Passengers who don't sight-see in the Sightseers Lounge

[BigRedEO]

Am I the only person who gets irritated at the number of people who now seem to immediately go into the Sightseers Lounge, but not actually sight see? They will read a book, or open their laptop, or play cards with someone, or play on a Gameboy, but never look out the windows at all. I was on the Capitol Limited last Labor Day going from Harpers Ferry to Cleveland and it was my first time on the CL. I wanted to watch the country go by, but had to remain standing for quite some time until one of the non-looky-lous would get bored with their laptop and leave their seat.

Am I the only one aggravated by this? I bring my camera the first time on a particular route and take as many pictures as possible. These people could just stay at their seats or go to the lounge car if they wanted to isolate themselves in a book or computer or to play cards with a friend.

Have any of you politely suggested to the non-lookers they might be better in another car?

 

[sunchaser]

Am I the only person who gets irritated at the number of people who now seem to immediately go into the Sightseers Lounge, but not actually sight see? They will read a book, or open their laptop, or play cards with someone, or play on a Gameboy, but never look out the windows at all. I was on the Capitol Limited last Labor Day going from Harpers Ferry to Cleveland and it was my first time on the CL. I wanted to watch the country go by, but had to remain standing for quite some time until one of the non-looky-lous would get bored with their laptop and leave their seat.
Am I the only one aggravated by this? I bring my camera the first time on a particular route and take as many pictures as possible. These people could just stay at their seats or go to the lounge car if they wanted to isolate themselves in a book or computer or to play cards with a friend.

Have any of you politely suggested to the non-lookers they might be better in another car?

I noticed the very same thing-many people were reading, on their laptop & generally doing other stuff. I guess it really doesn't matter what they are doing in the Sightseer Lounge. It's a nice place to do other things too. There really isn't any other place on the train to go if you want to play a card game unless you are in a sleeper, & with outlets at a premium, I can see why others would come in there to use the outlets. We visited the lounge a couple of times then went back to our sleeper, except on the Coast Starlight. We spent much more time in the Pacific Parlor Car.

 

[rrdude]

While I "feel your pain" I think THAT is the reason the Sightseer Lounge is there. What is one person's definition of "lounging" may be completely opposite of another's. I've seen people sleeping, as I'm sure we all have. The lounge gives those going LD a chance to stretch, have a different perspective on things and such.

So while you may not agree with their activities whilst they are in the lounge, they have as much right as anyone else to be there to

do "it".

btw, you've got a "bigger pair" than I do, if you are able to walk up to someone in the lounge and "suggest" that they 'would be better in another car............"

"All people are equal, but some people are more equal than others......................"

 

[Guest]

While I "feel your pain" I think THAT is the reason the Sightseer Lounge is there. What is one person's definition of "lounging" may be completely opposite of another's. I've seen people sleeping, as I'm sure we all have. The lounge gives those going LD a chance to stretch, have a different perspective on things and such.
So while you may not agree with their activities whilst they are in the lounge, they have as much right as anyone else to be there to

do "it".

Another reminder of why all LD trains need a first class lounge just for sleeping car pax like the PPC on the CS! CCCs are a poor subsitute but on the two day Western trains, and the Card if it goes Superliner, would be better than the current set ups for sure!

 

[AlanB]

I have a problem with people who think that they are entitled to 2 seats in the lounge and those who think that they can save their seats for anything other than a quick trip to the bathroom or a short walk/smoke outside during a station stop.

But otherwise it is the Sightseer Lounge, with "Lounge" being the operative word here. People don't have to sightsee in the lounge if they don't wish to. I would think it perhaps a bit inconsiderate of someone using a laptop while sitting in the lounge seats rather than at a table, if tables are available. But there really is no rule that says that they can't do that either.

 

[Bill Haithcoat]

The lounge car (and I include the sightseer car in that) is a good relaxing place for any of the above activities.

One of the neat things one can say about a lounge car (by whatever name,without getting overly specific) is that you can sit there and not buy a single thing (or look at anything either)

It is one of the "free-est" places in modern transit. All you have to do to be in a lounge car is just BE.

Try this on a plane or bus.

 

[WhoozOn1st]

I have a problem with people who think that they are entitled to 2 seats

I'll inquire "Is this seat taken?" If yes, something like "I'll just take a load off and enjoy the scenery 'til [whoever] gets back." Usually nobody "returns." This requires no more chutzpah than does the attempt to pull the equivalent of taking up two spaces in a crowded parking lot.

 

[BigRedEO]

I do recall that a lot of times when I was on the Zephyr, the Lounge Car was closed. I wish they had a way to lock up the snacks, etc so that the tables down there could be used at all times. I have yet to take the Coast Starlight, but may be doing so next Summer, so I will look for the Pacific Parlor!

 

[Devil's Advocate]

Hmm. I guess I might have a similar view if my lounges were always completely packed or after all the coach cars have been upgraded with active power connections. Until then I guess I'm okay with everyone just doing whatever they want in there so long as it's not bothering other folks.

Question: If Amtrak had extra lounge cars, how much trouble would it be for them to add a second or third to a LD train? How many cars can these engines haul and how much extra fuel does each car require?

 

[Larry H.]

Am I the only person who gets irritated at the number of people who now seem to immediately go into the Sightseers Lounge, but not actually sight see? They will read a book, or open their laptop, or play cards with someone, or play on a Gameboy, but never look out the windows at all. I was on the Capitol Limited last Labor Day going from Harpers Ferry to Cleveland and it was my first time on the CL. I wanted to watch the country go by, but had to remain standing for quite some time until one of the non-looky-lous would get bored with their laptop and leave their seat.
Am I the only one aggravated by this? I bring my camera the first time on a particular route and take as many pictures as possible. These people could just stay at their seats or go to the lounge car if they wanted to isolate themselves in a book or computer or to play cards with a friend.

Have any of you politely suggested to the non-lookers they might be better in another car?

This is where the concept of a lounge car as seen by amtrak or the government has suffered though standardization and mostly ridged outward facing seating. I know some I have been on are about half table and benches like the diner uses also.. In the old days the lounge was indeed a place to sit and read a book or work a puzzle, a place to pass the time on a long trip other than being stuck in a room or chair. Yes I miss the first class lounges as well. One only has to look at any design of the old streamline trains to see that bookcases, writing desk, comfortable chairs and sofas, not plastic, with tables and lamps in interesting arrangement made for an enjoyable experience. Now they as the writer suggest, they are designed and called "sightseer" which is fine, but in the days of regular use the passenger who had ridden the same route over and over was happy to have a relaxing place something like a fine hotel lobby or home den. Staring out the window was not required.

Larry

 

[Rafi]

I actually love to use the lounge as a place where I write my blogs. Some of the best material comes from just people watching in there, and the ambiance the windows provides makes writing in there much easier for me. While I may not always be looking out of the windows, I'm always conscious of the scenery passing by, and the lighting provided by the sun during the day just makes it a very relaxing place in which I like to just sit and write.

Rafi

 

[Bill Haithcoat]

Am I the only person who gets irritated at the number of people who now seem to immediately go into the Sightseers Lounge, but not actually sight see? They will read a book, or open their laptop, or play cards with someone, or play on a Gameboy, but never look out the windows at all. I was on the Capitol Limited last Labor Day going from Harpers Ferry to Cleveland and it was my first time on the CL. I wanted to watch the country go by, but had to remain standing for quite some time until one of the non-looky-lous would get bored with their laptop and leave their seat.
Am I the only one aggravated by this? I bring my camera the first time on a particular route and take as many pictures as possible. These people could just stay at their seats or go to the lounge car if they wanted to isolate themselves in a book or computer or to play cards with a friend.

Have any of you politely suggested to the non-lookers they might be better in another car?

This is where the concept of a lounge car as seen by amtrak or the government has suffered though standardization and mostly ridged outward facing seating. I know some I have been on are about half table and benches like the diner uses also.. In the old days the lounge was indeed a place to sit and read a book or work a puzzle, a place to pass the time on a long trip other than being stuck in a room or chair. Yes I miss the first class lounges as well. One only has to look at any design of the old streamline trains to see that bookcases, writing desk, comfortable chairs and sofas, not plastic, with tables and lamps in interesting arrangement made for an enjoyable experience. Now they as the writer suggest, they are designed and called "sightseer" which is fine, but in the days of regular use the passenger who had ridden the same route over and over was happy to have a relaxing place something like a fine hotel lobby or home den. Staring out the window was not required.

Larry

I am not one to say everything was better in "the good old days", but this is certainly one way that was.

To be even handed something we do much better about today is showers.

 

[Cho Cho Charlie]

But otherwise it is the Sightseer Lounge, with "Lounge" being the operative word here.

That is pretty much the best summarization I read.

I am sure that one could claim that a passenger can "sightsee" just about any where else on the train with a window. But you can only lounge in the lounge.

But there are "lounge hogs' in any type of lounge. Maybe Amtrak needs to have a policy of emptying ALL lounges, once an hour, for 5 minutes.

 

[NorthCoastHiawatha]

But otherwise it is the Sightseer Lounge, with "Lounge" being the operative word here.

Maybe Amtrak needs to have a policy of emptying ALL lounges, once an hour, for 5 minutes.

That would probably anger to many people and I don't see it working without some kind confrontation. How would you like to be the person who just stepped into to order some food and sits down just to be ushered out for five minutes.

Personally I don't get all uppity about the lounge, if its full I will come back later. I really don't see the point in accidentally starting something with the wrong person.

 

[Bill Haithcoat]

But otherwise it is the Sightseer Lounge, with "Lounge" being the operative word here.

Maybe Amtrak needs to have a policy of emptying ALL lounges, once an hour, for 5 minutes.

That would probably anger to many people and I don't see it working without some kind confrontation. How would you like to be the person who just stepped into to order some food and sits down just to be ushered out for five minutes.

Personally I don't get all uppity about the lounge, if its full I will come back later. I really don't see the point in accidentally starting something with the wrong person.

The train name you use had one of the finest rear observation lounges of anybody.

 

[Eric S]

I can certainly sympathize with someone wishing to sightsee but unable to find a seat in a lounge-type car (whether a Sightseer Lounge or not). However, at the same time, I can sympathize with a group of people wishing to sit together and play cards (or whatever) who are also unable to find seats in a lounge-type car. Unless and until Amtrak is able to provide multiple lounge-type cars on a train (which I don't imagine I will see any time soon) this is probably just an issue or frustration that will happen at times, especially during busy/peak travel times.

 

[jis]

Try this on a plane or bus.

Actually I have done so on the Singapore Airlines non-stop 19 hour Newark to Singapore all business class flight, and it is really nice. Great buffet layout in the lounge area too. But you won't get that facility on any random flight.

Oddly enough, the reason that that flight has this facility has more to do with the fact that the length of the flight makes it impossible to load it up with more seats and passengers. As a matter of fact that is why it is an all business class flight too.

 

[gregoryla]

Am I the only person who gets irritated at the number of people who now seem to immediately go into the Sightseers Lounge, but not actually sight see? They will read a book, or open their laptop, or play cards with someone, or play on a Gameboy, but never look out the windows at all. I was on the Capitol Limited last Labor Day going from Harpers Ferry to Cleveland and it was my first time on the CL. I wanted to watch the country go by, but had to remain standing for quite some time until one of the non-looky-lous would get bored with their laptop and leave their seat.
Am I the only one aggravated by this? I bring my camera the first time on a particular route and take as many pictures as possible. These people could just stay at their seats or go to the lounge car if they wanted to isolate themselves in a book or computer or to play cards with a friend.

Have any of you politely suggested to the non-lookers they might be better in another car?

It doesn't really bother me too much [okay, it bothers me a bit] if they read, play a game, use their laptop, etc. But what does bother me are the people who go to the lounge and take a nap! We had a guy in the lounge car on the CZ who sprawled across several seats, sound asleep, as others had to stand for our trip through the Sierras!

 

[OlympianHiawatha]

On the other hand, there have been several times I've gone into the Sightseer and been the ONLY person in there other than the LSA. I have noticed many Coach pax rarely leave their seats except to go to the toilet.

 

[Devil's Advocate]

Oddly enough, the reason that that flight has this facility has more to do with the fact that the length of the flight makes it impossible to load it up with more seats and passengers. As a matter of fact that is why it is an all business class flight too.

IIRC, that flight originated with 180 odd seats in a two-class configuration including "Executive Economy" which was eventually replaced with a single class 100-seat all business configuration. So the flight can definitely hold more passengers if SQ thought it made sense and could sell those seats. The longest series of flights I've flown was around thirty-five hours but that still allowed me to shower and clean up using airport facilities. The longest nonstop flight segments I've flown were less than fourteen hours but that was already at the limit of what I could handle without breaks. Even having business class seating and service would not overcome having to live without a shower for nineteen hours straight. I can sleep on planes with the a little planning, but once you go above twelve hours or so in a single segment it starts to get really monotonous and uncomfortable for me. The only thing that makes a truly long-distance train ride possible is having a shower onboard. Praise the guy who figured out how to make it practical! Incidentally, I understand that there are or were going to be showers on a few commercial flights as well, but apparently these facilities are not provided on the ultra long haul operations that would presumably benefit from them most. Too heavy I guess.

 

[rtabern]

I totally agree -- I went on a trip last year with my then girlfriend (now ex) and we were in the SSL going through the Rockies and she was sitting there knitting and reading a book most of the time... it kinda upset me a little... didnt say anything... but felt like why did I pay for her to come along if she wasnt going to look out the windows at the most scenic part of the trip??

It also drives me nuts when people come to the SSL when I am doing Trails & Rails and then complain about the T&R commentary -- ***IF YOU DONT WANT TO HEAR IT -- GO BACK TO YOUR SEATS OR ROOM!!!***

 

[Eric S]

It doesn't really bother me too much [okay, it bothers me a bit] if they read, play a game, use their laptop, etc. But what does bother me are the people who go to the lounge and take a nap! We had a guy in the lounge car on the CZ who sprawled across several seats, sound asleep, as others had to stand for our trip through the Sierras!

I would certainly agree that one person taking up multiple seats is rude and inconsiderate. Given how high the demand is for seats in the Sightseer Lounge while passing through especially scenic areas, it's a little surprising no one woke him up and keep to just one seat.

 

[railiner]

It doesn't really bother me too much [okay, it bothers me a bit] if they read, play a game, use their laptop, etc. But what does bother me are the people who go to the lounge and take a nap! We had a guy in the lounge car on the CZ who sprawled across several seats, sound asleep, as others had to stand for our trip through the Sierras!

I would certainly agree that one person taking up multiple seats is rude and inconsiderate. Given how high the demand is for seats in the Sightseer Lounge while passing through especially scenic areas, it's a little surprising no one woke him up and keep to just one seat.

I know it's a long 'stretch' to compare the SSL with a subway car, but recently the New York MTA enacted an ordinance that makes it illegal for "spreaders" to occupy two or more seats. Even placing a parcel on an adjacent seat will subject the offender to receiving a summons from a transit police officer.

 

[railiner]

It doesn't really bother me too much [okay, it bothers me a bit] if they read, play a game, use their laptop, etc. But what does bother me are the people who go to the lounge and take a nap! We had a guy in the lounge car on the CZ who sprawled across several seats, sound asleep, as others had to stand for our trip through the Sierras!

What was even worse than this, was back in the Rio Grande Zephyr days, people would take up valuable vista-dome seats and nap while passing through the spectacular Colorado Rockies!

 

[JayPea]

Am I the only person who gets irritated at the number of people who now seem to immediately go into the Sightseers Lounge, but not actually sight see? They will read a book, or open their laptop, or play cards with someone, or play on a Gameboy, but never look out the windows at all. I was on the Capitol Limited last Labor Day going from Harpers Ferry to Cleveland and it was my first time on the CL. I wanted to watch the country go by, but had to remain standing for quite some time until one of the non-looky-lous would get bored with their laptop and leave their seat.
Am I the only one aggravated by this? I bring my camera the first time on a particular route and take as many pictures as possible. These people could just stay at their seats or go to the lounge car if they wanted to isolate themselves in a book or computer or to play cards with a friend.

Have any of you politely suggested to the non-lookers they might be better in another car?

It doesn't really bother me too much [okay, it bothers me a bit] if they read, play a game, use their laptop, etc. But what does bother me are the people who go to the lounge and take a nap! We had a guy in the lounge car on the CZ who sprawled across several seats, sound asleep, as others had to stand for our trip through the Sierras!

I was in the SSL on the Empire Builder on my way to Portland one time and promptly at 6AM the conductuor made everyone that was asleep in the lounge wake up. Most of the sleeping passengers didn't like it but they complied. I think those that take a nap and sprawl over several seats should be made to wake up.