Due to a variety of reasons (late departure of 2 from LAX, police activity in Tucson, disabled freight), the Texas Eagle arrived over 7 hours late in Chicago on 11/4. Apparently quite a few passengers missed their connections.
In my opinion, Amtrak handled the situation in a professional and efficient manner. After the new crew boarded in STL, the conductor announced that he would be meeting passengers in the dining car to discuss their missed connections. He stated that he would call each group of passengers by their connecting train numbers, calling the earliest first.
After the Hiawatha trains were called and the Michigan trains were called, train 30 was called. I was with 2 others who were also connecting to the Capitol Limited. The conductor checked our names off. Those passengers who were able to get to their destination by taking the Lakeshore Limited (48) were moved to that train.
The 2 of us that were going all the way to Florida were told that we would be put up overnight in Chicago and would be on the next day's 30 with the same accommodations. I was able to get the same accommodation on 97. However, the accommodation was not available on 97 for the other individual and he was placed on 91. We were told to go to Passenger Services in Chicago to receive our hotel, taxi and food vouchers after we arrive.
Shortly thereafter, we received an email from Amtrak with our new e-tickets.
The group of us were sitting in the lounge for a while after that meeting and the conductor came by and told us that we would pick up our tickets at the next station, which he did. We had new printed tickets in hand before our arrival in Chicago.
Because I had heard "horror" stories about passenger services in Chicago (long lines, inefficient and clueless agents), I wanted to be among the first in line. Because our sleeper car was on the rear of the train, it would be a long walk. Somehow, I managed to be first off my car and was able to "run" to passenger services. It helped that I knew where I was going and I travel fairly light. I was amazed when I arrived at passenger services. I was the first one there and there were about 4 agents waiting for us. The paperwork had already been prepared and after providing my name and showing my ticket, I was given a packet of papers (hotel voucher, cab vouchers to and from station, food voucher for station food). The agent informed me of the color of the cab I was to take and where to find the cabs.
I was finished before my friend (who was being transported by a red cap) arrived. I asked the agent if I could get his paperwork (since he suffers from a disability and was delayed by waiting for a red cap). The agent asked his name and train numbers and was able to provide me with his paperwork also. After a few minutes, my friend arrived via red cap cart and we were off to find our cab to the Swissotel Hotel. We were the first of at least 5 arriving at the hotel. It is a lovely hotel and I have a great view outside my window.
We arrived in Chicago so late that the Lake Shore Limited was already boarding (a few tracks away). The conductor announced which track and there was a sign in the station with a large "48" indicating which direction those connecting passengers should proceed.
I am not sure what Amtrak could have done better in my situation (except possibly providing dinner in the diner on the second day since we boarded so late in Dallas that we missed dinner). Sleeper passengers were provided sandwiches from the cafe car around 4pm for "dinner." I was not happy about the missed connection, but I think they did all they could.
In my opinion, Amtrak handled the situation in a professional and efficient manner. After the new crew boarded in STL, the conductor announced that he would be meeting passengers in the dining car to discuss their missed connections. He stated that he would call each group of passengers by their connecting train numbers, calling the earliest first.
After the Hiawatha trains were called and the Michigan trains were called, train 30 was called. I was with 2 others who were also connecting to the Capitol Limited. The conductor checked our names off. Those passengers who were able to get to their destination by taking the Lakeshore Limited (48) were moved to that train.
The 2 of us that were going all the way to Florida were told that we would be put up overnight in Chicago and would be on the next day's 30 with the same accommodations. I was able to get the same accommodation on 97. However, the accommodation was not available on 97 for the other individual and he was placed on 91. We were told to go to Passenger Services in Chicago to receive our hotel, taxi and food vouchers after we arrive.
Shortly thereafter, we received an email from Amtrak with our new e-tickets.
The group of us were sitting in the lounge for a while after that meeting and the conductor came by and told us that we would pick up our tickets at the next station, which he did. We had new printed tickets in hand before our arrival in Chicago.
Because I had heard "horror" stories about passenger services in Chicago (long lines, inefficient and clueless agents), I wanted to be among the first in line. Because our sleeper car was on the rear of the train, it would be a long walk. Somehow, I managed to be first off my car and was able to "run" to passenger services. It helped that I knew where I was going and I travel fairly light. I was amazed when I arrived at passenger services. I was the first one there and there were about 4 agents waiting for us. The paperwork had already been prepared and after providing my name and showing my ticket, I was given a packet of papers (hotel voucher, cab vouchers to and from station, food voucher for station food). The agent informed me of the color of the cab I was to take and where to find the cabs.
I was finished before my friend (who was being transported by a red cap) arrived. I asked the agent if I could get his paperwork (since he suffers from a disability and was delayed by waiting for a red cap). The agent asked his name and train numbers and was able to provide me with his paperwork also. After a few minutes, my friend arrived via red cap cart and we were off to find our cab to the Swissotel Hotel. We were the first of at least 5 arriving at the hotel. It is a lovely hotel and I have a great view outside my window.
We arrived in Chicago so late that the Lake Shore Limited was already boarding (a few tracks away). The conductor announced which track and there was a sign in the station with a large "48" indicating which direction those connecting passengers should proceed.
I am not sure what Amtrak could have done better in my situation (except possibly providing dinner in the diner on the second day since we boarded so late in Dallas that we missed dinner). Sleeper passengers were provided sandwiches from the cafe car around 4pm for "dinner." I was not happy about the missed connection, but I think they did all they could.