I really think that if you are in coach, you should at least try to sleep there. I know for most people, sleeping upright in a chair is not doable. But, my thought is if you must lay flat, try to get a roomette/bedroom for your journey. To me, sleeping on a floor would be last resort because the floor will be dirty, it's really not a safe place to be, especially if someone is trying to walk around you. As for sleeping in the sightseer car, it's not designed for this purpose, even though I understand that people do use it & the staff may allow it, again safety concerns would be an issue. I have noticed a comment here and there about people wandering into the car at 3 am while people are sleeping, with the attitude that they shouldn't coming in there that early, that the person was being selfish. I find that odd. Let me give you an example: my husband & I have booked a trip with bedrooms for the whole trip. Hubby would not be able to sleep in a chair. I always wake up a minimum of 1 hour before him (dark thirty). Sometimes I can go back to sleep, but not always.
My options would be: wake him up!! (not a good idea)
Quietly have a cup in the dark in the room. (for up to 2 hours)
Get showered, dressed grab coffee and go to the sightseer lounge where hopefully, I would not be disturbing anyone.
Which would you choose? Am I being selfish by not wanting to disturb my sleeping husband or anyone else?
I realize not everyone can afford a roomette/bedroom every trip. Does that entitle you to floor space in another car?
I'm not unsympathetic, but I do think it's unreasonable for others to have to accomodate someone sleeping on the floor.
Now before I get a 'but you're rich' response, we are not. We've been talking about this trip for 3 years, and saved the money for it. Granted, we did save it rather quickly when we finally decided to do it this year, but we did save it, & it wasn't cheap. Maybe the best solution would be for Amtrak to get some old fashioned pullman style cars for those who cannot afford roomette/bedrooms. I would be surprised though if they would do that. Sorry it's so lengthy, but seriously, I will probably be in the sightseer car as early 5:00 am.
Sunchaser