Recent content by crescent-zephyr

The Empire Builder used to offer the "Big Sky Chicken Picnic Basket" or something like that - it was from a local restaurant/caterer and was purchased in the lounge car. So this can work. Ideally though, the food is still loaded and handled by the existing commissaries - Amtrak can serve any...

That was something that I hoped would stay - especially on the single-level trains where the Viewliners really are the best car for enjoying the scenery. If I get decent food back like on the Silver Trains, the trade is worth it but to still eat flex food - no! haha.

Interesting, it sounds like staffing is no longer the issue keeping Flex dining on some trains but rather a choice to test a fancy version of flex. Does anyone know if there are certain things an LSA can't do vs. a chef? For example - could they make up a pot of chili for lunch? Or some sort of...

Why not just run the trains over the bridge? Stopping in East St. Louis would be a terrible idea in my book.

Was your sleeper the very last car on the train? That can definitely make the ride worse. The Amtrak long distance trains - the locomotives are always pulling the train when in-route except when they reverse into stations or into sidings - during that time the Conductor or Assistant Conductor...

Is there a reason why?

Agreed. I might be one of the few, but Amtrak Sleeper does compete with Domestic 1st for me. But I do find it interesting to compare Amtrak with VIA and Alaska Rail as well as all the Airline services.

This is the kinda thing that makes my head hurt... the bar is right there and they won't staff it! Why wait for new equipment - staff the ones you have. Maybe they will see this can be a good thing.

Sure, but the service is there. The Cafe car isn't a guarantee either - it could always be bad ordered at the last minute or have no power or something. As for the snack... if I don't get Biscoff cookies did I even fly????? haha. Yeah, if Pretzels are the only snack I'm disappointed but...

Longer flights typically have snack boxes available for purchase - not quite as extensive as the cafe menu but similar selections and quality. You can always buy an alcaholic drink on flights as well and of course "soda" also means bottled water, coffee, juice, sparkling water, etc. I just...

I don't think making a comparison is really choosing a battle. No it's not. They both exist on the same train, with the same subsidies. The people that are paying a "massive amount more" are receiving full meals, an alcaholic drink at dinner, and a private room. The idea that coach passengers...

Why should Amtrak Sleeper Passengers get complementary items? Those fares are also highly subsidized. If I get a free soda and snack on Delta, it doesn't seem like a crazy idea that I would get the same on Amtrak.

In my experience Domestic First Class has better food than Flex but not as good as Amtrak Traditional dining. And of course, presentation is much better than Amtrak Flex. And of course.. unlimited drinks. Even domestic coach on all the major airlines offers free soda, juice, coffee, and water...

In my opinion - Domestic First is better than Flex and not as good as Traditional Dining on Amtrak. So I guess that means on average it's the same. Aramark can provide anything Amtrak wants - the cage-free eggs for Traditional Dining and the pre-made, frozen, and then reheated "omlette" for...

I remember seeing the upstairs bar used on the Empire Builder in the early 2000's I believe (2001 /02?). It was also somewhat used when the SSL was used as a Pacific Parlour Car once when I rode the starlight.