Newbie questions on Coast Starlight dining and room selection

[Devil's Advocate]

A good LSA will sandbag some of the prime reservation times so they are available for folks in the last car he or she goes through, and maybe even for the Coaches.

I too have noticed that LSA's often shuffle available seating times around depending on the room and car, sometimes in my favor and sometimes against it.  When I don't hear a time I like I will often ask for another and sometimes get it.  If I don't (possibly because it's actually full) my plan B is to ask the SCA to bring it to my room.  They're usually pretty flexible on timing.