We start our trip in Lch at 4:50 p.m. Will we have dinner reservations or will we need to make them? Thank you.
Will SCA make dinner reservations or do we?
Started by
margo
, Mar 01 2012 04:04 PM
17 replies to this topic
#2
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Posted 01 March 2012 - 04:19 PM
In my experience that can vary. I have had an SCA make a reservation for me when they offered, but much more often a staff member from the dining car walks through the sleepers taking reservations a couple of hours before mealtime. And usually that is just for supper, although sometimes they take reservations for lunch too.
It is a good question to ask your SCA when you first board the train, if they don't offer any information about it.
It is a good question to ask your SCA when you first board the train, if they don't offer any information about it.
#4
printman2000
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Posted 02 March 2012 - 09:28 AM
One of the employees from the dining car will walk the train and make reservations with you.
Edited by printman2000, 02 March 2012 - 09:28 AM.
#5
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Posted 02 March 2012 - 09:52 AM
First they will make an announcement and then they will walk through the train getting reservations. This will be for dinner only; at breakfast and lunch you just proceed to the diner within the time frame that is announced.
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#6
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Posted 02 March 2012 - 10:09 AM
First they will make an announcement and then they will walk through the train getting reservations. This will be for dinner only; at breakfast and lunch you just proceed to the diner within the time frame that is announced.
It may be dependent on which train you are on, but most I have been on make reservations for lunch as well as dinner. Breakfast has been the only non reserved meal I have been to.
#7
fillyjonk
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Posted 02 March 2012 - 10:18 AM
It also depends when you are getting on. Usually when I get on the TE it's late enough (after 5 pm) that reservations have already been made, so my SCA just makes one for me.
Also, on the TE, lunch is first-come, first-served (At least every time I've been on). Same with breakfast. If the car fills up, they make a waiting list and then call people.
Also, on the TE, lunch is first-come, first-served (At least every time I've been on). Same with breakfast. If the car fills up, they make a waiting list and then call people.
#8
printman2000
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Posted 02 March 2012 - 10:25 AM
Also, on the TE, lunch is first-come, first-served (At least every time I've been on). Same with breakfast. If the car fills up, they make a waiting list and then call people.
Yeah, I think it depends on the train. The only lunch I have been to unreserved was on the LSL when it had a diner-lite. I guess since the TE is still considered diner-lite (and maybe the CONO), they do it that way as well. I am pretty sure most LD trains do reservations for lunch.
OP, which train(s) will you be on?
#9
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Posted 02 March 2012 - 10:25 AM
As has been pointed out, it really depends on the train you are on, the time you board, and sometimes the whims of the dining car staff, LSA etc. 
If you board trains such as eastbound Capital Ltd in Chicago, reservations are made in the lounge--southbound Silver Meteor in Washington, your car attendant may have made them for you. Many trains if you board near lunch time, you just head for the diner.
Breakfasts are nearly always first come-first serve, but lunches can be either way== most of our experiences you needed reservations for lunch and almost always for supper.
If you tell us what train you are boarding, we might have some more specific information. Have a great trip
If you board trains such as eastbound Capital Ltd in Chicago, reservations are made in the lounge--southbound Silver Meteor in Washington, your car attendant may have made them for you. Many trains if you board near lunch time, you just head for the diner.
Breakfasts are nearly always first come-first serve, but lunches can be either way== most of our experiences you needed reservations for lunch and almost always for supper.
If you tell us what train you are boarding, we might have some more specific information. Have a great trip
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#11
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Posted 02 March 2012 - 12:16 PM
I rode the CZ(5) in Nov and lunch was first-come, first-serve. We were put on a wait list by the time we went to the diner (well, passing through it from the SSL to our sleeper.
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#12
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Posted 02 March 2012 - 12:29 PM
I rode the CZ(5) in Nov and lunch was first-come, first-serve. We were put on a wait list by the time we went to the diner (well, passing through it from the SSL to our sleeper.
Really? Is this normal now for the CZ? I have only been on it once and that was not the case. All of my rides on the the CL, SWC, CS and CZ, lunch has always been by reservation.
#13
Devil's Advocate
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Posted 02 March 2012 - 12:41 PM
Breakfast is almost always first come, first served. Dinner is usually by reservation only. Lunch is the real wild card and can be dependent on the train, staff, boarding time, and/or ETA. In general the only time the SCA will make reservations for you is when you're boarding early enough to make the last seating but late enough to miss making your own reservation. However, there is nothing to stop you from asking the SCA to make your reservation for you for other meals. Just keep in mind that they may not get the time you want if it's already been taken. Or you can having them bring you the meal to your room.
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#14
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Posted 02 March 2012 - 01:44 PM
There is no set system. It can vary as to train origination station, where you board the train, if you are in coach vs. sleeper, etc. I wouldn't worry about it at this point.
If you are in a sleeper, I'd recommend asking your SCA about it when they give you the orientation if you don't have your reservation or have not been instructed as to the dinner reservation protocol by then.
If in coach, if the train starts rolling and you don't know the answer yet, ask your coach attendant.
If you are in a sleeper, I'd recommend asking your SCA about it when they give you the orientation if you don't have your reservation or have not been instructed as to the dinner reservation protocol by then.
If in coach, if the train starts rolling and you don't know the answer yet, ask your coach attendant.
#15
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Posted 02 March 2012 - 01:45 PM
I rode the CZ(5) in Nov and lunch was first-come, first-serve. We were put on a wait list by the time we went to the diner (well, passing through it from the SSL to our sleeper.
Really? Is this normal now for the CZ? I have only been on it once and that was not the case. All of my rides on the the CL, SWC, CS and CZ, lunch has always been by reservation.
Well, we were in the SSL from the time we left Denver, so maybe they did do reservations and we didn't know it.
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#16
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Posted 02 March 2012 - 08:54 PM
I ask the SCA to make a reservation for me when I know I'll be in the observation car when they come around to set reservations. Never been a problem, even with getting the approximate time I want.However, there is nothing to stop you from asking the SCA to make your reservation for you for other meals. Just keep in mind that they may not get the time you want if it's already been taken.
#17
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Posted 03 March 2012 - 01:48 PM
If you're in a sleeping car, ask the SCA when you board the train. Because of the departure time of the eastbound Capitol Limited, they make dinner reservations at the check-in desk in the Metropolitan Lounge at CHI.
#18
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Posted 03 March 2012 - 01:50 PM
Margo,
Since you are boarding the train after the time that the Lead Service Attendant in the dining car would normally walk the train to take reservations, your SCA is supposed to obtain a reservation for you. If the SCA doesn't inform you during the boarding process either outside or during the introductory tour of your room, ask them if they made a reservation for you.
If the answer is no, then head immediately for the dining car and talk with the LSA to see what can be done to get you in for dinner. But in my experience, even the worst SCA's generally do get this done as the LSA usually forces them to make the reservations that are needed.
Since you are boarding the train after the time that the Lead Service Attendant in the dining car would normally walk the train to take reservations, your SCA is supposed to obtain a reservation for you. If the SCA doesn't inform you during the boarding process either outside or during the introductory tour of your room, ask them if they made a reservation for you.
If the answer is no, then head immediately for the dining car and talk with the LSA to see what can be done to get you in for dinner. But in my experience, even the worst SCA's generally do get this done as the LSA usually forces them to make the reservations that are needed.
Alan,
Take care and take trains!
Take care and take trains!
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