Question about boarding Southwest Chief at midnight

[PVD]

I wonder how our new travelers are doing. Hope all is going well... maybe we'll get an enroute update after dinner....

 

[me_little_me]

We were in BC on the Michigan services and were in the same car as the cafe where the conductors were hanging out. Not one came over to check our tickets and sat back down after they checked everyone else. I got up and complained because our sleeper from Chicago would have been canceled.
Lazy conductor. At least he apologized.

 

[bratkinson]

As only an occasional rider (2-3 times per year, mostly on the NEC and not all until post-COVID), it sounds to me that they occasionally mess up badly but always seem to fix things, rather than just blame the customer for failing to follow the correct procedure. Has anyone had their reservations on future segments of their trip cancelled through AMTRAK error and NOT had the situation fixed ASAP? To err is human, but I'm willing to cut a lot of slack when there is an honest and effective attempt to correct the error.

I agree that Amtrak does what it can to correct their mistakes. But...suppose I was a sleeper passenger on #49 with a connection to #7 in Chicago (in sleeper) and my ticket was neither scanned nor did the conductor make any effort to ask the SCA what rooms are occupied? By the time the passenger goes to board their sleeper on #7, the Amtrak computer has already sold it to someone else! The odds of getting a different room on the same train would be zero during the summer season.

Living in the Springfield MA area, when I DO book #449/49 with connections in Chicago, I ride business class on #449 and then transfer to a roomette on #49 at ALB. Historically, that saved about $100 and got me away from the train horn all night long in the Boston sleeper. In recent years, the elimination of the baggage car and conversion to microwave dog food in the diner makes repeating that trip unlikely any time soon. With one exception, every time that I have done that, either the conductor came through and scanned tickets or the SCA had verified I was in the correct room (on his manifest) and 'passed it along' to the conductor to mark in his handheld device. But I always made sure to see the conductor as he/she passed through the diner (seating after ALB) and have even 'chased him down' to ensure the computer knew I was aboard. Of the 15-20 times I made that trip since the implementation of the handheld ticket scanners, only once did the conductor indicate that he hadn't been advised of my boarding in ALB.

In response to Crescent-Zephyr above, booking each segment as separate tickets 'breaks' the guaranteed connection between trains such as #49 to #7. If #49 is 6 hours late, you won't be getting any free hotel room nor will you be refunded for your no-show on #7. The couple of times I've booked connecting trains separately (one on points, the other credit), I asked the reservation agent to 'tie them together' so the computer is 'aware' of the connection. Only 3 times in the last 20 years or so has the 'connection knowledge' in the computer made a difference. Back when the Sunset Ltd went to Orlando, I was riding from Orlando connecting at NOL to the City of New Orleans to CHI. We were late. I was notified 20 minutes or so prior to the last stop before NOL to get off and there would be a bus waiting for us connecting passengers to take us to the first stop on #58, Hammond LA (a beautiful un-modernized wooden station I might add). About 5 years ago, on a late #6 myself and others connecting to the Cardinal were instructed to get off at Galesburg and be bused to Indianapolis to board there. And about 18 months ago, on a late Coast Starlight from Portland OR, I was instructed before SAC that my ticket had been changed for me to get off at Martinez and board a San Joaquin train to Bakersfield then be bused to LAX to board #2/422 leaving at 10PM. Had the computer not 'known' of my connections, I would have been high and dry and on my own to get home.

 

[crescent-zephyr]

I agree that Amtrak does what it can to correct their mistakes. But...suppose I was a sleeper passenger on #49 with a connection to #7 in Chicago (in sleeper) and my ticket was neither scanned nor did the conductor make any effort to ask the SCA what rooms are occupied? By the time the passenger goes to board their sleeper on #7, the Amtrak computer has already sold it to someone else! The odds of getting a different room on the same train would be zero during the summer season.

Living in the Springfield MA area, when I DO book #449/49 with connections in Chicago, I ride business class on #449 and then transfer to a roomette on #49 at ALB. Historically, that saved about $100 and got me away from the train horn all night long in the Boston sleeper. In recent years, the elimination of the baggage car and conversion to microwave dog food in the diner makes repeating that trip unlikely any time soon. With one exception, every time that I have done that, either the conductor came through and scanned tickets or the SCA had verified I was in the correct room (on his manifest) and 'passed it along' to the conductor to mark in his handheld device. But I always made sure to see the conductor as he/she passed through the diner (seating after ALB) and have even 'chased him down' to ensure the computer knew I was aboard. Of the 15-20 times I made that trip since the implementation of the handheld ticket scanners, only once did the conductor indicate that he hadn't been advised of my boarding in ALB.

In response to Crescent-Zephyr above, booking each segment as separate tickets 'breaks' the guaranteed connection between trains such as #49 to #7. If #49 is 6 hours late, you won't be getting any free hotel room nor will you be refunded for your no-show on #7. The couple of times I've booked connecting trains separately (one on points, the other credit), I asked the reservation agent to 'tie them together' so the computer is 'aware' of the connection. Only 3 times in the last 20 years or so has the 'connection knowledge' in the computer made a difference. Back when the Sunset Ltd went to Orlando, I was riding from Orlando connecting at NOL to the City of New Orleans to CHI. We were late. I was notified 20 minutes or so prior to the last stop before NOL to get off and there would be a bus waiting for us connecting passengers to take us to the first stop on #58, Hammond LA (a beautiful un-modernized wooden station I might add). About 5 years ago, on a late #6 myself and others connecting to the Cardinal were instructed to get off at Galesburg and be bused to Indianapolis to board there. And about 18 months ago, on a late Coast Starlight from Portland OR, I was instructed before SAC that my ticket had been changed for me to get off at Martinez and board a San Joaquin train to Bakersfield then be bused to LAX to board #2/422 leaving at 10PM. Had the computer not 'known' of my connections, I would have been high and dry and on my own to get home.

In my experiences (which on Amtrak are always YMMV as we all know) I’ve never NOT been accommodated the same as those with “guaranteed connections.” I show them the tickets and they provide the same accommodations they were offering passengers with tickets tied together. They’re not checking to see how you booked your ticket.

 

[willem]

By the time the passenger goes to board their sleeper on #7, the Amtrak computer has already sold it to someone else!

This.

Has anyone had their reservations on future segments of their trip cancelled through AMTRAK error and NOT had the situation fixed ASAP?

The Empire Builder was late into Chicago and Amtrak actually upgraded me from roomette to bedroom on the Capitol Limited the next day, but the agent declined to do anything about the Silver Star (or maybe the Silver Meteor, I don't recall) the following day, saying I should take care of it in Washington. In Washington, an agent said to talk to the conductor on the train. On the train, the conductor said the first available room would be vacated in Jacksonville. When I got into the room, the attendant said that there had been an open room but it had been sold between Baltimore and Washington. It's not quite the same thing because it wasn't a failure to scan a ticket, but I consider it a major Amtrak failure because the situation could have been fixed in a timely manner (twice!) but wasn't.

 

[20th Century Rider]

After the attendants retire in the evening for a well deserved rest, the conductor takes over... depending on the consist, all who are waiting at the station are directed to the boarding car... and from there are directed to their seats or room. The conductor and night crew usually do an excellent job of insuring all late night stop passengers are directed to their accommodation and taken care of.

 

[crescent-zephyr]

After the attendants retire in the evening for a well deserved rest, the conductor takes over... depending on the consist, all who are waiting at the station are directed to the boarding car... and from there are directed to their seats or room. The conductor and night crew usually do an excellent job of insuring all late night stop passengers are directed to their accommodation and taken care of.

That hasn’t been my experience. I’ve always been met by a SCA at any hour of the night, including 2 / 3 AM boardings.

 

[Bob Dylan]

That hasn’t been my experience. I’ve always been met by a SCA at any hour of the night, including 2 / 3 AM boardings.

I agree! The,SCAs and Coach attendants usually take turns " covering" for each other during the night, so all can get some sleep!

I've only had a Conductor board me into my Sleeper once in my 49+ years of riding Amtrak.( Coach has had more Conductors boarding me in the wee hours, but mostly it's been OBS doing the boarding)

 

[willem]

My mileage varied. I would guess that my boardings between 0100 and 0500 have been 75% to 85% conductor-assisted, and my deboardings in that time frame have been well over 90% conductor-assisted.

 

[me_little_me]

That hasn’t been my experience. I’ve always been met by a SCA at any hour of the night, including 2 / 3 AM boardings.

Same with me. When the 11PM northbound Crescent gets into Greenville, SC at 1:15AM and when the southbound arrives on time at 4:45AM, it's the SCA who is there.

 

[Lonestar648]

I remember the SCA on the late arriving west bound LSL always met me on the platform in Syracuse, even helping me through some deep snow that the station had yet to clear. Same experience on the Crescent, but with the CZ in Nebraska several times it was both the Conductor and the SCA that met me because they spotted for both sleeper and Coach. Boarding the Cap in Pittsburgh going west, especially running very late, the SCA would update the Conductor who was busy with many Coach passengers boarding.

 

[Barb Stout]

How does one tell the difference between attendants and conductors? Do they wear different uniforms or do they have title and name tags? I had not been paying attention to these issues while riding the train.

 

[20th Century Rider]

How does one tell the difference between attendants and conductors? Do they wear different uniforms or do they have title and name tags? I had not been paying attention to these issues while riding the train.

RE: Late night station stops... most attendants are sleeping at night as per their job description; they work hard and need that rest. Conductors manage the train at night as per their shift. Anyone with authority to open the door for boarding passengers could be considered in charge of passenger services at night.

Conductors usually have that familiar looking conductor hat; a formal coat and tie; and a conductor's badge. But when riding the Texas Eagle out of Dallas a conductor came on board for his shift... he was very loud, outspoken, and wearing a cowboy hat!

 

[PVD]

Quite a bit also depends on the schedule, and whether it is a one night or multiple night trip, as well as how many boardings and de-trainings will be taking place over night, and whether or not any rooms have to be "turned" for another passenger down the line...The crews have most of this figured out pretty well. I've taken the Lake out of Chicago, it leaves pretty late, it hits Toledo overnight, I think they change conductors there so one of the SCA mans the door. Being single level its not as big a deal (no big staircase)

 

[crescent-zephyr]

RE: Late night station stops... most attendants are sleeping at night as per their job description; they work hard and need that rest.

Have you ever personally observed this?

 

[OBS]

RE: Late night station stops... most attendants are sleeping at night as per their job description; they work hard and need that rest. Conductors manage the train at night as per their shift. Anyone with authority to open the door for boarding passengers could be considered in charge of passenger services at night.

Conductors usually have that familiar looking conductor hat; a formal coat and tie; and a conductor's badge. But when riding the Texas Eagle out of Dallas a conductor came on board for his shift... he was very loud, outspoken, and wearing a cowboy hat!

This is not correct. When there is more than one sleeper on the train, Their 4 hours of overnight rest time is scheduled so there is always one sleeper attendant "on duty" all night to manage the sleepers. Some attendants prefer to manage/miss their rest so they take care of their own car personally. The same is true if there is more than one coach attendant working a particular train.

 

[Bob Dylan]

This is not correct. When there is more than one sleeper on the train, Their 4 hours of overnight rest time is scheduled so there is always one sleeper attendant "on duty" all night to manage the sleepers. Some attendants prefer to manage/miss their rest so they take care of their own car personally. The same is true if there is more than one coach attendant working a particular train.

From one who knows, Thanks !

 

[joelkfla]

This is not correct. When there is more than one sleeper on the train, Their 4 hours of overnight rest time is scheduled so there is always one sleeper attendant "on duty" all night to manage the sleepers. Some attendants prefer to manage/miss their rest so they take care of their own car personally. The same is true if there is more than one coach attendant working a particular train.

They only get 4 hours to sleep and clean themselves up? I can understand now why some are so grumpy.

 

[tricia]

They only get 4 hours to sleep and clean themselves up? I can understand now why some are so grumpy.

This varies a LOT, depending on which train (and what calling times at busy stations), what arrangements staff make for sharing work, and (as is often so with Amtrak) what rules the staff make up to suit themselves. But yes, at least some sleep deprivation during days on duty comes with the job.

 

[crescent-zephyr]

They only get 4 hours to sleep and clean themselves up? I can understand now why some are so grumpy.

If the cafe closes at midnight and reopens at 6 am how many hours of actual sleep does the LSA get? I’d guess 4-5 of actual sleep.

 

[20th Century Rider]

This is not correct. When there is more than one sleeper on the train, Their 4 hours of overnight rest time is scheduled so there is always one sleeper attendant "on duty" all night to manage the sleepers. Some attendants prefer to manage/miss their rest so they take care of their own car personally. The same is true if there is more than one coach attendant working a particular train.

49 U.S. Code § 21103 - Limitations on duty hours of train employees: Everything is regulated by the government... I may have been incorrect through an observed experience... so here is the actual policy regarding on duty and off duty hours of passenger train employees:

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg...-title49-subtitleV-partA-chap211-sec21103.pdf

 

[PVD]

There are different rules for operating personnel (engineers and conductors) as opposed to on board service. That's why trains sometimes have to sit and wait for a relief engineer or conductor.

 

[Dakota 400]

They only get 4 hours to sleep and clean themselves up? I can understand now why some are so grumpy.

My most recent experience with a SCA was on the Auto Train in January. She politely made it clear that her work day was over at 10:00 P.M. or 11:00 P.M. (I don't recall accurate which) until 6:00 A.M.

 

[20th Century Rider]

RE: Where do the SCA's go at night. I was under the impression they were taken a well deserved rest. My observation seemed to be contrary to others; but here again, it's different depending where and when.

I can remember 6 or 7 times when my roomette got intensely hot during the night. That is, the vent, although closed, was propelling out hot air in that tiny space. So I went searching for help somewhere on the train. Once I found the conductor doing paper work in the dining car; another time I found the conductor and assistant conductor on the lower level of the transition car... never did I see an actual SCA during those late night hours.

BTW the superliners have heating and cooling problems... the conductor was able to do a 'reset' each time.

It is reasonable and probable that situations regarding getting assistance at night vary. Earlier I posted an official PDF on policy rules regarding resting and working practices for employees.

Finally, I have known several SCA's who go above and beyond what is expected... who go that extra distance to please the traveler. I always tip those folks generously so that they know how appreciated they are!

 

[crescent-zephyr]

Earlier I posted an official PDF on policy rules regarding resting and working practices for employees.

That’s for employees in “covered service.” When I worked for a tourist railroad if I was a conductor I had to write down all my hours on the FRA form, If I was selling snacks on the train or selling tickets at the station I could and did work extremely long days.

SCA’s do get to sleep, but they also have to take care of their passengers when boarding in the middle of the night.