Chicago's new Metropolitan Lounge Information

[PerRock]

So I'm looking at this layout, do we know how Lounge passengers will get from the new lounge to the trains? I would it be thru the standard lounge? I foresee headaches from the notorious CUS gate guards.

peter

 

[jis]

Kindergarten March and a long one at that.

 

[crescent-zephyr]

Kindergarten March and a long one at that.

That's what I'm afraid of.... The best feature, to me, of the current lounge is the "back door" access to most long distance trains.

 

[Mark P]

I'm late to this party, and I thought the new Metro lounge was just an update/addition to the old (current) one. Now I can see from the maps and layouts that it is in fact a completely new 2 floor lounge with direct street access. So what is happening to the space where the current lounge is?

 

[zephyr17]

It becomes part of an expended Amtrak waiting area (cattle pen).

 

[slither]

Eric, Thanks for the info on the new lounge entrance, and the nice map. The new walk to the trains could be interesting. Maybe Amtrak already has a plan in mind. I guess we'll be finding out around June The existing lounge exit doors to the trains is very convenient for getting to most of the trains, and avoiding the general boarding area.

 

[Devil's Advocate]

Kindergarten March and a long one at that.

That's what I'm afraid of.... The best feature, to me, of the current lounge is the "back door" access to most long distance trains.

Agreed. If this is how it turns out then this sounds like a substantial and literal regression to me. Why not allow us to walk at our own pace and allow our tickets to do the talking once we reach the gate dragon? Seems to work fine in the airline market.

It becomes part of an expended Amtrak waiting area (cattle pen).

Expanded? Extended?

 

[RSG]

Include me in the group that wont miss the current Metro Dungeon, er Lounge and the Bossy staff that ran the place!

I will miss the luggage room and the friendly Red Cap that ran it, but am totally looking forward to seeing the New Joint!

Hopefully New York and Washington will follow the same MO and replace the too small CAs that are in use now!

Any promise that the Dungeon Master won't stay on?

Which one? ;-)

 

[railbuck]

Kindergarten March and a long one at that.

That's what I'm afraid of.... The best feature, to me, of the current lounge is the "back door" access to most long distance trains.

Agreed. If this is how it turns out then this sounds like a substantial and literal regression to me. Why not allow us to walk at our own pace and allow our tickets to do the talking once we reach the gate dragon? Seems to work fine in the airline market.

If I'm reading the plans correctly, it appears the corridor between the restrooms would be the logical place to assemble departing passengers, either for a K-walk or to simply direct them down the appropriate concourse to the track, where they merge with (or get a head start on) passengers boarding from the general lounge. Works great for the even numbered tracks, and though getting to the odd numbered tracks involves some cross traffic it shouldn't be excessively confusing.

If not used for that purpose or something similar, the corridor is just wasted space that could be better utilized for a couple more showers.

 

[neroden]

There's a back door to the taxi dropoff (currently disused) which could be used to get to the platforms while avoiding the entire waiting room / concourse area. Dunno if they'll use it though.

 

[RSG]

[...] Why not allow us to walk at our own pace and allow our tickets to do the talking once we reach the gate dragon? Seems to work fine in the airline market.

This might work okay for coach passengers, but the nature and convenience of train travel usually entails more luggage and non-checkable carry-on items; thus I would think more confusion would result, particularly for those in the sleepers.

Personally, I'm grateful for the escort to the train, since I'm focused on collecting my things and my wits while paying attention to my car and room number so I'm not one of those people who are holding things up because they think ESP will serendipitously guide them to the correct car and room. Having to search for the correct track on my own just complicates my journey.

Though one doesn't have to be subjected to the kindergarten walk, as one can board the train on their own, and I have done that (in WAS, for one; never in CHI though).

 

[Ryan]

How'd you manage that in WAS?

 

[RSG]

How'd you manage that in WAS?

LOL...it was several years ago and I arrived a bit late to Union Station (waiting on a cab in Arlington). The train (it would have had to have been the Capitol Limited) had already boarded and everyone was going through the final pre-departure checklist. The part after leaving the cab and getting to the gates is kind of a blur, but I knew I didn't have time to check into the Club Acela lounge and so asked the information desk in front where to board and they guided me to the appropriate tracks. In my I-can't-miss-this-train-panic, the actual boarding gate for the track was closed and cordoned off, but I dutifully followed original directions and attempted to go around/under/through the barrier ribbon, all while hearing “Stop! Stop! You can't go through there!” What I finally realized a few seconds later (but seemed like minutes) was that they wanted me to go through the adjacent doors which were still open, and I did. I boarded the last car in the consist, which was coach, and the train left a few minutes later.

The most memorable part (aside from the action movie-worthy gate moment) was realizing I had picked the wrong train to do that on, as my sleeper was in the front of the train and I had to make two trips through multiple cars, up and down stairs, to get both of my bags (obviously, no time for baggage check, even if it was an option) to my roomette. That was probably the most annoying part, since by the time all the drama was over and the resulting relief I had made the train set in, all I wanted to do was to veg out in my room, without having to worry about schlepping bags through cars on a consist.

Technically, I didn't 'avoid' the escorted boarding; I actually missed it. But I've also done the same in CHI and gotten the you're-messing-with-the-order-of-things-when-you-shouldn't-be lecture from a particular matronly Met Lounge attendant (who's been there for years, but whom I didn't see on my trip in January), who then got another agent to escort me to the platform.

 

[oregon pioneer]

Technically, I didn't 'avoid' the escorted boarding; I actually missed it. But I've also done the same in CHI and gotten the you're-messing-with-the-order-of-things-when-you-shouldn't-be lecture from a particular matronly Met Lounge attendant (who's been there for years, but whom I didn't see on my trip in January), who then got another agent to escort me to the platform.

H, ha, I got an unescorted boarding from the Met Lounge one time. I was headed out to dinner with Chicago Nephew on my layover, and asked just how late I could return for the LSL. They told me, and I dutifully returned right on time. The lounge was totally deserted except for the desk dragon and luggage check guy, who closed up as soon as he handed me my bag. The desk dragon took me to the platform and pointed to the train, then went back to close up shop. This was in the days of a pre-departure wine-and-cheese party for sleeper class, coach was not boarding yet, and there were no attendants at the car doors. I had to find my own sleeper car and roomette, and board myself. Oh, well, it was worth it for the dinner with Nephew!

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Technically, I didn't 'avoid' the escorted boarding; I actually missed it. But I've also done the same in CHI and gotten the you're-messing-with-the-order-of-things-when-you-shouldn't-be lecture from a particular matronly Met Lounge attendant (who's been there for years, but whom I didn't see on my trip in January), who then got another agent to escort me to the platform.

H, ha, I got an unescorted boarding from the Met Lounge one time. I was headed out to dinner with Chicago Nephew on my layover, and asked just how late I could return for the LSL. They told me, and I dutifully returned right on time. The lounge was totally deserted except for the desk dragon and luggage check guy, who closed up as soon as he handed me my bag. The desk dragon took me to the platform and pointed to the train, then went back to close up shop. This was in the days of a pre-departure wine-and-cheese party for sleeper class, coach was not boarding yet, and there were no attendants at the car doors. I had to find my own sleeper car and roomette, and board myself. Oh, well, it was worth it for the dinner with Nephew!

I was "late" at Chicago last May after getting a tour of Chicago with NorthShore. I got back to the lounge "on time" I think but needed to use the bathroom. When I came out I asked if they had called for my train yet and was told the others had just left for the train. I can't remember if she took me out the door and pointed the way or just told me where to go out. Since I've boarded from the lounge in the past I knew where to go and caught up with the others.