I'm sure that this has probably been addressed, but was wondering if sleeping car passengers are still escorted to their assigned cars from the new lounge. Hoping to leave from there early this summer. Thanks for the info.
M.J.S.
M.J.S.
When in doubt, I simply follow the crowd headed to that train. I figure the leader of the pack, whether a red cap or anyone else, knows how to get to the track. Unfortunately, in my dozen or so experiences at the new lounge, about 1/2 the time, the whole 'pack' gets stopped and held there while inbound passengers from a train on the other side of the platform come streaming in.Sometimes you are told the track number. Then you have to find your way. You can usually get a red cap.
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I've always thought that was a nice touch, being accompanied by an Amtrak officer. Pity they have abolished that now, well, at least in Chicago.Sometimes you are told the track number. Then you have to find your way. You can usually get a red cap.
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If you get into the general boarding area you might be delayed. I would suggest be ready to head to the gate (have bags and be near the front) so you can be in the front of the group heading to the platform.
Perfect, thanks!From the ML you go straight to the platform.
Red Caps can also help you in this too. Just make sure to that you get with them so you are in the first group to go, they have a limited number of carts.
Unfortunately, the number of Red Caps was cut drastically by more than half in November, and I was told so by the staff at the front desk of the ML.From the ML you go straight to the platform.
Red Caps can also help you in this too. Just make sure to that you get with them so you are in the first group to go, they have a limited number of carts.
At LAX they operate with the golf carts that can load lots of people vs the odd carts they use at CUS which can only take few people at a time. The LAX lounge attendant will generally put EVERYONE on the the golf cart to send them to the trains since there are lots of open seating in the carts.Unfortunately, the number of Red Caps was cut drastically by more than half in November, and I was told so by the staff at the front desk of the ML.From the ML you go straight to the platform.
Red Caps can also help you in this too. Just make sure to that you get with them so you are in the first group to go, they have a limited number of carts.
I went outside the lounge about a half hour before I was told the track number and call for boarding from the lounge would be announced. I was right at the beginning of the line for Red Caps and lucked out that time and got a Red Cap who was able to get us to our sleeping cars even before the gates opened.
On the way back home, I advised the staff that I would need Red Cap assistance for the Wolverine and was told they would notify them. I went out the front door of the ML early again, and this time no Red Cap even showed up and I had to struggle with my sprained ankle to the boarding area after they had called the train. There was not an escort to the train either. I’m not sure if the cutback in Red Caps was seasonal, but tend to think not because it was at the same time Amtrak was making other service cuts. I would DEFINITELY check with the front desk at the ML to see if the situation has changed back for the better. I’ll find out in May when I travel to Chicago again.
Just as an aside, the situation at the ML at LAX was completely different with an abundance of Red Caps who came to the second floor and then took you down a ramp to your train car. Everyone needing a Red Cap was accommodated for all of the trains I observed during a 4 hour layover in the lounge.
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The goals in redesigning Union Station also include making the Great Hall a more integral part of the station. Hence the Met Lounge, the Legacy Club, having most passengers wait and line up in the Great Hall, and moving the customer service counter next to the Met Lounge in the corridor leading to the Great Hall.While the new lounge is VERY nice... it does seem odd to put the first class lounge further away from the boarding gates of the Amtrak trains. I'm not saying I have the perfect solution, but I do know Amtrak spent alot of money on re-designing the station for better passenger flow and I'm not sure if this design was the best use of the money.
Agree, although I might rephrase it as returning the Great Hall to its historic role as an integral part of the station. Everything was not always stuffed into the concourse.The goals in redesigning Union Station also include making the Great Hall a more integral part of the station. Hence the Met Lounge, the Legacy Club, having most passengers wait and line up in the Great Hall, and moving the customer service counter next to the Met Lounge in the corridor leading to the Great Hall.While the new lounge is VERY nice... it does seem odd to put the first class lounge further away from the boarding gates of the Amtrak trains. I'm not saying I have the perfect solution, but I do know Amtrak spent alot of money on re-designing the station for better passenger flow and I'm not sure if this design was the best use of the money.
Does moving first class passengers closer to the great hall help the first class passengers though? Doesn't really matter what the goal is... The end solution is a more difficult boarding process for some passengers.Agree, although I might rephrase it as returning the Great Hall to its historic role as an integral part of the station. Everything was not always stuffed into the concourse.The goals in redesigning Union Station also include making the Great Hall a more integral part of the station. Hence the Met Lounge, the Legacy Club, having most passengers wait and line up in the Great Hall, and moving the customer service counter next to the Met Lounge in the corridor leading to the Great Hall.While the new lounge is VERY nice... it does seem odd to put the first class lounge further away from the boarding gates of the Amtrak trains. I'm not saying I have the perfect solution, but I do know Amtrak spent alot of money on re-designing the station for better passenger flow and I'm not sure if this design was the best use of the money.
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