It wasn't awful, but it almost was. They require paper tickets for all legs of the trip with a thruway bus. First I almost didn't receive them because they're delivered to the home, requiring a signature; I lucked out making it home from work in time on the third delivery try. Then I almost couldn't find the return tickets while in New Orleans (fortunately they turned up in time). No one with Amtrak could replace the tickets, even for the train portion. You don't get an E-ticket, period.
The wait time at STL and CDL stations was also an issue. I actually departed from Alton and transferred, so this was a major wait. The van trip itself was so-so. Freezing air blew on me throughout the return due to a broken ceiling vent, and the driver had the A/C cranked.
Overall, if not for the lack of e-tickets I'd do it again.