Builder coach meals?

[City of Miami]

Last year on 7 btw chi and msp meals were sold to coach passengers and brought to the seat by attendant. Can I expect this option next month on the same trip?

 

[Triley]

Yes, though the diner tends to advertise this service more when it's quiet, to drum up business for the diner. If it isn't mentioned, feel free to ask your car attendant, or get a reservation for the diner. You are more than welcome to dine in there is you'd like!

 

[bratkinson]

This past April, I was on the Builder and the LSA in the diner 'advertised' a complete dinner (meat, potatoes, veggie) plus a bottle of water for $10. There may have been a bag of chips included, but I don't remember as I was in a sleeper. There were no choices. It was the dinner as offered or forget it. There may have been an optional beverage upgrade, but it was not mentioned on the PA system.

The 'advertisement' was made about 5PM and coach passengers were instructed to contact their attendant as they passed through. I'm guessing 20-30 minutes later, the coach attendant served the meals. They did the same on the Sunset and Coast Starlight as well, if I remember (it's going fast, and the little hair I have left is now all grey). I don't remember which train it was on, but there were a couple of times the main course dinner sounded better than what I have memorized is served in the diner and I would have ordered THAT if it were offered in the diner.

So why can't Amtrak do that as part of their 'fresh choices' or whatever they call the diner downgrade?

 

[TinCan782]

The Coast Starlight does this for coach passengers ... "Just for You Menu"...

https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/projects/dotcom/english/public/documents/menus/routes/Coast-Starlight-Just-for-You-Menu-0615.pdf

The diner is still available for coach. Any other routes?

 

[Triley]

This past April, I was on the Builder and the LSA in the diner 'advertised' a complete dinner (meat, potatoes, veggie) plus a bottle of water for $10. There may have been a bag of chips included, but I don't remember as I was in a sleeper. There were no choices. It was the dinner as offered or forget it. There may have been an optional beverage upgrade, but it was not mentioned on the PA system.

The 'advertisement' was made about 5PM and coach passengers were instructed to contact their attendant as they passed through. I'm guessing 20-30 minutes later, the coach attendant served the meals. They did the same on the Sunset and Coast Starlight as well, if I remember (it's going fast, and the little hair I have left is now all grey). I don't remember which train it was on, but there were a couple of times the main course dinner sounded better than what I have memorized is served in the diner and I would have ordered THAT if it were offered in the diner.

So why can't Amtrak do that as part of their 'fresh choices' or whatever they call the diner downgrade?

Because it takes a chef to produce those meals, which is a position that would only be onboard the LSL and CL for that purpose.
The LSA can not go cooking those items as it would be considered "crossing crafts", which is not something we can or will do. Plus we don't have training on any of the kitchen equipment.

 

[cpotisch]

The Coast Starlight does this for coach passengers ... "Just for You Menu"...

https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/projects/dotcom/english/public/documents/menus/routes/Coast-Starlight-Just-for-You-Menu-0615.pdf

The diner is still available for coach. Any other routes?

It was on the Sunset Limited in February. It was the exact same service, however instead of "Just for You", they called it the "early bird special", since you had to order it within I think the first 45 minutes of each meal. I guess that was to avoid overworking the diner crew when things were most busy during the later seatings. I don't know why the Coast Starlight is the only route that shows it as on option, but it's definitely on at least a few western trains.

 

[OlympianHiawatha]

This reminds me of the Chef's Early Dinner that was offered on the pre-Amtrak California Zephyr. It was served at 5 p.m. in the Diner and for $1.75 (not sure what year the advertising card I have is from) you got an entree, spuds, veggie, bread and beverage and dessert. The Zephyrette will distribute reservation cards in the coaches each afternoon up to the capacity of the Diner.

 

[City of Miami]

How does one pay? Does the coach attendant want to take your cc to the diner? Not doing that, ever.

 

[NativeSon5859]

Sunset Limited offers this for lunch, at least. Last time I was on the train, they were taking orders from Coach passengers before the train arrived in Lafayette. I saw quite a few of the meals being delivered by the coach attendant.

 

[cpotisch]

How does one pay? Does the coach attendant want to take your cc to the diner? Not doing that, ever.

I think they can pay with either CC or cash.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

How does one pay? Does the coach attendant want to take your cc to the diner? Not doing that, ever.

I think they can pay with either CC or cash.

I think he's asking how does one pay with a CC if they don't want to let the CC out of their sight.

 

[cpotisch]

How does one pay? Does the coach attendant want to take your cc to the diner? Not doing that, ever.

I think they can pay with either CC or cash.

I think he's asking how does one pay with a CC if they don't want to let the CC out of their sight.

I see. Yeah, I don't think they were able to ring people up at their seats, so you probably would have to say goodbye to your credit card for a few minutes.

 

[CAMISSY55]

How does one pay? Does the coach attendant want to take your cc to the diner? Not doing that, ever.

I don't understand how having one's credit card taken to the dining car is any different than having it taken away from the table when dining in the dining car, or for that matter, from one's table at at restaurant. In all cases, the credit card is out one's possession and control for a period of time - and not secure.
If the US had adopted fully the new chip technology as intended, Amtrak service personnel (and service providers on or off trains) would be using hand-held POS devices at our table or seat. The airlines have been using that technology for quite some time.

My point being...anytime my card leaves the table (or seat), whether to be taken to the LSA's booth/cash register (which may be on the other side of the DC), or to another car (coach to diner), or to the waiter's station in a restaurant, I am relying on the integrity of the business and the person providing the service. Which, by and large, doesn't worry me. However, the only way to feel confident that there is no foul play by the server would be if all businesses fully adopted and implemented the chip technology as designed and intended, as much of the 1st and 2nd world countries did quite some time ago. Just my humble opinion. ✌

 

[Skyline]

How does one pay? Does the coach attendant want to take your cc to the diner? Not doing that, ever.

I don't understand how having one's credit card taken to the dining car is any different than having it taken away from the table when dining in the dining car, or for that matter, from one's table at at restaurant. In all cases, the credit card is out one's possession and control for a period of time - and not secure.
If the US had adopted fully the new chip technology as intended, Amtrak service personnel (and service providers on or off trains) would be using hand-held POS devices at our table or seat. The airlines have been using that technology for quite some time.

My point being...anytime my card leaves the table (or seat), whether to be taken to the LSA's booth/cash register (which may be on the other side of the DC), or to another car (coach to diner), or to the waiter's station in a restaurant, I am relying on the integrity of the business and the person providing the service. Which, by and large, doesn't worry me. However, the only way to feel confident that there is no foul play by the server would be if all businesses fully adopted and implemented the chip technology as designed and intended, as much of the 1st and 2nd world countries did quite some time ago. Just my humble opinion. ✌

Exactly right, and relevant to Amtrak because there has been occasional dishonesty in dining cars, lounge cars, and even commissaries. Tho I think (hope) that's rare and most of the time we'd be OK parting with our CC for a few minutes.

 

[cpotisch]

How does one pay? Does the coach attendant want to take your cc to the diner? Not doing that, ever.

I don't understand how having one's credit card taken to the dining car is any different than having it taken away from the table when dining in the dining car, or for that matter, from one's table at at restaurant. In all cases, the credit card is out one's possession and control for a period of time - and not secure.
If the US had adopted fully the new chip technology as intended, Amtrak service personnel (and service providers on or off trains) would be using hand-held POS devices at our table or seat. The airlines have been using that technology for quite some time.

My point being...anytime my card leaves the table (or seat), whether to be taken to the LSA's booth/cash register (which may be on the other side of the DC), or to another car (coach to diner), or to the waiter's station in a restaurant, I am relying on the integrity of the business and the person providing the service. Which, by and large, doesn't worry me. However, the only way to feel confident that there is no foul play by the server would be if all businesses fully adopted and implemented the chip technology as designed and intended, as much of the 1st and 2nd world countries did quite some time ago. Just my humble opinion. ✌

Exactly right, and relevant to Amtrak because there has been occasional dishonesty in dining cars, lounge cars, and even commissaries. Tho I think (hope) that's rare and most of the time we'd be OK parting with our CC for a few minutes.

I feel like most instances of "dishonesty" by on board staff usually involve them ripping off or stealing from Amtrak, but not from passengers. So an employee might take cash from the register or supplies from the kitchen, but not steal from passengers. Just what I've heard.

 

[jis]

I have all my credit card accounts set up to report any charges reported on them immediately to me by SMS, so that I can detect errant ones and nip 'em in the bud in the "pending" stage. Wherever I can I pay using a single use token system. Unfortunately not possible on Amtrak.

 

[City of Miami]

Please elaborate on single use token system, Jis. Google is not helping me much.

 

[seat38a]

How does one pay? Does the coach attendant want to take your cc to the diner? Not doing that, ever.

Then maybe bring cash and in small bills maybe???? Solves your problem.

 

[trainman74]

Please elaborate on single use token system, Jis. Google is not helping me much.

I think the example you'd be most likely to encounter "in the wild" is Apple Pay/Android Pay -- if I understand correctly, with those services, the payee never "sees" the actual card number, only what's basically a single-use code that emulates a card.

 

[cpotisch]

Please elaborate on single use token system, Jis. Google is not helping me much.

I think the example you'd be most likely to encounter "in the wild" is Apple Pay/Android Pay -- if I understand correctly, with those services, the payee never "sees" the actual card number, only what's basically a single-use code that emulates a card.

You are correct. It's a single use code for that transaction, so it is impossible for a vendor to steal your card.

 

[DevalDragon]

How does one pay? Does the coach attendant want to take your cc to the diner? Not doing that, ever.

I don't understand how having one's credit card taken to the dining car is any different than having it taken away from the table when dining in the dining car, or for that matter, from one's table at at restaurant. In all cases, the credit card is out one's possession and control for a period of time - and not secure.
If the US had adopted fully the new chip technology as intended, Amtrak service personnel (and service providers on or off trains) would be using hand-held POS devices at our table or seat. The airlines have been using that technology for quite some time.

My point being...anytime my card leaves the table (or seat), whether to be taken to the LSA's booth/cash register (which may be on the other side of the DC), or to another car (coach to diner), or to the waiter's station in a restaurant, I am relying on the integrity of the business and the person providing the service. Which, by and large, doesn't worry me. However, the only way to feel confident that there is no foul play by the server would be if all businesses fully adopted and implemented the chip technology as designed and intended, as much of the 1st and 2nd world countries did quite some time ago. Just my humble opinion. ✌

Exactly right, and relevant to Amtrak because there has been occasional chronic dishonesty in dining cars, lounge cars, and even commissaries. Tho I think (hope) that's rare and most of the time we'd be OK parting with our CC for a few minutes.

FTWU

 

[bmjhagen9426]

The Coast Starlight does this for coach passengers ... "Just for You Menu"...

https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/projects/dotcom/english/public/documents/menus/routes/Coast-Starlight-Just-for-You-Menu-0615.pdf

The diner is still available for coach. Any other routes?

I've seen some exceptions to this rule. On Day 2 dinner during peak periods (Easter, summer months between Memorial Day and Labor Day, Thanksgiving, End of year) Coach and business class were not able to get a seat on a diner, and usually ends up in a waitlist.

 

[NativeSon5859]

On the SL today out of NOL, they offered an “early bird special”, a to-go only meal, for $10. It was a chicken bacon ranch wrap, pickle, chips, cookie, and water.

 

[cpotisch]

On the SL today out of NOL, they offered an “early bird special”, a to-go only meal, for $10. It was a chicken bacon ranch wrap, pickle, chips, cookie, and water.

So I guess it's always the early bird special on the Sunset? I wonder why the crew on the SL have their own name for the same service.

 

[Yumacool]

I rode the Coast Starlight in both directions over the past two weeks, traveling between LAX and Centralia, Washington, by sleeper, and the return trip in several segments. The northbound diner left LAX without several lunch offerings (including the mussels), but the service was excellent and the car well-patronized. I experienced coach and business class service on the return, sitting for one two hour segment on the lower level of a Superliner Coach. It was lunch time and the coach attendant came down to take lunch orders for those who needed assistance, which he retrieved from the Sightseer Lounge Café. "Just for You" meals were also offered to coach passengers for both lunch and dinner. On the portion of the southbound trip nearing the final destination of LAX, the diner was open for dinner for only a short time. All reservations were given to sleeper passengers. An announcement stated that coach passengers could order dinner in the diner to bring back to their seats. A few did, but I do not know how many.