Billvasili
Train Attendant
I always had no problems in Chicago Metropolitan lounge. What do you mean by dragons??
Chicago Union Station Metropolitan Lounge
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I agree. The staff there has always been professional with me.
Billvasili
Train Attendant
At one time they had a coach waiting area in the what had been a barber shop. But this was an extra charge as coach passengers still had the free coach waiting area. l dont know if still have that special coach waiting area?
They have the beautiful main waiting room of CUS. It's far more impressive (and airier) than the Metropolitan lounge. I would wait there when traveling in sleeper except for the fact that I'd miss early boarding announcement from the ML.
Mystic River Dragon
Engineer
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When I was in Chicago and went to the Metropolitan lounge, I found the staff pleasant and helpful, as I found everyone I met in Chicago.
Of course, I also obviously like dragons.
When I was in the Metropolitian Lounge a few weeks ago, there was a young man with an absolutely exceptional voice. I very much enjoyed hearing him make his boarding annoucmenets. I was so impressed I told him he should consider voice overs as a career and coincidentally he said he was looking into that. Said he had been working there for 8 months and the feedback he received convinced him to give it a try. Very affable person, had a terrific chat with him.
I’ve travelled coach thru the CHI lounges four times, once the Legacy and three times the Metropolitan Lounge but last time the counter person advised me the computer had been broken for THREE weeks and I had to buy a day pass at the ticket counter. I went there and found 30 to 40 in line. I went back to the Lounge to report the long line and I am unable to stand that line.
I was hoping that would send an ADA flag but nope. On past visits this person was highly professional but the down computer changed them.
There’s no reason a simple computer should be down so long.
So I waited another 30 minutes and waited with ten people in line and bought a Coach ML pass to present to a different counter person:
Once in, there was a very good selection of snacks and a few cans of cold soda brought out at a time.
I was hoping that would send an ADA flag but nope. On past visits this person was highly professional but the down computer changed them.
There’s no reason a simple computer should be down so long.
So I waited another 30 minutes and waited with ten people in line and bought a Coach ML pass to present to a different counter person:
Once in, there was a very good selection of snacks and a few cans of cold soda brought out at a time.
Gotta love how no business on Earth can now operate without a computer system active.
west point
Engineer
How true,true, true, true, ........................ circle logic
DRAGONS - a derogatory term used applied to overly super-efficient by the book no rules bent lounge attendants !
The more the chaotic stress level increases the more determined attention to detail and rules regulations protocol etc.
Persons in this job don't usually last that long - their fire eats them from within !
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I enjoyed the Chicago lounge about a month ago. For me, the best features are the luggage storage and the power outlets. It was pretty busy, but I found it calm and quiet upstairs.
Snacks were the same as others mentioned in this thread - I noticed packs of Skittles candy, along with chips.
I miss the sodas and coffee - but during the middle part of the day, a staff member ran a drinks cart under the staircase that offered cocktails, beer, and sodas for sale. I left the station for pizza, and considered shopping the food court level for trip snacks.
Finally, let me add my appreciation for the friendly fellow at the front desk. After I showed him my ticket on my phone, he gave me a card I could "flash" as I went in and out. His announcements over the PA were clear and informative. The time from line-up to our procession to the Chief was short and quick.
Snacks were the same as others mentioned in this thread - I noticed packs of Skittles candy, along with chips.
I miss the sodas and coffee - but during the middle part of the day, a staff member ran a drinks cart under the staircase that offered cocktails, beer, and sodas for sale. I left the station for pizza, and considered shopping the food court level for trip snacks.
Finally, let me add my appreciation for the friendly fellow at the front desk. After I showed him my ticket on my phone, he gave me a card I could "flash" as I went in and out. His announcements over the PA were clear and informative. The time from line-up to our procession to the Chief was short and quick.
Can business class be used to enter Chicago metro lounge I’m a little confused lol
They were charging for soda?!? Or just the beer & cocktails?
Unless, something has changed, business class passengers with same day tickets may use the Chicago Metropolitan Lounge.
Amtrak website says:
- Amtrak Business class passengers with a same-day travel ticket (departure or arrival) may use the lounges in Chicago, Los Angeles, Portland and St. Louis.
Thank you I just looked at my eticket pdf
At Chicago Union Station, Coach class customers may purchase a day-pass to the Metropolitan Lounge, which offers numerous amenities along with priority boarding. Sleeping Car and Business class customers, as well as Amtrak Guest Rewards Select Executive and Select Plus
members, have complimentary access to the Metropolitan Lounge and to priority boarding privileges. See any Amtrak agent for details
At Chicago Union Station, Coach class customers may purchase a day-pass to the Metropolitan Lounge, which offers numerous amenities along with priority boarding. Sleeping Car and Business class customers, as well as Amtrak Guest Rewards Select Executive and Select Plus
members, have complimentary access to the Metropolitan Lounge and to priority boarding privileges. See any Amtrak agent for details
During most of the height of Covid shutdowns in 2020, we used the Chicago and LA lounges on a trip to San Diego. The Chicago lounge offered nothing to sleeper passengers, not even water, while in LA hot coffee and what was essentially a boxed lunch was brought to us. Apparently, policies about what and when to provide refreshments in the lounges can vary from place to place. That said, the Chicago Union Station lounge is a nice place with competent staff.
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I am glad to hear so many positive comments about the staff at the Chicago lounge. It is a great place although I have not been there since before the pandemic.
Despite the positive comments about the staff, there was one employee there pre-pandemic who acted as if it was a tremendous personal burden to set you up to use the shower. Perhaps this person is no longer there. This person was kind of a dragon.
Despite the positive comments about the staff, there was one employee there pre-pandemic who acted as if it was a tremendous personal burden to set you up to use the shower. Perhaps this person is no longer there. This person was kind of a dragon.
I didn't go up to the counter, so I don't know if the sodas were free. If they were, it wasn't common knowledge - hardly anyone had a beverage when I was there.
I was in the CUS ML on 6/12 and a few cold sodas and water bottles on a tray. Some were grabbing two.
I was in both on my last trip earlier this month and I agree 100%. Moynihan has a great selection of food.
crescent-zephyr
Engineer
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Why are there not cold drinks readily available?
See Rambling Robert's Post above.
