Trip report from Miami to Minneapolis part 2

[happytotravel]

Greetings !

So this is my trip report on my return from Miami to Minneapolis. I also should let you all know this is my first round trip Amtrak ride. I did give a review on the 1st leg.

So getting on in Hollywood, no problems at all and it was on time. We had a roomette for the ride up to Washington DC. and all went just fine, the toliet in the roomette is weird, really should not be there, but I am not in charge of that. Our attendent was very nice, but really all he does is put the bed down at night. So its not like they are waiting on you. Of course I tipped accordingly. My only real complaint is the dinning car service, the servers are rude, could care less about the people and they really don't have any smiles for anyone. I noticed this during the entire trip. It really is so disapointing. I tried the idea to tip really well the 1st time so they would get the idea to be nice and that did not work. It did not matter if it was a 10 or 4 dollar tip. Very unhappy crew in the dining.

The Capitol Limited to Chicago was worse for dining, But our attenant Randal was very nice. We had a bedroom and really love the room in there plus the private pooper and shower! That was worth it. We had no delays, on time service during the whole trip. The Metor lounge and the accela lounge were nice. It was quiet and nice to have a place to relax. The snacks were Goldfish Crackers and Pretzels. And At the Metro lounge they put out a bowl of Goldfish, but not too many and when they were gone they did not refil. Oh there were some mini muffins in the morning. We think somone got escorted off due to smoking in the cafe car on the Capitol Limited. That was about the only comotion we saw. We really did have a great time in spite of the bad service. We will ride again, but with our expectations considerably lower for service. If you have any questions feel free to ask. I did meet some wonderful people during dinner, that was great. I met some really seasoned travelers and they were full of information too. So all in all great, disapointed in the dining staff, but really loved not driving and being able to enjoy and relax.

Thanks, until next time

Tina

 

[City of Miami]

Thanks, Tina, for the nice trip report! I'm glad you had a good trip. As you have undoubtedly noticed reading posts on this forum, quality of on-board service depends on the luck of the draw: from non-existent to truly awesome. I just had a sleeper attendant who has worked for Amtrak for 34 yrs (no spring chicken, she) and she was great: friendly, helpful and available. Working the dining car looks like a hard job to me and I tend to cut them some slack.

 

[happytotravel]

I understand we don't know their working conditions, however, just be kind, it is not too much to ask.

Forgot to ad in that in Chicago we rented some movies from the Red Box at the Sears/ Willis Tower and returned them at home the next day, So that is another good idea!

 

[Bob Dylan]

I understand we don't know their working conditions, however, just be kind, it is not too much to ask.

Forgot to ad in that in Chicago we rented some movies from the Red Box at the Sears/ Willis Tower and returned them at home the next day, So that is another good idea!

Glad you enjoyed your ride, I'm not one that is bothered by the Toliet in the Roomette but the new Viewliners won't have this, there will be Shared Bathrooms and Shower when they come on line in a couple of years!

Please let Amtrak Customer Relations (1-800-USA-RAIL, when "Julie" answers, ask for Agent, then when you get a real person ask for Customer Relations)know about the Rude/Idifferent Diner Staff,(Have your Rez#/Trip info handy when you call!) and lately the Cap Ltd. Diner Crew and New York based Crews seem to be getting Lots of Complaints! :angry: Amtrak needs this to Re-Train or Weed-Out the BadApples!They Might send a Voucher to be used for Future Travel on Amtrak, Customer Relations and the AGR and Rez Agents seem to be very Professional,Friendly and Understanding as a Rule! If we all do our part we can help make Amtrak Travel all it can be!! :help:

 

[OBS]

I understand we don't know their working conditions, however, just be kind, it is not too much to ask.

Forgot to ad in that in Chicago we rented some movies from the Red Box at the Sears/ Willis Tower and returned them at home the next day, So that is another good idea!

Glad you enjoyed your ride, I'm not one that is bothered by the Toliet in the Roomette but the new Viewliners won't have this, there will be Shared Bathrooms and Shower when they come on line in a couple of years!

Please let Amtrak Customer Relations (1-800-USA-RAIL, when "Julie" answers, ask for Agent, then when you get a real person ask for Customer Relations)know about the Rude/Idifferent Diner Staff,(Have your Rez#/Trip info handy when you call!) and lately the Cap Ltd. Diner Crew and New York based Crews seem to be getting Lots of Complaints! :angry: Amtrak needs this to Re-Train or Weed-Out the BadApples!They Might send a Voucher to be used for Future Travel on Amtrak, Customer Relations and the AGR and Rez Agents seem to be very Professional,Friendly and Understanding as a Rule! If we all do our part we can help make Amtrak Travel all it can be!! :help:

Just to be clear, her trip had nothing to do with NY based crews. The Florida train OBS crews are based in Miami.

 

[Steve4031]

I complained about mean vengeful behavior by the LSA on 421 last summer. It was explained that Amtrak does not give vouchers for rude employee experiences. I can't say I blame them. Just letting you know that you might not get compensation for this.

 

[happytotravel]

I did make a complaint, my thought is that they should know, because it is not right that they should be able to treat customers this way. I am really not looking for anything, I would love to be the one to Re Train them, no pun intented. But again, I really did enjoy the rest of the Amtrak experience and really hope the customer service improves.

 

[Railroad Bill]

We took those same trains in January---Meteor to Washington DC and Capitol to CLE--and had probably the two best dining crews we have had on Amtrak. We also had Randall on the Capitol and he was a great guy as well.

I guess it seems to be the luck of the draw on whether one gets a superior dining staff, but I must attest that not all of them are pains in the rump :giggle: