Sleeping car attendant duties...

[AlanB]

I would say that of the Sleepers I have been in the past two years that most have had pretty good service. One on the Empire Builder had a trainee which seemed to give the regular attendant an excuse to disappear the whole trip. I am afraid its just a sign of the times that service is no longer considered a fact of life with first class or sleeper travel. Considering the way people today avoid doing anything they don't want too, it seems that the majority of sleeping car attendants give it a pretty good try. I will say that the ones that give anything resembling old fashioned Pullman type service is a real rarity. Normally you get bare bones service.. Making the bed, some keeping the coffee urn filled. Its a rare attendant that offers you something or ask if you want something any more. I get particularly aggravated at those that take the stack of morning papers and just toss them on top of the trash can in the hall. Some will put it on your seat as they indeed should, or if they don't have too, its a least a slight feeling of someone trying to do some token bit of service. That seems to be about it now. Gone is the shoe shine which used to happen every night in the old days: Taking charge of your luggage boarding and detraining: Asking if you wished something from the diner such as soda brought to your room; Seeing that the restrooms and and car remained spotless; Brushing off you off, literally on detraining; and just plain acting like they are there to be of service should you wish some.. Usually after the beds are made most attendants seem to disappear!

My experiences seem to differ a bit with yours, including on my most recent trip on the CL and the LSL. On both trips the attendants brought my suitcase to the door prior to arriving at the final stop and then off loaded them first, before letting the passengers detrain. On the Capitol LTD, I did see the attendant cleaning one bathroom and I have to say that the other's at no time ever looked terrible. The shower on the LSL was quite clean, and I could tell that other's had used it, as there were plenty of dirty towels in the bag. Oddly enough though on the CL the shower must have been missed by the attendant as there were almost a dozen used bars of soap in the shower.

And on the LSL, where food isn't available after ALB, my attendant brought everyone in our car a plate full of grapes left over from the wine tasting the night before. I don't know if the other two attendants did that, or even if the crew in the Diner-Lite car did the prep work, but I thought that was a very nice touch and it helped keep the hunger pangs at bay for a bit longer.

Papers on both trains were slid under my door very early in the morning.

Now again, I'm not suggesting that all of the attendants out there are angels, there are clearly some that need to be retrained and some that just need to be let go. But there are many really good ones out there riding the rails.

 

[Guest]

Its a bit odd here how were trying to get some "service" out of a trip we probably paid upwards of several thousand dollars for!! Of course never having made a large salary myself, it started to feel a bit odd having to pay extra to someone who was making at least twice to three times a year than I did. I realize that isn't the norm for many of our more seasoned travelers.. But having to "bribe" someone in advance for doing the most basic services that should be included with a trip of this length and cost is a concept that seems misplaced. A fair gratuity for a helpful attendant is a nice gesture but even without it they should be doing there Job. I worked all my life in customer service positions and never got a nickel from a "guest", and never would have expected it.

I even tip and bring drinks to my letter carrier and garbage collectors. They honk if my can isn't at the street, wait for me, etc. Guys, you have to watch your attitudes, be a class act yourself regardless of your stature in life and make your expectations known from the getgo. The attendant may not have a clue what you paid for your trip. He does care what your attitude is towards him/her. I'm getting these services on trips that cost far less than yours. You can make yourself a pleasure to wait on or you can be a p.i.t.a.

 

[Guest]

"One day you're going to get burned doing that, you'll have given away your money and the attendant will be laughing in his room about their good fortune"

It'll work out in the end.

 

[Guest]

Alan,

Why don't you get one on here to be the other side of this discourse?

 

[darien-l]

Finally located the guy, and asked if he would do the bed thing around 9:30 p.m. "I don't do anything after 9."

On a trip from Emeryville to Denver a few months ago, I received the exact same reply from the car attendant when I asked her to make up the bed around 10 pm -- "I don't do anything after 9." Is it in their contract somewhere that they don't have to help passengers after 9 pm?

 

[AlanB]

Alan, Why don't you get one on here to be the other side of this discourse?

Huh? :unsure:

 

[Rafi]

Finally located the guy, and asked if he would do the bed thing around 9:30 p.m. "I don't do anything after 9."

On a trip from Emeryville to Denver a few months ago, I received the exact same reply from the car attendant when I asked her to make up the bed around 10 pm -- "I don't do anything after 9." Is it in their contract somewhere that they don't have to help passengers after 9 pm?

Hardly, as far as I'm aware. After all, they're required to meet boarding passengers throughout the night.

Rafi

 

[AlanB]

Finally located the guy, and asked if he would do the bed thing around 9:30 p.m. "I don't do anything after 9."

On a trip from Emeryville to Denver a few months ago, I received the exact same reply from the car attendant when I asked her to make up the bed around 10 pm -- "I don't do anything after 9." Is it in their contract somewhere that they don't have to help passengers after 9 pm?

Absolutely not. They are esentially on duty from the time the train leaves the originating station till it arrives at the terminating station. IIRC, I believe that they are guaranteed 4 or 5 hours of downtime at night. What some do is to trade off with the other attendant, such that one sleeps most of the night on the outbound run while the other works, and then they swap for the inbound run.

But if a supervisor ever heard an attendant tell a passenger that they don't do beds or anything for that matter after 9:00 PM, that employee would find themselves in a retraining program very quickly.

An employee can try to encourage their passengers to do everything before 9 or 10 PM so that they can try to go to bed early if no one is getting on or off the train during the night, but they can't force anyone to do so.

 

[Rail Freak]

Finally located the guy, and asked if he would do the bed thing around 9:30 p.m. "I don't do anything after 9."

On a trip from Emeryville to Denver a few months ago, I received the exact same reply from the car attendant when I asked her to make up the bed around 10 pm -- "I don't do anything after 9." Is it in their contract somewhere that they don't have to help passengers after 9 pm?

If on my trip, say the EB or the CZ, where I'm on for two days with an attendant that gave me an answer like that, UUUHHH

That would not be a pleasent trip for either one of us. AND his/her tip wouldn't be the kind you could Spend!!!!

B)

 

[haolerider]

Its a bit odd here how were trying to get some "service" out of a trip we probably paid upwards of several thousand dollars for!! Of course never having made a large salary myself, it started to feel a bit odd having to pay extra to someone who was making at least twice to three times a year than I did. I realize that isn't the norm for many of our more seasoned travelers.. But having to "bribe" someone in advance for doing the most basic services that should be included with a trip of this length and cost is a concept that seems misplaced. A fair gratuity for a helpful attendant is a nice gesture but even without it they should be doing there Job. I worked all my life in customer service positions and never got a nickel from a "guest", and never would have expected it.

I even tip and bring drinks to my letter carrier and garbage collectors. They honk if my can isn't at the street, wait for me, etc. Guys, you have to watch your attitudes, be a class act yourself regardless of your stature in life and make your expectations known from the getgo. The attendant may not have a clue what you paid for your trip. He does care what your attitude is towards him/her. I'm getting these services on trips that cost far less than yours. You can make yourself a pleasure to wait on or you can be a p.i.t.a.

You certainly don't have to tip ahead of time to be a class act, you just have to be a civil person, who treats people nicely. Personally, I think you are wasitng your money by tipping mail carriers and garbage men.

 

[Bill Haithcoat]

I had a coach attendent that kicked *** and his name was Dan and was from Milwaukee. He was Irish American and noticed my "Ireland" sweatshirt I had on. He was a GREAT coach attendent and even brought back a pamphlet talking about the Irish Festival in Milwaukee. I ended up giving him one of my Irish Voice newspapers and I have never seen him since. He was excellent! I believe I tipped him and I haven't tipped a whole lot of coach attendents if I don't see them much.
Also, when I travel Amtrak I always carry "thank you" cards with me and put the sleeper attendents tip in that and I tip at the end of the trip. "We" hand write out our thank you and tell them what we liked the best about the service. I know one of my cards on my last trip said, "Amtrak employees attitudes can make or break a family vacation....thanks so much for making our vacation instead of breaking our vacation!" To the point don't you think?!?

Was he thin and red headed?

And, yes, tipping coch attendant is extremely rare, so he must have been very good, as my guy years ago was.

 

[wayman]

And, yes, tipping coch attendant is extremely rare, so he must have been very good, as my guy years ago was.

My favorite coach attendant--who got a nice tip--was Joseph on the SWC. I do know his last name too, and I wonder: is there a way to get a note to him through Amtrak somehow? Now that I will be living near the SWC's route and probably occasionally riding it just to get to ride a train, out and back to LA perhaps, it would be nice to be able to figure out which dates he's scheduled for 3 and 4 and try to travel then. But I have no idea how easy that sort of thing is to figure out, even knowing his full name.

I also remember the fantastic dining car steward's (somewhat unique) first name from that train--Moses. Oddly, he and Joseph work different schedules, as Moses is always on the SWC and Joseph does a 4, 3, 14, 11 cycle based out of LA! So despite their clearly having a good sense of humor around each other and working well together (Joseph took a shift in the diner), they must not be on the same train all that often. I left a thank-you note for Moses, scrawled on the back of my last meal receipt, with a separate tip from the server's on my last meal. Someone's idea above of bringing stationary for that purpose was a good one--I'll do that next time.

Not that I have any objection to taking the SWC with other crews, as I'm sure many of the crew are wonderful. I just remember those two quite fondly.

 

[had8ley]

It's amazing the replies that I have gotten after paper clipping a 20 or better to a business card.

 

[had8ley]

Finally located the guy, and asked if he would do the bed thing around 9:30 p.m. "I don't do anything after 9."

On a trip from Emeryville to Denver a few months ago, I received the exact same reply from the car attendant when I asked her to make up the bed around 10 pm -- "I don't do anything after 9." Is it in their contract somewhere that they don't have to help passengers after 9 pm?

Hardly, as far as I'm aware. After all, they're required to meet boarding passengers throughout the night.

Rafi

This guy and gal sure get around unless it is some sort of Amtrak virus.

 

[rogers55]

We have never had to set up or take down our own beds.

I would expect it is a liability issue anyone straining their back

or slipping and falling would be likely to sue.

Even the one and only one car attendant that I didn't tip made the bed.

It was on the LSL going from CHI, she made the bed and we never saw her again.

On the return trip it was just the opposite, the attendant got off the train at the SDY platform and called to

us by name. She had even made up name tags for each compartment and baked us cookies.

She got the other persons tip.

 

[Rail Freak]

We have never had to set up or take down our own beds.I would expect it is a liability issue anyone straining their back

or slipping and falling would be likely to sue.

Even the one and only one car attendant that I didn't tip made the bed.

It was on the LSL going from CHI, she made the bed and we never saw her again.

On the return trip it was just the opposite, the attendant got off the train at the SDY platform and called to

us by name. She had even made up name tags for each compartment and baked us cookies.

She got the other persons tip.

WOW, I hope all the stories don't put my expectations out of reach! However, I'm trying to keep my expectations low, but I truely appreciate the difference in OBS attitudes & efforts to do thier job.

 

[WhoozOn1st]

You certainly don't have to tip ahead of time to be a class act, you just have to be a civil person, who treats people nicely.

Haolerider's got something here, and I really think this is the best approach to attendants. I try to establish a friendly, working relationship. Doesn't always work, as noted above, but usually does. As a recent example I'll cite Lindsay, from the Tehachapi ride. A rookie, yeah, but also earnest, great attitude, good sense of humor, and professional all around. Helped make a great trip even better.

 

[Conductor Passing Thru...]

My favorite coach attendant--who got a nice tip--was Joseph on the SWC. I do know his last name too, and I wonder: is there a way to get a note to him through Amtrak somehow?

Sure...

Joseph XXXXXXX

Amtrak LAX Crew OBS

810 N Alameda St

Los Angeles, CA 90012

It's common that passengers send thank you cards, letters, photos, drawings from the kids, etc.

As far as his upcoming schedule, unless he tells you himself, it's next to impossible to obtain.

 

[Guest]

But having to "bribe" someone in advance for doing the most basic services that should be included with a trip of this length and cost is a concept that seems misplaced. A fair gratuity for a helpful attendant is a nice gesture but even without it they should be doing there Job.

Wow, you must be a real favorite customer at all your local restaurants!

 

[Tony]

Interesting that the best sleeping car attandant we ever had, and we actually had him for several trips, was named Joseph too. He worked on the Silvers.

I haven't seen him for a while, but I think that's because he retired.

Michelle was the best Dining Car supervisor, but that's before Amtrak vendored them out.

 

[AlanB]

Michelle was the best Dining Car supervisor, but that's before Amtrak vendored them out.

There are no vendors working in Amtrak dining cars at either the waiter level or supervisor level, they are all Amtrak employees.

 

[Guest]

Alan, Why don't you get one on here to be the other side of this discourse?

Huh? :unsure:

Alan,

Get a sleeper car attendant (not the OBS lady gone freight who posts here, but a live working one) to tell you the other side of this issue. I'm sure you guys would probably get humbled.

 

[Guest]

Its a bit odd here how were trying to get some "service" out of a trip we probably paid upwards of several thousand dollars for!! Of course never having made a large salary myself, it started to feel a bit odd having to pay extra to someone who was making at least twice to three times a year than I did. I realize that isn't the norm for many of our more seasoned travelers.. But having to "bribe" someone in advance for doing the most basic services that should be included with a trip of this length and cost is a concept that seems misplaced. A fair gratuity for a helpful attendant is a nice gesture but even without it they should be doing there Job. I worked all my life in customer service positions and never got a nickel from a "guest", and never would have expected it.

I even tip and bring drinks to my letter carrier and garbage collectors. They honk if my can isn't at the street, wait for me, etc. Guys, you have to watch your attitudes, be a class act yourself regardless of your stature in life and make your expectations known from the getgo. The attendant may not have a clue what you paid for your trip. He does care what your attitude is towards him/her. I'm getting these services on trips that cost far less than yours. You can make yourself a pleasure to wait on or you can be a p.i.t.a.

You certainly don't have to tip ahead of time to be a class act, you just have to be a civil person, who treats people nicely. Personally, I think you are wasitng your money by tipping mail carriers and garbage men.

I get better service and my trip doesn't get extended through written gripes to headquarters wherever that's located and your's truly is not only frugal, I wrote my first complaint letter in my teens. That worked but as years have gone by I see that there are easier ways to get what you want/need and have seen what good people skills do for your life. As for Postal workers, you would be very surprised what a tip (within the guidelines of the Hatch (?) Act) at the holidays does for your mail service and how frequently they are given. She (letter carrier) also gets cold drinks in the summer. The paper carrier gets tipped as well. If you read these group's publications you'll find that they are instructed to report things they see to social services, frequently find lost children, report crime, help diabetics or others they discover in shock or seizures and rescue elderly who have fallen with strokes, etc., etc. Bet you didn't know that. If you work in a professional office dealing with the public as many years as I have, between Thanksgiving and Christmas the chocolate, wine, liquor, gifts and other palm greasers flow heavily. Even the payroll services show up with quarterly lunches from the best delis around.

Don't be so stingy!

 

[AlanB]

Alan, Why don't you get one on here to be the other side of this discourse?

Huh? :unsure:

Alan,

Get a sleeper car attendant (not the OBS lady gone freight who posts here, but a live working one) to tell you the other side of this issue. I'm sure you guys would probably get humbled.

Well first let's start with the fact that OBS_Gone-Freight hasn't been gone from Amtrak for all that long and things haven't changed all that much in the two years or so that he's been gone. So his thoughts on this matter are still quite relevant IMHO. And AFAIK he's a he, not a she, although it is possible that I've missed something.

As for the other side of things, not to brag but I think that I've got a pretty good handle on just how hard that job is when one is doing it right. That's why I'll often put down my own bed and not bother the attendant. That's why I'll usually tip an attendant even if I have put down my own bed. I tend to pay attention to things, I've always been that way, and I can tell when my attendant is really busy or really lazy. My curtains are never closed unless I'm actually asleep, so I see how many times they walk by. When I'm in the diner I note how many times they come in to get food for someone.

I'm quite probably one of the biggest supporters of sleeping car attendants, especially when I see people post that they get paid to much and therefore shouldn't be tipped. This forum is littered with posts where I've almost pounced on people who make that assumption that the job is comparable to that of a hotel maid.

That's why in my other post I stated that one needs to allow time for the attendant to respond to the call button. I would never expect an attendant to show up at my room within seconds of my having pushed the button, although there are people that do expect that and will start ringing the bell incessantly if they don't show up within a minute or two. But an attendant who can't find a few seconds within a 30 minute time period to at least quickly run by a room where the bell has been rung to say "I'll be back to you as soon as I can, but I'm in the middle of ______ " IMHO isn't doing his/her job.

All that said, if you know of "a real live working attendant" please encourage them to join up. For that matter, please consider signing up yourself, it's quite painless I assure you. But since I don't work for Amtrak and never have, I can't order an employee to come here and post his/her thoughts on this matter. I suspect however that OBS_Gone-Freight will chime in here sooner or later, even if you don't value his opinion on this matter.

 

[Guest]

"I can't order an employee "

... only someone with unrealistic expectations would think they could "order an employee" or think in those terms.

FYI, I have never pushed the button and would have to do a look around to notice which one it is.

I understand that the standard they're to use (from reading somewhere) is to treat passengers as though they were guests in their homes. If some of you were my guests, I would feign a headache to get away from you.... drunk in the hallways... pushing the button multiple times... complaining about the food...etc. Think of it from that perspective for a moment.