In my many years of traveling on Amtrak, Ive found LD Trains to be a great Lab for observing human nature! Ive discussed tipping, service, fares , OTP, attitudes of employess and pax etc. with people from all walks of life and from everywhere!
While my observations are antedoctal and personal, I have observed and been told of every variation of human behaviour that is known to exist! When it comes to tipping, Ive seen people leave $50 tips in nthe Diner (rare), Leave $3-$5, about average,and Leave nothing! Quite a few people Ive talked with have commented that Amtrak employees get paid "alot, why tip them?" :help: Others have said things like "Im paying thousands of dollars for my fare and meals, why should I tip, it's all included!" <_< Comments in this vein seem to have come mostly from older, well off pax and from youngsters that might not have the funds or know about tipping!. Lots of middle aged people have even told me that they didnt know you were expected to tip, which sounds about right for the average traveler who doesnt get out much!
I totally agree with the comments about some people trying to swipe tips left in the Diner by others, so I too make sure the server and the SCA get the tip I leave! Stealing by any other name is just that! :angry2:
One of my favorite stories in regards to tipping came on the Sunset Ltd. where an old timer, named Ken, told me that back in the day a $20 tip was a Godsend (thats back in the days of the Coast to Coast Sunset) and that today most people leave $5, which is about 50 cents in todays money! He also told me that now days fewer people tip in the Sleepers than used to back when there were more regular Train travelers!
We wont go into the OBS from Hell Stories that deserve nothing,(except termination!) ie Miss Polly on the Eagles /the Invisible SCA on lots of LD Trains etc. etc. :angry2: