offroad437
Service Attendant
- Joined
- Jul 14, 2014
- Messages
- 131
So we are taking the crescent and I see it shows a long stop in was, is there anything close food wise or will we not have time.
There's plenty of food options in the station. There is a food court downstairs in addition to the food places on the street level.So we are taking the crescent and I see it shows a long stop in was, is there anything close food wise or will we not have time.
Find out from the car attendant how long the stop will be. They have to switch engines on the LD trains which takes time. I ran in for an early lunch (no lines) when I took the Cardinal from WIL to CHI.Is it wise to leave the platform, even during a long stop? I know DC Union Station well, but I still wouldn't feel comfortable with the possibility of being left behind.
I've never ridden the Crescent but on the Silver trains, and Regionals, the cafe car closes at Alexandria and reopens after DC departure. On the Regionals the cafe car gets crowded after leaving DC NorthboundThanks we are going north so we will just get a snack on the train. Thanks for the info.
On the Southbound Crescent, the cafe/lounge car closes before arriving at Washington and does not open again until at Alexandria. A long line formed waiting for the already present SA to begin service.I've never ridden the Crescent but on the Silver trains, and Regionals, the cafe car closes at Alexandria and reopens after DC departure. On the Regionals the cafe car gets crowded after leaving DC NorthboundThanks we are going north so we will just get a snack on the train. Thanks for the info.
It is not only an opportunity for us to take a break from our up to 18 hour day, but in the case of the Crescent, WAS is the last commissary that we can restock food from if need be. (Which keep in mind, also cuts in to our break.)On the Southbound Crescent, the cafe/lounge car closes before arriving at Washington and does not open again until at Alexandria. A long line formed waiting for the already present SA to begin service.I've never ridden the Crescent but on the Silver trains, and Regionals, the cafe car closes at Alexandria and reopens after DC departure. On the Regionals the cafe car gets crowded after leaving DC NorthboundThanks we are going north so we will just get a snack on the train. Thanks for the info.
I understand why the car closes during the Washington stop, no electricity for awhile, but once the power has been restored, why does the service not begin soon thereafter?
It is my observation after recent trips of the Crescent, Sunset Limited, and Southwest Chief that Amtrak looses potential sales when the Cafe/Lounge car closes at times when there appears to be decent demand. I know that the personnel need a break from time to time, but I think these could be more appropriately scheduled to maximize sales in the Cafe/Lounge car.
That would seem to violate the "Open and Ready" requirement for food service in the Service Standards manual which states:...
As a side note, it generally has more to do with the conductors requiring us to stay shut down while they are lifting tickets, to make sure no one gets missed.
9. Hours of Service Café/Lounge Cars
a) Open and Ready
- The collection of tickets is not a reason to delay the opening of any Food Service Car.
- Announcements that advise customers to wait until all tickets have been collected before visiting Food Service Cars are prohibited.
That's certainly correct. But I can have myself brought up on charges if I disobey a conductor, whether or not I feel what they say is right.That would seem to violate the "Open and Ready" requirement for food service in the Service Standards manual which states:...
As a side note, it generally has more to do with the conductors requiring us to stay shut down while they are lifting tickets, to make sure no one gets missed.9. Hours of Service Café/Lounge Cars
a) Open and Ready
- The collection of tickets is not a reason to delay the opening of any Food Service Car.
- Announcements that advise customers to wait until all tickets have been collected before visiting Food Service Cars are prohibited.
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