Recent content by spinnaker

If there are no spots for you are out of luck for the train. There is no luggage service period.

It was been by experience just about everywhere (including where I work) that outsourcing sucks. Nothing beats an employee with experience. Not to say you won't get crappy service from a direct employee of the company but it is far more likely to happen in out sourcing.

If the room is just a preference and not a requirement for your trip, book the room online then call to change it. I have done this on almost every trip and it worked without a hitch. There was or twice when a room was not available but no hassles with price change.

If I do this , I probably will tune it around and go the other way. But I might switch the trip to Icefields Parkway out of Jasper. Maybe take the VIA train to get thee.

Another trip I am thinking about is flying into Denver. Riding my bicycle to Glenwood Springs with maybe a side trip to Aspen. There are a number of bike trails in that area believe it or not. So what am I missing, Eastbound on the CZ starting from Glenwood Springs? I know the Cascades. And...

Funny I have never been asked for my claim ticket on the CL. Kind of disturbing. It has been spotty on other trains. On the EB, this year my bike was at the baggage car door. No one around.

To be clear. I was not refereeing to flying to some city. just to take the train ride back home as your vacation. Just a train ride plus a visit to the departure city makes for an excellent vacation alone. What I meant was that you are off somewhere wither for business or pleasure. There are...

Already putting together my vacation for next year. As some of you may know I like to do bicycle tours but also try to use Amtrak to get back home. My plan for next year is to do a loop out of Spokane making use of the Coeur d' Alene and Route of the Hiawatha bike trails. I would like to...

Of course tips are taxed. In fact some states force servers to pay taxes on 15% of their receipts, if they get a tip or not. Kind of unfair but I guess it also discourages cheating.

Well that figures. ;) It is Pennsylvania. Maybe I will contact my rep. ;)

No reason at all why every Amtrak train should not have the same service. The Pennsylvanian has nothing at all. I have been wanting to take it to ride a bike trail out east but my only option is to pick another mode of transport or ship the bike ahead.

Typo on my original part. Meant to type 9. Just going from memory. I thought CL was 9. I think the EB and CZ is 8 Cascades has a 10 bike limit, Again it does not really matter unless you have a group that needs all of the slots. The important thing is to know there is a limit and it is...

One bike is a contradiction really? :rolleyes::rolleyes: Does it really make much of a difference??? Point is, there is a limit. Shipping the bike in the baggage car is a PITA. Not as bad as boxing the bike for regular shipping but still a PITA. A lot easier to make a reservation and...

The bike travels in the bag car. This is not to be confused with the baggage car at the front of the train. This car will be somewhere mid train. It is a have coach half baggage car. The conductor will open the door and you load and unload the bike yourself. Usually there is a rack. Hang...

I really don't see what difference it makes as long as you consider the fact that you got special treatment with meal delivery when you tip at the end of the trip. That is what I do.