Search results

You don't travel with Americans who are distracted then... Just yesterday on my train? Abbreviated version: My coach attendant seat to seat, "In 10 minutes we'll be pulling in to Everett, WA." In the PA, "Now arriving, Everett, WA." Also on the PA, "Last call, Everett, WA!" Then not more...

A few seconds.... Train 27/28?

If you don't mind me asking, how was the dining car crew?

I honestly skipped most of the thread. All alcohol prices went up $0.50. Did you board 8 on the 9th or 10th?

Exactly. The Amtrak website always says 30 minutes prior. I'm sitting at a stop waiting on my thruway bus to Seattle right now and I showed up with 11 minutes to spare. I know that from the originating stop it takes 20-25 minutes to drive here (second stop), so no reason to show up 30 minutes...

My bad as well then! I should've known you better, based on previous posts!

Some Regionals even have 3 ACs. Gasp! Others, such as 65/67/66, 179/169 west of NHV, 190/150 south of Philly, and a few other late night Regionals (I think my 139 was one of them), only have a conductor and 1 AC. I believe some long haul jobs still have 2 engineers due to HOS requirements as...

One of the problems the LSAs have is that many are embarrassed to provide that sort of service (boxed meals) to sleeper passengers, and they lost all motivation because of it.

If it's any sort of meal service where someone has to deliver food to a table multiple times, absolutely not. Especially if they also have to cook the food as well. I'm guessing you've never waited tables before? I was really pushing my SA to her limit (my second server had to mark off and...

In addition to what ThirdRail said, if you're talking about in an emergency situation, both the engineer and LSA/Diner (or LSA/Lounge if there isn't a diner) are considered both on the next level of command. Ideally the LSA would actually take charge though, because we've been onboard with the...

Which is part of the reason I disliked certain conductors making the business class announcement about "free non-alcoholic beverages", because with their wording the make it seem like everything would be included. I don't understand why they don't include all options, and I had expected them to...

That's not how the pricing works with Amtrak. They do not raise the prices if you only book a one way or roundtrip ticket. As it has been said, the fares fluctuate solely on supply and demand for that train and particular accommodation type. This is the reason why a bedroom and can sometimes...

You know the train is only 2 hours each way, right? It doesn't need anything more than basic snacks. I would be willing to bet anything that they sell more alcohol than anything. Also, since there has to be an answer for everything, the pizzas (even if kept frozen) are dated as if they are...

It's more in the way that the transaction is processed. If you come to the States and use your debit card and I run it as a credit card (the only way I would be able to run it), the funds will only come from your checking account, unless you have specified to your bank otherwise. If you have...

Weekends are certainly more likely to have higher bike reservations, especially during the summer, which is peak season for the Cascades. If you're talking about the 3:18pm departure (Cascades train 518) I guarantee you that train will be at least 75% sold out on either day, making it tough...

May I ask what day of the week and train numbers/time of departures you're looking at?

Not to be pedantic, but it's either chip and signature, or chip and pin. Not or. I do remember being happy about hearing the States were finally moving to chip technology, then I found out we were getting this crap... Although I get less confused looks from cashiers in Canada, now that I at...

As someone who has worked the Cascades, lives in Canada, and is familiar with both the US and traditional chip and pin systems....the info that others have been trying to give is correct. If the card has a major credit card logo (Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, Discover, or American Express) the...

That would be correct, but since it was already brought up by someone else, I figured I'd set the point straight anyway.

So, now that one of my conductor friends who's real familiar with the policy has gotten back to me... "Absolutely!" So ask the conductor if there's space for your trip, then call to pay the accommodation fare if you'd like. It's not perfect, but at least it's possible