glomor
Train Attendant
I posted some of this in another thread, but I would like to get some feedback from others about my experience on the Pere Marquette today. I spent 3 hours in the overcrowded Metro Lounge having arrived on the Southwest Chief 1/2 hour early. Although I had a 3 hour layover, I almost missed my connection due to some sort of mixup! When I checked in at 3 I was told they would "take me to my train at 6:00 pm." The Pere Marquette was scheduled to leave at 6:30.
At 6:10 I had not heard anything and I was concerned. I had upgraded to "Business Class" for priority boarding and felt that, unless the train had been delayed it should have been called. I inquired at the desk and I was told they were "waiting for a boarding call."
Finally at 6:20 they announced the train. She took me and 2 others outside the lounge doors, pointed and said "Go to Gate F." There was no one at Gate F, someone else said "Gate D!" There was no one there either! All the passengers had already boarded! Remember the reason I opted for Business Class was priority boarding!
I was beginning to panic, went through the unstaffed and closed gate and hollered "Where is train 370!?" Suddenly staff appeared and scolded me for going through the gate! I told them "I can't afford to miss this train!" I was pointed in the direction of the track and was told to board on the left side of the train, but then after crossing over, noticed everyone else had boarded on the right!
I was exhausted and stressed from running to the train, dragging my large suitcase! I'm also a senior passenger so this was a physical ordeal in addition to psychological. And I was never offered redcap service! I'm now sitting in an almost empty coach in a leather seat with a newspaper and a bottle of water! Is that worth the extra cost? I don't think so! ! What a fiasco!
I would like to hear from other business class passengers on the Pere Marquette, Train 370 from Chicago to Grand Rapids, Mi. I would like to know if this is a typical situation, what I could have done differently, to ensure trouble-free boarding. Judging from the lack of passengers in this coach I am wondering if it is just not a priority for Amtrak to accommodate the business class for this route. Personally I think they just plain forgot about us!
I hated to end my vacation on a sour note. The trip across country on the Southwest Chief was a delight! Maybe I will write more about that later.
At 6:10 I had not heard anything and I was concerned. I had upgraded to "Business Class" for priority boarding and felt that, unless the train had been delayed it should have been called. I inquired at the desk and I was told they were "waiting for a boarding call."
Finally at 6:20 they announced the train. She took me and 2 others outside the lounge doors, pointed and said "Go to Gate F." There was no one at Gate F, someone else said "Gate D!" There was no one there either! All the passengers had already boarded! Remember the reason I opted for Business Class was priority boarding!
I was beginning to panic, went through the unstaffed and closed gate and hollered "Where is train 370!?" Suddenly staff appeared and scolded me for going through the gate! I told them "I can't afford to miss this train!" I was pointed in the direction of the track and was told to board on the left side of the train, but then after crossing over, noticed everyone else had boarded on the right!
I was exhausted and stressed from running to the train, dragging my large suitcase! I'm also a senior passenger so this was a physical ordeal in addition to psychological. And I was never offered redcap service! I'm now sitting in an almost empty coach in a leather seat with a newspaper and a bottle of water! Is that worth the extra cost? I don't think so! ! What a fiasco!
I would like to hear from other business class passengers on the Pere Marquette, Train 370 from Chicago to Grand Rapids, Mi. I would like to know if this is a typical situation, what I could have done differently, to ensure trouble-free boarding. Judging from the lack of passengers in this coach I am wondering if it is just not a priority for Amtrak to accommodate the business class for this route. Personally I think they just plain forgot about us!
I hated to end my vacation on a sour note. The trip across country on the Southwest Chief was a delight! Maybe I will write more about that later.