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  1. RSG

    More restrictive ticketing non refundable no changes coming March 1, 2020

    There's plenty of support in Red States for Amtrak, and in a bipartisan fashion for those states which are more purple than red or blue. US Senator Jerry Moran [R-KS], for example, was very supportive when the Southwest Chief looked like it was going to get re-routed at a cost to existing...
  2. RSG

    10-20+% accommodation fare increase?

    I encounter the same incredulity when I mention it to those I share the cost with. At the same point in time, there are many factors that make rail travel different, which I don't need to explain to anyone here. What I do say to those who invariably say something like "But I can fly so much...
  3. RSG

    why are LD trains such heavy money losses?

    Meh. I live in a rural state with three Interstate highways. There is no public transit (outside of a few municipalities which sponsor very limited bus service) and you'd see torches and pitchforks when the legislature is in session protesting tolls before you'd see support for any reliable...
  4. RSG

    New Coach Seating Procedure: Long Distance Trains on NEC

    During the redevelopment of Denver Union Station, when boarding at the temporary station, the outbound conductor would sit at a desk prior to train arrival and have passengers present tickets, and if travelling in coach, would issue a seat check to each passenger based on their destination...
  5. RSG

    why are LD trains such heavy money losses?

    This was done because Congress didn't want a situation where the often-mismanaged US Postal Service would ignore their pension obligations in order to "balance the books" and show a rosier financial status to the extent that the government would be called upon to bail out their pension fund...
  6. RSG

    New Coach Seating Procedure: Long Distance Trains on NEC

    It's probably a bit more complicated than the average passenger would think. Even with the movie theaters that have reserved seating I notice a few glitches. One is that the actual location of the seats can be confusing. For one theater chain of my acquaintance, the mobile app for advance...
  7. RSG

    More restrictive ticketing non refundable no changes coming March 1, 2020

    That scenario is under the standard policy, open to anyone for any reason. I've changed a ticket after the scheduled departure for the station I was ticketed from---but before the train actually arrived, with no issues or fees (though it usually requires agent intervention, as the WWW site...
  8. RSG

    More restrictive ticketing non refundable no changes coming March 1, 2020

    Part of the reason is the way airline travel is priced and booked, with classes for each fare category. (Largely as a legacy from the days of regulated air travel). So if a passenger is holding a ticket for a "Q" class seat, then rebooking is done at the same class level, ie, the "Q" class. If...
  9. RSG

    Kalamazoo station's ticket window to close in 2020

    I can't disagree with either of you. Unfortunately, things are headed in the opposite direction. At some supermarkets and Walmarts, past a certain point in time on a daily basis, self-service checkouts are the only option available, even with a full cart of groceries. (I imagine they have an...
  10. RSG

    More restrictive ticketing non refundable no changes coming March 1, 2020

    Is this really any different than when airlines cancel flights? I've seen news stories of people stranded in the airport when flights are cancelled and after a particularly nasty weather event, the news crews will go back after the weather has cleared for a follow-up story and there will be at...
  11. RSG

    More restrictive ticketing non refundable no changes coming March 1, 2020

    From my experience over the past 18 months, a cancellation fee applies for everything except the fully refundable coach tickets after the change-your-mind cancellation window has passed. This, of course, applies no matter if you choose a refund (which is often not available) or an eVoucher. The...
  12. RSG

    Superliners in need of deep cleaning

    As Michael Fay can attest, a lot of offenses result in caning in Singapore; though last I heard, chewing gum now has limited distribution. Residents know better than to deposit it in anything other than an approved receptacle. That's still not as bad as a station of my acquaintance which makes...
  13. RSG

    Drug Testing

    My hometown school district still offers drivers education, and some places, like most school districts in urban Colorado, have never had it. The skill testing in order to receive a license didn't change in those places where it wasn't a rite of passage. Enter the for-profit driving schools. One...
  14. RSG

    Superliners in need of deep cleaning

    Not so off-topic, as Disney is world renowned for its management of public facilities and if there's an issue that turns into a problem, they have a solution, or will come up with one if it doesn't already exist. There's an outdoor parlor game of sorts for some visitors to drop an item of trash...
  15. RSG

    Superliners in need of deep cleaning

    It also absorbs dirt on an immediate basis and gives an appearance of luxury (yes, I know most here will laugh at that description in relation to the current Amtrak fleet). Trendy hotels are now going carpetless, as is Motel 6 in all new remodels and construction. But you're not going to see...
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