Worst Passenger Rail Experience Ever?

[gswager]

Worst experience on the train. Amtrak Pere Marquette about 10 years ago. It was a overnight trip to Chicago from Grand Rapids. We stayed in one of the big hotels on Michigan near Grant Park. Our last meal in Chicago was lunch at a Irish restaurant inside the hotel. I remember that I had a grilled chicken sandwich and toss salad. I know by the time we arrived at Union Station I wasnt feeling so well. I remember sitting in the general boarding area feeling like S**t. We asked for and got early boarding, I must have really looked sick<smile> I spent most of the return trip vomiting in the handicapped bathroom just behind the seats we had chosen. I know that I threw up at least 6 different times. I didnt stop throwing up until past the Bangor exit. I have no idea what if anything other passengers could hear. We didnt get any special consideration from any of the train staff, I dont remember if anyone was even aware of how I felt. I was never so glad to get back home.

I felt then and still feel that it was food poisoning from the restuarant. We did write a letter to the hotel and did recieve a free nights stay. It turned out really great as we booked our next stay on a night which happened to be a Bears home game day. We were upgraded to the actual floor that the visiting team was staying on. We ran into the quarteback of the other team right outside our room, hubby shook his hand. I remember that we ordered evening room service and that the meal was outstanding. Looking forward to our big trip in March on the SWC to Albuquerque.

That sounds like it's the worst one on "Worst Passenger Rail Experience Ever" category it ever happened on a train trip despite I had a flu on Coast Starlight in 1990's. Good thing that Amtrak crew are attentive to me, providing saline crackers and I think 7-Up.

 

[TimePeace]

There so far have been 40 replies in this "Worst Experience" thread to the 22 in the "Best Experience" thread. What does this mean? That we are a bunch of bellyaching crybabies—or smart consumers who expect value for their dollar and when they don't get it, speak out?

Mr. Kisor:

Both, I think. With the crybabies winning.

I like both threads though, and it is good to have a way to express what we like and don't like - freedom of speech, etc.

 

[CHamilton]

I was still mulling over the idea of a 'best experience' thread when I noticed that CHamilton had already beat me to it with nearly identical wording. ^_^

Well, the wording was yours originally, so thank you for the idea! And I wonder what would be posted in a "Most Memorable Passenger Rail Experience Ever" thread?

 

[me_little_me]

Here's mine (posted in September):

In the late '70s, we decided to take a train trip with our two young (sub 5 year old) boys from El Paso to Disneyland. We were taking a sleeper to LA, then renting a car to drive to Aneheim. Now remember, this was in the days long before cell phones and internet.

I dreaded the long drive from LA to Anaheim so, while looking at a map, I saw that I could get off in Pomona, rent a car there, and drive a much shorter distance. So I called Amtrak (no online booking) and changed our destination to Pomona. Then I called the (?) rental car company to have a car there when we arrived. No problem.

The whole trip started out wrong. A friend was taking us to the El Paso station. I had called ahead and Amtrak said the train would be a few hours late. No big deal. We stayed at the friend's house until it was time to go - about 40 minutes before it was due in. When we arrived, there was the train and it looked like just about everyone had boarded. We had the two kids plus luggage and ran as fast as we could to it. Just as we were out of steam (pun intended), we got close enough to reach a car attendant. He told us that the train was the eastbound - on time - and our late westbound wasn't due for 30 minutes as we had thought. On the train ride (Amtrak had really badly maintained equipment in those days), we lost air conditioning, then all power in the car. In the dark, my oldest got sick and threw up on the bed so the next morning we were tired and irritable. Upon arrival in Pomona, we got off. She had the kids while I unloaded the luggage with the help of the SCA and we had plenty with two kids, one in diapers.

As the train left, I looked around the station. It was all boarded up; the only phone was ripped off the wall; the area was desolate and run down and there was no rental car. I noticed an open combination Trailways station/ travel agency across the street so we dragged all the stuff and went there. I explained the situation to the guy there and he let us use the phone to call the car company. No answer. Apparently the nearest office was closed on Sunday and they had forgotten to tell me that. Agghh! So we called Hertz and they agreed to come pick us up, take us to their office and rent us a car. However, they closed at 5:30PM so we'd have to return it 2 hours before our return train arrived.

While we were waiting, I looked around the area of the station and decided this was not a place to be waiting for a train at 7:30PM in the dark (not DST time). I asked the agent if the area was safe. He said "I am the only one here who does not carry a gun". Then he reached under the counter and pulled out the biggest pistol I ever saw. He said "I keep mine under the counter!"

Needless to say, as soon as we got to the hotel, I arranged to return the car at the LA station and called Amtrak and arranged to return home from LA. Good thing! The train was 2 hours late out of LA and we would have been waiting in the dark with no communication for 2 extra hours not knowing when or if a train was coming. Other than the start, it was a wonderful trip. And returning the car to LA was a breeze. Hertz had a drop-box and special parking spots at the station. It was well-lighted and the kids could run around in safety. Amtrak sent me a check for a few hundred dollars in compensation for the hot, dark sleeper.

http://discuss.amtra...post__p__319371

 

[user 3575]

But nothing I've had on Amtrak beats my experience with the Frank Lorennzo Continental Airlines back in 1967, where they cancelled our flight about 20 minutes after we took off, returned us to the airport, and didn't book us out until the next day.

Which is remarkable, since Texas Air (controlled by Mr. Lorenzo) didn't buy CO until 1981.

I'm not sure how people replying to a thread titled "Worst Passenger Rail Experience Ever" can be considered whining; it at least helps balance the cheerleaders who've never ever had anything unpleasant happen on a train ever. I guess if there were a thread about "Most Memorable" and people told stories of memorably bad trips, they'd be labelled whiners too...but not by me. There's extra-good and extra-bad in most worlds. Tell it like it is.

 

[RailFanLNK]

My memory is the "first" trip I did with my wife and two stepdaughters. We weren't married at the time and had only dated less than a year. We left Lincoln NE to go to Glenwood Springs CO. The #5's crew was great, it was on time and Reggie Howard our SCA treated us like we were special. Everyone thought Amtrak was GREAT and was looking forward to the return trip home "on the train". Well that's when things got crappy. We had the LSA from hell. We were riding in coach and was in the lower level of coach. I was worried we would be "forgotten" but that wasn't going to happen. The RUDE LSA came down and asked, "what time do you want to go to dinner" and I replied, "5:30!" and she replied, "its full!" So I said, "6:30pm" and she replies, "its full!" So I look at my family scrunch up the eyebrows and then say "7PM?" and she replies, "its full!" The and I said, "8pm" and she says "its full the only time we have an opening for 4 is at 8:30pm"! Now why in heck wouldn't she just say, "we only have a dinner reservation for 4 at 8:30pm, take it or leave it" instead of having us play, "name that time". Then we go at 8:30pm and we get a guy (waiter) that is the last remnants of the Hitler Youth as our waiter...just rude from the get go. *******, jerk you name it. Just a bad, bad person. So, we eat, have dinner and ******* #2 (the waiter) comes up to us and barks, "the diner needs to close, this isn't a place to just hang out at". I said, "I'm hanging out so I can pay my bill, is the dinner free for the 4 of us in coach?" I mean...I was mad by now. So he comes back and slams down my Amtrak Guest Rewards CC, (and I'm wearing my Amtrak polo shirt) and we tip nothing and walk out. Soon (like 15 minutes later) ******* #2 (the waiter) comes down to the lower level in coach and opens the door, motions to my family and says, "thank you so much for having dinner with us tonight, I hope you have a great trip!" and the door closes, my family all looks at each other and burst out into gut wrenching laughter. WE think he might have thought over the AGR CC and the Amtrak polo shirt and was thinking, "oh gosh, maybe this is an Amtrak employee and his family." We never laughed so hard after being treated so rudely by ******* #1 and #2.

 

[A.J.]

I'm not sure how people replying to a thread titled "Worst Passenger Rail Experience Ever" can be considered whining; it at least helps balance the cheerleaders who've never ever had anything unpleasant happen on a train ever. I guess if there were a thread about "Most Memorable" and people told stories of memorably bad trips, they'd be labelled whiners too...but not by me. There's extra-good and extra-bad in most worlds. Tell it like it is.

well, i honestly think some people just need to find some way to tell everyone that they're better than the rest of us. I have a relative like that, so I'm familiar with the signs.

 

[Thunder Road]

My worst is a trip that never happened.

After a concert in Hershey, PA, I decided I would take the Keystone home to PHL from HAR while the rest of the people I was with enjoyed the day at Hershey Park (I'm not one for amusement parks and such). We asked our Garmin to find the train station, which first took us to a neighborhood, and then to an overpass over the freight yard about 1/2 mile from the station. We finally found it (after getting lost at least one more time) and by this point I knew I was cutting it close, so I got out of the car and literally ran for the station. I got inside to find it desolate. No passengers, no Amtrak Amployees. I wandered around for about 5 minutes until somebody who worked from Amtrak (maybe a conductor, I don't know) showed up out of nowhere and told me that the train had left. I looked at my watch and it was still 2 minutes until the scheduled departure time, which I told him. He laughed and said something like "yeah sometimes they leave early on the weekends."

By this point it had started to rain, and we had wasted a decent amount of time, so we all decided to skip Hershey Park and drive back home. I got my $22 back for the ticket, and now I know why they say to be at the station 30 minutes prior to departure.

 

[Trainmans daughter]

My worst experience was last June on the first segment of our coast-to-coast trip. Due to flooding, the SAC-CHI portion was cancelled and we had to FLY! :blink:

On the bright side, it was my granddaughter's first flight (her mom finally backed off from her "you absolutely can't fly till you're 18" position, thank God!), and I got to sit there and see the awe and wonder on her face as she experienced leaving the earth, flying above the clouds, and returning to earth in Chicago. (Also, the crazy taxi ride from Midway to CUS to catch the CL!)

 

[Ryan]

I'm not sure how people replying to a thread titled "Worst Passenger Rail Experience Ever" can be considered whining; it at least helps balance the cheerleaders who've never ever had anything unpleasant happen on a train ever. I guess if there were a thread about "Most Memorable" and people told stories of memorably bad trips, they'd be labelled whiners too...but not by me. There's extra-good and extra-bad in most worlds. Tell it like it is.

well, i honestly think some people just need to find some way to tell everyone that they're better than the rest of us. I have a relative like that, so I'm familiar with the signs.

Not only am I better than you, but I'm better than your relative too!

 

[EMDF9A]

As a paying passenger, I have two memorable non-positive experiences. The first was about 1995 aboard the eastbound Empire Builder between MSP & MKE. I had taken the builder east from Seattle to the Twin Cities, and then headed north to near Duluth to visit relatives. After a week in the north woods I headed bask to the cities and continued east to visit a boarding school friend in Milwaukee. We were having lunch as teh builder sped through the Wisconsin countryside. I was a coach passenger for this leg of the trip and was seated in the diner with a very nice Presbyterian minister, his wife and son who were sleeper passengers. I dont remember what I ordered for lunch but I did order ice cream for dessert.

We finished our entrees and the attendant removed the dishes and all the flatware. Dessert came. I had no spoon with which to eat my ice cream. I politely asked the attendant who said he'd bring me a spoon. The minister and his family were being very polite and didnt want to eat their dessert while I waited, so they sat for a few minutes while we waited... and conversed. I finally convinced them to start their pie (I think thats what it was) while I kept trying to flag a crewmember to get a spoon. By this time my ice cream was half melted (before the time of the Haagen Dazs cups). When I finally get the attention of the server, he cam & very brusquely said "You folks need to hurry up and get out so we can set the table for the next group of passengers." At that point I very politely looked up & said to him "I will be happy to, if you would bring me the spoon I asked for 20 minutes ago." This infuriated the server, who did go get a spoon, brought it to the table & dropped it into my half-melted bowl of ice cream, splattering it all over my shirt.

I very quickly consumed what was left of my ice cream, said my pleasntries to the minister and his family, who had graciously remained with me until I had finished, and got up from the table and left my tip. Two pennies. Its all he deserved.

I hadnt made it 30 feet... abut half way through the service area of the diner when I felt something strike my back. It was the pennise... the waiter had thrown them at me... and yelled "Take that back I dont need your Sh*t. I deserve more respect that that." Fortunately for me, the COB just happened to be coming up the stairs from the kitchen and heard and saw the entire episode. He apologized right away and escorted me back to my seat "I'm Sorries" all the way. He gave me information to file a formal complaint, and I did. Received a voucher fot the cost of the ticket AND the sleeper accomodation, even though I wasnt in a sleeper on this leg.

Number two:

Northbound Coast Starlight. EMY-SEA. This was about 2003.

I had taken the CS down to SF for some cultural stimulation & visit some friends. Had a great trip down. I took the AmBus from Fisherman's Terminal to EMY. Checked in, checked the luggage I wasnt taking to the room, and was told that the train was about 30 minutes late. Great, I can go watch the AMTRAK California trains come & go. Well thirty minutes turned into an hour, turned into 2 hours, four hours. I was hungry and tired and wanted to go to bed. I asked the station attendant what was happening, and was told that #14 had struck a vehicle on the track between San Jose & Jack London. There would be more delays. NINE hours after scheduled departure, after spending the night on the very uncomfortable seats of the EMY station, the train arrived. I made my way out to the assigned car. I showed the Assistant Conductor in the vestibule my ticket, and she directed me upstairs to my assigned roomette. Upon arival at the door I found the bed down and occupied.

It took several minutes to get the attention of the SCA, and the train was already leaving the station. He told me that they had given my room to someone else because I was late boarding (Well YEAH... the train hadnt reached my station yet) and I was re-assigned to a lower level roomette. I was not amused. I DO NOT travel in the lower level rooms. I get motion sickness there, and I specifically make it clear when I reserve my roomettes that it must be an upper level room. The SCA told me that I was basically SOL. They had given my room away and this was the only room available. I asked if there were roomettes on the upper level in other cars. He didnt know. I insisted that I had a valaid ticket for my room and that he needed to move the woman who was in my room to the lower level. He refused. I asked for the conductor. He said he was about to get her as he was getting tired of my attitude and would have her deal with me.

When the conductor arrived I showed her my tickets. I explained why I wasnt on the train as expected (It hadnt made it to my station yet), and why I could not accept the lower level roomette. I am very thankful that this lady understood customer service. She checked the manifest. There were no other upper level roomettes open. She was also hesitant to disturb the woman occupying my space, as this woman had no idea how bad AMTRAK had screwed up. BUT... Bedroom "E" in another car was available. I gladly accepted her hospitality, followed her down the corridor and delivered to the bedroom. The SCA for tha car was there right away, made up the bed, even though it was early morning and asked me if I wanted to be awakened for lunch. I asked if breakfast was still beign served. He said yes & asked if I wanted to go to the diner or should he bring me a meal. I ordered the French Toast and scrambled eggs, and he was back with breakfast in under 10 minutes. I ate, crawled into bed & asked to be awakened for the last call at lunch.

This tale, unfortunately doesnt end there. Number 14 continued to lose time. It was dinner time and we hadnt even made Kalamath Falls. There was talk about the train being annulled in Portland and turned there as we werre now 14 hours late. The staff said not to worry, go to bed & get a good rest, they would let us know early inthe evening if that was going to happen. I enjoyed the wine tasting in the PPC and a delicious dinner (I didnt make the last call for lunch. I was too tired) and retired about 10:30.

The next thing I know I am hearing pounding on my door and yelling "EVERYBODY UP! You have 10 minutes to get off this train!" It was 5:30 AM. We were in Portland, and they indeed annulled

the train. I poked my head out the door and asked what was going on. I told the conductor that I could not possibly shower & dress & be off the train in 10 minutes, but would hurry. He then replied "IDont give a flyingF**K. Get the hell off my train NOW!" Fortunatley the other passengers heard this too.

I did not shower. I got dressed & brushed my teeth and then had to go clami my checked luggage and place it in the lower compartment of a bus for the 5 hour all stops trip to Seattle. They didnt have the courtesy to offer coffee to the frst class passengers, and I suffered the next 5 hours of a 3 year old kicking the back of my seat.

Epilogue: After getting names and address of other passengers who heard/saw/experienced the same rude treatment, as well as the SCAs Conductors & station attendants, I wrote a very polite but firm letter to I THINK it was George Warrington. I received a personal reply, not a form letter and a voucher for the entire trip PLUS the bedroom (which I really hadnt paid for). Years later I am riding the PPC southbound, just crossing the Columbia and was talking to a great attendant and relaying this story. As I got to the end she gasped 'That was YOU!? You dont know how long we'd been trying to get that guy fired because of the way he treats the passengers. It was yours and the other passengers letters that finally did it. (I had free wine the rest of the trip)

 

[Ryan]

And people say customer complaints never make a difference.

 

[guest]

As a paying passenger, I have two memorable non-positive experiences. The first was about 1995 aboard the eastbound Empire Builder between MSP & MKE. I had taken the builder east from Seattle to the Twin Cities, and then headed north to near Duluth to visit relatives. After a week in the north woods I headed bask to the cities and continued east to visit a boarding school friend in Milwaukee. We were having lunch as teh builder sped through the Wisconsin countryside. I was a coach passenger for this leg of the trip and was seated in the diner with a very nice Presbyterian minister, his wife and son who were sleeper passengers. I dont remember what I ordered for lunch but I did order ice cream for dessert.

We finished our entrees and the attendant removed the dishes and all the flatware. Dessert came. I had no spoon with which to eat my ice cream. I politely asked the attendant who said he'd bring me a spoon. The minister and his family were being very polite and didnt want to eat their dessert while I waited, so they sat for a few minutes while we waited... and conversed. I finally convinced them to start their pie (I think thats what it was) while I kept trying to flag a crewmember to get a spoon. By this time my ice cream was half melted (before the time of the Haagen Dazs cups). When I finally get the attention of the server, he cam & very brusquely said "You folks need to hurry up and get out so we can set the table for the next group of passengers." At that point I very politely looked up & said to him "I will be happy to, if you would bring me the spoon I asked for 20 minutes ago." This infuriated the server, who did go get a spoon, brought it to the table & dropped it into my half-melted bowl of ice cream, splattering it all over my shirt.

I very quickly consumed what was left of my ice cream, said my pleasntries to the minister and his family, who had graciously remained with me until I had finished, and got up from the table and left my tip. Two pennies. Its all he deserved.

I hadnt made it 30 feet... abut half way through the service area of the diner when I felt something strike my back. It was the pennise... the waiter had thrown them at me... and yelled "Take that back I dont need your Sh*t. I deserve more respect that that." Fortunately for me, the COB just happened to be coming up the stairs from the kitchen and heard and saw the entire episode. He apologized right away and escorted me back to my seat "I'm Sorries" all the way. He gave me information to file a formal complaint, and I did. Received a voucher fot the cost of the ticket AND the sleeper accomodation, even though I wasnt in a sleeper on this leg.

Number two:

Northbound Coast Starlight. EMY-SEA. This was about 2003.

I had taken the CS down to SF for some cultural stimulation & visit some friends. Had a great trip down. I took the AmBus from Fisherman's Terminal to EMY. Checked in, checked the luggage I wasnt taking to the room, and was told that the train was about 30 minutes late. Great, I can go watch the AMTRAK California trains come & go. Well thirty minutes turned into an hour, turned into 2 hours, four hours. I was hungry and tired and wanted to go to bed. I asked the station attendant what was happening, and was told that #14 had struck a vehicle on the track between San Jose & Jack London. There would be more delays. NINE hours after scheduled departure, after spending the night on the very uncomfortable seats of the EMY station, the train arrived. I made my way out to the assigned car. I showed the Assistant Conductor in the vestibule my ticket, and she directed me upstairs to my assigned roomette. Upon arival at the door I found the bed down and occupied.

It took several minutes to get the attention of the SCA, and the train was already leaving the station. He told me that they had given my room to someone else because I was late boarding (Well YEAH... the train hadnt reached my station yet) and I was re-assigned to a lower level roomette. I was not amused. I DO NOT travel in the lower level rooms. I get motion sickness there, and I specifically make it clear when I reserve my roomettes that it must be an upper level room. The SCA told me that I was basically SOL. They had given my room away and this was the only room available. I asked if there were roomettes on the upper level in other cars. He didnt know. I insisted that I had a valaid ticket for my room and that he needed to move the woman who was in my room to the lower level. He refused. I asked for the conductor. He said he was about to get her as he was getting tired of my attitude and would have her deal with me.

When the conductor arrived I showed her my tickets. I explained why I wasnt on the train as expected (It hadnt made it to my station yet), and why I could not accept the lower level roomette. I am very thankful that this lady understood customer service. She checked the manifest. There were no other upper level roomettes open. She was also hesitant to disturb the woman occupying my space, as this woman had no idea how bad AMTRAK had screwed up. BUT... Bedroom "E" in another car was available. I gladly accepted her hospitality, followed her down the corridor and delivered to the bedroom. The SCA for tha car was there right away, made up the bed, even though it was early morning and asked me if I wanted to be awakened for lunch. I asked if breakfast was still beign served. He said yes & asked if I wanted to go to the diner or should he bring me a meal. I ordered the French Toast and scrambled eggs, and he was back with breakfast in under 10 minutes. I ate, crawled into bed & asked to be awakened for the last call at lunch.

This tale, unfortunately doesnt end there. Number 14 continued to lose time. It was dinner time and we hadnt even made Kalamath Falls. There was talk about the train being annulled in Portland and turned there as we werre now 14 hours late. The staff said not to worry, go to bed & get a good rest, they would let us know early inthe evening if that was going to happen. I enjoyed the wine tasting in the PPC and a delicious dinner (I didnt make the last call for lunch. I was too tired) and retired about 10:30.

The next thing I know I am hearing pounding on my door and yelling "EVERYBODY UP! You have 10 minutes to get off this train!" It was 5:30 AM. We were in Portland, and they indeed annulled

the train. I poked my head out the door and asked what was going on. I told the conductor that I could not possibly shower & dress & be off the train in 10 minutes, but would hurry. He then replied "IDont give a flyingF**K. Get the hell off my train NOW!" Fortunatley the other passengers heard this too.

I did not shower. I got dressed & brushed my teeth and then had to go clami my checked luggage and place it in the lower compartment of a bus for the 5 hour all stops trip to Seattle. They didnt have the courtesy to offer coffee to the frst class passengers, and I suffered the next 5 hours of a 3 year old kicking the back of my seat.

Epilogue: After getting names and address of other passengers who heard/saw/experienced the same rude treatment, as well as the SCAs Conductors & station attendants, I wrote a very polite but firm letter to I THINK it was George Warrington. I received a personal reply, not a form letter and a voucher for the entire trip PLUS the bedroom (which I really hadnt paid for). Years later I am riding the PPC southbound, just crossing the Columbia and was talking to a great attendant and relaying this story. As I got to the end she gasped 'That was YOU!? You dont know how long we'd been trying to get that guy fired because of the way he treats the passengers. It was yours and the other passengers letters that finally did it. (I had free wine the rest of the trip)

Just seems odd that you "can't" travel in the lower level because you get motion sickness...after all, there is LESS motion on the lower level, and most people who are subject to it prefer rooms down there (I'm a TA, which people on this board constantly and erroneously refer to as "SCA"'s...)

 

[Bob Dylan]

:hi: As the saying goes, "Alls well that ends well"! Great stories, talk about turning a Pig's Ear into a Silk Purse!!Amtrak Customer Relations does first rate work in most cases!!

 

[EMDF9A]

As a paying passenger, I have two memorable non-positive experiences. The first was about 1995 aboard the eastbound Empire Builder between MSP & MKE. I had taken the builder east from Seattle to the Twin Cities, and then headed north to near Duluth to visit relatives. After a week in the north woods I headed bask to the cities and continued east to visit a boarding school friend in Milwaukee. We were having lunch as teh builder sped through the Wisconsin countryside. I was a coach passenger for this leg of the trip and was seated in the diner with a very nice Presbyterian minister, his wife and son who were sleeper passengers. I dont remember what I ordered for lunch but I did order ice cream for dessert.

We finished our entrees and the attendant removed the dishes and all the flatware. Dessert came. I had no spoon with which to eat my ice cream. I politely asked the attendant who said he'd bring me a spoon. The minister and his family were being very polite and didnt want to eat their dessert while I waited, so they sat for a few minutes while we waited... and conversed. I finally convinced them to start their pie (I think thats what it was) while I kept trying to flag a crewmember to get a spoon. By this time my ice cream was half melted (before the time of the Haagen Dazs cups). When I finally get the attention of the server, he cam & very brusquely said "You folks need to hurry up and get out so we can set the table for the next group of passengers." At that point I very politely looked up & said to him "I will be happy to, if you would bring me the spoon I asked for 20 minutes ago." This infuriated the server, who did go get a spoon, brought it to the table & dropped it into my half-melted bowl of ice cream, splattering it all over my shirt.

I very quickly consumed what was left of my ice cream, said my pleasntries to the minister and his family, who had graciously remained with me until I had finished, and got up from the table and left my tip. Two pennies. Its all he deserved.

I hadnt made it 30 feet... abut half way through the service area of the diner when I felt something strike my back. It was the pennise... the waiter had thrown them at me... and yelled "Take that back I dont need your Sh*t. I deserve more respect that that." Fortunately for me, the COB just happened to be coming up the stairs from the kitchen and heard and saw the entire episode. He apologized right away and escorted me back to my seat "I'm Sorries" all the way. He gave me information to file a formal complaint, and I did. Received a voucher fot the cost of the ticket AND the sleeper accomodation, even though I wasnt in a sleeper on this leg.

Number two:

Northbound Coast Starlight. EMY-SEA. This was about 2003.

I had taken the CS down to SF for some cultural stimulation & visit some friends. Had a great trip down. I took the AmBus from Fisherman's Terminal to EMY. Checked in, checked the luggage I wasnt taking to the room, and was told that the train was about 30 minutes late. Great, I can go watch the AMTRAK California trains come & go. Well thirty minutes turned into an hour, turned into 2 hours, four hours. I was hungry and tired and wanted to go to bed. I asked the station attendant what was happening, and was told that #14 had struck a vehicle on the track between San Jose & Jack London. There would be more delays. NINE hours after scheduled departure, after spending the night on the very uncomfortable seats of the EMY station, the train arrived. I made my way out to the assigned car. I showed the Assistant Conductor in the vestibule my ticket, and she directed me upstairs to my assigned roomette. Upon arival at the door I found the bed down and occupied.

It took several minutes to get the attention of the SCA, and the train was already leaving the station. He told me that they had given my room to someone else because I was late boarding (Well YEAH... the train hadnt reached my station yet) and I was re-assigned to a lower level roomette. I was not amused. I DO NOT travel in the lower level rooms. I get motion sickness there, and I specifically make it clear when I reserve my roomettes that it must be an upper level room. The SCA told me that I was basically SOL. They had given my room away and this was the only room available. I asked if there were roomettes on the upper level in other cars. He didnt know. I insisted that I had a valaid ticket for my room and that he needed to move the woman who was in my room to the lower level. He refused. I asked for the conductor. He said he was about to get her as he was getting tired of my attitude and would have her deal with me.

When the conductor arrived I showed her my tickets. I explained why I wasnt on the train as expected (It hadnt made it to my station yet), and why I could not accept the lower level roomette. I am very thankful that this lady understood customer service. She checked the manifest. There were no other upper level roomettes open. She was also hesitant to disturb the woman occupying my space, as this woman had no idea how bad AMTRAK had screwed up. BUT... Bedroom "E" in another car was available. I gladly accepted her hospitality, followed her down the corridor and delivered to the bedroom. The SCA for tha car was there right away, made up the bed, even though it was early morning and asked me if I wanted to be awakened for lunch. I asked if breakfast was still beign served. He said yes & asked if I wanted to go to the diner or should he bring me a meal. I ordered the French Toast and scrambled eggs, and he was back with breakfast in under 10 minutes. I ate, crawled into bed & asked to be awakened for the last call at lunch.

This tale, unfortunately doesnt end there. Number 14 continued to lose time. It was dinner time and we hadnt even made Kalamath Falls. There was talk about the train being annulled in Portland and turned there as we werre now 14 hours late. The staff said not to worry, go to bed & get a good rest, they would let us know early inthe evening if that was going to happen. I enjoyed the wine tasting in the PPC and a delicious dinner (I didnt make the last call for lunch. I was too tired) and retired about 10:30.

The next thing I know I am hearing pounding on my door and yelling "EVERYBODY UP! You have 10 minutes to get off this train!" It was 5:30 AM. We were in Portland, and they indeed annulled

the train. I poked my head out the door and asked what was going on. I told the conductor that I could not possibly shower & dress & be off the train in 10 minutes, but would hurry. He then replied "IDont give a flyingF**K. Get the hell off my train NOW!" Fortunatley the other passengers heard this too.

I did not shower. I got dressed & brushed my teeth and then had to go clami my checked luggage and place it in the lower compartment of a bus for the 5 hour all stops trip to Seattle. They didnt have the courtesy to offer coffee to the frst class passengers, and I suffered the next 5 hours of a 3 year old kicking the back of my seat.

Epilogue: After getting names and address of other passengers who heard/saw/experienced the same rude treatment, as well as the SCAs Conductors & station attendants, I wrote a very polite but firm letter to I THINK it was George Warrington. I received a personal reply, not a form letter and a voucher for the entire trip PLUS the bedroom (which I really hadnt paid for). Years later I am riding the PPC southbound, just crossing the Columbia and was talking to a great attendant and relaying this story. As I got to the end she gasped 'That was YOU!? You dont know how long we'd been trying to get that guy fired because of the way he treats the passengers. It was yours and the other passengers letters that finally did it. (I had free wine the rest of the trip)

Just seems odd that you "can't" travel in the lower level because you get motion sickness...after all, there is LESS motion on the lower level, and most people who are subject to it prefer rooms down there (I'm a TA, which people on this board constantly and erroneously refer to as "SCA"'s...)

Its not the motion of the train I am on, it is the view out the window when other trains pass. I get very sick seeing wheels roll by at track speed.

 

[ColdRain&Snow]

I'm a TA, which people on this board constantly and erroneously refer to as "SCA"'s...

So help me understand this then. The term "Sleeping Car Attendant" is used by Amtrak itself -- just look at the Welcome Aboard section of every route guide that Amtrak publishes. If your employer uses the term Sleeping Car Attendant (SCA) in documentation that it provides to its passengers, why then would it be "erroneous" for us to adopt its use here? 

 

[henry kisor]

I'm a TA, which people on this board constantly and erroneously refer to as "SCA"'s...

So help me understand this then. The term "Sleeping Car Attendant" is used by Amtrak itself -- just look at the Welcome Aboard section of every route guide that Amtrak publishes. If your employer uses the term Sleeping Car Attendant (SCA) in documentation that it provides to its passengers, why then would it be "erroneous" for us to adopt its use here? 

What soes TA stand for? Train Attendant? How is it distinguished from the attendant responsible for coaches?

 

[henry kisor]

As of 5:20 am CST, Worst is leading Best, 65 to 31. I'm proud of my fellow bellyachers.

 

[guest OBS employee]

The distinction is TA-Sleeper or TA-Coach. SA stands for Service Attendant, which is the OTHER kind of attendant, AKA server in the diner. All OBS employees working physically on board the train are some kind of "attendant". Sleeping car attendant is not the official term used by Amtrak (at least not for 10 years or more), any more than "steward" or "porter". TA and SA used to be separate jobs, though now they are combined for all new hires.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

As of 5:20 am CST, Worst is leading Best, 65 to 31. I'm proud of my fellow bellyachers.

No wonder. You keep making these kinds of posts to pad the thread.

 

[Ryan]

Sleeping car attendant is not the official term used by Amtrak (at least not for 10 years or more), any more than "steward" or "porter".

TA might be your job title, but Amtrak uses the term SCA quite a lot:

(from Amtrak's official Empire Builder route guide)

 

[EMDF9A]

Just seems odd that you "can't" travel in the lower level because you get motion sickness...after all, there is LESS motion on the lower level, and most people who are subject to it prefer rooms down there (I'm a TA, which people on this board constantly and erroneously refer to as "SCA"'s...)

Please forgive me if I misunderstand the tenor and meaning of your response, but the impression I get from reading your response, especially since you put "cant" in quotes actually demonstrates what is wrong with the customer service attitude of AMTRAK employees today. You assume that I do not have a valid reason for requiring the accomodations I requested and paid for, but rather believe that I should be satisfied in receiving something less than I had agreed to.

Many people like to bring out the old adage "The Customer is always right." Well, NO, the customer is NOT always right (though in this case he was) but the customer is STILL THE CUSTOMER, and it is your job to make the customer comfortable. The customer pays a fare for transportation and a premium for the expectation of certain accomodations, and when they make it clear what their requirements are (in my case, an upper room) and the company agrees (in the form of issuing me a ticket with a specific upper room designated) then it is incumbant upon the company's representative (in ths case you and your co-workers) to honor that committment, even if it means you have to do more than the minimally expected actions needed to maintain and keep your job.

This is my biggest complaint with AMTRAK OBS crews today. Many look upon the customer as a nusiance and hinderance to them "completing their trip" rather than the reason they have a trip at all to complete.

 

[Henry Kisor]

Perhaps TA-Sleeper, TA-Coach, SA and LSA are internal (corporate) terms, while Coach Attendant and Sleeping Car Attendant are marketing terms? Maybe Amtrak believes the latter are easier for passengers to understand. What do we care, really, so long as the crew members do their jobs well and the passengers respond in kind?

(72-37. Someone has to keep score.)

 

[johnny.menhennet]

Perhaps TA-Sleeper, TA-Coach, SA and LSA are internal (corporate) terms, while Coach Attendant and Sleeping Car Attendant are marketing terms? Maybe Amtrak believes the latter are easier for passengers to understand. What do we care, really, so long as the crew members do their jobs well and the passengers respond in kind?

(72-37. Someone has to keep score.)

OK this is getting a little annoying. The two discussions are for people to share their memorable experiences with train travel, whether good or bad. If bad ones are the more memorable, then their stories will be more vivid and interesting to read. I do not believe that this says much about our "bellyaching" members, I just think that "keeping score is not useful whatsoever.

My worst experience was not being able to ride a train any time I wanted to.

 

[Henry Kisor]

Alas, irony closes on Saturday night. It was not meant to annoy you, Mr. Menhennet. It was a dig at someone else.

While we are on the subject of job nomenclature, are the TA-Coaches, TA-Sleepers and Service Attendants all cross-qualified in their jobs? In other words, could a TA-Coach bid on a SA job and vice versa?