Insider.com and businessinsider.com stories about Amtrak trips

[Eric in East County]

Amtrak has no affiliation with AU other than the name and what we discuss, but they probably don’t know of us and/or don’t pay attention. Also, why would Amtrak want to share trip reports where the bad is not overlooked?

there are many other ways to share trip reports online, I’m sure.

We are aware that Amtrak has no connection to AU. It is not unusual for businesses to request reviews from their customers which they later post on-line. (A trip report is a sort of review.) There are some, of course, who might say that Amtrak is not really a business but an entity that exists to provide a mandated service. And, unlike a business, this entity has little incentive to satisfy its existing customers or attract new ones. If this is the case, we can understand why Amtrak has no interest in reading trip reports and in using these trip reports to help promote train travel.

 

[Arctifox]

I completely agree with Eric. Of course reviews might also contain negative parts, but companies provide products for reviews all the time knowing that there might be negative feedback in it (or mostly negative feedback), but people go for those reviews because they are not just praising the product but allow them to get an idea if it's a good idea to buy.

 

[Exvalley]

I hate to say this, but if Amtrak is going to actively solicit reviews, they really need to up their game or they will be sorely disappointed.

We all love Amtrak here, but there are some serious issues, such as:
1) Persistent delays;
2) Indifferent service attendants;
3) Old and worn equipment;
4) Flex dining

 

[Amtrakfflyer]

5) Lack of competent leadership

 

[Joe from PA]

I hate to say this, but if Amtrak is going to actively solicit reviews, they really need to up their game or they will be sorely disappointed.

We all love Amtrak here, but there are some serious issues, such as:
1) Persistent delays;
2) Indifferent service attendants;
3) Old and worn equipment;
4) Flex dining

1) The freight companies own most of the tracks.
2) Some have been better than others, but generally OK.
3) Old maybe, but I have not noticed "worn". New means no toilet in the roomettes...hate that.
4) Flex is fine, just serve it in a dining car.

#s 3 and 4 may be the reasons we stop going to Florida by rail.

 

[tgstubbs1]

A different publication but typical format.

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/coast-starlight-amtrak-train-route-intl-hnk/index.html
"
I chose the most affordable option of a coach seat (starting from about $100), which had more leg room than I anticipated -- not that I spent much time in it.For much of the trip, I sat in the sightseer lounge, the main attraction of the Coast Starlight -- an airy observation car with windows that stretch up to the ceiling, allowing expansive views."

 

[Sidney]

1) The freight companies own most of the tracks.
2) Some have been better than others, but generally OK.
3) Old maybe, but I have not noticed "worn". New means no toilet in the roomettes...hate that.
4) Flex is fine, just serve it in a dining car.

#s 3 and 4 may be the reasons we stop going to Florida by rail.

Was on the Sunset Limited/Texas Eagle earlier this week. The transition from Traditional to flexible dining was jarring.

 

[neroden]

Don't get me started on Amtrak's deficiencies. They can't even manage to publish a timetable due to CEO incompetence -- you expect them to publish reviews? They need to get the basics working.

 

[Amtrakfflyer]

She’s back…
https://www.yahoo.com/now/travelled-first-class-amtrak-acela-145617341.html

 

[Mystic River Dragon]

She’s back...

And she still looks bored to tears. Doesn’t this girl ever smile?

And it’s such an effort to hold a glass in your hand to stop it from falling. How did she ever manage to get enough energy to do that?

If overnight in a roomette (all expenses paid) is too much for her, and first class on Acela (all expenses paid) is too much for her, may I suggest a nice several months on a freighter in rough seas (no expenses paid and she works for her passage) so she can come back and write another 20 or so “comparison” articles?

 

[GAT]

What surprised me was all the things she "didn't know and wished she had" before booking or getting on the train. Not much of a journalist if she didn't do her research on the simple stuff.

 

[Ryan]

Nobody would find a "I'm a reported so I did all the research and wasn't surprised by anything" story even remotely interesting.

The "things you wouldn't necessarily know" are the whole point of the story for the audience it's intended for*.

*We're not that audience. While it's easy and fun to dunk on the silly non-train people that don't know everything that we know and write about it, it's really kind of unbecoming and pointless. Far more people are going to come across that article and consider giving Amtrak a shot than there are that will randomly stumble in here and read our rantings and decide that Amtrak is for them.

 

[Mystic River Dragon]

Nobody would find a "I'm a reported so I did all the research and wasn't surprised by anything" story even remotely interesting.

While it's easy and fun to dunk on the silly non-train people that don't know everything that we know and write about it, it's really kind of unbecoming and pointless.

I see your points, Ryan. But with all due respect, I would be much more likely to read or watch and enjoy a thoroughly researched article or video. For example, Simply Railway does thorough research, and his videos are enjoyable and fascinating.

I also enjoy videos by some people who aren’t train experts but learn as they go and approach their trips with an upbeat sense of humor and joy in learning about the trains. Jeb Brooks is an example, as is the Canadian Michael Downie.

I did not mean to be unbecoming in criticizing the article writer here. I think it’s her attitude — she seems so bored and that these trips are a chore for her—that annoys me.

 

[SarahZ]

The point about having to hold onto her glass is a valid one. She is not “weak”. The smooth trays without even a divot to hold a glass are a pain. You can’t read or work on your laptop because you’re busy holding your drink to keep it from spilling.

She added to her statement by giving everyone the tip of leaving the liquid in the container and just drinking from the bottle or can. This is helpful to those who have never been on a train and may not know that.

 

[Cal]

Complaining about four options for breakfast? Don't some US carriers only give two options (not including special meals) for domestic first class?

 

[jis]

She added to her statement by giving everyone the tip of leaving the liquid in the container and just drinking from the bottle or can. This is helpful to those who have never been on a train and may not know that.

This is also helpful to people who are only used to riding trains like the Eurostar or the Shinkansen.

 

[Ryan]

I see your points, Ryan. But with all due respect, I would be much more likely to read or watch and enjoy a thoroughly researched article or video. For example, Simply Railway does thorough research, and his videos are enjoyable and fascinating.

Which is why you aren't the targeted audience for this article. That doesn't make it a bad article, it just makes it for other people.

 

[Devil's Advocate]

Complaining about four options for breakfast? Don't some US carriers only give two options (not including special meals) for domestic first class?

The vast majority of my First Class flights have no meals and those that do are longer than this trip.

I did not mean to be unbecoming in criticizing the article writer here. I think it’s her attitude — she seems so bored and that these trips are a chore for her—that annoys me.

I saw nothing unfair about your criticism and your opinion of this article is as valid as any other. There are many bloggers who do not appeal to me personally but rather few that leave me wondering how they ended up writing about a topic that seems to bring no passion or joy to their life.

While it's easy and fun to dunk on the silly non-train people that don't know everything that we know and write about it, it's really kind of unbecoming and pointless.

I wish she did act a little silly as it would add a bit of humor and levity to these otherwise drab reports.

 

[Amtrakfflyer]

https://www.yahoo.com/news/upgraded-first-class-amtrak-12-100100260.html

 

[MARC Rider]

https://www.yahoo.com/news/upgraded-first-class-amtrak-12-100100260.html

Well, I would agree with her on most of this. I like riding first class on the Acela, but I always do so with points or an upgrade coupon. I'm not sure I would fork over the extra $100+ for it for a 2 hour 20 minute trip between New York and Baltimore. (well, maybe if I were going all the way to Boston, but I've been able to avoid doing that so far.)

 

[John from RI]

Don't get me started on Amtrak's deficiencies. They can't even manage to publish a timetable due to CEO incompetence -- you expect them to publish reviews? They need to get the basics working.

Refusing to publish a time table is beyond incompetence. It reflects an attitude of contempt for train riders.

 

[neroden]

Refusing to publish a time table is beyond incompetence. It reflects an attitude of contempt for train riders.

I'm going to politely apply Hanlon's Razor, though see also Grey's Law.

I think there's strong evidence that it's incompetence by someone who fundamentally doesn't understand the most basic things about passenger trains. I don't really care what their attitude is; we need someone competent in charge. The steps for this are (1) get Biden to make new Amtrak Board appointments, (2) get the new Amtrak Board to appoint someone who actually takes trains routinely as CEO

 

[Amtrakfflyer]

Another Insider story. Not Amtrak but gives an idea of other fluff stories they do. I found it more interesting than the Amtrak ones. Be interesting to see if I see her write the story again next week lol

https://www.yahoo.com/news/live-cruise-ship-free-heres-123200809.html

 

[Amtrakfflyer]

This weeks installment..
https://www.yahoo.com/news/took-18-hour-train-ride-151940177.html

 

[PaulM]

This weeks installment..
https://www.yahoo.com/news/took-18-hour-train-ride-151940177.html

I'm not sure how these glitches crept in:

A diner or diner-lounge booth was labeled "capitol limited coach class empty row"

A single level train was labeled "capitol limited train from dc to chicago"