Where i got a text with alternate arrangements - I was already at Diridon (SJC). New arrangements: were a Surfliner bus to Santa Barbara and Surfliner Business Class to LAX, earlier than the CS would've been. I was freaking out because I had two pieces of luggage I wanted to check (because I could not navigate them with the two carry-ons I had). I arrived at the station at 8:30, an hour ahead of when the CS was supposed to arrive, not knowing that the Amtrak ticketing agents wouldn't arrive till 9:15 AM - and my newly revised bus ticket said departure was at 9:25. I thought I had to check my bags for the bus. So I stood in line for an hour. The bus driver seemed to know about me, came looking for passengers, found me and helped my with my luggage.
The bus ride was OK, we stopped at a McDonald's and I picked up something I regretted later, at my own expense (this whole trip was supposed to be sleeper cars). We stopped at every college campus on the way and being Friday, the kids were numerous! We also stopped at a lot of small towns, sometimes for one passenger; I finally got to see Solvang... I was less nervous once we came out from the mountain foothills; my mother once told me a nightmare story about a bus (contractor, not Amtrak) from SJC to Santa Barbara.
At Santa Barbara I had to beg station personnel to help me with my luggage I had wanted to check; the Business Car attendant was gracious and very helpful. My mom once raved about California Surfliner Business Class and I agree; they're wonderful. When we got to LAX the attendant called a Red Cap for me, who took me and my luggage all the way to the Metro Lounge. (and trust me, he got a big tip, as did the BC attendant) The Metro Lounge checked my baggage for me. I slept most of the way to Fort Worth. The only complaint I have about the 422 is that the electrical outlet in my room was worthless, couldn't plug-in didn't stay in and connection was faulty even when I physically tried to hold it in. I ended up going to the restroom to use the outlets there to recharge my phone, I tried to do that in the middle of the night so as not to inconvenience anyone.
Finally. it looks like I was awarded the points for a bus and Business Class, not for a sleeper first part of the trip. But no refund for the loss of the sleeper. I don't know if I'm entitled to that, given Amtrak didn't cause the boulder to fall on the tracks north if Redding... this is not like my April trip to San Antonio when I was completely abandoned when the 21 coming down to become the 22 had an accident.
I need to reconsider traveling alone! I used to love traveling with my mom but being older now, complete with back problems, I might need to rethink that women have no limitations....
