Check the reservation on the app. It'll lose the QR code if they pull the car in the reservations system and will likely be noticable before a notification is sent to you if you check regularly.
Reports from whom? I saw a reliable source on FB say they're currently expected to be removed March to or through May.
Honestly, actions speak louder than words, and actions reveal that anything but the base sleepers are a risky proposition for the foreseeable future.
Nevertheless, if there have been conflicting reports on plans to return the car in May vs. no plans at this time for its return, it would be nice to know from whence those reports are coming.
<<<Even more reprehensible was the burden this policy placed on those Amtrak employees who had to deal directly with the frustrated, irate customers who'd had their reservations yanked out from under them. >>>
On my trips the first week of November the roomettes on the Eagle (Dallas to Chicago), Zephyr, Coast Starlight and the second and third day of the Eagle from LA to Dallas were unbearably hot. The first night of the LA to Dallas Eagle was the only time it was less than 80F it felt like.
But of course, you'll monitor the Buckets and "Modify " your Rez when Lower Bucket Fares come along right?( usually around 6 months out)
Our primary concern is obtaining reservations that we can rely upon rather than trying to save a few bucks. Besides, making and paying for reservations far enough in advance is almost certain to protect us from any fare increases that occur after our reservations are made.
I have always booked sleepers by phone in any case, since I have always been picky about location. Getting in the base sleeper is just one more criteria (although a harder requirement than my other preferences).
Is Amtrak currently selling bedrooms in the second sleepers? If so, will these second sleepers be available or will we see a situation such as occurred last year?
Yes they are and it just happened again with the CZ this spring.
Based on your experience, how far in advance should a person make their reservations to be assured of obtaining a bedroom in a "base" sleeper?
Well, as soon as you know if price is no object However, I am still booking based on price, and so in the 5 month-ish time frame personally.
If Arrow tries to allocate space evenly, I wonder whether it backfills to even things out after someone changes cars or cancels, or just blindly continues with "one here, one there, ..."
Your explanation of how sleeping car accommodations are sold was most enlightening, particularly when you take into consideration that, apparently, there is still no guarantee that second sleepers will even be available. But, as you pointed out, the average citizen won’t know enough to insist on first sleeper accommodations or to question being assigned to a second sleeper which might not even be there when it comes time for them to travel. (Pity the poor Amtrak employees who will have to deal with these irate customers later on. To subject your hardworking employees to this type of abuse is downright criminal on the part of upper management.)
Agreed. If I had not read these posts I would still be in the car that would be removed. I made reservations on line 5 months out and was on the 731/831. I called and they switched me to the base cars. I would use the web site for information only, then hope you get Tess on the phone!!
earlier is always better if you want car/room choice. This issue is really more about longer term reservations. If you were booking for say, tomorrow, you don’t really have to worry about requesting a specific sleeper - the winter consist has been set and they aren’t just dropping the car on random days it’s basically a matter of car availability not meeting planned consists for an upcoming seasonal period. And at least this time they did it with significant notice so it probably avoided a lot of coach downgrades (yes there were some on the busier days) and those that were had more time than two weeks to adjust their plans. Most of the days showed sleepers still available so on most days it was likely car reassignments and some bedroom downgrades to roomette which for some is probably less of a show stopper (but of course not all.) Obviously acceptability is this not happening at all and they really should be more pessimistic about future bookings and avoid downgrades while there are still car issues but if they think they’re at risk of being under plan I’d rather see them pull the trigger early and give two months notice rather than two weeks.
Yes.
The Silvers have been running with their standard number of sleepers, so that one should be safe.
