Journey not Destination, on 20 Jul 2012 - 11:16 AM, said:
Being a new employee training on 4 of the long distance lines, I want to add a point of which I have become (painfully) aware. The Lake Shore Limited -- while only an overnighter one-way -- requires the same amount of work from a sleeper attendant but in a much shortened period of time. For example, we we roll into Boston we have to ensure that all of the beds are made for the return trip the next morning before we can leave the car. We have already make the beds before we boarded our guests in Chicago.
As folks detrain on the return trip, we make the beds in the middle of the night, but want to ensure there is little disturbance to the passengers in the adjoining cars. If we have passengers boarding and detraining throughout the night, there is little time for necessary rest and frankly, by the time we roll into South Bend some of my muscles are giving way due to the heft of the upper bunks.
When I worked on the longer distance trains, i.e. the Texas Eagle, people would often keep the same room for the entire trip. In some ways it was easier physically, as the beds are freshly made but the sheets are not necessarily changed. The position of service attendant in the sleeper is not easy, and the very best work hard to ensure that you, our Amtrak guests, are valued. When the tasks are done, the best attendants' skills of finesse, insight, and anticipation of our guests' needs jump to the forefront. The hidden skills of constant vigilance to passengers' safety are not seen but are as important as attending to customers' comfort preferences. The whole package that comprises a great service attendant makes this one honorable and responsible position. We glady do so, and monetary appreciation surely will help over the years to avoid becoming jaded and cynical.