The next tipping question.

[Devil's Advocate]

Giving me the WHOLE can of tonic/bloody mix will bump this up a bit. It pains me to NO end that these aren't sold on their own, and rarely given beyond what will fill your cup.

Unlike a regular bar or restaurant there is very little that an LSA is able to adjust in order to improve your experience as the result of a tip. The liquor is pre-measured and some of the stock is in surprisingly short supply. That's not to say that you shouldn't tip, or that the staff isn't appreciative, but I think it's important for passengers to realize that tipping on Amtrak is unlikely to change their experience in a significant manner. If you want more mixer it's probably best to just bring them with you. Personally I've never had a problem with availability of mixers. Unfortunately the quality of the off-brand juice cocktail that Amtrak uses for some mixers is not very good. As a result I almost always purchase the name brand juice which is sold separately and use that as my mixer instead.

 

[Triley]

Giving me the WHOLE can of tonic/bloody mix will bump this up a bit. It pains me to NO end that these aren't sold on their own, and rarely given beyond what will fill your cup.

Unlike a regular bar or restaurant there is very little that an LSA is able to adjust in order to improve your experience as the result of a tip. The liquor is pre-measured and some of the stock is in surprisingly short supply. That's not to say that you shouldn't tip, or that the staff isn't appreciative, but I think it's important for passengers to realize that tipping on Amtrak is unlikely to change their experience in a significant manner. If you want more mixer it's probably best to just bring them with you. Personally I've never had a problem with availability of mixers. Unfortunately the quality of the off-brand juice cocktail that Amtrak uses for some mixers is not very good. As a result I almost always purchase the name brand juice which is sold separately and use that as my mixer instead.

I don't know if long hauls use something different, but the corridor uses Tropicana. I'd hardly call that off-brand. What I think one of issues with juice is the poor taste. I will take my stock tomorrow and put the juice in the fridge for the night, then N.Y. will strip the train and they'll keep it in dry storage and it'll become room temp. Then someone else will get it in put it in a fridge, and so on, until it's consumed. Not...the best system.

 

[Thirdrail7]

That really is a personal judgement. Many passengers leave the quarters for small purchases. For larger purchases ($20+) a dollar + quarters, or a few dollars, depending on the complexity of the order. Occasionally someone will tip based on a percentage, but not often.

Do keep in mind, if you're drinking and keep getting the same order and you're tipping you well, I will remember your order and have it ready by the time you get to the counter, if I see you coming again.

All that being said, there are a lot of folks who leave nothing. It doesn't really bother me, but it goes without saying that if you take up five minutes to place your $50 order and build a huge line behind you because you're taking your time and you leave me nothing? Don't expect me to do you a favor when you come up again!

What kind of favor? Seriously I don't get this tipping at a counter thing that has come into vogue. Also LSA's are not making Fast Food restaurant wages. They actually have a career.

Hal,

I don't know if this is still feasible, but I used to tip the attendant when they did me the favor of putting whatever I ordered in the convection oven. It took a little while longer, but it was worth the wait. If the attendant didn't mention it, I didn't ask but if they did, I showed my gratitude.

That being said, I'm going to lob a few dollars into the cab of the engine as I go by. Perhaps they could use a tip. Plus, I may start throwing change at the various MOW employees as I go by. They probably deserve a tip as well.

What do you think would happen if I took a handful of change and tossed it at the track employees as the train passes? :blink: