Those "blue-flag" rules don't protect coach cleaners. They are in effect for the protection of MOE employees and carmen only. Coach cleaners are usually folks off the street, who clean windows, empty trash and vacuum carpets. No need to protect them, as they do not work under, or in between equipment I highly doubt the coach cleaner accidentally knocked off a handbrake. (anyone who has done it intentionally can attest to how hard it is to do) As far as the carriers "attitude" towards what does, and does not apply to them, this stuff never trickles down to the guys in the field. Even the laziest, or most arrogant of carriers won't tolerate, or allow conduct from T&E employees, that could put them into a situation of being held liable. It will probably never really be "solved", but I bet that crew won't get caught short again. Anyone with 2 weeks on the railroad will tell you, they know someone who thinks "air will really hold that car". Every time you cut away from a car, or a train, it is supposed to be tied down, as per the rulebook. How many times have you said to yourself "this will only take a second, that air will hold". Air leaks off over time, and handbrakes don't always apply, even though it might seem to you, applying that brake, that it is functioning. That's why the rule is in effect, to TEST handbrakes, before relying on them to hold a car, or cars from moving. Thankfully nobody was injured, or killed, as a result of this "occurance". Cars have been "rolling-out" since railroads were invented. They, unfortunately, will most likely continue to do so, forever.
