Chicago Metropolitan Lounge

[tricia]

Has anyone reading this thread used the new shower facilities? If so, please post a report about how that works. (For example: Is it being used by enough folks that you need to wait in line?)

I'm looking forward to a cross-country trip next month, and after three nights on trains, a stationary shower would be a very good thing. Thanks! :hi:

 

[Dave Van]

Has anyone reading this thread used the new shower facilities? If so, please post a report about how that works. (For example: Is it being used by enough folks that you need to wait in line?)

I'm looking forward to a cross-country trip next month, and after three nights on trains, a stationary shower would be a very good thing. Thanks! :hi:

Agreed.....and is there a ADA compliant one???? thx

 

[willem]

When I passed through Chicago last month, the desk attendant showed me the two men's showers. They were each quite roomy, although only one was billed as ADA. The desk attendant did not know if there would be an extra charge, nor how the queue would work.

 

[TylerP42]

Has anyone reading this thread used the new shower facilities? If so, please post a report about how that works. (For example: Is it being used by enough folks that you need to wait in line?)

I'm looking forward to a cross-country trip next month, and after three nights on trains, a stationary shower would be a very good thing. Thanks! :hi:

When I went the entire day I only heard of 3 people using them. They don't really talk about the showers when you get there. My guess is not many know about them

 

[Lazy Z]

Nice pics,thanks for sharing!

Sure! I always like to see pics and thought of all my buddies here and wanted to share!

 

[Kenneth]

I had four trips through the lounge on August 1st and 2nd. Found the new lounge to be very nice. Boardng process went pretty smoothly. Down the hall past the restroom turn right and takes you down to the area where the gates are. We able to go right out to the train for business class. This afternoon use the same process, accept was stopped by an Amtrak employee near the gates. Was told we have to go into the waiting room, which put us at the end of the coach passenger line.

 

[enoreeman]

They need to get their act together and have consistency with the boarding process

 

[wwchi]

I had four trips through the lounge on August 1st and 2nd. Found the new lounge to be very nice. Boardng process went pretty smoothly. Down the hall past the restroom turn right and takes you down to the area where the gates are. We able to go right out to the train for business class. This afternoon use the same process, accept was stopped by an Amtrak employee near the gates. Was told we have to go into the waiting room, which put us at the end of the coach passenger line.

I'm curious - did anyone walk up to the gate itself and tell an agent you were in business class or did you just go to the end of the line? Any time I've gone there I've gone right up to the gate and asked if they called business class and they've let me in the inner waiting area without waiting in the line.

 

[merkelman06]

Just boarded the Empire Builder from the lounge. Train was called and were told to board through gate B track 19. Arrived at said track only to find a line of coach passengers already lined up. Lady at the gate seemed surprised to see sleepers showing up when we did. Kind of like the lounge and gate attendant aren't on the same page.

In the end I got on the train, just had to wait in line behind coach passengers before boarding my sleeper. The old way seemed more organized and made sure of priority boarding. Now it just seems like a jumbled mess.

 

[crescent-zephyr]

Can we go back to the old lounge please???

 

[Bob Dylan]

Can we go back to the old lounge please???

Wouldn't it be better to use the old boarding system where one was walked by a Lounge Employee to the Gate ("Kindergarten Walk")or have a Red Cap pre-board you if needed?

 

[crescent-zephyr]

Yeah... That would work too. Just fix this obviously broken system.

 

[jis]

Why on earth is pre-boarding of priority passenger such a difficult thing at Amtrak in Chicago is completely mind boggling. Even the most incompetent of airlines with the most incompetent of gate agents are able to achieve at least this much more or less OK.

 

[Eric S]

Why on earth is pre-boarding of priority passenger such a difficult thing at Amtrak in Chicago is completely mind boggling. Even the most incompetent of airlines with the most incompetent of gate agents are able to achieve at least this much more or less OK.

Ugh. Exactly!

There is no need to go back to the old lounge or to go back to the old system of being escorted to the track/train. What is needed is for Amtrak staff to properly communicate with each other. When the train is ready for passengers, first alert the Metropolitan Lounge so that staff there can start those passengers toward the track. And make sure any staff guarding/blocking access to tracks are aware that passengers from the Metropolitan Lounge will be heading that way. Then, after a few minutes, alert staff in the general boarding areas so they can start those passengers toward the track.

(Just to be clear, I am not blaming all staff in CHI - I do not know where the breakdown in policy/practice/communication is - just pointing out one method that would require few changes other than proper communication.)

 

[Bob Dylan]

Of course that makes good sense, but it's Chicago and Amtrak, so Communication is a concept foriegn to the Amtrak staff there!

As I've said here on many occasions, the Management in Chicago needs to get out from behind their desks, get downstairs and out in the yards, and kick *** and take names and get things rolling on the right track!

What's the Over and Under on that happening?

 

[enoreeman]

Will be there next month coming in on CL and leaving on CZ, I will pay for a Red Cap in order to get on without the line.

 

[SarahZ]

And if the Velvet Rope Guard wants to make sure you're in a sleeper or BC and not some coach passenger trying to sneak on early, they can just ask to see your lounge pass/ticket instead of sending you into the cattle pen.

I really like the new lounge, so I hope remodeling the concourses helps with this particular cluster.

 

[tim49424]

If only each boarding procedure could go as smoothly as it did when I was in Chicago last month.

 

[wwchi]

Just boarded the Empire Builder from the lounge. Train was called and were told to board through gate B track 19. Arrived at said track only to find a line of coach passengers already lined up. Lady at the gate seemed surprised to see sleepers showing up when we did. Kind of like the lounge and gate attendant aren't on the same page.

In the end I got on the train, just had to wait in line behind coach passengers before boarding my sleeper. The old way seemed more organized and made sure of priority boarding. Now it just seems like a jumbled mess.

Seriously - I posted this a month ago (below) - this isn't rocket science! And they already have walkie talkies to talk to each other - it's nuts! And the business/sleeper passengers should never wind up behind coach to board! You start treating your passengers that are paying a premium like they're less than premium and you'll lose those passengers!

I guess it comes down to them needing to do all priority boarding about 10-15 minutes earlier than they currently do it.

They could get the notification from the conductors that they are ready and then walk ML passengers to the gate (or not, but at least have the gate agents expecting them).

Same with Legacy.

Once Priority passengers have boarded they can do General boarding at the same time they always have, so that leaves enough time to get them all on the train for an on-time departure.

Seems that they are trying to do the Priority boarding just a few minutes before General boarding and given the walk from both the ML and Legacy Lounge, that's just not enough time.

But that then puts it on the conductors and cafe attendants to be ready earlier. Doable, I think, assuming there is not any delay in getting the train in the station

 

[AmtrakBlue]

So, how many here have actually contacted Amtrak to express their dissatisfaction with the boarding from the ML?

 

[SarahZ]

So, how many here have actually contacted Amtrak to express their dissatisfaction with the boarding from the ML?

 

[Eric S]

If only each boarding procedure could go as smoothly as it did when I was in Chicago last month.

That's the reason I haven't contacted and complained - the two times I've boarded from the lounge, I did not have problems. As with so many frustrations people have with Amtrak, this seems like another case of inconsistency.

 

[tim49424]

If only each boarding procedure could go as smoothly as it did when I was in Chicago last month.

That's the reason I haven't contacted and complained - the two times I've boarded from the lounge, I did not have problems. As with so many frustrations people have with Amtrak, this seems like another case of inconsistency.

You see, that's what I don't get.....when something works, why not repeat the process? The kindergarten walk in the old lounge worked. The procedure they used the day I rode worked. Obviously, communication was key in those situations.

 

[Dave Van]

I'll find out Monday........let you know how it goes......

 

[wwchi]

If only each boarding procedure could go as smoothly as it did when I was in Chicago last month.

That's the reason I haven't contacted and complained - the two times I've boarded from the lounge, I did not have problems. As with so many frustrations people have with Amtrak, this seems like another case of inconsistency.

You see, that's what I don't get.....when something works, why not repeat the process? The kindergarten walk in the old lounge worked. The procedure they used the day I rode worked. Obviously, communication was key in those situations.

Right - it could be as simple as the Lounge radio'ing ahead to the gate that they are on their way with the business/sleeper passengers and then the gate person can meet them at the rope.