A complete Am-cluster on 50(27)

We decided to do a run on 50(27) and 851(28) for my birthday. Since a roomette was slightly more than two coach seats we decided to go that route on 50(27). A complete Am-cluster you-know-what in Chicago. Things started good with a nice relaxing wait in the Met Lounge. We boarded by walking on our own to the south gate. They now appear to have TWO people stationed there to let folks through who have sleeper or priority boarding. One of the gate dragons was some new girl I have never seen before. Blonde. Maybe in her late 20's. She looks at our ticket and says you need to board from the Great Hall. I explained three times we were sleeper (pointing to car 5000 roomette 2 on the ticket) and I was supposed to be going that way per Met Lounge manager. She was really rude but let us through. You wonder... Did they just hire this chick off the street this week??? Then we get to the train and one of the two sleepers have been pulled with no substitute. Luckily we were in the 5000 sleeper and were okay. Everyone in the 5001 got an instant downgrade to coach. I dont know why they couldnr have thrown on a spare even transition sleeper and ran it to WAS or atleast put on a spare amfleet club car and gave them business class. Not cool. Then a redcap falls down the stairs of our sleeper and cracks his head open on the platform. I hope he is okay. Somehow that only caused a few minute delay. Then they forgot to wye us out so we had to go out on the BNSF to Halstead St. and wye out. The meals still suck on the Cardinal... Microwaved crap with none of the traditional good desserts... Just a cookie or brownie in a celophane wrapper. Made me realize our decision to fly more and train less is a good one.... Sadly. Only bright spot was amazing sleeping car attendant Janice. Met her 7 years ago when the Great Dome was on. She wears an awesome Amtrak belt buckle and is sweet as can be. Top 10 crew of all time.

I'd like to see Wick do a version of "Undercover Boss"

What a friggin' EYEOPENER That would be for all, including Chicago's famed Gate ******

The Gospel from Chicago and Ditto on Jerry's post!

Unfortunately a lot of Amtrak's problems lie in the "Hospitality Service" side of the house, which I doubt Wick has any experience handling. Maybe he needs to hire a VP of Passenger Services from the hospitality industry. Someone with some significant credentials there.

You mean the post that got EDITED for a banned word. Geheime Staatspolizei The German secret state police, established by Goering in 1933 to arrest and murder opponents of the Party that is known for their use of the swastika. Enlarged under Himmler 1934, it became part of the SS 1936.

Oy vey! Here we go again

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I had Janice 3 years ago on 50. She is funny as hell and made the trip amazing for me! Which made it nice cause I had a 50/50 guy on train 29 going to Chi town. She is one who I would love to have again. Preston was another top notch guy. Had him on 91 6 years ago. And Bill on the LSL Boston section 3 years ago. His co workers have him the nickname Sleeper Monkey cause he can climb around the compartments well. The guy even left us a Reese's PB cup on my pillow and my Ex's as well. He had a great sense of humor as well. Calling the sugar, sweet and low, creamer "coffee bling" and that the coffee was so strong it made a woman for a man. Which had the entire car in stitches when they got some coffee. For every bad one there is one who is amazing at the job.