Question on the Procedure for Pre-Ordering Meals PRIOR TO boarding a long-distance train

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What is the procedure for pre-ordering meals prior to boarding a long-distance train? Does Amtrak contact sleeping car ticket holders in advance and give them this option, or must we initiate the contact? If we must initiate the contact, who do we ask for when Julie prompts us? Your replies will be appreciated.

Eric & Pat
 
And, I did try to search for this information, but unsuccessfully. Does anyone know what the kosher flex meals actually are? I'm thinking about trying them, since I have three days of flex meals upcoming.
 
Amtrak was going to roll that out fall 2019 on eastern LD trains before the pandemic hit. The eastern trains were already using the "flexible dining" menu. IIRC, they would contact you with a link specific to your reservation where you would make your selections.
My trips on the Lake Shore Limited and Crescent in fall 2019 (flexible dining) did not offer the pre-selection - you made your selection at the time of the meal. Don't know if it is being done now or will be in the future.
 
We received emails inviting us to pre-select our meals (from the standard menu) on our recent 48-49 trips. Onboard, there was no mention of the preselections, and we ordered from the menus that were provided. Interestingly, when you complete the pre-selection, you are advised that changes can't be made until... you're onboard.
 
And, I did try to search for this information, but unsuccessfully. Does anyone know what the kosher flex meals actually are? I'm thinking about trying them, since I have three days of flex meals upcoming.
The kosher meals are the same as they always were given that they were always just prepackaged frozen airline meals that were microwaved.
 
Amtrak is offering meal pre-selection at least on the Silver Service.
So, out of curiosity,
(1) how does it work when it's implemented, and
(2) HAVE THEY FINALLY STARTED PUBLISHING THE INGREDIENTS LISTS, without which one cannot pre-
order?
 
The kosher meals are the same as they always were given that they were always just prepackaged frozen airline meals that were microwaved.
And, I believe, you have to talk to an agent, to order kosher meals. That simply means that when Julie answers, you repeatedly say "agent" until "she" say "I think you want to talk to an agent. Is that right?" and I answer "Yes. How did you guess that? I only said it 37 times".

Talking to a machine is so satisfying.
 
I got an email with a link to preselect. I think it came about two weeks or so before my trip. I didn't do it yet (not very exciting) and I just got another reminder yesterday for my trip on CONO on Tuesday. I have heard that you are not locked in to what you preselect, but can change on the train if there is availability.
 
So, out of curiosity,
(1) how does it work when it's implemented, and
You get a link emailed to you about a week before departure to preselect. There still are glitches. For example on the Silver Meteor itinerary from KIS to NYP you actually get three meals but they let you select only two, and the breakfast one does not include the Omelette in its list but it is available on the train. At least they no longer force you to select two meals for a Roomette when the itinerary has only one passenger in it.

At present it actually does not matter what you select since you can generally override it with whatever else is available. But they did mention what my pre-selection was and whether I would still like to go with it, which I did.
(2) HAVE THEY FINALLY STARTED PUBLISHING THE INGREDIENTS LISTS, without which one cannot pre-
order?
I wouldn't know since I have never looked for or at it since I never cared. 🤷‍♂️
 
Sounds like an OK system if you have solid access to email. Outgoing I do, but sometimes on return trips I don't.

Still needs the ingredients lists. Since Amtrak's top management and what seems like half of its upper management has changed, it might be worth trying the friendly approach one more time before hauling out the howitzers on that. I've been extremely distracted by craziness in my personal life for the last few years, topped off by the pandemic, so my work on siccing lawyers and Congressmen at them over that slowed down.
 
Is that the same as my attitude towards medication side effects where just reading them can bring on a heart attack?
No. I have never bothered about such stuff. Afterall I lived the first half of my life not knowing what exactly was there in what I ate. I figured why change now? :D Medication I read, since it is something I started taking only in the last 15 or so years and usually the effects of them can be vastly more immediate and spectacular than food, for which blessedly I have never had any allergies.
 
I have a trip ATN-NYP-ATN coming up 10-12 June on the Crescent. I received an email offering advance meal selection for the 10 June outbound two days ago and for the 12 June return yesterday. I guess it works since it seem to know the meals to which I was entitled for each segment. Even a lunch departing NYP which I was not expecting.
 
I have a trip ATN-NYP-ATN coming up 10-12 June on the Crescent. I received an email offering advance meal selection for the 10 June outbound two days ago and for the 12 June return yesterday. I guess it works since it seem to know the meals to which I was entitled for each segment. Even a lunch departing NYP which I was not expecting.
If the Crescent leaves NYP at 2:15 PM, I rather doubt lunch will be served, but may be wrong...
 
I, too, was surprised!! The trip departing 0215PM and arriving ATN the next morning at 1015AM—expecting dinner and breakfast—but they gave me the opportunity to also select a lunch. Maybe an early lunch prior to Anniston—doubt it??!! I guess I will see in about two weeks.
 
I, too, was surprised!! The trip departing 0215PM and arriving ATN the next morning at 1015AM—expecting dinner and breakfast—but they gave me the opportunity to also select a lunch. Maybe an early lunch prior to Anniston—doubt it??!! I guess I will see in about two weeks.
The Train generally was Late into Atlanta, so instead of a Late Dinner, you'll probably get Lunch around Lunch time!

However, there might still be "bugs" in the System with the New Schedule, so please let us know!
 
When I traveled on the Crescent from NYP with an afternoon departure, I am 99.99% sure that lunch was not available for me as a sleeping car passenger.
 
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