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Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities |
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Posted by Dave on Mon Feb 10 17:03:52 2014, in response to Amtrak to cut on-board amenities, posted by seabeachexpress on Mon Feb 10 16:21:27 2014. "Minimum" maybe, but they added to the experience of traveling long distance by train. Cut out the amenities and few people will ride the trains if there is airline service available where they live. |
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Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities |
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Posted by Henry R32 #3730 on Mon Feb 10 19:11:01 2014, in response to Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities, posted by Dave on Mon Feb 10 17:03:52 2014.
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Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities |
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Posted by Randyo on Mon Feb 10 19:33:59 2014, in response to Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities, posted by Henry R32 #3730 on Mon Feb 10 19:11:01 2014. I dont recall that being done for the passengers at GCT although I did take a sleeper on the LSL out of there in 1989. My return trip was a sleeper but on the Broadway Ltd and I don't recall Slamtrak doing that in Chicago for that train's passengers. |
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Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities |
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Posted by SelkirkTMO on Mon Feb 10 20:40:15 2014, in response to Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities, posted by Henry R32 #3730 on Mon Feb 10 19:11:01 2014. Yeah, heading west the amenity is admiring Joe Bruno's p*nis on top of the Rensselaer train station until the Boston section shows up. :) |
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Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities |
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Posted by WMATAGMOAGH on Tue Feb 11 03:40:33 2014, in response to Amtrak to cut on-board amenities, posted by seabeachexpress on Mon Feb 10 16:21:27 2014. I took the EB back in 2007 and there were no chocolate squares upon boarding. I did enjoy the wine and cheese tasting however, even if the wines were mid-grade. I could live without the rest of the amentities, but it won't stop me from continuing to plan a cross country Amtrak trip for this summer. |
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Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities |
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Posted by WMATAGMOAGH on Tue Feb 11 03:41:12 2014, in response to Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities, posted by Randyo on Mon Feb 10 19:33:59 2014. I think the wine and cheese reception on the LSL to NYP/BOS is due to the fact the train leaves so late, so it is done in lieu of dinner. |
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Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities |
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Posted by SelkirkTMO on Tue Feb 11 04:18:59 2014, in response to Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities, posted by WMATAGMOAGH on Tue Feb 11 03:41:12 2014. That's exactly it. You already ate, you won't get too drunk and fall off the train after dinner. :)Still ... it's those amenities that excuse the prices and the bedbugs in the sleepers. Without them, might as well fly and that blows goats. The ONE thing that made the long ride on a train worthwhile was the treats for the price. Take that away, and you might as well just take the damned BUS. :( |
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Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities |
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Posted by chud1 on Tue Feb 11 04:55:40 2014, in response to Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities, posted by WMATAGMOAGH on Tue Feb 11 03:40:33 2014. i would bring my own amentites if i took Amtrak. a 6 pack of Dr Pepper soda, a few bag of pretzels and cashews.chud1. :).... |
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Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities |
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Posted by Olog-hai on Tue Feb 11 05:00:27 2014, in response to Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities, posted by chud1 on Tue Feb 11 04:55:40 2014. That won't last you if you're bored on a day-long LD journey. |
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Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities |
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Posted by SelkirkTMO on Tue Feb 11 05:03:14 2014, in response to Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities, posted by Olog-hai on Tue Feb 11 05:00:27 2014. ... or four. :) |
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Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities |
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Posted by Dave on Tue Feb 11 06:36:05 2014, in response to Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities, posted by WMATAGMOAGH on Tue Feb 11 03:41:12 2014. I very much enjoyed the W&C on the Coast Starlight two years ago. |
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Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities |
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Posted by MainR3664 on Tue Feb 11 06:54:43 2014, in response to Amtrak to cut on-board amenities, posted by seabeachexpress on Mon Feb 10 16:21:27 2014. Well, I don't know about wine and cheese tastings or floral vases in dining cars. What I can say from personal experience is that the coach dining cars on the upstate NY service and on the East Coast Regional ain't much to begin with- and it's expensive... |
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Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities |
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Posted by MainR3664 on Tue Feb 11 06:54:43 2014, in response to Amtrak to cut on-board amenities, posted by seabeachexpress on Mon Feb 10 16:21:27 2014. Well, I don't know about wine and cheese tastings or floral vases in dining cars. What I can say from personal experience is that the coach dining cars on the upstate NY service and on the East Coast Regional ain't much to begin with- and it's expensive... |
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Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities |
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Posted by R30A on Tue Feb 11 08:03:48 2014, in response to Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities, posted by MainR3664 on Tue Feb 11 06:54:43 2014. Those aren't dining cars. They are cafe/lounges. |
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Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities |
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Posted by chicagomotorman on Tue Feb 11 09:44:34 2014, in response to Amtrak to cut on-board amenities, posted by seabeachexpress on Mon Feb 10 16:21:27 2014. Wan't Amtrak supposed to be self sufficient within 10 years on it's onset? |
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Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities |
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Posted by chud1 on Tue Feb 11 10:45:20 2014, in response to Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities, posted by Olog-hai on Tue Feb 11 05:00:27 2014. me bored on a train, no way. believe me my 6 pack of dr pepper and a few bags of pretzels and cashews will last.i will be drooling on da window. chud1. :).... |
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Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities |
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Posted by R30A on Tue Feb 11 11:16:23 2014, in response to Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities, posted by SelkirkTMO on Tue Feb 11 04:18:59 2014. Most of the things being removed were only on a few trains anyway. The other items were very inconsistently present systemwide. For most people, this change will not be happening, as they never had them to begin with. |
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Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities |
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Posted by kp5308 on Tue Feb 11 12:04:12 2014, in response to Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities, posted by chicagomotorman on Tue Feb 11 09:44:34 2014. Wan't Amtrak supposed to be self sufficient within 10 years on it's onset?Amtrak was supposed to be extinct outside the northeast within 10 years. The self sufficient part was inserted to bring conservatives from both parties on board along with President Nixon to pass the legislation, but everyone involved knew there was no chance of Amtrak paying their own way. Taking title to the NEC in '76 really sent costs thru the roof. |
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Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities |
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Posted by kp5308 on Tue Feb 11 12:04:12 2014, in response to Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities, posted by chicagomotorman on Tue Feb 11 09:44:34 2014. Wan't Amtrak supposed to be self sufficient within 10 years on it's onset?Amtrak was supposed to be extinct outside the northeast within 10 years. The self sufficient part was inserted to bring conservatives from both parties on board along with President Nixon to pass the legislation, but everyone involved knew there was no chance of Amtrak paying their own way. Taking title to the NEC in '76 really sent costs thru the roof. |
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Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities |
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Posted by JohnnyMints on Tue Feb 11 13:10:49 2014, in response to Amtrak to cut on-board amenities, posted by seabeachexpress on Mon Feb 10 16:21:27 2014. I think it's time to bring back slumbercoach service. Private accommodations that are a reasonable upgrade from coach but not the outrageous prices of "first class". You'd get your own private cozy compartment without the extra frills. This would be in addition to first class, which people could shell out the extra bread for to get the perks. |
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Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities |
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Posted by Olog-hai on Tue Feb 11 13:37:20 2014, in response to Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities, posted by kp5308 on Tue Feb 11 12:04:12 2014. Can't micromanage the railroads from DC. That was tried before, via USRA. The feds even had to get rid of Conjob. |
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Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities |
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Posted by SelkirkTMO on Tue Feb 11 15:23:02 2014, in response to Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities, posted by R30A on Tue Feb 11 11:16:23 2014. True, but then again if you're going to do the cross country or really long distance stuff, the more amenities, the more likely you'll do it. Amtrak is not a cheap ride to begin with. |
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Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities |
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Posted by SelkirkTMO on Tue Feb 11 15:25:44 2014, in response to Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities, posted by MainR3664 on Tue Feb 11 06:54:43 2014. For all of Penn Central and the New Haven's faults, the ONE thing they had down solid on the Boston/NY shuttle was that dining car. Prices weren't bad and the food was fabulous. Sit down dining with china and silverware. |
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Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities |
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Posted by SelkirkTMO on Tue Feb 11 15:48:37 2014, in response to Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities, posted by kp5308 on Tue Feb 11 12:04:12 2014. And that's what took out the Pennsy and the snakes too ... keeping that POS lit. New Haven was also a dead weight on profits. Electric infrastructure might excite foamers, but it's hella expensive to keep running. |
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Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities |
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Posted by SelkirkTMO on Tue Feb 11 15:49:37 2014, in response to Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities, posted by Olog-hai on Tue Feb 11 13:37:20 2014. Say what you will about Gonerail - they did AMAZING things with no budget. |
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Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities |
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Posted by Dave on Tue Feb 11 19:48:41 2014, in response to Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities, posted by JohnnyMints on Tue Feb 11 13:10:49 2014. Amtrak offers Superliner Roomettes. How does that differ from slumbercoach service? |
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Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities |
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Posted by Dave on Tue Feb 11 19:52:39 2014, in response to Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities, posted by SelkirkTMO on Tue Feb 11 15:25:44 2014. On the NH, yes. I wasn't impressed with PC's food service. |
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Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities |
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Posted by SelkirkTMO on Tue Feb 11 20:14:59 2014, in response to Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities, posted by Dave on Tue Feb 11 19:52:39 2014. I must have lucked out then ... both times I did the snakes, the dining car was almost as good as the New Haven headed from Boston to NYC after just getting into New London. That particular run was OK. |
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Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities |
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Posted by JohnnyMints on Tue Feb 11 21:51:00 2014, in response to Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities, posted by Dave on Tue Feb 11 19:48:41 2014. IINM the slumbercoach wasn't first class. It was more of a budget sleeper service. For a little more than the cost of coach, but less than a first class sleeper, you'd get a private compartment with little more than a bunk. Meals and such and other amenities were not included. The rooms may have even been smaller than a roomette, if that's possible. |
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Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities |
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Posted by Randyo on Wed Feb 12 01:27:09 2014, in response to Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities, posted by JohnnyMints on Tue Feb 11 21:51:00 2014. In 1989 when I took the Lake Shore out and the Bway back, I had a small compartment that resembled the sleeping quarters on a USN submarine. Although it wasn't first class it cost almost 3X the cost of coach. |
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Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities |
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Posted by Jackson Park B Train on Wed Feb 12 01:56:45 2014, in response to Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities, posted by JohnnyMints on Tue Feb 11 21:51:00 2014. they certainly were. Think of it this way, a 10 roomette 6 double bedroom car had 22 beds + a porter's mini roomette; aslumbercoach had 24 single + 8 double roomss. So in the first class sleeper there were 22 revenue beds plus the porter's room, but in the same cubic envelope the slumbercoach packed 40 revenue beds, but I suspect one was used by the porter.I who am 6' tall touch both end walls in a slumbercoach, have a little leeway in a roomette. As to "Superliner roomette" on the lower level they are smaller than a classic roomette but slightly longer than the slumbercoach from my observation. |
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Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities |
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Posted by BusMgr on Wed Feb 12 05:05:57 2014, in response to Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities, posted by JohnnyMints on Tue Feb 11 13:10:49 2014. I think the problem is that there are generally two groups of passengers, neither of which are supportive of slumbercoaches. First are the passengers who are penny-pinching, and won't spend a dime more than the minimum coach fare, no matter what the benefit. Then there are the passengers taking a land cruise, for whom the limitations of a slumbercoach take away from the essential nature of a luxury cruise. Most all the people in the middle--the essential market for slumbercoach service--are on airplanes. Personally, I would very much like to pay a reasonable supplement for a flat bed. Paying $300 per night for a roomette is absurd. |
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Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities |
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Posted by 7th Avenue Express on Wed Feb 12 10:35:08 2014, in response to Amtrak to cut on-board amenities, posted by seabeachexpress on Mon Feb 10 16:21:27 2014. Another reason to fly |
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Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities |
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Posted by Terrapin Station on Wed Feb 12 11:54:09 2014, in response to Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities, posted by 7th Avenue Express on Wed Feb 12 10:35:08 2014. Not really. |
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Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities |
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Posted by JAzumah on Wed Feb 12 12:00:15 2014, in response to Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities, posted by SelkirkTMO on Tue Feb 11 04:18:59 2014. The goats need all the action they can get.I'm sure some of the first class Mexican buses might change your life. |
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Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities |
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Posted by AEM-7AC #901 on Wed Feb 12 13:28:50 2014, in response to Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities, posted by SelkirkTMO on Tue Feb 11 15:48:37 2014. Electric infrastructure might excite foamers, but it's hella expensive to keep running.So instead Amtrak should have yanked the wires and opted for slower trains with even less reliability. That would work wonders for attracting passengers, and the nosier trains would make for great neighbours! |
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Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities |
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Posted by AEM-7AC #901 on Wed Feb 12 13:42:00 2014, in response to Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities, posted by BusMgr on Wed Feb 12 05:05:57 2014. Personally, I would very much like to pay a reasonable supplement for a flat bed. Paying $300 per night for a roomette is absurd.FWIW, Amtrak's only getting away with that type of pricing because of capacity constraints. Somebody other than railfans is paying those prices, and it's not just those of us on the NEC who generated enough AGR points to ride for free. Most all the people in the middle--the essential market for slumbercoach service--are on airplanes. It's interesting that you've noted this, as low-cost airlines and HSR have started killing off some of the overnight sleeper service in parts of Europe. A couchette doesn't make as much sense when there's a super duper cheap flight to airport that's bribing EasyJet and Ryanair to fly there. FWIW, I suspect Americans wouldn't be willing to put up with couchette car service which would be the only way to profitably offer high density sleeping cars...  
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Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities |
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Posted by Wado MP73 on Wed Feb 12 14:18:41 2014, in response to Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities, posted by AEM-7AC #901 on Wed Feb 12 13:42:00 2014. Wow! First class couchette still exist? |
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Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities |
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Posted by Bill From Maspeth on Wed Feb 12 14:45:08 2014, in response to Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities, posted by 7th Avenue Express on Wed Feb 12 10:35:08 2014. As if the airlines aren't cutting amenities.......especially when it comes to food and drink............even on long flights.............let alone the quality of the food. |
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Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities |
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Posted by Nilet on Wed Feb 12 15:36:17 2014, in response to Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities, posted by AEM-7AC #901 on Wed Feb 12 13:42:00 2014. What about open sections? They still have them in Canada. |
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Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities |
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Posted by cortelyounext on Wed Feb 12 15:43:52 2014, in response to Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities, posted by 7th Avenue Express on Wed Feb 12 10:35:08 2014. Huh? |
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Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities |
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Posted by cortelyounext on Wed Feb 12 15:44:02 2014, in response to Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities, posted by Terrapin Station on Wed Feb 12 11:54:09 2014. Thank you. |
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Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities |
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Posted by Henry R32 #3730 on Wed Feb 12 19:15:01 2014, in response to Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities, posted by Bill From Maspeth on Wed Feb 12 14:45:08 2014. Only domestic airlines... ANA has amazing food and drink (free beer in coach!) and I've heard similar about Cathay Pacific and Korean Air. Pity about Cabotage laws, simple positioning moves from those airlines would probably spark some competitive spirit in the amenities department on the domestic routes... |
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Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities |
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Posted by Nilet on Thu Feb 13 09:50:06 2014, in response to Amtrak to cut on-board amenities, posted by seabeachexpress on Mon Feb 10 16:21:27 2014. Let's see.Cranberry juice in sleeping cars (Feb. 8) I never noticed this in the first place, so I clearly won't miss it. Besides, I hate cranberry juice. Flowers and vases on dining car tables (Feb. 15) Seriously? How much money is this really going to save? I'm pretty sure the flowers were fake anyway. I'm a bit miffed by this one, since that was one of the little touches that made the dining car feel more civilised. Newspapers in sleeping cars (date depends upon vendor) This I can see getting rid of. Newspapers themselves are increasingly obsolete since everyone on Amtrak has a smartphone anyway. Besides, the one time I remember actually being handed a newspaper on Amtrak, it was some local rag with nothing but local interest stories and right-wing propaganda. Wine and cheese tastings, Astor chocolate squares, and complimentary champagne or non-alcoholic cider for Coast Starlight and Empire Builder sleeping car passengers (effective March 31) OK, this one I'm going to have to disagree with, at least in part. Eliminating the wine and cheese tasting on the Coast Starlight might save a lot less money than they were anticipating, because its availability drove the sale of first-class tickets on day trips. Eliminating it may result in more empty rooms between Los Angeles and Oakland or between Seattle and Eugene-Springfield. As for the Empire Builder, I don't remember there actually being a wine and cheese tasting in 2012, though maybe I just missed it. (I attended one in 2009.) Eliminating that may save money, but Amtrak was (at one point) making the claim that the Empire Builder was their "premium" train. (I remember it being exempted from the "simplified dining service" mandate, and at one point there was a pool of refurbished/better maintained equipment reserved for EB service, or so claimed a car attendant.) The chocolate squares, I'm going to miss (even though I probably only ate two or three in total between five trips on the Builder and Starlight). As for complimentary champagne— why doesn't anybody tell me things? Since when did any train have this in the first place? Eh, no matter. I don't really drink anyway. Pre-departure Lake Shore Limited wine and cheese reception at Chicago for sleeping car passengers (March 31) Oh, come on. They've already adjusted the schedule so they don't have to serve dinner, and the late departure makes early boarding effectively a requirement. On the plus side, I did get to attend this back when I had the chance. Coast Starlight and Empire Builder sleeper amenity kits (May 31) The which now? Is that the shampoo and conditioner and lotion in a fuzzy bag? Meh. If it's really necessary to save a few bucks per passenger, I guess this is as good a way as any. Actually, I think I have a stockpile of the things from my various trips; I carry my own supplies, but I compulsively take free stuff when it's available. |
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Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities |
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Posted by SelkirkTMO on Thu Feb 13 16:30:27 2014, in response to Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities, posted by Nilet on Thu Feb 13 09:50:06 2014. On the gift grab bags, what kind of idiot MBA would let an opportunity to let someone else pay the railroad to merchandise with "swag bags" slip past? Schools do it, colleges do it, companies do it. Hand this one off to a marketing group, let them sell "opportunity" to stuff the gift bag to various toiletry suppliers (even RiteAid or DuaneReade) in order to get product out in front of a captive audience ... rairoad gets paid, geese get swag, win-win. |
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Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities |
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Posted by JAzumah on Thu Feb 13 21:53:08 2014, in response to Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities, posted by SelkirkTMO on Thu Feb 13 16:30:27 2014. Would you stop making sense, please? You are giving me a headache. There is no need for Amtrak to be paid 10-30 cents per sample item as opposed to spending money. |
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Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities |
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Posted by Wado MP73 on Fri Feb 14 11:35:42 2014, in response to Re: Amtrak to cut on-board amenities, posted by Henry R32 #3730 on Wed Feb 12 19:15:01 2014. Air Canada's Tokyo to Toronto flight had free beer and wine in coach too. Now that Continental is United and US Airways is American, it's becoming an option that I didn't think of before. |
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