rtabern
Conductor
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.