Sunday, September 23, 2012

What is the difference between a Pullman porter and a redcap?

Pullman porters and redcaps both work for the owners of a train. Both of these positions are customer service positions and have nothing to do with operating or driving the train.


According to Bud, Not Buddy, as Mrs. Sleet explains it in chapter 11, a redcap loads cargo and helps passengers get their belongings, such as baggage, onto a train. A Pullman porter assists the passengers once they are on the train.


Pullman porters worked for the largest train company in the country during the early 1900s, the Pullman Company. The main job of the Pullman porter was to take care of passenger needs during the long train rides common during the early 1900s. Passengers traveled long distances on overnight journeys. The Pullman porter made up the berths each day, changing the berths from seating to beds and back again the next morning. Pullman porters also assisted passengers with other needs such as acquiring food and personal items throughout the long journey.

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