Seat spacing in coach, re covid pandemic?

[MARC Rider]

Hmm. Maybe it's time to circulate a petition (to Congress? The President? The Sec. of DOT?, the CEO of Amtrak?) requesting that Amtrak allow passengers to buy two seats to avoid having a seatmate. I mean, it might help attract Millennials, right? They don't like to sit with strangers in the dining car, that's how Amtrak justifies flex meal service, so it's obvious that they would probably be willing to pay more to avoid having to share a seat with a stranger.

 

[Cal]

Hmm. Maybe it's time to circulate a petition (to Congress? The President? The Sec. of DOT?, the CEO of Amtrak?) requesting that Amtrak allow passengers to buy two seats to avoid having a seatmate. I mean, it might help attract Millennials, right? They don't like to sit with strangers in the dining car, that's how Amtrak justifies flex meal service, so it's obvious that they would probably be willing to pay more to avoid having to share a seat with a stranger.

If we're doing that, wheres the petition to remove flex dining?

 

[Mailliw]

Because bashing Millennials and scapegoating us for every unpopular decision is a great way to attract our business.

 

[PVD]

Just saw a Story on CNN that President Biden cut a deal with Mexico and Canada to send them our " Surplus" AstraZeneca Vaccine, which has yet to be approved for use here.

I believe it is 4 million doses out of the stockpile of around 7 million 2.5M to Mexico, 1.5M to Canada... If the pace of production keeps improving, and they need a while longer for approval, they may not be used here before they would not be viable, that would be a disgrace. One can debate whether we should hold on to doses we will use, but to let them go to waste would be criminal.

 

[railiner]

. I'm glad to hear that Amtrak is still distancing and hope they allow coach passengers to purchase two seats in the post-pandemic period. I have never understood their professed fear of selling two seats to one passenger. I've seen Amtrak coach attendants ignore and boss coach customers around so the idea that they cannot handle explaining this to other customers is puzzling. I could understand suspending multiple seat purchases for holiday travel periods though.

I know we've discussed this topic before, but reading the Amtrak carriage condition's, I don't see anywhere where it states that passenger's can only buy one seat...it says that you can only occupy one seat per fare...doesn't say you can't buy two or more, or even the entire train, for that matter, unless I am missing something:

"Seating
Amtrak will monitor seating of passengers to ensure compliance with the following policies:

• Amtrak reserves to itself full control and discretion as to seating of passengers.
• Amtrak reserves the right, whenever operating conditions require, to transfer passengers from one car or train to another en route.
• Each passenger paying a fare will be entitled to a seat, to the extent coach seats are available.
• Passengers are entitled to one seat per fare, to ensure other paying passengers are not excluded.
• Unless specific seats are reserved, seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Seat availability is not guaranteed until we provide you with a reservation confirmation.
• On unreserved trains there are no guaranteed seats.
• Seating arrangements will be made without regard to race, color, gender, creed or national origin.

Seating is limited. Seats may not be available on all trains at all times."

And further, can you buy two or more sleeper rooms, even if you travel alone?

 

[Bob Dylan]

I know we've discussed this topic before, but reading the Amtrak carriage condition's, I don't see anywhere where it states that passenger's can only buy one seat...it says that you can only occupy one seat per fare...doesn't say you can't buy two or more, or even the entire train, for that matter, unless I am missing something:

"Seating
Amtrak will monitor seating of passengers to ensure compliance with the following policies:

• Amtrak reserves to itself full control and discretion as to seating of passengers.
• Amtrak reserves the right, whenever operating conditions require, to transfer passengers from one car or train to another en route.
• Each passenger paying a fare will be entitled to a seat, to the extent coach seats are available.
• Passengers are entitled to one seat per fare, to ensure other paying passengers are not excluded.
• Unless specific seats are reserved, seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Seat availability is not guaranteed until we provide you with a reservation confirmation.
• On unreserved trains there are no guaranteed seats.
• Seating arrangements will be made without regard to race, color, gender, creed or national origin.

Seating is limited. Seats may not be available on all trains at all times."

And further, can you buy two or more sleeper rooms, even if you travel alone?

Yep, I actually met a Woman traveling by herself on the Zephyr who had Bedroom E and D as a Suite!

 

[crescent-zephyr]

Yep, I actually met a Woman traveling by herself on the Zephyr who had Bedroom E and D as a Suite!

If money is no object, that would be the best way to travel without hiring a private car!

It would be quite nice.. leave one setup as the bedroom and the other as the living room.

 

[Mailliw]

If

Yep, I actually met a Woman traveling by herself on the Zephyr who had Bedroom E and D as a Suite!

Being rich & eccentric is much more fun than being poor & crazy.

 

[jiml]

1) Buy a hard case for a stand up bass.
2) Buy a seat for your "instrument".
3) Use bass case as your luggage.
4) Victory! (maybe)

Brilliant. It works with the airlines.

 

[jiml]

I believe it is 4 million doses out of the stockpile of around 7 million 2.5M to Mexico, 1.5M to Canada... If the pace of production keeps improving, and they need a while longer for approval, they may not be used here before they would not be viable, that would be a disgrace. One can debate whether we should hold on to doses we will use, but to let them go to waste would be criminal.

The AZ shot has not been approved in the US and these doses were expected to expire before it is (on the news tonight). Still a generous gesture given that President Biden's press secretary had said the US wasn't going to share, but her boss disagreed. There is no way we (Canada) were going to figure this out without help.

 

[jis]

AstraZeneca is yet to formally apply for EUA in the US using US Phase III Clinical Trial Data. As of March 8 they had not applied yet.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/covid-vaccine-astrazeneca-oxford-file-fda-authorization-next-weeks/
They may have finally applied or are applying this week. Authorization will probably be forthcoming sometime in April.

The other biggy in the wings is NovaVax. Haven't seen a timeline on that, but the main part of the Phase III trial for that has been completed AFAICT. That is the one that has a contract with SII Pune for manufacturing a billion doses this year. AZ is the other one.

 

[crescent-zephyr]

Brilliant. It works with the airlines.

Airlines don’t have a large luggage storage area at the front of the plane.

 

[jiml]

Airlines don’t have a large luggage storage area at the front of the plane.

Nothing to do with that. The OP was referring to the ability to purchase the seat beside you for your instrument - something the airlines allow.

 

[PVD]

Airlines don't have to fight the political battle of selling someone a "convenience" seat that is heavily taxpayer subsidized. On the other hand, if a seat is going to be empty any revenue is probably a plus. It is never cut and dry. If I can't but a lower bucket fare or even buy a seat because people grabbed them to stay empty, it could create lots of negative press. We have a hard enough time convincing people that tax money to support travel for passengers is a good thing. not to sure subsidizing seats with nobody in them would fly, if load factors go back to normal.

 

[crescent-zephyr]

Airlines don't have to fight the political battle of selling someone a "convenience" seat that is heavily taxpayer subsidized.

Many airline seats are indeed heavily taxpayer subsidized.

 

[PVD]

In larger airlines, it is usually in the form of things that are not obvious, like airports, the faa, air traffic control, and weather service. Essential air service where it is direct dollars is small even compared to hat Amtrak receives.

 

[Devil's Advocate]

I know we've discussed this topic before, but reading the Amtrak carriage condition's, I don't see anywhere where it states that passenger's can only buy one seat...it says that you can only occupy one seat per fare...doesn't say you can't buy two or more, or even the entire train, for that matter, unless I am missing something...

Yes, you can technically purchase as many seats as you like. Unfortunately Amtrak makes no promise that these seats will be located next to each other or even in the same car, which kind of defeats the purpose of buying more than one seat.

 

[MARC Rider]

Because bashing Millennials and scapegoating us for every unpopular decision is a great way to attract our business.

Who's bashing Millennials? I was satirizing the attitude of Amtrak management who used "Millennials" as an excuse for flex dining.

 

[MARC Rider]

Yes, you can technically purchase as many seats as you like. Unfortunately Amtrak makes no promise that these seats will be located next to each other or even in the same car, which kind of defeats the purpose of buying more than one seat.

Actually, for the Acela and Northeast Regional Business Class, they do assign seats, so it might be possible for someone to buy two seats next to each other. That's assuming the computer program will allow two bookings for the same name for the same train.

 

[WWW]

Airlines don’t have a large luggage storage area at the front of the plane.

Back in the days of the 707's DC8's there was a coat closet at the entry door -
AHEM ! To be used for First Class customers coats jackets etc. and occasional
handicap wheelchair walker mobility aid.
During boarding usually a curtain was pulled closed to restrict access to
First Class customers and storage of the HC aid.
Woe be to the heathen coach customer thinking it was their private closet !
Coat closets still exist on some late model aircraft but the usage is still for
the premium customer.
And then the Flight Attendant Crew needs some room to store their bags.
What has happened with the later models of airplanes is the overhead bins
have got wider and maybe a inch or two deeper in depth with a PA from the
FAs to put the carry on baggage to fit the dimensions of space SHARING not
Squandering the space selfishly. Namely wheels and handles outward to the
edge of the bin with hats coats loose items on top of said bin baggage.

Most interesting and sneered about carry on baggage was the WIG Container
circular shape about 18 inches high by 15 inches in diameter that did not
fit the 707 DC8 bin. A styrofoam mannequin head to keep the wig from
getting a new hairdo. After arguments the said wig container had to be
checked to the hold of a seat bought for it.
On another expensive seat acquisition was a million dollar art painting -
4 feet by 6 feet - the customer bought 6 coach seats in the back of the
airplane to secure the painting safely.

Train crews no doubt have resources to take care of carry-on luggage
and checkable baggage at stations with no baggage check-in.

I haven't traveled enough to rate this one way or another - but the
space available in train cabins is immense compared to the airplane
and there is little danger in luggage leaping from the floor to the
ceiling going across switches and grade crossings - maybe with
wheels scurrying across aisles a tripping event ?

 

[crescent-zephyr]

The coat closets are still there. I’ve had 1st FA’s store my laptop bag there during take / off landing when I was in the very front and didn’t have a seat pouch to slide it into.

 

[PVD]

More and more frequently, airlines have made a business out of both baggage fees, and now, more and more often, carry on bag space fees...they are restricting availability of space at various fare levels as well as how many bags you can bring on or place in overhead without charging you...They are increasingly cracking down on the scam of bringing an oversized or extra carry on and then getting a free "gate check"

 

[caravanman]

More and more frequently, airlines have made a business out of both baggage fees, and now, more and more often, carry on bag space fees...they are restricting availability of space at various fare levels as well as how many bags you can bring on or place in overhead without charging you...They are increasingly cracking down on the scam of bringing an oversized or extra carry on and then getting a free "gate check"

The thing about baggage or other fees can be looked at like this:
If it costs the airline a total of $100 for the plane to fly from A to B, they try to work out the best balance of all possible charges and perks to raise their profit as high above that $100 mark as possible. They give perks with "low passenger fares" and try to redress with fees for seat choice or luggage, etc, etc. They can't stay in business long if they don't achieve above that $100, however passenger revenue is sliced.

 

[tricia]

Airlines don't have to fight the political battle of selling someone a "convenience" seat that is heavily taxpayer subsidized. On the other hand, if a seat is going to be empty any revenue is probably a plus. It is never cut and dry. If I can't but a lower bucket fare or even buy a seat because people grabbed them to stay empty, it could create lots of negative press. We have a hard enough time convincing people that tax money to support travel for passengers is a good thing. not to sure subsidizing seats with nobody in them would fly, if load factors go back to normal.

I'm unclear how you're adding this up. Wouldn't any government subsidy to Amtrak be reckoned per passenger or per train--not per seat, whether it's empty or full? So a single passenger paying double for an extra seat either decreases the subsidy required or (if every other seat in the train is already sold) doesn't change it. Or am I missing something here?

 

[MARC Rider]

The thing about baggage or other fees can be looked at like this:
If it costs the airline a total of $100 for the plane to fly from A to B, they try to work out the best balance of all possible charges and perks to raise their profit as high above that $100 mark as possible. They give perks with "low passenger fares" and try to redress with fees for seat choice or luggage, etc, etc. They can't stay in business long if they don't achieve above that $100, however passenger revenue is sliced.

The vast majority of airline passengers aren't taking day trips. Thus, they are carrying luggage of some sort. If the "low fare" doesn't include accommodation for luggage, then we're talking seriously misleading advertising. They could also make money by installing pay toilets. I'd like to see how well that works out.