TylerP42
Conductor
All I got was "Policies change all the time".
Chicago Metropolitan Lounge
- Thread starter Jim G.
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Kinda hard to complain about a policy that hasn't even been officially announced yet. But if/when they do, I agree. Massive amounts of phone calls, emails, and tweets to Amtrak should be done. If I paid hundreds of dollars for 1st class tickets, then I deserve a comfortable place to wait for a hours long dwell in CUS.
Now has anyone heard about the policy for the other lounges? PDX, LAX, MIA?
Now has anyone heard about the policy for the other lounges? PDX, LAX, MIA?
PaulM
Engineer
I got the following reply from Amtrak Customer Relations
in response to the inquiry:
Well, their reply could be a case of poor reading comprehension (not understanding to the "arriving" part).
PaulM
Engineer
I did noticed that the reply didn't directly address the issue. But still ...
In any event, I plan to carry a copy of the email with me when I pass through Chicago in July (coach -> sleeper outbound, sleeper -> coach return)
In any event, I plan to carry a copy of the email with me when I pass through Chicago in July (coach -> sleeper outbound, sleeper -> coach return)
tim49424
Engineer
I'll be looking forward to hearing about your experience as my trip in August is set up the same way.
capltd29
Lead Service Attendant
Policy doesn't change based on people not feeling like the should "deserve" to have to wait in the coach area with the rest of the population. It changes if the policy loses money for the company. If folks decide that they're giving up sleeping car travel altogether because of this then yeah, you might see a change. Its a crappy change for sure, and I don't see the rationale other than 1. Overcrowding in the Metropolitan lounge or 2. Wanting people to use the Legacy club.
Ziv
Conductor
I saw the picture of what the new Metro Lounge is supposed to look like and it looked kind of interesting since it looks open, bright and it has the two different levels. It looks like it may be bigger than the current lounge so there may be a bit less pressure to limit the amount of people who have Lounge privileges.
I have a picture of the proposed lounge but can't get it to load.
I have a picture of the proposed lounge but can't get it to load.
Amtrak will deny access to the metro lounge for passengers who arrive in sleeper or who will continuing their trip in coach?. I can't see that happening. Suppose you arrive at CUS in a sleeper and must wait 30 minutes to be picked up. Do they expect you to wait outside??? Could this be a case of employees not reading or interpreting the rules correctly?
Ryan
Court Jester
Don't be ridiculous, it's a huge station, with lots more options than "Met Lounge" and "Outside".
Speaking of the lounge, it has furniture in it. Pictures in the Amtrak Fans Facebook group.
Speaking of the lounge, it has furniture in it. Pictures in the Amtrak Fans Facebook group.
glomor
Train Attendant
Here are a few photos posted on the wall outside the new Metropolitan lounge.
glomor
Train Attendant
And here is how it looks today...
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I think the picture on FB is of the existing Legacy lounge. The poster indicated that the new Metropolitan Lounge furniture arrives today (6/2. The poster also suggested that the lounge opening may slip into early July.
If they "get it right", making it a much better place, and don't institute any damaging policies, a few extra weeks won't matter over time.
glomor
Train Attendant
The attendant at the desk just told me that June 13 is moving day. I'm coming back through here on June 14. I'm expecting total chaos! Lol!
glomor
Train Attendant
I found several Amtrak fan pages on Facebook. Is there one that is official or recommended?
None of the fan pages are official. One of my favorites is Amtrak Fans. Then, you you ride specific trains, you might want to look for group(s) for those trains.
Even the official page (not a fan or friend page) is not bad.
Ryan
Court Jester
You are correct, sir. My reading comprehension needs a bit of a tuneup.
h34r:I was catching the Cap Ltd out of Chicago last Thursday, decided to go in and check out the Legacy Club since the Met Lounge was pretty crowded (and I've always disliked it anyway) and I've been wanting to see the Legacy Club.
While I was in there having a beer an Amtrak employee came up and said hi, introduced himself as the Director of (I think he said Hospitality, but I could remember wrong). I mentioned I was traveling by sleeper on points but decided to hang in the Legacy Club and then he invited me to take a tour of the new Met Lounge.
The new lounge will be very cool and HUUUGE. Will be such a night and day difference from the current one. Looks to be a very relaxing place. He mentioned they hope to have wine tastings everyday, and I was also told they are looking for a vendor to maybe run a bar inside of it.
I was curious about the path to take passengers to the track and the door they will use empties right out into the south concourse. He mentioned that he thinks they'll be able to operationally change the Empire Builder to leaving on the thru track so it could also board form the south concourse.
What was really cool was the two guys who showed me around were just really PROUD of what they're doing there and really loved showing it off. I'm sure that my being an AGR member was just the excuse they were looking for to give someone a tour. On top of a better passenger experience (even for coach travelers when the waiting areas get expanded because of the new lounge) the improvements at CUS seem to be having an impact on employee morale. So many employees were talking up the new lounge to passengers with seemingly genuine enthusiasm.
Anyway, can't wait to see it completed. My tour guide said late June with a soft opening.
While I was in there having a beer an Amtrak employee came up and said hi, introduced himself as the Director of (I think he said Hospitality, but I could remember wrong). I mentioned I was traveling by sleeper on points but decided to hang in the Legacy Club and then he invited me to take a tour of the new Met Lounge.
The new lounge will be very cool and HUUUGE. Will be such a night and day difference from the current one. Looks to be a very relaxing place. He mentioned they hope to have wine tastings everyday, and I was also told they are looking for a vendor to maybe run a bar inside of it.
I was curious about the path to take passengers to the track and the door they will use empties right out into the south concourse. He mentioned that he thinks they'll be able to operationally change the Empire Builder to leaving on the thru track so it could also board form the south concourse.
What was really cool was the two guys who showed me around were just really PROUD of what they're doing there and really loved showing it off. I'm sure that my being an AGR member was just the excuse they were looking for to give someone a tour. On top of a better passenger experience (even for coach travelers when the waiting areas get expanded because of the new lounge) the improvements at CUS seem to be having an impact on employee morale. So many employees were talking up the new lounge to passengers with seemingly genuine enthusiasm.
Anyway, can't wait to see it completed. My tour guide said late June with a soft opening.
D.P. Roberts
Conductor
I think it's strange that in a span of 5 days people have heard opening dates of anywhere from 5 days to several weeks from now.
That's because it's Amtrak and Chicago, no surprises here!
When will it be Open? As they say in Mexico, "When it's Open! "
The guy in the know, probably one of the guys who gave Deni the tour, has said on FB that it will be late June or early July. The facility should be ready by June 13th, but they're going to take a week or so to get the staff "trained" on how to staff the new location.
Was it Paul Sanders? He is a great guy.
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