Will I be in time for dinner?

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brazzman

Train Attendant
Joined
Jun 23, 2012
Messages
61
Location
Detroit. MI
Taking the SWC 3 in mid May from Chicago to Los Angeles. I'll be in coach until the second night where I've booked a switch to a sleeper at Flagstaff for the night ride into LAX Union Station. The train's scheduled arrival at Flagstaff is 8:51pm and leaves at 8:57pm. I'm considering taking advantage of the included dinner meal but the Amtrak info on dinner times and reservations is 5:pm - 9:30pm for service. Also this sentence; "Latest boarding time to receive dinner service is 8:30pm." Since I'll already be on the train but in coach, will I be able to make a dinner reservation say for 8:30pm before I switch from coach to take possession of my assigned sleeper room? (After reading that last question it's dawned on me that I will be able to) Also - if we're late getting into Flagstaff and finishing my dinner before actually having transferred to the sleeper, can I sign the check as a sleeper occupant even tho, technically I'll still be in coach? I'm thinking I'll have to show my eTicket with reservation #, etc at some point to avoid having to pay for the dinner. Well, I think I've answered my own questions but would appreciate any response. Thanks.
 
It seems like you should be able to make a dinner reservation for the last seating (I wouldn’t try it any earlier) and then sign the ticket as a sleeper pax. Usually the 8:30 PM cutoff is pretty firm, but in summer, there are delays and issues with completing the dinner service by that time. I have boarded stations where the scheduled arrival is 8:25 (and have the train on time) and been allowed into the diner where they were waiting for me as the last dinner guest of the evening. But I’ve also boarded the same station where the train has been less than a half-hour late and the response is “Sorry, diner’s closed.”
 
Your SCA should have already made a dinner reservation for you.

Is there any specific reason you are switching in Flagstaff? :huh: Why not switch 1 stop before, say in Winslow? That way, you'll be sure to get the included dinner! :)
 
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the_traveler said:
Your SCA should have already made a dinner reservation for you.

Is there any specific reason you are switching in Flagstaff? :huh: Why not switch 1 stop before, say in Winslow? That way, you'll be sure to get the included dinner! :)
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I'm primarily switching to get a good sleep at a low price. It's $135 extra for the sleeper at Flagstaff. Did not check $$$ from Winslow but was $235 from Albuquerque. Still steep but something to look forward to after riding the coach seat from Dearborn. Not all that interested in a dinner that late at night but am interested in the option if it strikes me. I'll have some food snacks with me anyway.
 
Might the reason the sleeper is so much cheaper from Flagstaff, is the expectation that dinner is NOT included in the fare? (I.E. if the train is "on schedule", arriving Flagstaff passengers would have no expectation of receiving dinner due to the cutoff time)?
 
The Chief has been having OTP problems lately, and chances of arriving too Late into Flagstaff for Dinner in the Diner are better than 50/50.

Check on the Winslow option as was,said.
 
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MikefromCrete said:
Seaboard92 said:
Don't go to Dearborn Station in Chicago. The trains on the ATSF now leave from Union and Dearborn lost its right of way in 1976
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I think he meant Dearborn, MI.
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Yes, Dearborn, MI.

JoeBas said:
Might the reason the sleeper is so much cheaper from Flagstaff, is the expectation that dinner is NOT included in the fare? (I.E. if the train is "on schedule", arriving Flagstaff passengers would have no expectation of receiving dinner due to the cutoff time)?
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You may be right. Is dinner included in the fare? In any event, I will have eaten something by 6-7pm ; my own food or maybe a carry-out at Albuquerque.
 
But if you do change the switch from coach to sleeper to be Winslow, Arizona, you won't have enough time to be going outside and be standing on a corner.
 

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