Palmetto business class only gets half-size can of soda for free?

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Kathy Emtiaz

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I know this is going to sound silly....

When I rode the Palmetto in business the other day, I got my

free can of soda, but it was a half-size can. (maybe 6 ounces?)

It came with a plastic cup with lots of ice cubes.

I didn't think much of it until I was about two minutes away from

get off the train. Another passenger came back from the cafe car

with a turkey wrap and a couple cans of soda. They were both

full size cans.

Were the full-size sodas reserved for paying customers, while the

half-size sodas were given free to business class passengers?

Yes, I said it was going to be a silly question. :)
 
Back in the day the 10 oz glass bottles of Pepsi were used as "non-rev" and the cans were revenue. Since Pepsi (and Coke) have both stopped making the 10 oz glass bottle due to product cost and low demand they needed to find an alternative for the non-rev. The smaller cans were probably the most cost effective alternative. The reason for having to have two different sizes of product is because the LSA has to account for all of the big cans, if any are missing they have to pay for them. Whereas the smaller cans are used for Business Class passengers and as mixers in cordials. The thought process is that since there are fewer of the small cans there is a much lower potential for theft where the LSA tries to sell the can and pocket the cash. If it was all the same size there is a lot more opportunity for theft.
 
You're correct!
Thanks! It makes absolutely no sense to me.... those half-size sodas cost almost as much as regular-size sodas at my local Krogers or Walmart.

Or is this just one of the ways that Amtrak manage to lose money? :D :D :D
 
Back in the day the 10 oz glass bottles of Pepsi were used as "non-rev" and the cans were revenue. Since Pepsi (and Coke) have both stopped making the 10 oz glass bottle due to product cost and low demand they needed to find an alternative for the non-rev. The smaller cans were probably the most cost effective alternative. The reason for having to have two different sizes of product is because the LSA has to account for all of the big cans, if any are missing they have to pay for them. Whereas the smaller cans are used for Business Class passengers and as mixers in cordials. The thought process is that since there are fewer of the small cans there is a much lower potential for theft where the LSA tries to sell the can and pocket the cash. If it was all the same size there is a lot more opportunity for theft.
Sodas are heavy.... a case of 24 cans of Diet Pepsi is current on sale for $3.49 at my local grocery store. Do Amtrak employees really steal sodas? That's a lot of trouble for $3.49... assuming they find a way to hide 24 cans of sodas. :)
 
You're correct!
Thanks! It makes absolutely no sense to me.... those half-size sodas cost almost as much as regular-size sodas at my local Krogers or Walmart.

Or is this just one of the ways that Amtrak manage to lose money? :D :D :D
Usually the LSA will give 2 cans of soda. Making it I believe 16oz of soda. 4 more then a can that can be bought. I understand that to a point.

Back in the day the 10 oz glass bottles of Pepsi were used as "non-rev" and the cans were revenue. Since Pepsi (and Coke) have both stopped making the 10 oz glass bottle due to product cost and low demand they needed to find an alternative for the non-rev. The smaller cans were probably the most cost effective alternative. The reason for having to have two different sizes of product is because the LSA has to account for all of the big cans, if any are missing they have to pay for them. Whereas the smaller cans are used for Business Class passengers and as mixers in cordials. The thought process is that since there are fewer of the small cans there is a much lower potential for theft where the LSA tries to sell the can and pocket the cash. If it was all the same size there is a lot more opportunity for theft.
Sodas are heavy.... a case of 24 cans of Diet Pepsi is current on sale for $3.49 at my local grocery store. Do Amtrak employees really steal sodas? That's a lot of trouble for $3.49... assuming they find a way to hide 24 cans of sodas. :)
The Amtrak Employees will take the small cans for their lunch during their break. Since their is no charge for these.
 
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When you're in business class do you only get one free beverage during your trip or can you go back and get another half-can of soda or coffee, etc?
 
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Were the full-size sodas reserved for paying customers, while thehalf-size sodas were given free to business class passengers?
From my experience, that's been true for all my BC travels. While you can go back and get a 2nd, the fact that the 1/2 size are warm, bothers me more. When I asked, they said they could not put the BC 1/2 size cans into the cooler because they would then get mixed up with the full size cans. Really? They can't tell the size difference?
 
You're correct!
Thanks! It makes absolutely no sense to me.... those half-size sodas cost almost as much as regular-size sodas at my local Krogers or Walmart.

Or is this just one of the ways that Amtrak manage to lose money? :D :D :D
Hey, Amtrak does use a cost of something like $10 for every can of soda. Yep, it's so cheap at the store, but Amtrak just pays a lot more. :excl:

I haven't travelled BC in ages, can't remember much about the drinks.
 
Back in the day the 10 oz glass bottles of Pepsi were used as "non-rev" and the cans were revenue. Since Pepsi (and Coke) have both stopped making the 10 oz glass bottle due to product cost and low demand they needed to find an alternative for the non-rev. The smaller cans were probably the most cost effective alternative. The reason for having to have two different sizes of product is because the LSA has to account for all of the big cans, if any are missing they have to pay for them. Whereas the smaller cans are used for Business Class passengers and as mixers in cordials. The thought process is that since there are fewer of the small cans there is a much lower potential for theft where the LSA tries to sell the can and pocket the cash. If it was all the same size there is a lot more opportunity for theft.
Sodas are heavy.... a case of 24 cans of Diet Pepsi is current on sale for $3.49 at my local grocery store. Do Amtrak employees really steal sodas? That's a lot of trouble for $3.49... assuming they find a way to hide 24 cans of sodas. :)
Not for personal consumption, for stealing money purposes. I think the going rate to purchase a soda is $2 on board (or something like that). So let's say the LSA had co-mingled inventory and reports that 48 were used for Business Class/Cordials, when in reality only 24 were used, and they sold the other 24 for cash without being rung up, they just slipped $48 in their pocket...That's part of the reason they're supposed to give you a receipt with every purchase.
 
So let's say the LSA had co-mingled inventory ...
I hate to be redundant, but if even co-mingled, how can anyone not be able to tell the full size cans from the 1/2 size cans? I mean, even a blind person could separate them back out.
 
In my experience, BC will give you as many drinks as you ask for, so long as they have it in stock - not at once, and they can say no if they are concerned about inventory. They will not however, under penalty of torture, give you a revenue drink if the BC drinks are gone.

Now - remember those stories how one BC is different than another BC? The Palmetto, being a regular long distance train without state sponsorship, drinks are dispersed by the Cafe Car attendant. On other routes that are State Sponsored, like the Carolinian, there will likely be an attendant with a trolley cart, offering just like [they used to?] on airlines. You can't get squat from the Cafe Car attendant except coffee and tea. Depending on the BC attendant, you might not get squat from them unless it's during their cabin walk.

I believe that there is an exception to the 8 oz can rule with regards to Ginger Ale. Again, to prevent co-mingling of product, Cafe Car folks get Seagram's Ginger Ale, while revenue is Canada Dry. I wish BC could get Coke and revenue gets Pepsi, but I digress...

Oh - and when the cafe stocks for revenue, they will ALWAYS refridgerate revenue first and if space is available, chill the BC stock. These cafe cars often get serviced ONCE for a round trip journey, so they maximize the money makers first. Partly why they [should] always provide ice and a plastic glass.
 
In my experience, BC will give you as many drinks as you ask for, so long as they have it in stock - not at once, and they can say no if they are concerned about inventory. They will not however, under penalty of torture, give you a revenue drink if the BC drinks are gone.
Now - remember those stories how one BC is different than another BC? The Palmetto, being a regular long distance train without state sponsorship, drinks are dispersed by the Cafe Car attendant. On other routes that are State Sponsored, like the Carolinian, there will likely be an attendant with a trolley cart, offering just like [they used to?] on airlines. You can't get squat from the Cafe Car attendant except coffee and tea. Depending on the BC attendant, you might not get squat from them unless it's during their cabin walk.

I believe that there is an exception to the 8 oz can rule with regards to Ginger Ale. Again, to prevent co-mingling of product, Cafe Car folks get Seagram's Ginger Ale, while revenue is Canada Dry. I wish BC could get Coke and revenue gets Pepsi, but I digress...

Oh - and when the cafe stocks for revenue, they will ALWAYS refridgerate revenue first and if space is available, chill the BC stock. These cafe cars often get serviced ONCE for a round trip journey, so they maximize the money makers first. Partly why they [should] always provide ice and a plastic glass.
Oh, how much I wish Amtrak as golden ginger ale instead of the bland light version! You barely see golden giner ale on any transport these days.
 
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