Delicate subject - how to ask your SCA about this.

[George K]

Warning...if you're easily offended or squeamish, stop reading now.

Really.

Right now.

Stop.

Okay, still with me?

I'm an Amtrak newbie, so bear with me.

On our trip on the EB last month, I had some concern about the cleanliness of the public toilet in our sleeping car. We were upstairs in a roomette, with all of us sharing the public toilet. It seems that within a few hours of departure from CHI, someone used the toilet and left some, er, "residue" in the toilet. :blink: Despite many efforts to flush the brown-colored residue away, I was unsuccessful, and ended up using the downstairs toilets when needed.

So, my question is this: Is this something I should have brought to the Sleeping Car Attendant's attention? If so, how would you phrase it?

Thanks for the advice.

 

[trainman74]

So, my question is this: Is this something I should have brought to the Sleeping Car Attendant's attention? If so, how would you phrase it?

Yes, I'd mention it to the SCA, saying something like "when you get a chance, the toilet in the upstairs restroom could use some attention." (They might ask "is it clogged?", to which you could answer, "no, but it needs some 'residue' cleaned.") Don't give it a second thought -- it's part of their job, and they've seen it all before.

 

[Dakota 400]

Certainly not an Amtrak veteran as many are on this wonderful forum, but a short message to the SCA about this issue is not inappropriate. It is what it is and it would not be the first time that an experienced SCA has had to deal with such a situation.

 

[greatcats]

There should be no hesitation on your part to bring it up in the manner suggested by others. The SCA might not be aware of it, but in my opinion I would hope they check the facilities at regular intervals. If the employee did nothing about it after a reasonable time, the likelihood of me giving them a tip would start to evaporate.

 

[gswager]

I've read on one of AU posts about a trick by using toilet paper placing in certain area of toilet and then flush it, if I remember correctly.

 

[oregon pioneer]

I think the trick is to place a layer of toilet paper over the outlet BEFORE using it, and then it will flush cleanly without leaving "residue" (great word, thanks!).

 

[SarahZ]

I believe the toilets have a vacuum flush, so flushing over and over won't work, as the water doesn't rinse down the bowl like it does at home. Try pouring water on it next time and then drop some toilet paper on it. It should flush away with the wet toilet paper.

 

[greatcats]

Oohhh Sarah! Now I am getting squeamish!

 

[Acela150]

A good way to prevent stuff like that from happening is putting toilet paper in the bowl.

Sent from my iPhone using Amtrak Forum

 

[Alice]

Putting a little toilet paper in the bowl before using it can prevent residue from sticking.

 

[zepherdude]

If the passenger leaving the residue would pour a couple of cups of water on the issue before leaving, most of it would go away after a flush or two. I have seen this before and it is a matter of being considerate for the people after. If fact, when in coach once, the attendent advised us to clean up after ourselves in this matter. She was not delicate.

Thank you for being so delicate, George K.

 

[Steve4031]

Some times there are spray cans of cleaning supplies and I'll spray over the residue.

The attendants usually keep up with it in sleeping cars. On one or two trips I've heard attendants suggest the toilet paper technique.

One trip on 6, several years ago, a sca announced over the pa that the upstairs bathroom was for #1 only. #2 was to be done downstairs because upstairs toilet was next to his room. This was off putting to say the least.

On the second day near Glenwood Springs I made a stop upstairs and he made a point of standing in the hall way and giving me a look. I just "my bad" and went to my room. This ticked me off and I deliberately used that bathroom the rest of the trip.

 

[Ryan]

The hint to put down TP first so that everything gets flushed away is excellent.

No discussion on the topic is complete without the warning that the Amtrak provided TP is the ONLY thing that should go in there, lets you clog the toilet and really piss some people off.

 

[Acela150]

God please let's lock this...

 

[Steve4031]

Why? It has been informative for op. And it has yet to go down the toilet.

 

[Acela150]

Yes. The OP got the answer he needed and of course some folks are taking it a little to far. It gets annoying after a while.

 

[FormerOBS]

I have had discussions about this with passengers. I have asked that they leave the restroom in a condition that they would consider acceptable if they were the next person to use the facilities. I would add that this is not always possible (accidents happen) and they should let me know if something needs more attention. It's all about civilized people behaving in a civilized way.

Tom

 

[MiRider]

God please let's lock this...

How about this? Don't read it anymore!

You're a grown person and there is nothing being said in this thread that should offend any human being with a functioning human body.

I'm sure a few people have learned an easy way to help keep things tidy.

Also, anyone, anywhere on the internet can read this forum without being a member so it's a good PSA.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

God please let's lock this...

How about this? Don't read it anymore! You're a grown person and there is nothing being said in this thread that should offend any human being with a functioning human body.

I'm sure a few people have learned an easy way to help keep things tidy.

Also, anyone, anywhere on the internet can read this forum without being a member so it's a good PSA.

I seriously doubt he's offended by the context of this thread. He knows how these kinds of threads end up going down the drain.

 

[SarahZ]

Yes. The OP got the answer he needed and of course some folks are taking it a little to far. It gets annoying after a while.

Then stop clicking on it.

 

[Karl1459]

If the passenger leaving the residue would pour a couple of cups of water on the issue before leaving, most of it would go away after a flush or two. I have seen this before and it is a matter of being considerate for the people after. If fact, when in coach once, the attendent advised us to clean up after ourselves in this matter. She was not delicate.

Thank you for being so delicate, George K.

On my last trip VAN-ESM the coach attendent (great imho) placed cups and a nicely lettered card on top of the toilet with those instructions! And the restrooms were CLEAN.

 

[NW cannonball]

I have had discussions about this with passengers. I have asked that they leave the restroom in a condition that they would consider acceptable if they were the next person to use the facilities. I would add that this is not always possible (accidents happen) and they should let me know if something needs more attention. It's all about civilized people behaving in a civilized way.

Tom

Thank you -- the most sensible post on this thread so far. golden rule. cut some slack.

thanks.

But when it gets really gross -- I want to, but can't ever find the perp -- who I want to shove head down into the privy (just human nature to want to have revenge)

 

[FormerOBS]

Don't hold back, Cannonball. Tell us how you REALLY feel. :giggle:

Tom

 

[Acela150]

God please let's lock this...

How about this? Don't read it anymore! You're a grown person and there is nothing being said in this thread that should offend any human being with a functioning human body.

I'm sure a few people have learned an easy way to help keep things tidy.

Also, anyone, anywhere on the internet can read this forum without being a member so it's a good PSA.

I seriously doubt he's offended by the context of this thread. He knows how these kinds of threads end up going down the drain.

I'm not even close to offended by stuff like this. But these threads get out of hand way to fast. I don't come to AU for toilet humor..

 

[user 1215]

...lets[sic] you clog the toilet and really piss some people off.

That is a whole different bathroom topic all together!!