Amtrak Metropolitan Lounges
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20th Century Rider
Engineer
It most certainly needs to be moved to a more accessible location... and there are many possibilities... expand off the central entrance into an adjoining courtyard with indoor and outdoor areas... just one idea.
But I don't know about how they could have a lounge near the boarding areas unless it would be carved out of downstairs underground... but dungeons don't make good lounges as were previously in CHI and NYP.
Interested to see what others think...
But I don't know about how they could have a lounge near the boarding areas unless it would be carved out of downstairs underground... but dungeons don't make good lounges as were previously in CHI and NYP.
Interested to see what others think...
Well, they are completely redoing the platforms and access including an overhead access structure in addition to the new underground concourse. There will be lots of opportunities to improve the siting of the Metropolitan Lounge. I just hope they are taking it into account in their planning.
yarrow
Engineer
believe there was a sleeper class lounge called "traxx club" in a bar just off the lobby for a few years in laupt. enjoyable waiting spot
If done right it could probably be a pleasant space.
Before they put in the Metropolitan Lounge, Coast Starlight sleeper passengers could wait in Traxx restaurant's bar, which Amtrak rented specifically for that. The bar was closed in the morning when the Starlight departed, so it was a win for Traxx.
It was only for Coast Starlight sleeper passengers, not Southwest Chief or Sunset sleeper passengers. Traxx operated their bar at those departure times.
It was nice because you could get a Bloody Mary in there, which you can't in the Metropolitan Lounge.
yarrow
Engineer
correct, it all comes back to me now. went straight from traxx club to the ppc. those were the days
20th Century Rider
Engineer
Hmmm... lack of consistency... you can get a Bloody Mary at Moynihan... and CHI but nowhere else.
BTW... LAX is the busiest hub in the West with numerous regional and 3 LD departures/arrivals daily. [If you factor in the TE / SL then it's 4.] LAX is certainly deserving of another flagship lounge... Wouldn't that Bloody Mary be nice before embarking across the continent! [Or a beer, or a martini... etc!]
Lack of consistency? Amtrak?
I think minimizing the consistency of passenger experience must be in the corporate goals somewhere.
I think minimizing the consistency of passenger experience must be in the corporate goals somewhere.
jis
Permanent Way Inspector
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As far as I can tell, there isn't a single entity within Amtrak that plans and deploys services in the Lounges. Each Lounge is addressed as a self standing entity. This is very different from the airlines which have complete brand books for their lounges, some even two or three, e.g. United's United Club and Polaris Lounge, very different standards targeted for different customer population.
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Actually, I would think that the Amtrak lounges each has a slightly different customer profile, which might suggest that the services and offerings be a bit different:
Boston: Is mostly for Acela/Northeast Regional passengers, the only LD passengers are those of the departing 448.
Moynihan: Mostly Acela/Northeast Regional Mostly, It is the terminus for 4 daily LD trains and one 3-day a week LD train. The only LD connection I can think of is the northbound Meteor with the Lake Shore Limited.
Philadelphia: Almost all Acela/Northeast Regional passengers with a few sleeper passengers boarding the Silvers, Crescent, and Cardinal.
Washington: Mostly Acela/Northeast Regional, but also connections between the Silvers and the Capitol Limited. Serves 4 daily LD trains plus the 3-day a week Cardinal.
Chicago: Major connection point for LD trains. Three trains from the east, one to the south (City of New Orleans), one to the Southwest (Texas Eagle) and 3 to the west (Chief, Zephyr, and Empire Builder.) Also serves business class passengers for Midwest corridor services.
New Orleans: Terminal point for 3 LD trains, one of which only runs 3 days a week.) No corridor service and no business class service.
Los Angeles: 3 Long distance trains (one runs 3 days a week). Connecting station between Chief and Coast Starlight. Also serves business class passengers on Pacific Surfliner.
Portland, OR: Two long distance trains. Connecting Station for Empire Builder and Coast Starlight. Also serves business class on Cascades.
All of these lounges also serve Select Plus/Executive coach passengers (and business class passengers in the NEC).
As far as food amenities, the Acela First Class passengers aren't really looking for much., as they are fed and have an open bar on the train. Sleeper passengers, too, are fed on the train. The Moynihan-style light food actually provides a nice lunch for the subset of passengers who might be connecting to the Lakeshore Limited from a Northeast Regional train, like I did last October. That sort of light lunch might be good to initiate at the Chicago lounges, as there are so many passengers waiting there for connections during lunchtime. Of course, as long as there is flex dining, the salads offered at Moynihan might be a nice supplement for those heading out on the Lakeshore, the Cardinal, the Silvers, or the Crescent. It might also be useful to offer such salads to people boarding the Silvers and the Crescent at the lounge in Washington.
Other than that, most of the corridor passengers are traveling for short distances, mostly between mealtimes. While Moynihan style food offerings might be a nice supplement to what's served in the cafe cars, the vast majority of corridor passengers are riding the train to get somewhere, not to eat, so a basic layout of drinks and snacks is all they really need as an amenity.
The main point of the lounge is that it's a quiet and comfortable place to wait for their train, at least compared to the main waiting room. What people really want are trains that are comfortable, in good mechanical conditions that run safely and on schedule.
Billvasili
Train Attendant
That was a public restaurant
jis
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This is a major point that many miss even in discussions regarding the facilities provided in Business Class too.
I think facilities provided should address the needs of the predominant user group of the facility. But common branding can still be carried out by providing a very small set of core facilities with possibly proper brand marked on them.
I think the post you have sort of identified what the common core facilities ought to be. At present some lounges fall short.
I think the Club Acela brand was pretty uniform as long as it lasted. I think the Metropolitan Lounge brand has a little way to go to arrive that level of commonality. Of course that is just my opinion, and I do agree that a good starting point may be to use the list you provide.
yarrow
Engineer
actually, as jis wrote above, it was for a few years used as a lounge for sleeper pax waiting for the cs in the mornings. not open to the public during those hours
Mailliw
OBS Chief
I just visited the lounge at Moynihan for the first time. It was very nice, I was satisfied with the complimentary food & drink as well as the bar. I actually had a nice nap on one of the couches after my Bloody Mary. Apparently you can do that in a first class lounge without having security called on you.
20th Century Rider
Engineer
Will forever remember my experience at Moynihan when showing the manager my qualification note for Select Executive... he came back to me with an amazing cold cut plate! I took it with me on the LSL but ended up giving a lot of it away to the crew while it was still fresh... and the party continued... what a great memory that was!
I had the same person help me at the lounge on Friday. Incredibly gracious and accommodating. Really seemed to enjoy their job! Do you happen to know their name? I'd like to give them a compliment on the website.
20th Century Rider
Engineer
My apologies at being so awful with names memory... but do use the pic if you can to id this wonderful person and give him the compliments and praise he deserves!
And want to say I wish this level of service and kindness were consistent throughout Amtrak! Who wouldn't agree to that! But food services to Amtrak lounges is contracted. Let's hope these standards can be adapted system wide!
BTW I have his name written down somewhere... if I find it I will put it in 'conversations' to you directly.
Right, but aren't they Amtrak employees?
That would be great!
TheCrescent
OBS Chief
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I also met him in the Metropolitan Lounge. He’s excellent.
The Metropolitan Lounge is one place where Amtrak is years ahead of airlines generally. (That means you, American Airlines, and the dreadful Admirals Clubs in some places.)
20th Century Rider
Engineer
Haven't found his name yet... but I do know that all food handlers at the lounges work directly for the contracted food supplier and not Amtrak. I've made some great friends with these people... but when the supplier changes they are gone...
Hmm, and they still wear Amtrak lanyards?
20th Century Rider
Engineer
Was in the CHI Metropolitan Lounge recently... their food supplier has changed and they no longer have those fresh veggie bars with that delicious cheese and salad dressings. Unless they've changed things... no fresh food or fruit... all packaged; which is really a shame because fresh food, when on the road... is such a sought after commodity!
There is also a very pricy liquor bar at the Chicago lounge.
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