Lower Level Coach

[Dan O]

AHH, you were on a coach/cafe car. Yeah, I could see if having a lot different restroom setup than a standard coach.

It seems like the bathrooms in the coach/baggage car were not any bigger than the one I was in. Lower coach..they were much bigger.

 

[printman2000]

AHH, you were on a coach/cafe car. Yeah, I could see if having a lot different restroom setup than a standard coach.

It seems like the bathrooms in the coach/baggage car were not any bigger than the one I was in. Lower coach..they were much bigger.

Coach baggage should have the exact setup as a regular coach (as far as restrooms). I believe they use to be regular coaches, but had the lower level seating converted to baggage. Or was it the smoking lounges that were converted to baggage? I could be wrong on that. But either way, the restrooms should be the same as a regular coach.

 

[AlanB]

Coach baggage should have the exact setup as a regular coach (as far as restrooms). I believe they use to be regular coaches, but had the lower level seating converted to baggage. Or was it the smoking lounges that were converted to baggage? I could be wrong on that. But either way, the restrooms should be the same as a regular coach.

Coach baggage cars were built as such. At one point 30 coach-bags were converted into smoking coaches and then converted back to coach-bags when smoking was abolished. There were three ADA smoking coaches that were converted from straight Superliner I coach cars. They were converted back to normal coaches.

The 11 snack-coaches were converted from straight coaches to snack-coaches, so it is possible I suppose that during the conversion that the bathrooms downstairs were altered from the norm.

All of the above cars were Superliner I cars.

Five Superliner II coaches were converted into the Kiddie cars that run on the Coast Starlight. They're now called family coaches, rather than kiddie cars. I'm not sure just what changes were made when they went from Kiddie coaches to family cars.

 

[Green Maned Lion]

There is another possibility, however. Dan, when did you ride in such a situation? Is it possible it was on the Heartland Flyer? Up until a few years ago, they did run Hi-Levels on that thing- although from my hi-level diagrams, I'd think the rest rooms were actually bigger on the hi-levels.

 

[Dan O]

There is another possibility, however. Dan, when did you ride in such a situation? Is it possible it was on the Heartland Flyer? Up until a few years ago, they did run Hi-Levels on that thing- although from my hi-level diagrams, I'd think the rest rooms were actually bigger on the hi-levels.

Rode the Southwest Chief last summer. I am fat but I have never had any difficulty using a restroom. It was possible but just felt very tight in there. From what I have read, I think I had a coach/baggage car one way (baggage area was not used) and a coach/cafe on the return trip. Seems to me both sets of bathrooms were on the tiny side.

Dan

 

[Everydaymatters]

so if you have a lower level ticket and the conductor refuses to let you site there even though you have a ticket for that seat what do you do ask for the conductors name and report him/her? what if you can't climb stairs and you got a ticket for the lower level but the conductor doesn't give a rats you know what and FORCES you to go upstairs. then what?

That happened to me! Had lower level tickets. I have ILD, which is a lung disease wherein I can make it up the stairs once or twice but any more than that and I literally can't breath. I always book the lower level because trips downstairs to the bathroom are more frequent than trips upstairs to the diner.

I look healthier than all heck, so you wouldn't know there was a problem by looking at me. While I was in the lounge, the car attendant gave my seat to an "elderly couple". I had to go up from the lounge, down to get my belongings, then back up to my new seat, and couldn't breath. Also, with motion problems, I had vertigo on the upper level and was sicker than heck all of the rest of the trip - which included a cruise to Alaska after the train ride.

This is just wrong. Invisible disabilities are just as real as visible ones. Hope you complained to customer service.

Yes, I did complain, but I felt no anger or anything toward the train attendant. He was really a nice person. The thing that got me ticked off was that there was a very healthy woman who was in lower level who was yelling and complaining that she would not move because she paid good money for her ticket! The attendant was between a rock and a hard place and he really didn't know I had a problem until I sat down in the upper level seat he assigned me to.

 

[Everydaymatters]

so if you have a lower level ticket and the conductor refuses to let you site there even though you have a ticket for that seat what do you do ask for the conductors name and report him/her? what if you can't climb stairs and you got a ticket for the lower level but the conductor doesn't give a rats you know what and FORCES you to go upstairs. then what?

That happened to me! Had lower level tickets. I have ILD, which is a lung disease wherein I can make it up the stairs once or twice but any more than that and I literally can't breath. I always book the lower level because trips downstairs to the bathroom are more frequent than trips upstairs to the diner.

I look healthier than all heck, so you wouldn't know there was a problem by looking at me. While I was in the lounge, the car attendant gave my seat to an "elderly couple". I had to go up from the lounge, down to get my belongings, then back up to my new seat, and couldn't breath. Also, with motion problems, I had vertigo on the upper level and was sicker than heck all of the rest of the trip - which included a cruise to Alaska after the train ride.

And the conductor, whose job it is to make sure everyone is in the part of the train that they are ticketed for, let this happen? I can see a car attendant doing something like this, but a quick conversation with the conductor should have straightened it out. To me this is no different than them giving away a sleeper compartment while you are in the lounge.

I didn't say anything about it to the conductor. From what I have seen, car attendants have the power to do whatever they want. As I said before, this attendant was really very nice, but I have seen some, well one in particular on the SWC, who was a total maniac threatening to remove people from the train, moving people around from seat to seat - including the lower level when there were only 3 people there. She wanted people to sit together. She had some serious problems.

 

[glomor]

Do the lower level "handicapped/elderly" coach seats have electrical outlets? I am wondering what might be available for an oxygen concentrator. Thanks!

 

[Everydaymatters]

Do the lower level "handicapped/elderly" coach seats have electrical outlets? I am wondering what might be available for an oxygen concentrator. Thanks!

Only one that I know of. Oh - maybe two. I think there might be one in the front of the car also.

 

[jackal]

And the conductor, whose job it is to make sure everyone is in the part of the train that they are ticketed for, let this happen? I can see a car attendant doing something like this, but a quick conversation with the conductor should have straightened it out. To me this is no different than them giving away a sleeper compartment while you are in the lounge.

I didn't say anything about it to the conductor. From what I have seen, car attendants have the power to do whatever they want. As I said before, this attendant was really very nice, but I have seen some, well one in particular on the SWC, who was a total maniac threatening to remove people from the train, moving people around from seat to seat - including the lower level when there were only 3 people there. She wanted people to sit together. She had some serious problems.

That may be the appearance, but it's not the case. The conductor is the final authority on the train, and if they say something, it is the law. I would definitely seek out the conductor next time and express my needs to him! They certainly do have the power to override a car attendant on matters like this. (They can't do something like instruct the cafe attendant to give away sodas for free in the cafe car or something like that, but they have full authority in terms of seating, ticketing, and of course dealing with belligerent people (putting them off the train if need be.)

 

[Guest]

The thing that got me ticked off was that there was a very healthy woman who was in lower level who was yelling and complaining that she would not move because she paid good money for her ticket!

Did that "very healthy woman" have a lower-level ticket, which I believe if she had, she might have indeed paid extra for it.

 

[Everydaymatters]

The thing that got me ticked off was that there was a very healthy woman who was in lower level who was yelling and complaining that she would not move because she paid good money for her ticket!

Did that "very healthy woman" have a lower-level ticket, which I believe if she had, she might have indeed paid extra for it.

I also had a lower level ticket which I paid for. She paid what everyone else paid for the lower level ticket, so why do you think she should she be allowed to stay? She was younger and looked a whole lot healthier than anyone else in the lower level. Do you think she was entitled to stay and I wasn't?

 

[Guest]

I also had a lower level ticket which I paid for. She paid what everyone else paid for the lower level ticket, so why do you think she should she be allowed to stay? She was younger and looked a whole lot healthier than anyone else in the lower level. Do you think she was entitled to stay and I wasn't?

Tough call. :huh:

IMHO, if she had paid extra for the accommodation (a lower level seat), she had every right to demand/keep the accommodation.

Though, I understand, you paid extra for the accommodation too.

From your description, I believe she was already seated and settled. In that case, when you both have lower-level tickets, the "first one there gets it" rule should apply. In other words, I don't think it would be fair to her, to be forced to downgrade just because someone else comes along later, also with a lower level ticket. This assumes, that there is no other "equal" accommodations available (another lower level seat) which I guess you would have simply taken.

Like I said. Tough call. I am glad I wasn't the attendant because this is clearly one of those "no win" situations for them.

 

[Everydaymatters]

I also had a lower level ticket which I paid for. She paid what everyone else paid for the lower level ticket, so why do you think she should she be allowed to stay? She was younger and looked a whole lot healthier than anyone else in the lower level. Do you think she was entitled to stay and I wasn't?

Tough call. :huh:

IMHO, if she had paid extra for the accommodation (a lower level seat), she had every right to demand/keep the accommodation.

Though, I understand, you paid extra for the accommodation too.

From your description, I believe she was already seated and settled. In that case, when you both have lower-level tickets, the "first one there gets it" rule should apply. In other words, I don't think it would be fair to her, to be forced to downgrade just because someone else comes along later, also with a lower level ticket. This assumes, that there is no other "equal" accommodations available (another lower level seat) which I guess you would have simply taken.

Like I said. Tough call. I am glad I wasn't the attendant because this is clearly one of those "no win" situations for them.

She got on the train after I did. In fact, she got on over a thousand miles after I did, but I don't think that's a good guage by which to decide who should be moved. Please note that upper level is not a downgrade. I feel that no matter where a person boards, if their health requires a lower level seat, a person with better health should be willing to move. We're all in this life thing together and we need to help eachother out when we can. The lady who was pouting and demanding and complaining obviously had a better pair of lungs than I do. And she moved pretty durn well too!

 

[RRrich]

I guess I just don't understand why everyone with a Lower Level ticket can't be seated in the Lower Level. I also think that if a person with physical problems with an upper level ticket comes along the lower level ticket holders should be politely asked to please move to upper level, but since they hold lower level tickets, they have a right to a lower level seat.

 

[MrFSS]

I guess I just don't understand why everyone with a Lower Level ticket can't be seated in the Lower Level. I also think that if a person with physical problems with an upper level ticket comes along the lower level ticket holders should be politely asked to please move to upper level, but since they hold lower level tickets, they have a right to a lower level seat.

I agree - they are only going to sell as many LL tickets as there are seats (I would assume). So, if more folks show up with a LL ticket then there are seats available the system has glitched. I'm thinking there has to be either someone sitting in LL who didn't have a LL ticket (they are the one who should move upstairs) or someone with a upper level seat gets on and realizes they need to be in the lower level (medical condition, etc). It needs to be explained to them they don't have a right to sit in LL but the SA might be able to see if someone legitimately ticked for LL will possibly move.

This attitude that I can sit wherever I want doesn't cut it. If a person who bought an upper level ticket can't sit in the upper level they shouldn't have bought that ticket to begin with! Am I mean or what?

 

[Everydaymatters]

I don't think it's a matter of them overselling LL seats. I think that many times people with mobility problems simply buy a train ticket without knowledge of the stairs situation and without knowing they should get LL tickets. Then when they're on the train they see the problem, or the attendant sees their problem, and they are put in the LL, which means a LL ticket holder has to move.

We on the forum know about superliners, but there are a whole lot of first time or infrequent train riders who don't know.

 

[RRrich]

the situation that I was in involved the "Winter Substitution" of Superliner for Viewliners. When I bought the tickets no LL option was offered and I didn't even think about it. When we boarded my brain was still in neutral and we just went upstairs. LL was empty! When I spoke to the conductor his response was along the lines of "Why didn't you say something?" I think his over-riding concern was having his pax comfortable.

 

[GG-1]

She got on the train after I did. In fact, she got on over a thousand miles after I did, but I don't think that's a good guage by which to decide who should be moved.

Aloha

But Since you were there first and met the requirement for lower level seating, I fail to understand why you were being aske, or forced to relocate.

Eric

 

[Konrad]

She got on the train after I did. In fact, she got on over a thousand miles after I did, but I don't think that's a good guage by which to decide who should be moved.

Aloha

But Since you were there first and met the requirement for lower level seating, I fail to understand why you were being aske, or forced to relocate.

Eric

All of the above just gets back to my main beef with Amtrak - why don't they issue tickets with car AND seat numbers :angry: . It just isn't that hard.

 

[MrFSS]

She got on the train after I did. In fact, she got on over a thousand miles after I did, but I don't think that's a good guage by which to decide who should be moved.

Aloha

But Since you were there first and met the requirement for lower level seating, I fail to understand why you were being asked, or forced to relocate.

Eric

All of the above just gets back to my main beef with Amtrak - why don't they issue tickets with car AND seat numbers :angry: . It just isn't that hard.

But you could still have that person, as mentioned above, who doesn't even know there are upper and lower seats and wouldn't try to make a request for what they wanted until they got on the train. I agree that if you are on the train and in a seat that specifies lower and you want to stay in lower, you shouldn't have to move. Find the person who has the upper ticket, and is seated in lower, and have them move.

 

[Green Maned Lion]

She got on the train after I did. In fact, she got on over a thousand miles after I did, but I don't think that's a good guage by which to decide who should be moved.

Aloha

But Since you were there first and met the requirement for lower level seating, I fail to understand why you were being aske, or forced to relocate.

Eric

All of the above just gets back to my main beef with Amtrak - why don't they issue tickets with car AND seat numbers :angry: . It just isn't that hard.

Because I'd go into their headquarters and find the person who came up with that idea and beat them to a pulp. Who wants assigned seats? I sure don't. Being stuck next to a nasty person for a 3 hour plane ride is bad enough. For 3 days on the Eagle? Huh-uh.

 

[Konrad]

She got on the train after I did. In fact, she got on over a thousand miles after I did, but I don't think that's a good guage by which to decide who should be moved.

Aloha

But Since you were there first and met the requirement for lower level seating, I fail to understand why you were being aske, or forced to relocate.

Eric

All of the above just gets back to my main beef with Amtrak - why don't they issue tickets with car AND seat numbers :angry: . It just isn't that hard.

Because I'd go into their headquarters and find the person who came up with that idea and beat them to a pulp. Who wants assigned seats? I sure don't. Being stuck next to a nasty person for a 3 hour plane ride is bad enough. For 3 days on the Eagle? Huh-uh.

That's why I take a sleeper .

 

[PetalumaLoco]

She got on the train after I did. In fact, she got on over a thousand miles after I did, but I don't think that's a good guage by which to decide who should be moved.

Aloha

But Since you were there first and met the requirement for lower level seating, I fail to understand why you were being aske, or forced to relocate.

Eric

All of the above just gets back to my main beef with Amtrak - why don't they issue tickets with car AND seat numbers :angry: . It just isn't that hard.

Because I'd go into their headquarters and find the person who came up with that idea and beat them to a pulp. Who wants assigned seats? I sure don't. Being stuck next to a nasty person for a 3 hour plane ride is bad enough. For 3 days on the Eagle? Huh-uh.

That's why I take a sleeper .

...which if you think about it, is an assigned seat.

 

[Everydaymatters]

But you could still have that person, as mentioned above, who doesn't even know there are upper and lower seats and wouldn't try to make a request for what they wanted until they got on the train. I agree that if you are on the train and in a seat that specifies lower and you want to stay in lower, you shouldn't have to move. Find the person who has the upper ticket, and is seated in lower, and have them move.

I definitely wanted to stay in lower. Remember that he gave my seat away when I was in the lounge car. He came down to the lounge car and told me he gave my seat away. I told him I wanted to stay in lower level and was pretty insistent, but he persisted and he told me that he could make me stay in the lounge car.

It was a bad experience, especially with the lung situation and the vertigo and being sick for the next couple of days.