Sleeping Car Attendant Hall of Fame?

[Blackshirt Husker]

We all know that there are more than a few mediocre ones (California Zephyr crew, listening?), but what of that rare breed-- the Sleeping Car Attendant that goes out of his/her way to make your trip enjoyable? Anyone have an SCA so good that they actually called Customer Relations to compliment the service and job performance?

My nominations:

Bobby from the Southwest Chief--good guy, friendly, very attentive. Encouraged passengers to go socialize instead of just bunkering down in the rooms--that was surprisingly appreciated and effective.

Stan from the Empire Builder--very good conversationalist, great attention to detail, patient and friendly with challenging kid travelers.

Honorable Mention:

Anonymous Dining Car Attendant and Snack Car Guy (Empire Builder, Train 7 out of Chicago): Same crew as Stan, but these guys were the best at making PA announcements of any LD train I've been on. The Dining Car guy sounded like he had a background in radio--very professional, reassuring, and pleasant. The Snack Car attendant cracked jokes over the PA and made the lounge car actually sound somewhat inviting (not easy to do when the best food you'll find there is a Sbarro Meatball sub for 6 bucks).

Anyone else have good experiences they'd like to share?

 

[OlympianHiawatha]

Stephanie on the PDX section of the Empire Builder is GREAT! When I travel on 28 last summer, she was just as enthusiastic when we arrived Chicago as when we departed Portland, taking time to regularly check in on everyone, make good update announcements and keep the car in shape. We had a few children in the car and she gave them crayons and blank paper so they could draw pictures which she displayed by the coffee station.

 

[Devil's Advocate]

I'll nominate an SCA named Ross on the Texas Eagle. Always around when you wanted something but never bothering you when you didn't. Equally receptive to guests who wanted to chat or be left alone. He did a good job of anticipating our needs and making sure they were met in a timely and professional manner. I'm not normally enthusiastic about the SCA's on my local routes but this guy was a real class act who deserves plenty of kudos. I really need to make a short call and write a quick letter to Amtrak about this guy when I get back home.

 

[NorthCoastHiawatha]

I would nominate, his name is either Rob or Bob, I can't recall exactly. But he is an older African American gentleman who has been with Amtrak since I believe he said 1973. I had him has an SCA on the Cali Zephyr and I again saw him filling in as coach attendant on the MSP coach on the eastbound builder last summer. He is simply the best SCA I have ever seen. I had time to chat with him for awhile and he told stories from the 70s and his opinion of the old steam heaters (including chilly ride across North Dakota)

 

[jim hudson]

:hi: Jim from the Texas Eagle is as good a SCA as Ive ever seen, also from the Sunset Id say two old timers named ken and Brian were in the same catagory, HOF material! Not to ovewrlook females, Sharon on the SWC was Outstanding the two times I was in her car from CHI-LAX!

Many good ones, and the OBS on the Starlight and Empire Builder have been first rate, have to say the Zephyr crews were not up to this level the three times Ive ridden it! The Crescent has been a pleasant experience in the Sleeping Cars but the diner crews out of New York were less than memorable! Ive sent kudoos to CR about the good and the great as well as complaints about the lazy, rude and invisible OBS!!

 

[Misty.]

Only had the one SCA so far, but I'll agree with Jim from the Texas Eagle. While I had no special instructions for him on my Eagle to Chicago last May, what impressed me is that I caught sight of him again during the BNL stop during The Gathering and he remembered me. Not by name, I wouldn't be surprised, but well enough to thank me for riding again.

 

[MrFSS]

Stephanie on the PDX section of the Empire Builder is GREAT! When I travel on 28 last summer, she was just as enthusiastic when we arrived Chicago as when we departed Portland, taking time to regularly check in on everyone, make good update announcements and keep the car in shape. We had a few children in the car and she gave them crayons and blank paper so they could draw pictures which she displayed by the coffee station.

I, also, had Stephanie on #28 in May. She was absolutely the best sleeping car attendant I have ever seen.

 

[Pastor Dave]

We travelled Silver Service frequently in from the mid 90's through the mid 00's. We often had a SCA named Vic who was very competent and friendly. He always did a good job at making our trips special.

 

[Hanno]

I would recommend Victor Kral who served us on the SWC in June of 2009. He provided the best service we ever had. I mentioned before on AUF that we arrived late in CHI on the CL and had only minutes to get to the SWC. When we got to our bedroom he had juice chilling in ice in the sink. This is just an example of the service he provided through out the trip.

 

[NETrainfan]

Sean on the Southwest Chief was one of the best ever. Especially impressed by his care of the disabled on our trip. There were several older people with canes and Sean took very good care of them. Plus his sense of humor is heartening.

 

[abcnews]

I think it was Richard on the California Zephyr - I know that his home is actually in Vermont - he has glasses, maybe blond hair (I think), about 3 years from retiring with 30 years of service. He was very nice and I'm thinking we had him years ago on the Twilight Shoreliner. He did work that train at that time.

*Also we heard about Stephanie on the EB. She was on the next day's EB, so we missed her, but a friend of ours whom we met up with in Chicago, said that he gave her the biggest tip he had ever given. He was raving about her. I'm not certain of the name though - I will try to find out.

 

[dlagrua]

Darrell the SCA on the Capitol Limted is an excellent man. Friendly and always willing to help out. We've always had good SCA's on the AT but I don't remember their names. We've also had one one SCA stinker on the A/T route but I don't remember his name too. That guy could care less. The AT dining car crew have also been very good.

 

[Pastor Dave]

I'm very surprised that you had a poor SCA on the AT. We'll be taking the AT for the 6th time in February and on each of our previous trips our SCA has been as close to perfect as you can be. I would think that any SCA would love the AT since it has one place of departure and one place of arrival - no need to open the door and be friendly somewhere in the middle of the night.

But, then again, maybe it was one of those who worked their way up to a desirable route only to lose their enthusiasm for service despite being on a such a great train.

 

[lthanlon]

I would recommend Victor Kral who served us on the SWC...

Victor was absolutely fantastic on my SWC trip last year. In addition to stellar, attentive service, he also provided excellent commentary about trackside scenery and towns.

 

[rtabern]

Stephanie on the PDX section of the Empire Builder is GREAT! When I travel on 28 last summer, she was just as enthusiastic when we arrived Chicago as when we departed Portland, taking time to regularly check in on everyone, make good update announcements and keep the car in shape. We had a few children in the car and she gave them crayons and blank paper so they could draw pictures which she displayed by the coffee station.

Agreed... she is really nice... ran in to her several times when I was part of Trails & Rails the last couple of years. She worked the CHI-MSP/MSP-CHI 807/808 coach car for a summer or two and then got the PDX sleeping car job.

 

[lthanlon]

Last month on the westbound Empire Builder, Bonnie was an excellent SCA. On my eastbound return trip, Chris was similarly superb. Both dealt with a variety of challenging situations with courtesy and grace.

 

[D T Nelson]

Gul on the Empire Builder. The best ever. Excellent; miles ahead of the merely good SCAs.

 

[yarrow]

paul on the portland sleeper of the eb

 

[LA Resident]

We all know that there are more than a few mediocre ones (California Zephyr crew, listening?), but what of that rare breed-- the Sleeping Car Attendant that goes out of his/her way to make your trip enjoyable? Anyone have an SCA so good that they actually called Customer Relations to compliment the service and job performance?

My nominations:

Bobby from the Southwest Chief--good guy, friendly, very attentive. Encouraged passengers to go socialize instead of just bunkering down in the rooms--that was surprisingly appreciated and effective.

Stan from the Empire Builder--very good conversationalist, great attention to detail, patient and friendly with challenging kid travelers.

Honorable Mention:

Anonymous Dining Car Attendant and Snack Car Guy (Empire Builder, Train 7 out of Chicago): Same crew as Stan, but these guys were the best at making PA announcements of any LD train I've been on. The Dining Car guy sounded like he had a background in radio--very professional, reassuring, and pleasant. The Snack Car attendant cracked jokes over the PA and made the lounge car actually sound somewhat inviting (not easy to do when the best food you'll find there is a Sbarro Meatball sub for 6 bucks).

Anyone else have good experiences they'd like to share?

George on the Coast Starlight (he's originally from Argentina). Terrific service without being overbearing. Keeps everything clean, responds promptly to requests, offers meal and sightseeing suggestions, and helps out other SCAs in an effort to keep the entire train happy.

 

[fredevad]

I too have only had one SCA, but I would still recommend O.C. Smith. His usual route is the EB, but was on the Texas Eagle round trip the last week of October 2010. I over tipped him on the CHI-SAS leg.

 

[Cho Cho Charlie]

On the Silvers, SCA named Josef and an LSA named Marsha. Both, I believe, have retired or otherwise left Amtrak.

 

[rrdude]

Wish AU had an "Amtrak Employee of the Year" awards committee, where have I heard that B4????

 

[TN Tin Man]

I will add a second for Bonnie on the Seattle section of the EB. Travelled last Super Bowl Sunday, I had the duct tape, she insured every room was as cool or hot as the occupant desired. Kinda odd though everyone from our car was at wine tasting, so we cleaned up on trivia. (We were already the party car that trip).

Hats off Bonnie!

 

[ALC Rail Writer]

Um... Gul, anyone? He can't be beat. All around the EB crews tend to be some of the best-- Though my all time favorite is Lou.

 

[NJ_girl]

Had stellar service on the Silver Service last year from Kirk (or Capt. Kirk as he joked with us) Wouldn't even let me get my own coffee or juice.