Steve P.
Train Attendant
As a superliner roomette customer, I am wondering if tipping is allowed and/or expected?
As a superliner roomette customer, I am wondering if tipping is allowed and/or expected?
Thank you. That helps out tremendously.As a superliner roomette customer, I am wondering if tipping is allowed and/or expected?
This is a popular topic on the board. Yes, it is allowed, and somewhat expected. I think you'll find the average, is $5-$10/night on board to the Sleeping Car Attendant for reasonable service, a buck or so when buying drinks in the lounge (If I'm having several, I tip a buck every other drink usually), and tip the same in the diner as you would at any dining establishment, typically 15%-20% of the total cost of the meal (what you WOULD have paid, had the cost of the meal not been included in your sleeper). If you use a redcap in a station, they too earn tips, again depending on the service they provide, usually between $3-$7 or so.
No problem. By the way, I sent you a welcome PM. Welcome to AU!Thank you. That helps out tremendously.As a superliner roomette customer, I am wondering if tipping is allowed and/or expected?
This is a popular topic on the board. Yes, it is allowed, and somewhat expected. I think you'll find the average, is $5-$10/night on board to the Sleeping Car Attendant for reasonable service, a buck or so when buying drinks in the lounge (If I'm having several, I tip a buck every other drink usually), and tip the same in the diner as you would at any dining establishment, typically 15%-20% of the total cost of the meal (what you WOULD have paid, had the cost of the meal not been included in your sleeper). If you use a redcap in a station, they too earn tips, again depending on the service they provide, usually between $3-$7 or so.
Some people do, some people don't.
If they think you are a good mark they might encourage you.
Amtrak pays a living wage with good benefits so you are not screwing anyone by not tipping.
Thanks for the welcome. I'm assuming a 'welcome PM' is a 'welcome Personal message' . If so I'm not sure where to find the personal messages.No problem. By the way, I sent you a welcome PM. Welcome to AU!Thank you. That helps out tremendously.As a superliner roomette customer, I am wondering if tipping is allowed and/or expected?
This is a popular topic on the board. Yes, it is allowed, and somewhat expected. I think you'll find the average, is $5-$10/night on board to the Sleeping Car Attendant for reasonable service, a buck or so when buying drinks in the lounge (If I'm having several, I tip a buck every other drink usually), and tip the same in the diner as you would at any dining establishment, typically 15%-20% of the total cost of the meal (what you WOULD have paid, had the cost of the meal not been included in your sleeper). If you use a redcap in a station, they too earn tips, again depending on the service they provide, usually between $3-$7 or so.
Would that that were still true. After many years with Amtrak, I will probably be leaving soon, partly because I don't have enough seniority to hold a "tipped" job (sleeper or diner), and my net average check working coach 50 plus hours per week is less than the national minimum wage. I guess if I lived in Nebraska or something the cost of living would be less, but there is no OBS crew base any place that I can afford to live. ANYwhere.Some people do, some people don't.
If they think you are a good mark they might encourage you.
Amtrak pays a living wage with good benefits so you are not screwing anyone by not tipping.
Top right corner of any page, click the arrow next to your username, select "messenger (x new)," where x is the number of unread messages in your inbox.No problem. By the way, I sent you a welcome PM. Welcome to AU!Thank you. That helps out tremendously.As a superliner roomette customer, I am wondering if tipping is allowed and/or expected?
This is a popular topic on the board. Yes, it is allowed, and somewhat expected. I think you'll find the average, is $5-$10/night on board to the Sleeping Car Attendant for reasonable service, a buck or so when buying drinks in the lounge (If I'm having several, I tip a buck every other drink usually), and tip the same in the diner as you would at any dining establishment, typically 15%-20% of the total cost of the meal (what you WOULD have paid, had the cost of the meal not been included in your sleeper). If you use a redcap in a station, they too earn tips, again depending on the service they provide, usually between $3-$7 or so.
Thanks for the welcome. I'm assuming a 'welcome PM' is a 'welcome Personal message' . If so I'm not sure where to find the personal messages.
Of course they pay enough money for the attendants to live, but I think you should still give $5/night. Just what people are "supposed" to do in a Sleeper.Some people do, some people don't.
If they think you are a good mark they might encourage you.
Amtrak pays a living wage with good benefits so you are not screwing anyone by not tipping.
I'm certainly glad to hear that Amtrak pays a living wage! Thanks for the info.
On Amtrak's website and there is a train attendant position listed right now with a starting salary of $17.48/hr (and then benefits on top of that). I would say that is good pay for customer service work that requires little skill.Would that that were still true. After many years with Amtrak, I will probably be leaving soon, partly because I don't have enough seniority to hold a "tipped" job (sleeper or diner), and my net average check working coach 50 plus hours per week is less than the national minimum wage. I guess if I lived in Nebraska or something the cost of living would be less, but there is no OBS crew base any place that I can afford to live. ANYwhere.Some people do, some people don't.
If they think you are a good mark they might encourage you.
Amtrak pays a living wage with good benefits so you are not screwing anyone by not tipping.
Also remember that the "good rate" includes only the hours that you're "on the clock". The clock does not start until passengers board (I think), and ends when the train. Hits the bu more at the end off the run. It doesn't matter if the car is not cleaned - or for a sleeper all the beds are made! You're off the clock, but it must be done. And you may be away from home for a week or more!Guest said:1336611729[/url]' post='366478']On Amtrak's website and there is a train attendant position listed right now with a starting salary of $17.48/hr (and then benefits on top of that). I would say that is good pay for customer service work that requires little skill.guest said:1336587104[/url]' post='366372']Would that that were still true. After many years with Amtrak, I will probably be leaving soon, partly because I don't have enough seniority to hold a "tipped" job (sleeper or diner), and my net average check working coach 50 plus hours per week is less than the national minimum wage. I guess if I lived in Nebraska or something the cost of living would be less, but there is no OBS crew base any place that I can afford to live. ANYwhere.Guest said:1336578372[/url]' post='366317']Some people do, some people don't.
If they think you are a good mark they might encourage you.
Amtrak pays a living wage with good benefits so you are not screwing anyone by not tipping.
It's certainly a decent wage. Let's say that every week they do a full roundtrip on the Zephyr, and they do that 50 weeks a year. That's 102 hours a week on the train (assuming from the time the passengers get on until they get off) at $17.48/hr, which equals $1782.96 each week, or $89,148 a year (with two weeks off). Even if they have to clock out for eight hours a day (and there's two nights each way), that's still 70 hours a week, $1223.60 a week, or $61,180 a year (with two weeks off). That seems like a decent salary, even considering that they're away from home much of the time.Also remember that the "good rate" includes only the hours that you're "on the clock". The clock does not start until passengers board (I think), and ends when the train. Hits the bu more at the end off the run. It doesn't matter if the car is not cleaned - or for a sleeper all the beds are made! You're off the clock, but it must be done. And you may be away from home for a week or more!On Amtrak's website and there is a train attendant position listed right now with a starting salary of $17.48/hr (and then benefits on top of that). I would say that is good pay for customer service work that requires little skill.Would that that were still true. After many years with Amtrak, I will probably be leaving soon, partly because I don't have enough seniority to hold a "tipped" job (sleeper or diner), and my net average check working coach 50 plus hours per week is less than the national minimum wage. I guess if I lived in Nebraska or something the cost of living would be less, but there is no OBS crew base any place that I can afford to live. ANYwhere.Some people do, some people don't.
If they think you are a good mark they might encourage you.
Amtrak pays a living wage with good benefits so you are not screwing anyone by not tipping.
Most servers at a restaurant work 8 hours or so - and go home to their own beds. On a train, the server starts before 6 AM and works until like 9 or 10 PM - gets some sleep and does it all over at 6 AM! And may be away a week or more!
So that still is a "reasonable wage"?
Fair enough. I did not realize that (I expected it was much like other service jobs where you work most days of the week.) So yeah, $44,500ish a year is definitely a much lower wage. Still, that's not bad for starting pay in a non-terribly-skilled position (and I don't believe it requires a college degree). Not great, but definitely better than trying to scrape by on minimum wage.Keep in mind that your CZ example should reflect the working calendar that the OBSC uses. Zephyr crews generally work 6 days on, 8 days off. So your figures are definitely too high.
Amtrak OBS employees are exempt from federal overtime laws. The negotiated overtime rate (time and a half) is paid only after working 185 hours in a calendar month. And if you are on the extra list Amtrak can remove you from the list, for the month, one you have reached the magic 185 hour mark if they so wish.Fair enough. I did not realize that (I expected it was much like other service jobs where you work most days of the week.) So yeah, $44,500ish a year is definitely a much lower wage. Still, that's not bad for starting pay in a non-terribly-skilled position (and I don't believe it requires a college degree). Not great, but definitely better than trying to scrape by on minimum wage.Keep in mind that your CZ example should reflect the working calendar that the OBSC uses. Zephyr crews generally work 6 days on, 8 days off. So your figures are definitely too high.
Also, normally a person who works more than 40 hours a week gets overtime pay of time and a half (I think that's federal law, though it may also be 48 hours). If so, that's another $10,000 or so they're making (since half of their time would be at time and a half pay.)
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