JasonVG
Train Attendant
In June I am going to take the Southwest Chief from CHI to LAX in a roomette. Since I have never been in the lounge in Chicago, how does it all work, what is it like, and how do you get boarded.
Thanks Alan this really helpsWhen you get to the station you walk into the lounge and show your ticket(s) to the agents sitting behind the desk. They'll give you a colored card with your train number on it, as well as the time you need to return to the lounge written on it. Should you decide to leave the lounge, when you return, you just flash that card to the agents behind the desk. Make sure that they see it, or they'll be all over you otherwise.
In the lounge you'll find a soda machine, coffee, and some snack. There is also a single computer terminal that you can use, as well as free WiFi if you have a way of connecting to that. There are nice clean bathrooms also within the lounge. There are a couple of TV screens, most often tuned to the news and overstuffed chairs to relax in. There is also a small room manned by a redcap where you can day check you carry-on's if you do want to wander around the city or head into the station for a bit of lunch, since you won't get lunch on the train.
When boarding time arrives, they'll make a couple of announcements and then take you out the back door of the lounge, by passing the coach waiting area entirely, and lead you directly to your train.
Jason,In June I am going to take the Southwest Chief from CHI to LAX in a roomette. Since I have never been in the lounge in Chicago, how does it all work, what is it like, and how do you get boarded.
I noticed that your SWC departure date from Chicago is 12 days before mine and with that it is very possible that you will have the same train set and service crew that I will. Being that there is a good chance that I just might wind up on the same sleeper car, please do me a favor and don't make a mess of your sleeper, drive your service attendant nuts :wacko: and leave me with a burned out grumpy attendant when it's my turn to depart! :unsure: :lol:I like to add that I will be arriving into Chicago on 371 from Grand Rapids. This is also my first long distance Amtrak Trip alone (I am only 17).
No problem, I'll behaveI noticed that your SWC departure date from Chicago is 12 days before mine and with that it is very possible that you will have the same train set and service crew that I will. Being that there is a good chance that I just might wind up on the same sleeper car, please do me a favor and don't make a mess of your sleeper, drive your service attendant nuts :wacko: and leave me with a burned out grumpy attendant when it's my turn to depart! :unsure: :lol:I like to add that I will be arriving into Chicago on 371 from Grand Rapids. This is also my first long distance Amtrak Trip alone (I am only 17).
Right answer! Now I won't have to call Amtrak and warn them about you!No problem, I'll behaveI noticed that your SWC departure date from Chicago is 12 days before mine and with that it is very possible that you will have the same train set and service crew that I will. Being that there is a good chance that I just might wind up on the same sleeper car, please do me a favor and don't make a mess of your sleeper, drive your service attendant nuts :wacko: and leave me with a burned out grumpy attendant when it's my turn to depart! :unsure: :lol:I like to add that I will be arriving into Chicago on 371 from Grand Rapids. This is also my first long distance Amtrak Trip alone (I am only 17).
I won't! :lol:No problem, I'll behaveI noticed that your SWC departure date from Chicago is 12 days before mine and with that it is very possible that you will have the same train set and service crew that I will. Being that there is a good chance that I just might wind up on the same sleeper car, please do me a favor and don't make a mess of your sleeper, drive your service attendant nuts :wacko: and leave me with a burned out grumpy attendant when it's my turn to depart! :unsure: :lol:I like to add that I will be arriving into Chicago on 371 from Grand Rapids. This is also my first long distance Amtrak Trip alone (I am only 17).
I have only been on that train once (last summer) but there were a ton of Boy Scouts riding from Chicago to Raton. So you will have a lot of boys that may be about the same age as you. Hope you have a great time!I like to add that I will be arriving into Chicago on 371 from Grand Rapids. This is also my first long distance Amtrak Trip alone (I am only 17).
I don't think you can use the lounge then. But you could ask, and they may say yes!I know you can use the lounge with a sleeper ticket either arriving or leaving. What if you are leaving on coach but are switching to a sleeper during the trip somewhere?
I think I've heard others say that if you have a sleeper for part of the trip during that same day, no matter where it is in the itinerary, you can use the lounge.I don't think you can use the lounge then. But you could ask, and they may say yes!I know you can use the lounge with a sleeper ticket either arriving or leaving. What if you are leaving on coach but are switching to a sleeper during the trip somewhere?
Now that I think about it, you're right! I mis-interpreted the question as if say leaving out of CHI on the TE in coach for the CHI-DAL segment, and then switching to a sleeper for DAL-ELP.I think I've heard others say that if you have a sleeper for part of the trip during that same day, no matter where it is in the itinerary, you can use the lounge.I don't think you can use the lounge then. But you could ask, and they may say yes!I know you can use the lounge with a sleeper ticket either arriving or leaving. What if you are leaving on coach but are switching to a sleeper during the trip somewhere?
AlanB will know.
Well I think that we need to be clear just what you mean by switching Rile42. I'm not sure what would happen if for example you were departing NY on the Silver Star in coach, but switching to a sleeper when the train reached Richmond. In theory you should still be entitled to use the lounge in that case, but I'm not sure just how receptive the agent might be to such a scenario and I've never heard of someone doing that.I think I've heard others say that if you have a sleeper for part of the trip during that same day, no matter where it is in the itinerary, you can use the lounge.I don't think you can use the lounge then. But you could ask, and they may say yes!I know you can use the lounge with a sleeper ticket either arriving or leaving. What if you are leaving on coach but are switching to a sleeper during the trip somewhere?
AlanB will know.
Stations with lounges have many more trains per day than LA does. There are close to 60 trains a day in and out of Chicago. Granted, they aren't all LD trains with sleeper service which would qualify folks for lounge use, but many come in on a non-sleeper train and transfer to a LD train. LA has 4 LD trains a day and one three days a week.When is Los Angeles going to get a lounge like this? You would think they would be on top of something like this.
LA still has many more trains per day than say Portland, or even Miami which only sees two departures per day. So I'd say that LA is definately qualified to have a lounge. The problem is space find space for a lounge, especially in a station that Amtrak doesn't own. It would probably also mean a higher rent for Amtrak.Stations with lounges have many more trains per day than LA does. There are close to 60 trains a day in and out of Chicago. Granted, they aren't all LD trains with sleeper service which would qualify folks for lounge use, but many come in on a non-sleeper train and transfer to a LD train. LA has 4 LD trains a day and one three days a week.When is Los Angeles going to get a lounge like this? You would think they would be on top of something like this.
Just my thoughts on the subject.
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