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I came across Amtrak message board on Frommers.com. There are some real bad posts that degrade Amtrak. We need everyone on this forum to go there and state their views and experiences. The traveling public is getting the wrong idea of what Amtrak travel is like by reading these posts. Many have said that they were considering Amtrak but now they will fly! So please go there and read what I read, and give some support. Mr. Toy, you really need to post there, you write so well and have a lot of answers to the political questions that are raised.
Mr. Toy Member # 311
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While I am happy to answer the call, there seem to be plenty of people there who are knowledgeable about Amtrak and have reported positive experiences. I skimmed through this thread in particular http://www.frommers.com/cgi-bin/WebX?13@255.mrGBa8VN1Al^1@.eebd0cb which started with a horror story (weather related cancellation and a bad attendant), and had several comments both pro and con. I think that thread pretty well sums up the unevenness of Amtrak. Some trips are definitely better than others.
But since my main interest is in rail advocacy, I think I will join up there and lend my two cents where I can.
------------------ Sing to the tune of Humoresque: Passengers will please refrain, From flushing toilets while the train, Is standing in the station, I love you.
"We made the mistake of thinking these would be like airports - with services and supplies, and were amazed to find that they are virtually empty - and sometimes closed even in the middle of the day. No services whatsoever - a few vending machines at best - no newspapers, no ATM, nothing.
Also note, post #25 in that thread was from an Amtrak engineer.
Interestingly, most of the posts are either negative, or responses from non train riders that they wouldn't ride based on those comments. The last 15 or 20 messages are mostly positive.
I think this Frommmers board should be required reading for all Amtrak supporters to see how Joe & Jane Public perceives things. I think there may be some lessons we can apply to the other discussions going on around Railforum, as well.
[This message has been edited by Mr. Toy (edited 07-30-2004).]
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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This Frommer's site is an interesting board, Mr. Toy. Thanks for sharing its existence with this Forum; hope you will choose to do same elsewhere where you participate.
I had always associated Arthur Frommer with the "Europe on $5 a day crowd". That was to whom they catered during MY college years; but evidently, they have "graduated' along with the "class" and as this "class" has become more interested in up scale travel, Frommer has so responded.
CG96 Member # 1408
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I second Mr. Norman's comments regarding the reading of the Frommer's message board. It is dissappointing to read many of the comments regarding customer service, and broken equipment, but there are also a few comments that lead me to think that they stemmed from an attitude that a train would be just like a luxury cruise aboard the QE 2. My first train trips were made in coach, with other immature teenagers at the time, yet when I boarded I knew better than to look for things that would be broken. I wonder where this attitude came from? The post from the person-who-claims-to-be-an-engineer is enlightening as well. It is good to know of the existrance of the Frommer's board, as it gives a perspective and lets posters here know how non-railfans experience the train & what their expectations where prior to their trips.
Grandma Judy Member # 3278
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It's unfortunate that the Frommers board lists all topics in chronological order. Do casual readers notice how old some of the posts are? If conditions improve, would anyone ever read to the bottom of the board to find that out? It's too bad Mr.Toy's well written comments are buried behind so much depressing complaining.
I've responded to some of the information as well.
What a bunch of whining complainers and Amtrak critics that seem to dominate that discussion board.
MOKSRail Member # 3163
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You don't have to register to post there. You can register as a guest, as I did.
I encourage any advocate to go to that board and challenge some of the outrageous assertions made therein.
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CG96 Member # 1408
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Another place where ther have been several inaccurate or otherwise unkind posts regardng Amtrak is the www.Fodors.com message board. Then use the "Search" feature to look for Amtrak related messages. I encourage other members here to go there and post some of their views and experiences there, as well. I've posted a few times, but the misattributions and misunderstandings regarding Amtrak seem to rule the board over there.
[This message has been edited by CG96 (edited 09-08-2004).]
Capltd29 Member # 3292
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Thank you Sammy for the information on the existance on this Board and I have already replied!
JON
Mr. Toy Member # 311
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CG96, I looked through the Fodors board and saw quite a few positive comments, and just a few negative ones mixed in. From what I saw, by and large those folks seem to be fairly Amtrak savvy. One poster, a self proclaimed non-railfan, even pointed prospective rail travelers to the Railforum!
I registered there, but haven't yet received the e-mail they are supposed to send in order to finalize the registration.
CG96 Member # 1408
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Mr Toy: Perhaps it was just my perception of the posts.
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