Based on the recent posts from Disgusted (the Amtrak employee) and on recent developments in the Amtrak world, my wife and I are seriously rethinking our planned trip on the Sunset from Orlando to LA in April. We're both starting to sour on the idea, and can't help but wonder now if we will get even ACCEPTABLE service -- not to mention GOOD service -- for the money we've spent.
I know we can get a refund before travel starts -- and more and more, that seems to be the prudent move. After all, we spent almost $850 on these tickets, and we can fly to LAX much cheaper than that. But, I'm a dyed-in-the-wool railfan, and I HATE giving my money to the airlines.
I've been watching the Sunset's arrival times into Union Station for the past two months; recently, they have ballooned to an average of 4 hours late. I wonder how much worse it can get? And what's the service like? Are the Sunset's employees as disgruntled and pessimistic as Disgusted? Will they even CARE?
Do we even want to take this trip?
Would be interested in hearing YOUR views if you were in our situation.
Posted by disgusted (Member # 1373) on :
I am just trying to give an honest opinion of what is happening. No Amtrak sugar coating.
As far a how people are being treated? Were all trying, at least what I see, there is a lot of gumbling behind the scenes but out of view of the passenger.
I'm also hearing this is just the first round of cuts. Now that's not good.
Mr Lithian, Give Amtrak a call, have your res. number handy. Check to see if you can get a 30% discount under the new program. Call after Feb 28. let me know how it turns out.
Mr.
The name disgusted is not directed towards the passengers, it's directed towards Amtrak management, and we'll be bucking them every way we can.
[This message has been edited by disgusted (edited 02-26-2002).]
Posted by mrlithian (Member # 1129) on :
quote:Originally posted by disgusted:
Mr Lithian, Give Amtrak a call, have your res. number handy. Check to see if you can get a 30% discount under the new program. Call after Feb 28. let me know how it turns out.
Mr.
The name disgusted is not directed towards the passengers, it's directed towards Amtrak management, and we'll be bucking them every way we can.
[This message has been edited by disgusted (edited 02-26-2002).]
I'm not sure I get you -- is it possible that I can get a 30% discount on a ticket already in my hands? Please let me know -- obviously, the savings would be significant.
Also, I understand your choice of handle-- I'm sure I'd be feeling the same way now if I were you. Hang in there, and good luck.
Posted by disgusted (Member # 1373) on :
You sure can. It happens all of the time. The only thing i'm not sure of, is the few restricted dates in April(i'm at home right now) and when your traveling, it's worth the effort to call. The 30% is off of the rail portion only. If the Res. agent tells you it's only on reservations made after 2/28, that's bull, the computer system might not let them auto-price the res., but they can always override it, and manual price the reservation to anything they want.
We were given a little wallet size "license" by Amtrak to do anything we want, without any kind of backlash from management to keep the passengers happy. Most of us have done just that. Someone comes up politely with a problem, we'll do all we can within reason. Come in with an attitude, your not getting much.
[This message has been edited by disgusted (edited 02-26-2002).]
Posted by powers118 (Member # 813) on :
Gee I have tickets in hand for the southwest chief in June. If I call the 1-800-amtrak number do I ask for anything special to get a 30% discount? I wouldn't suppose you just say I want 30% off and they give it to you - I'd think you need a code or something.
Thanks so much for saving me and others money.
Posted by disgusted (Member # 1373) on :
Discount code H208, I think it ends at the end of May. No need to give discounts during the summer, it's Amtraks gouge time.
Posted by candy46 (Member # 947) on :
I called amtrak today to see about the 30% discount and was told that special ends June 15th. We have tickets for travel starting June 19th! So... we are nor eligible. I wanted to ask disgusted if that sounds correct or is there another special fare we might be able to check on? Thanks for the previous info. Candy Posted by mho357 (Member # 1204) on :
quote:Originally posted by mrlithian: Based on the recent posts from Disgusted (the Amtrak employee) and on recent developments in the Amtrak world, my wife and I are seriously rethinking our planned trip on the Sunset from Orlando to LA in April.
We are taking a sixteen day trip starting in June:
Texas Eagle to Chicago LSL to Boston Acela to NYC NYC to Philly Three Rivers to Chicago Texas Eagle back home
I had similar concerns but then it occurred to me that this might be our last chance to make a journey like this. At least our kids (11 & 13) will have the memory of our big train trip. I expect that low morale is going to have an affect on a some of the Amtrak employees that we encounter but I suspect that most of them are professional enough keep it to themselves. Either way, we are planning to make the most of our trip.
Just my 2 cents.
Mark
Posted by Amtrak207 (Member # 1307) on :
Even if you plan on traveling during a non-sale period, there's always RailSale for discount tickets. I will be taking advantage of this soon. RailSale discounts are availible through the Reservations link on the Amtrak web page.
------------------ F40PH #757099-8 March 29, 1976-November 18, 2001 P42DC #53063 November 18, 2001-???
Posted by powers118 (Member # 813) on :
I've tried to play with rail sale. It doesn't seem to work for me. For example On the rail sale chicago to LA - I would key in and see maybe 8 seats on the day I would choose for what $58. In that same rail sale area I would then choose my actual rail trip, Chicago to Lamy, and I would get the regular price of $200 or so. What do I need to do for the system to honor those 8 seats on my destination short of LA?
Posted by jimmymac (Member # 1182) on :
To Mrlithian: The Sunset Limited staff provided superb service on my trip last week. The train was 6 hours late into LA, but the dining car, which should have been closed was open for breakfast and lunch. There were passengers for the Coast Starlight and they were bussed from Palm Springs to Bakersfield to catch that train. On the return from LA to JAX, we were only one hour behind schedule. Our car attendant and the Diner staff went the "extra mile" to keep the passengers satisfied and amused. I also traveled on the Silver Star where the service was not so good. The Silver Star staff had a real attitude problem.
Posted by disgusted (Member # 1373) on :
If there's no Chi-Lmy listed under railsale, just book the Chi-Lax and get off in Lmy. We won't keep you hostage.
Posted by powers118 (Member # 813) on :
Thanks Disgusted
I can understand that would work getting off early but how will that work coming home. If I buy LA to Chi how can I get on the train in Lmy, that is a day later. Wouldn't my seat be given away?
Posted by disgusted (Member # 1373) on :
No, if you reserve Lax-Chi but don't get on until Lmy, there's no way for the conductor to report that your not on board. The seats are held open for the whole trip, because when you reserved, the seats were taken out of the computer inventory.
Posted by Amtrak207 (Member # 1307) on :
When I just booked my RS tickets, there was a selection for your arrival and departure station. It should be simple. I booked ROC-ALB on a Buf-lo to NY Penn ticket. This will reserve your seat and put you on the manifest for the proper stations. No wonder Am can't provide an accurate passenger count after an accident if people book the whole trip and travel halfway.
------------------ F40PH #757099-8 March 29, 1976-November 18, 2001 P42DC #53063 November 18, 2001-???
Posted by powers118 (Member # 813) on :
Amtrak207 - disgusted
I tried to go thru the procedure using the chi to lmy stations on the chi to lax rail sale option, both directions. It won't let me. See if it will work for you.
I personally would be afraid if I did buy my ticket LAX to CHI and tried to get on in Lmy that the conductor wouldn't let me on and there I be - unable to get home.
Posted by traveler (Member # 1415) on :
I've had the same problem from time to time. I have to leave the Amtrak site and come back to it or restart the computer. It gets caught in a loop or something.
