metropolitan lounge chicago

[ruudkeulers]

This forum was started for neither of those purposes. This forum's primary purpose is to give first time riders, as well as those who have taken Amtrak but not fully explored its many routes, to come and ask questions and learn about things. The fact that many railfans hang out here is both welcome and useful towards that primary purpose, educating people about all things Amtrak.

Before I made my first trip on Amtrak, I stumbled on this site and found out a lot of useful information.

The 2 main things I picked up was that time keeping was a bit lax and the food wasn't all that great.

So would I be daft enough to book a flight back to London the same afternoon I arrive on the CZ? Not really. Sometime trains run late, even Australian ones, shock horror. (a friend of mine did the Ghan a few months ago, and a derailment meant buses and lots of delay....) Yes, it would be great if Amtrak ran to Swiss levels of perfection, but it doesn't and while it shares with freight railroads it never ever will, and that's just life. Don't like it? Tough.

The food is poor to average, could it be better? Yes. Was it better than I expected? Just about.

Lots of things could be better, but you have the choice of using Amtrak or not. Moaning on here won't help much, you just have to accept it for what it is. Despite all the bad points, you have to look at the whole, and I have enjoyed all the Amtrak trips I have made, talked to some interesting people and met some great Amtrak staff who do a great job under the circumstances.

And thanks to lots of topics going way, way off topic I learned a lot more about Amtrak and especially its travelers than just the delays and the quality of meals onboard. So somehow it feels I'm pretty well prepared for my first acquaintance with all these imperfections in a little over a month's time. Besides: I don't believe delays and meals can get any worse than on the average low-cost carrier. It's the trip that counts.

For the rest: Neil & Alan said it all!

Ruud

 

[Bierboy]

...Maybe when your government takes responsibility for the nation's health ....

Wow....big brother deciding what I should eat....what could be better.... :angry:

 

[whistler]

So now insult me, anything but look at what's wrong with the USA, or question your own society (ain't that where the revolution began?)

No need for me to insult you. You are doing a exemplary job on your own.

You want a forum for discussing what is wrong with this country try http://www.democraticunderground.com or http://www.freerepublic.com.

You want to discuss the good, and there is a lot, the bad, and there is alot, and the painful of Amtrak. This is the forum.

Personally, I would love to see total grade seperation of railroad tracks and roads so that we minimize crossings along with full gates at any remaining crossings. High speed rail would be great if the problem of crossings was fixed and there was room for additional tracks.

 

[Trainmans daughter]

How about a forum for discussing what is RIGHT with this country? Oh, it's right here, isn't it?! I love being about to read the thoughts, ideas, and ramblings of people from all walks of life and all political leanings.

Regarding Chicago lounge - I'm no expert, since I've only been in it once, but I really enjoyed it. We were warmly greeted, our bags cared for by the friendly redcap, helped ourselves to snacks and soft drinks, used the clean bathrooms, and relaxed in comfortable chairs. I'm sure it's not a posh as a Qantas lounge, but we were quite satisfied. Admittedly, it got pretty crowded as it got closer to departure time for the westbound California Zephyr, but it was no biggy. Announcements were clear and understandable over the PA system. When it was time to board, we were escorted, not herded, to our assigned cars and were on our way.

For me, it was a positive experience. But then, you usually find what you're looking for, right?

 

[Long Train Runnin']

This forum was started for neither of those purposes. This forum's primary purpose is to give first time riders, as well as those who have taken Amtrak but not fully explored its many routes, to come and ask questions and learn about things. The fact that many railfans hang out here is both welcome and useful towards that primary purpose, educating people about all things Amtrak.

Before I made my first trip on Amtrak, I stumbled on this site and found out a lot of useful information.

The 2 main things I picked up was that time keeping was a bit lax and the food wasn't all that great.

So would I be daft enough to book a flight back to London the same afternoon I arrive on the CZ? Not really. Sometime trains run late, even Australian ones, shock horror. (a friend of mine did the Ghan a few months ago, and a derailment meant buses and lots of delay....) Yes, it would be great if Amtrak ran to Swiss levels of perfection, but it doesn't and while it shares with freight railroads it never ever will, and that's just life. Don't like it? Tough.

The food is poor to average, could it be better? Yes. Was it better than I expected? Just about.

Lots of things could be better, but you have the choice of using Amtrak or not. Moaning on here won't help much, you just have to accept it for what it is. Despite all the bad points, you have to look at the whole, and I have enjoyed all the Amtrak trips I have made, talked to some interesting people and met some great Amtrak staff who do a great job under the circumstances.

And thanks to lots of topics going way, way off topic I learned a lot more about Amtrak and especially its travelers than just the delays and the quality of meals onboard. So somehow it feels I'm pretty well prepared for my first acquaintance with all these imperfections in a little over a month's time. Besides: I don't believe delays and meals can get any worse than on the average low-cost carrier. It's the trip that counts.

For the rest: Neil & Alan said it all!

Ruud

I have to agree I think I learn more about Amtrak from when things veer off the original post. Since usually it veers off the original topic but still stays with in the realm of Amtrak or railroading. I think a lot is gained by this place not being one of those forums where posts are moved, deleted, and shuffled around. Unless of cross you cross a line, but even then things usually only get locked.

 

[frj1983]

Konrad,

I've been following this thread for awhile now and I'm puzzled by your vitriol towards us. For someone who has challenged us to "GET OVER" 9/11, why is it that you can't "GET OVER" previous bad experiences with Amtrak????? Surely,bad experiences on Amtrak don't even come close to 9/11, and some of the historical things that have happened in Australia, do they??

So if you don't want to ride Amtrak anymore because of bad experiences, DON"T...which you obviously have chosen to do. You've shared your reasons with us as to why...was there a reason to insult us all at the same time?? And since you've already told us why you choose not to, why continue to "beat the dead horse??"

Many of us here write, and attempt to speak with our congressional reps, it's all we can do to foster change in a tiny part of America called Amtrak. Lack of funding, lack of leadership and lack of vision over the years have resulted in the current product...it's all we have, but we always hope it will get better.

Lastly, Amtrak hasn't called it's Sleeper Service first class or premium in years, and if one visits enough web forums or blogs, one finds the naysayers seem to dominate, leading to what a previous poster said: "you find what you look for!"

 

[rosemary kay]

thanks to everone for your replies, sorry it opened an huge tin of worms!!! however, there is one other question i have forgotten to ask, we will be leaving our checked luggage in the Met longe while we go off for a few hours, now, i will also have a largeish tote bag that we will be taking to our roomette for overnight, if i leave that there as well, will we be able to get that back when we return to the Met lounge so we can have that with us, or will that have been whisked away with our large checked luggage when we leave it in the morning, thank's a million

 

[whistler]

Regarding Chicago lounge - I'm no expert, since I've only been in it once, but I really enjoyed it. We were warmly greeted, our bags cared for by the friendly redcap, helped ourselves to snacks and soft drinks, used the clean bathrooms, and relaxed in comfortable chairs.

The Chicago lounge was nice, last time I was there 5 years ago, but it had just opened and had the new paint smell(figuratively). Compared to the lounge in the Montreal station for sleeper passengers or the one in Portland Ore. they are just about the same. Okay, Portland Ore. lounge looks out onto the track so it is alot better that way.

 

[colrip7]

Regarding Chicago lounge - I'm no expert, since I've only been in it once, but I really enjoyed it. We were warmly greeted, our bags cared for by the friendly redcap, helped ourselves to snacks and soft drinks, used the clean bathrooms, and relaxed in comfortable chairs.

The Chicago lounge was nice, last time I was there 5 years ago, but it had just opened and had the new paint smell(figuratively). Compared to the lounge in the Montreal station for sleeper passengers or the one in Portland Ore. they are just about the same. Okay, Portland Ore. lounge looks out onto the track so it is alot better that way.

We will be leaving from the Portland Oregon station, going to Chicago. I will have the opportunity to see both. I have been in the Portland station before, but just for dinner or a quick hop to Seattle.

thanks for the info on CUS.

 

[fizzball]

thanks to everone for your replies, sorry it opened an huge tin of worms!!! however, there is one other question i have forgotten to ask, we will be leaving our checked luggage in the Met longe while we go off for a few hours, now, i will also have a largeish tote bag that we will be taking to our roomette for overnight, if i leave that there as well, will we be able to get that back when we return to the Met lounge so we can have that with us, or will that have been whisked away with our large checked luggage when we leave it in the morning, thank's a million

Pretty sure this was addressed even if you didn't ask, but I can see where it might have been lost in the shuffle. Yes, you can temporarily check carryons at CUS's Met Lounge. It's one of the few, if not the only, Met Lounge with this service.

 

[Bob Dylan]

thanks to everone for your replies, sorry it opened an huge tin of worms!!! however, there is one other question i have forgotten to ask, we will be leaving our checked luggage in the Met longe while we go off for a few hours, now, i will also have a largeish tote bag that we will be taking to our roomette for overnight, if i leave that there as well, will we be able to get that back when we return to the Met lounge so we can have that with us, or will that have been whisked away with our large checked luggage when we leave it in the morning, thank's a million

Pretty sure this was addressed even if you didn't ask, but I can see where it might have been lost in the shuffle. Yes, you can temporarily check carryons at CUS's Met Lounge. It's one of the few, if not the only, Met Lounge with this service.

This raises a question since Ive never checked luggage in CUS(have used the baggage check for temp stuff in the lounge,our last trip we were too late on the EB to check luggage to NOL),can a pax check baggage in the Metro Lounge or does it have to go to the regular baggage check in the station where everyone checks their bags?

I ask because OP said "..or whisked away with our large checked luggage when we leave it in the morning.."???

 

[AlanB]

thanks to everone for your replies, sorry it opened an huge tin of worms!!! however, there is one other question i have forgotten to ask, we will be leaving our checked luggage in the Met longe while we go off for a few hours, now, i will also have a largeish tote bag that we will be taking to our roomette for overnight, if i leave that there as well, will we be able to get that back when we return to the Met lounge so we can have that with us, or will that have been whisked away with our large checked luggage when we leave it in the morning, thank's a million

Pretty sure this was addressed even if you didn't ask, but I can see where it might have been lost in the shuffle. Yes, you can temporarily check carryons at CUS's Met Lounge. It's one of the few, if not the only, Met Lounge with this service.

This raises a question since Ive never checked luggage in CUS(have used the baggage check for temp stuff in the lounge,our last trip we were too late on the EB to check luggage to NOL),can a pax check baggage in the Metro Lounge or does it have to go to the regular baggage check in the station where everyone checks their bags?

I ask because OP said "..or whisked away with our large checked luggage when we leave it in the morning.."???

Jim, I agree with you that there seems to be some confusion here. So let me try to make things clear Rosemary. If you want to check bags to go into the baggage car and then be returned to you upon arrival at your destination, you must do that at the checked baggage area to the right of the Amtrak ticket windows.

Any bags that you "check" with the red cap inside the Metropolitan lounge are day check only. If you don't pick them up before boarding, they will not be accompanying you on your trip. They will remain in Chicago and you will need to jump through hoops to get them back. This type of bag would include your tote and perhaps a small suitcase that contains a change of cloths and toiletries. You are also permitted to carryon your other bags, assuming that they meet the size dimensions, but you don't have to if you don't want to.

So bottom line is, bags that you'll need while onboard the train get left with the red cap in the Met Lounge and must be picked up before boarding. Bags that you won't need access to during your trip and don't want to carry onto the train, must be checked with the baggage department by the Amtrak ticket windows.

 

[rosemary kay]

thanks to everone for your replies, sorry it opened an huge tin of worms!!! however, there is one other question i have forgotten to ask, we will be leaving our checked luggage in the Met longe while we go off for a few hours, now, i will also have a largeish tote bag that we will be taking to our roomette for overnight, if i leave that there as well, will we be able to get that back when we return to the Met lounge so we can have that with us, or will that have been whisked away with our large checked luggage when we leave it in the morning, thank's a million

Pretty sure this was addressed even if you didn't ask, but I can see where it might have been lost in the shuffle. Yes, you can temporarily check carryons at CUS's Met Lounge. It's one of the few, if not the only, Met Lounge with this service.

thank's so much, fizzball, i'll go away and leave you all alone now, so, thank's everyone!!

 

[rosemary kay]

thanks to everone for your replies, sorry it opened an huge tin of worms!!! however, there is one other question i have forgotten to ask, we will be leaving our checked luggage in the Met longe while we go off for a few hours, now, i will also have a largeish tote bag that we will be taking to our roomette for overnight, if i leave that there as well, will we be able to get that back when we return to the Met lounge so we can have that with us, or will that have been whisked away with our large checked luggage when we leave it in the morning, thank's a million

Pretty sure this was addressed even if you didn't ask, but I can see where it might have been lost in the shuffle. Yes, you can temporarily check carryons at CUS's Met Lounge. It's one of the few, if not the only, Met Lounge with this service.

This raises a question since Ive never checked luggage in CUS(have used the baggage check for temp stuff in the lounge,our last trip we were too late on the EB to check luggage to NOL),can a pax check baggage in the Metro Lounge or does it have to go to the regular baggage check in the station where everyone checks their bags?

I ask because OP said "..or whisked away with our large checked luggage when we leave it in the morning.."???

Jim, I agree with you that there seems to be some confusion here. So let me try to make things clear Rosemary. If you want to check bags to go into the baggage car and then be returned to you upon arrival at your destination, you must do that at the checked baggage area to the right of the Amtrak ticket windows.

Any bags that you "check" with the red cap inside the Metropolitan lounge are day check only. If you don't pick them up before boarding, they will not be accompanying you on your trip. They will remain in Chicago and you will need to jump through hoops to get them back. This type of bag would include your tote and perhaps a small suitcase that contains a change of cloths and toiletries. You are also permitted to carryon your other bags, assuming that they meet the size dimensions, but you don't have to if you don't want to.

So bottom line is, bags that you'll need while onboard the train get left with the red cap in the Met Lounge and must be picked up before boarding. Bags that you won't need access to during your trip and don't want to carry onto the train, must be checked with the baggage department by the Amtrak ticket windows.

oh, goog job you told me this, so can we check our big baggage into the baggage departmen first thing in the morning then, t

 

[oldtimer]

Yes, your large luggage that you want to travel in the baggage car and not take into your room can be checked at the west end of the Amtrak ticket counter on the morning of your departure. Your carry on bags can be day checked in the Metropolitan Lounge. Just remember that the Metropolitan Lounge does not open until 8 am normally.

Enjoy your trip

 

[rosemary]

can't thank you all enough

 

[PaulM]

i supposed in Austria that your not told which train car to go to or which track to board and your not escorted out to your train. is it some one big free for all when the say all aboard you all run at once to the train.

There are no kangaroos in Austria.

 

[CYNTHI NORTH]

CAN I USE THE METROPOLITAN LOUNGE IN CHICAGO IF I TRAVEL BUSINESS CLASS? OR DOES IT ONLY ACCEPT SLEEPER CAR PASSENGERS?

 

[RRrich]

Only Sleeper Passengers, So Sorry :mellow:

 

[amtrakwolverine]

Unless you're select plus and have a coupon to get in.

 

[dlagrua]

I believe that Amtrak "select status" passengers are also permitted in the first class lounges. To achieve select status you must purchase $5.000 in Amtrak tickets yearly which is more than most travelers spend. I would say that these "select status" passengers are few and far between. You can also use AGR points to get admission tickets but I consider this a waste of AGR points in our case. We hardly ever travel LD without a sleeper.

 

[alanh]

You can use the lounges if:

1. You are arriving or departing on a same-day sleeper ticket.
   
2. You are arriving or departing on a same-day first class Acela ticket.
   
3. You're a Guest Rewards member with Select Plus status.
   
4. You have a day pass (from AGR points).
   
5. You have a membership in Continental Airline's Presidents Club.
   
6. You are arriving or departing on a same-day Continental Business First flight.
   
7. You have a private car that's being pulled by an Amtrak train.
   

Unlike the airline clubs, Amtrak doesn't seem to offer paid memberships or day passes.

 

[Cristobal]

I believe that Amtrak "select status" passengers are also permitted in the first class lounges. To achieve select status you must purchase $5.000 in Amtrak tickets yearly which is more than most travelers spend. I would say that these "select status" passengers are few and far between. You can also use AGR points to get admission tickets but I consider this a waste of AGR points in our case. We hardly ever travel LD without a sleeper.

Not true. $2500 maybe but it can been done for less with a little planing and access to some corridor trains.

It would be boring as hell but I could get 5000 rail points with 25 round-trips between GAC & SJC at $13.50 a pop for a grand total of $337.50.

 

[PRR 60]

...Unlike the airline clubs, Amtrak doesn't seem to offer paid memberships or day passes.

In essence they do offer a annual paid option by permitting Continental President's Club members unlimited access to all clubs. Of course, whether it is worth buying an annual CO PC membership for $475 just to enter the Amtrak clubs is questionable.