I recently returned from a trip out to the west coast and thought I would
give you a brief report that perhaps you can share with some one else.
I left Pittsburgh on Wednesday, May 19th and returned on Wednesday, May
26th.
I took the Capitol to Chicago. On board, I met a fellow that works for
Amtrak who was returning to Chicago from a trip to headquarters. He said the
main topic of discussion was to up-grade service particularly as it relates
to staff . That was good to hear. I was generally pleased over-all with MY
service this trip, but heard reports from others that were not so kind.
However, I also encountered some individuals who were simply too FUSSY!!
There is absolutely NO WAY to please travelers like that.
I took the Texas Eagle from Chicago to Los Angeles. I was not real pleased
with the segment from Chicago to San Antonio. Only 1/2 of the dining-car was
used the entire trip. Evidently, there were only 2 waiters on-board. Thus
only a limited number of people could be served each seating. That really
slowed down meal sessions. I told the chief that an ANNOUNCEMENT should have
been made to INFORM everyone of such-----then we would have known WHY there
would be delays at meals. I can not understand WHY the train staff never
considers this !!!
The segment from San Antonio to Los Angeles was better, and the crew seemed
a little more anxious to serve. We made pretty good time. On the leg to San
Antonio, we were actually ahead of schedule a little bit. We arrived in Los
Angeles only about an hour late, which was not too bad. I thought we would
arrive later.
That same nite, I took the Chief back to Chicago. Dinner is being served
again on the Chief---east-bound. However, the menu is somewhat abbreviated.
Most people did not expect a meal would be served. The staff on the Chief
was very nice, and that part of the journey was especially pleasant.
The trip back to Pittsburgh on the Capitol was an hour behind schedule when
we arrived.
Over-all this trip was pretty enjoyable. Perhaps what irritated me most was
that some travelers are simply IMPOSSIBLE to please. Some complain it is too
difficult to sleep. They always find some little thing wrong with the food
or service. The rooms are too small. One lady and her husband were traveling
a huge circle loop around the country. They fussed and fussed because they
were TIRED of the same desserts !! That, and there were not enough CHOICES
on the menu !! Certain passengers are simply ABUSIVE, and it is no wonder
train staff gets irritated----I would too, when passengers fuss over minute
things.
The Chief now offers route-guides in BOOKLET form. Very nice.
That's all for now.
Sincerely, John
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