Amtrak video: "We're Becoming a Transportation Powerhouse"

[jis]

It's very difficult to drink coffee on the Buckingham Branch into Charlottesville (or any rough route). Old equipment performs badly on rough roadbed.

Sometimes it is difficult to drink coffee even on an Acela or Regional on the NEC, which is supposed to be the most premier route in the country.

 

[Maglev]

Maybe it's by design how he was dressed.

Trying to appeal to a younger crowd? This isn't your parents Amtrak anymore kinda vibe.

Like it or not, Amtrak is going after the younger generations and generally speaking they have a less formal vibe than those of us older folk.

I think it's a gimmick that downgrades are sold as appealing to younger generations. Who needs socks on the feet? Who needs sheets and blankets in sleepers?

 

[Cal]

I think it's a gimmick that downgrades are sold as appealing to younger generations. Who needs socks on the feet? Who needs sheets and blankets in sleepers?

He looked neat, clean, and presentable, was wearing Amtrak merchandise, and spoke well. It's not like he was wearing a tank top with messy hair.

 

[Tlcooper44]

I think it's a gimmick that downgrades are sold as appealing to younger generations. Who needs socks on the feet? Who needs sheets and blankets in sleepers?

Just because you feel it’s a downgrade, doesn’t mean others feel that way.

A T-shirt is a far cry from sheet-less beds.

 

[trimetbusfan]

I've never gotten a survey after a LD trip, ever. Ironically, there is much to be learned, I would guess, from passengers who spend hours if not days aboard a LD train. Wonder why they aren't interested in finding out?

I got one recently after riding the CONO. That might have been the first time I have received a survey specifically about a LD trip.

 

[Tlcooper44]

I got one recently after riding the CONO. That might have been the first time I have received a survey specifically about a LD trip.

View attachment 38648

I've never gotten a survey after a LD trip, ever. Ironically, there is much to be learned, I would guess, from passengers who spend hours if not days aboard a LD train. Wonder why they aren't interested in finding out?

I’ve gotten a survey after nearly every Amtrak LD trip, and many others as well.

 

[caravanman]

Do the surveys that are received just ask the "satisfaction" level, or is there any chance to spell out specific problems?

 

[Bob Dylan]

Do the surveys that are received just ask the "satisfaction" level, or is there any chance to spell out specific problems?

They're mostly Generic type surveys designed more for loading into a computer for stats, than actually allowing passengers to actually explain any pluses or minuses about their trip.

 

[MARC Rider]

Having a spokesperson wearing a T-shirt and no socks does not bode well for improving the first-class image.

The first time I got a first class upgrade on an airline was about 25 years ago, and what struck me was that my fellow first-class passengers were dressed as casually as the coach passengers I was familiar with. The same thing is true when one rides Acela First Class. The days of people dressing "semi-formal" for riding the train or planes is so long gone, I'm not even sure there are too many people alive who even remember it. (I remember it a little, but even back in the early 1960s, it really wasn't necessary to dress semi-formal (by which I mean a coat and tie for men and a dress or skirt and top for women, with dress shoes for both genders) when riding the train or plane.

 

[Maglev]

On the topic of attire, I hope that there are some ugly Amtrak Christmas sweaters among our group this holiday season!

Here's a couple facts. I posted, "I think it's a gimmick that downgrades are sold as appealing to younger generations." Do you remember when Amtrak slashed dining car service during COVID--what did they call it? "Contemporary Dining." They were trying to sell a downgrade as something new and modern.

I also posted, "Who needs sheets and blankets in sleepers?", suggesting that it was a possible downgrade analogous to not wearing socks. May I remind you that Viewliner II's were designed without linen closets?

I work at a convenience store, and see a good cross-section of the community and what people wear. Occasionally, men and women come in dressed in formal attire--they might also dig those clothes out if they were going to be on a nationally-broadcast interview. But most of our clientele is construction workers, and their clothes are grimy and tattered.

My first memories of being concerned about clothing were when I entered elementary school in Hawaii. My mother dressed us considerably better than most kids, who just wore shorts, T-shirts, and flip-flops (called "slippers" in Hawaii). Then, I went to an elite boarding school where there was a dress code all the time (no jeans, shirts must have a collar) and we had to wear a jacket and tie to dinner four nights a week, or going to any away athletic meets, as well as other occasions. I was acutely aware that I had a polyester sport coat from Sears, while most of the guys wore wool coats from Brooks Brothers.

Then I married a flight attendant's mother, and we could fly free in first class on United Airlines as long as we wore a sport coat and no jeans. I rarely fly economy now, and wear jeans and a casual shirt in first-class. On Amtrak, I made a point of wearing nice clothes when I rode first-class on Acela, and elsewhere on Amtrak I always try to wear clothes that are (in the words of my prep school) "neat, clean and in good repair."

 

[Tlcooper44]

On the topic of attire, I hope that there are some ugly Amtrak Christmas sweaters among our group this holiday season!

Here's a couple facts. I posted, "I think it's a gimmick that downgrades are sold as appealing to younger generations." Do you remember when Amtrak slashed dining car service during COVID--what did they call it? "Contemporary Dining." They were trying to sell a downgrade as something new and modern.

I also posted, "Who needs sheets and blankets in sleepers?", suggesting that it was a possible downgrade analogous to not wearing socks. May I remind you that Viewliner II's were designed without linen closets?

I work at a convenience store, and see a good cross-section of the community and what people wear. Occasionally, men and women come in dressed in formal attire--they might also dig those clothes out if they were going to be on a nationally-broadcast interview. But most of our clientele is construction workers, and their clothes are grimy and tattered.

My first memories of being concerned about clothing were when I entered elementary school in Hawaii. My mother dressed us considerably better than most kids, who just wore shorts, T-shirts, and flip-flops (called "slippers" in Hawaii). Then, I went to an elite boarding school where there was a dress code all the time (no jeans, shirts must have a collar) and we had to wear a jacket and tie to dinner four nights a week, or going to any away athletic meets, as well as other occasions. I was acutely aware that I had a polyester sport coat from Sears, while most of the guys wore wool coats from Brooks Brothers.

Then I married a flight attendant's mother, and we could fly free in first class on United Airlines as long as we wore a sport coat and no jeans. I rarely fly economy now, and wear jeans and a casual shirt in first-class. On Amtrak, I made a point of wearing nice clothes when I rode first-class on Acela, and elsewhere on Amtrak I always try to wear clothes that are (in the words of my prep school) "neat, clean and in good repair."

Interesting take.

I think you’re drawing too many conclusions from an Amtrak higher up wearing a tight fitting t-shirt (sort of like tech CEO’s) for a promotional video.

 

[GariYaMoshi]

Apart from the rougher riding, your problems can happen on any Amtrak train. Knocking off the Chief from your list for the staff will eventually result in you knocking off every Amtrak train ever off your list.

I've brought this up before but am I the only one that finds rougher track fun?

To clarify, we are knocking the Chief off our list due to the spouse's lack of enjoyment of the scenery as well as the fact that neither of us could stand the rougher track and the impact that it was having on old back injuries. The dining car service on our trip was superb. Although less than stellar for the SCA, that did not play into our decision to not repeat the route.

We have had far worse SCA in the past and we just didn't tip them at the end of the trip. The SWC SCA got a reduced tip.

 

[GariYaMoshi]

Like it or not, Amtrak is going after the younger generations and generally speaking they have a less formal vibe than those of us older folk.

I was heartened to share four meals with younger riders, all of which had never taken Amtrak before. That's what Amtrak needs to survive long-term.

Will probably ruffle a few feathers here but I wasn't too worried about how the spokesman was dressed. Then again, I was thrilled to leave a regional public accounting firm that required dress suits, pantyhose, and heels every day. My next gig was at a firm where I could wear pants (gasp!) and dressed to match my clients who were all small business owners.

 

[Cal]

due to the spouse's lack of enjoyment of the scenery

I'm surprised. I really like the Chief's scenery, I think it's about on par (if not better) with the Builders.

 

[Stevenz]

I've brought this up before but am I the only one that finds rougher track fun?

Possibly. Me, I’m old fashioned when it comes to infrastructure. Roads are supposed to be flat, rails are supposed to be smooth, water lines shouldn’t leak, transformers shouldn’t explode, libraries should be open, parks should be mown, and street lights should go on at night. Anything else is poor maintenance, poor planning and under-investment. Only a very small percentage of people are rail fans. It would not be good marketing to target them as the primary market.

When I returned to the U.S. from 15 years overseas I was astonished at the horrible state of streets and roads. (Milwaukee, which was once known for its quality infrastructure, apparently now leases their streets to the Air Force for strafing practice). I think Americans have actually forgotten what public facilities are supposed to be for. Now, It’s bad service, bad economics, and a bad look.

But as has been noted many times, there is no ribbon-cutting for a repaved street.

 

[Cal]

Only a very small percentage of people are rail fans. It would not be good marketing to target them as the primary market.

Oh for sure. I'm not saying we shouldn't strive for smoother lines. But to me, rougher tracks (especially on historical lines like in New Mexico) add to the history and train-vibe. Now, if it was on the NEC.... bit of a different story since it's a much more important and vital rail line.