re-inspect and then the loco or car could proceed on the next train). That is where I think we are - GNBT has been stopped, is being inspected and the results are not yet in or a "flaw" was found and is being corrected. Joe has been told to, or has wisely decided to remain quiet while the SEC is doing the inspection. Nothing he can say or do at this point will speed up the process; but certainly some actions can further delay resolution.
Just my humble bad analogy (JMHBA) for what we are seeing today. This and a $1.59 will get you a cup of coffee at McDonalds, but it's Assi's fault for dragging trains (and therefore me) into this!