THE NEW MENUS ARE HERE! THE NEW MENUS ARE HERE!

[rusty spike]

The prices may be correct. Take a closer look........

:giggle: :giggle:

 

[frugalist]

The prices may be correct. Take a closer look........

:giggle: :giggle:

Nice!

What's still undecided is whether or not these new "Healthy Choice" dining car meals will still be included in sleeping car fares.

 

[noob]

FOIA, LSA, OBS, SCA, ETC. All the acronyms are hard to keep up with, FFS!

 

[Ryan]

Google is your friend.

 

[Bob Dylan]

The prices may be correct. Take a closer look........

:giggle: :giggle:

Nice!

What's still undecided is whether or not these new "Healthy Choice" dining car meals will still be included in sleeping car fares.

ROTFLMAO! Unfortunately it can happen if we do nothing but sit back and let the bean counters run wild!

 

[frugalist]

The prices may be correct. Take a closer look........

:giggle: :giggle:

Nice!

What's still undecided is whether or not these new "Healthy Choice" dining car meals will still be included in sleeping car fares.

ROTFLMAO! Unfortunately it can happen if we do nothing but sit back and let the bean counters run wild!

As we roll through the orange groves of Central Florida, I sit down for lunch on the northbound Silver Meteor and I can imagine the following discussion between me and the LSA:

Me: Hi. I'd like to have lunch. I'll have the wheat bread.

LSA: I'm sorry Sir. We're out of wheat bread.

Me: OK, I'll take the white bread.

LSA: I'm sorry Sir. We're out of white bread too.

Me: Really? I guess I'll just have a glass of water.

LSA: I'm sorry Sir. We're out of water.

Me: Wow! Then how about a glass of ice?

LSA: I'm sorry Sir. We're saving the ice for dinner.

Me: Gee whiz! Let me just have a cup of coffee.

LSA: I'm sorry Sir. We don't serve coffee here. You'll have to go to the cafe car for that.

Me: What CAN I get here?

LSA: Good conversation!

 

[Anderson]

How about some Venezuelan Beaver Cheese to go with that?

 

[frugalist]

How about some Venezuelan Beaver Cheese to go with that?

Not today Sir, no.

 

[haolerider]

The prices may be correct. Take a closer look........

:giggle: :giggle:

Nice!

What's still undecided is whether or not these new "Healthy Choice" dining car meals will still be included in sleeping car fares.

ROTFLMAO! Unfortunately it can happen if we do nothing but sit back and let the bean counters run wild!

I understand your frustration, but what kind of plan would you have to stop the "bean counters" from implementing the changes. It's all well and good to rant and rave, but unless there is a firm plan, it is nothing but frustration driven postings!

 

[frugalist]

Perhaps someone's sarcasm detector needs recalibrating.

 

[noob]

but frustration driven postings!

Seems like that's all this forum is! Hahahahahhahahhaha

 

[crescent2]

Many of those who post here are frequent Amtrak travelers and supporters of Amtrak. Amtrak never gets the funding it really needs and many on the forum are concerned about its ability to prosper. Some of the little cuts don't seem to be in its best interest overall, and they also affect the quality of these posters' frequent trips. I'm not a frequent passenger but I am an Amtrak fan.

This forum is a great source of information about anything pertaining to Amtrak. As just one example, see my thread "Questions about Cardinal and Capitol Limited trip." The info I obtain is a big help to me in planning my trips.

Perhaps the death-by-a-thousand-cuts threads aren't the best ones for you to explore. If you have questions relating to Amtrak, I think you'll find the forum very helpful.

Happy travels!

 

[tonys96]

We emailed and snail mailed Boardman today. We will still ride Amtrak, just not as much....nor will we "evangelize" about long distance Amtrak travel anymore.....

Got a response from Amtrak. It was long, so here are parts of it:

Part of Amtrak’s core business is to provide food service on our trains, and we are aggressively seeking ways to reduce the net loss over both the short- and long-term. We periodically go through a rigorous selection process in choosing a vendor to provide commissary and related services to us. There are contractual incentives to reduce commissary costs and the vendor’s performance is measured monthly. We have also made some recent difficult decisions to reduce the amenities we offer on our long distance trains. Some of these reductions in amenities involve food service. While we will still provide quality food and beverage service, some items are being discontinued.

In order to achieve this objective, we have had to make some difficult decisions regarding our service, including a reduction in some onboard amenities, and changes to various fare discounts we offer. Steps are also being taken to ensure that our staffing is aligned with ridership, customer demand, and financial performance on each route.

Once again, we appreciate you taking the time to send us your comments and we hope to have the opportunity to serve you in the future.

Adam Bland

Customer Relations Specialist

So I replied asking him point blank:

Do you plan to stop including meals with sleeper tickets? If so, will the cost of sleepers go down?

Tony

His response:

[SIZE=11pt]Dear Mr. Sxxxxxxx,[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt] [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Thank you for your response. At this time Amtrak has no plans to discontinue the inclusion of meals with sleeper tickets. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt] [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Sincerely,[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt] [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Adam Bland[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Customer Relations Specialist[/SIZE]

 

[D.P. Roberts]

I sent an e-mail to Amtrak regarding amtrakfoodfacts.com, asking (among other things) whether it would be updated to reflect the new menus that were just posted (since amtrakfoodfacts is dated May 2013). Here's what they said:

"While the information at Amtrakfoodfacts.com is a general guide, and most menus have not significantly changed, Amtrak cannot guarantees the availability of any specific menu item listed."

 

[Bob Dylan]

Flack speak! And what a fitting name, Bland! Has anyone actually met someone who talks like these Boilerplate "answers"?

 

[neroden]

What a useless piece of corporate-speak. In short, they're intent on losing revenue and they're going to do so no matter how many people tell them they're idiots.

 

[yarrow]

We emailed and snail mailed Boardman today. We will still ride Amtrak, just not as much....nor will we "evangelize" about long distance Amtrak travel anymore.....

Got a response from Amtrak. It was long, so here are parts of it:

Part of Amtrak’s core business is to provide food service on our trains, and we are aggressively seeking ways to reduce the net loss over both the short- and long-term. We periodically go through a rigorous selection process in choosing a vendor to provide commissary and related services to us. There are contractual incentives to reduce commissary costs and the vendor’s performance is measured monthly. We have also made some recent difficult decisions to reduce the amenities we offer on our long distance trains. Some of these reductions in amenities involve food service. While we will still provide quality food and beverage service, some items are being discontinued.

In order to achieve this objective, we have had to make some difficult decisions regarding our service, including a reduction in some onboard amenities, and changes to various fare discounts we offer. Steps are also being taken to ensure that our staffing is aligned with ridership, customer demand, and financial performance on each route.

Once again, we appreciate you taking the time to send us your comments and we hope to have the opportunity to serve you in the future.

Adam Bland

Customer Relations Specialist

So I replied asking him point blank:

Do you plan to stop including meals with sleeper tickets? If so, will the cost of sleepers go down?

Tony

His response:

[SIZE=11pt]Dear Mr. Sxxxxxxx,[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt] [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Thank you for your response. At this time Amtrak has no plans to discontinue the inclusion of meals with sleeper tickets. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt] [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Sincerely,[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt] [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Adam Bland[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Customer Relations Specialist[/SIZE]

to me, the letter from mr bland kind of says "we have plenty of customers and don't really need you"

 

[The Davy Crockett]

I understand your frustration, but what kind of plan would you have to stop the "bean counters" from implementing the changes. It's all well and good to rant and rave, but unless there is a firm plan, it is nothing but frustration driven postings!

Speaking for myself, some of the frustration with the numerous cuts in amenities, menu choices etc. etc., is that the "bean counters" are implementing all of these cuts, but there has been no explanantion, other than some vague goal of making food service profitable (good luck with that for number of reasons) all to seamingly appease some members of Congress who routinely bash Amtrak for political points, and who, more likely than not, will not be quieted with whatever results are acheived from what is happening it all the changes happening now. Lately it seems that every week we find out something new has been cut or policies tightened, etc., etc.

Things like the 'Sleeper' SSL on the AT, newspapers, wine and cheese tastings, cut backs in complimentary coffee, juice, etc, cancellations with refunds now cost money, many policies becomimg more restrictive, the list of things is piling up, all while prices for sleeper accomodations keep going up.

Other than with the general goal of increasing revenue, which will never cover capital costs anyway, much of what is going on seems willy nilly and like management is rolling all these changes out - its customers be damned. You've got to love all the "responses" everyone keeps getting from Amtrak. Like a true bureaucracy, these letters have absolutely no personal touch to them, are vague to the point of being insulting, and often end with the blatant lie that Amtrak is completely dedicated to improving the service it provides to the cattle people who use it.

Is Amtrak hiring folks who have left the VA or something? :blink:

 

[Andy]

It is quite funny that they even still give you menus. 3 out of the 5 dinner choices are "specials" and they were out of the half chicken tonight on the EB. Our server came to our table and asked what we wanted. I was like, "What's there to eat?" She didn't tell us the vague items. So you begin every meal asking what's available.

 

[neroden]

I better start shopping for a good cooler to bring my meals in.

Any recommendations?

 

[Devil's Advocate]

Speaking for myself, some of the frustration with the numerous cuts in amenities, menu choices etc. etc., is that the "bean counters" are implementing all of these cuts, but there has been no explanantion, other than some vague goal of making food service profitable (good luck with that for number of reasons) all to seamingly appease some members of Congress who routinely bash Amtrak for political points, and who, more likely than not, will not be quieted with whatever results are acheived from what is happening it all the changes happening now. Lately it seems that every week we find out something new has been cut or policies tightened, etc., etc.

Agreed & QFT.

It is quite funny that they even still give you menus. 3 out of the 5 dinner choices are "specials" and they were out of the half chicken tonight on the EB. Our server came to our table and asked what we wanted. I was like, "What's there to eat?" She didn't tell us the vague items. So you begin every meal asking what's available.

That has been my experience as well. The servers often show up and immediately ask "So what's it gonna be?" as though they've never actually read the menu themselves. On one of my more recent trips I asked what was available only to be told "Oh it's the same as yesterday" even though it was the first day of my trip. The only time I've seen the dining car staff excited is when they're able to use the special abbreviated menu. Although that seems to be what all menus are heading towards at this point.

 

[Larry H.]

After being overcharged for your sleeper room for two

Overcharged relative to what? Sleeper travel is discretionary. It's like buying a Mercedes Benz instead of a Kia. If you see value in it at the price that's offered, fine. If not or if it's priced out of range, then don't buy it.

Amtrak should optimize revenue from sleepers just like airlines optimize revenue from first and business class.

I realize your going to take exception to this view, but your statement is a bit out of line as far as the way railroads used to consider sleeper travel. Sleepers were an option for the average travel who wished a bit of privacy and a way to sleep rather than in a seat. The cost was minor in comparison to the way Amtrak has taken your advice and pretended your getting some super luxurious accommodation and charged almost obscene pricing. The old magazines are full of ads showing grandmothers and small children taking the pullman to arrive well rested. Not as some expensive option to coach. The entire way in which train travel is now perceived has been changed making the difference between sleepers an coaches something that they never were in the past. Sort of the 1% taking advantage of the poor people in the coaches. What I have noticed being well below the official poverty level my self is that often very ordinary travelers are using the sleeper service. They are just being forced to pay far higher percentages of the cost than in the past. And in almost any comparison getting much less than travelers used to take for granted.

 

[andersone]

I better start shopping for a good cooler to bring my meals in.

Any recommendations?

I really like my OAGear - COOLER SPORTS PACK. I can sling it over one shoulder, after i put my backpack on. Keeps stuff hot or cold,,, I actually keep it in the car to bring home carryout (but i also have my own pizza delivery bag - i am pretty anal about keeping she who must be obeyed happy)

 

[yarrow]

After being overcharged for your sleeper room for two

Overcharged relative to what? Sleeper travel is discretionary. It's like buying a Mercedes Benz instead of a Kia. If you see value in it at the price that's offered, fine. If not or if it's priced out of range, then don't buy it.

Amtrak should optimize revenue from sleepers just like airlines optimize revenue from first and business class.

I realize your going to take exception to this view, but your statement is a bit out of line as far as the way railroads used to consider sleeper travel. Sleepers were an option for the average travel who wished a bit of privacy and a way to sleep rather than in a seat. The cost was minor in comparison to the way Amtrak has taken your advice and pretended your getting some super luxurious accommodation and charged almost obscene pricing. The old magazines are full of ads showing grandmothers and small children taking the pullman to arrive well rested. Not as some expensive option to coach. The entire way in which train travel is now perceived has been changed making the difference between sleepers an coaches something that they never were in the past. Sort of the 1% taking advantage of the poor people in the coaches. What I have noticed being well below the official poverty level my self is that often very ordinary travelers are using the sleeper service. They are just being forced to pay far higher percentages of the cost than in the past. And in almost any comparison getting much less than travelers used to take for granted.

i pretty much agree with larry. looking in a 1977 guide i see that the sample fare for the amtrak eb from chi-sea, without meals, is $114 base fare and $188 for a roomette. i recall some pullman fares from a slightly earlier day, though i am too lazy to look them up right now, as having even less of a differential between rail fare and adding an accomodation

 

[D.P. Roberts]

As far as I understand it, most airlines don't sell first many class seats - they're usually upgrades from people in coach. That's why there has been a trend towards fewer first class seats & more "business class" seats, as most people find it easier to justify a "business class upgrade" rather "first class" to the bean counters in their own offices. So yes, those seats are getting sold, but not at the full price.

I wonder if Amtrak is similar. AGR gets a lot of mention on these boards, and I would think that a large portion of sleeper class passengers are also AGR members. Personally, I find that when AGR points are factored in, taking a roomette on Amtrak is often cheaper than flying coach. So yes, some of those buckets for sleepers are extremely high, but I wonder what percentage of sleeper passengers are actually paying them?