I'm going to play Devi's Advocate here, but why is everyone fuming about losing champagne, chocolate, and amenity bags on the EB and CS, but nobody seems to care that those things
aren't available on the other LD routes? People keep talking about the "first class experience" as if it extends to all trains, but the other trains don't have those items.
I suppose that's why this isn't a huge deal to me. I'm not accustomed to any of those things, other than the flowers, and those are just decor.
I don't see it as a "slippery slope", since this isn't system-wide. The EB and CS will simply match the SWC, CZ, and other LD trains. We've been slumming it for years.
I will still enjoy having a private room with a call button to summon the SCA, a bed to sleep in, delicious meals in the dining car, and a shower with complimentary towels and washcloths. Maybe I'm a heathen, but that, to me, is still first class service.