I'm on the Crescent now, heading back to Baltimore after my loop trip on the LSL across Massachusetts. My Empire service train arrived from Albany on time. Wayfinding signs for Moynihan are on the platform, you have to look down. I do think there are more of them than there were last April. We arrived on track 5 or 6, the escalator spit us out right near the entrance to the Metropolitan Lounge. They've eliminated the Covid contract tracing stuff and temperature check. I stowed by bag in one of the unlocked lockers and retrieved it when I left with no problem. I sampled the "chicken Caesar power-roll" and a garden salad. The wrap was OK, the salad was pretty nice, the veggies were fresh, but I think there was only ranch dressing packed with the salad. Then I went out and got a New York slice at Pizza Suprema across the street. Be advised that a cheese slice is $4, a pepperoni slice is $5, and the fancy stuff is $6. But it is really good pizza, and the slices are pretty big.
Be aware that there appears to be no more pre-boarding from the lounge, which negates one of the advantages of being able to use it. When they announced the train in the lounge, they were already announcing general boarding. This wasn't just for my train, but all of the trains that left before mine. I had asked for a redcap in an attempt to board even earlier. They didn't even call for us until after they announced general boarding. If you are in a sleeper, and all you want is help with your bags, I guess it doesn't matter, but facing the prospect of being the last person on ,and having a roller bag, I cancelled my redcap request and went to the gate.
When I got on the platform, there was a crowd near the only entrance two the two coaches being carried on the Crescent today. The attendant was assigning seats at the door, which made the line back up. Actually, two lines, as there was also a crowd coming from the direction of the escalators from the old Penn Station, and from the look of the line, more people were boarding from the old station than from the new Train Hall. Just when I got to the head of the line to get my seat assignment, someone came form the inside of the car and told the attendant that someone was sitting in his seat. So I was left cooling my heels for a few minutes while that was taken care of. Then I got my seat assignment, went into the coach and found that some was sitting in MY seat. So I called the attendant, and after some discussion, he told me to sit in the empty seat pair behind the seat I was originally assigned, even though it was reserved for people with disabilities. (The person in my initial seat was claiming a disability.) So in the end, I have 2 seats to myself, at least to Trenton, which we are now entering. Look, I understand why the attendants want to assign seats, but why don't they just issue seat assignments when you make the reservations? They clearly have the IT capabilities as demonstrated by the Acelas and NER business class procedures. Why not extend it to LD coach, too? Station dwell times a re much longer because of this fussing around on the platform assigning seats.
Well, as I suspected they needed my seat for someone boarding at Trenton. However, the attendant said I could just go into the next car and find an empty seat, which I did.
Well, it's an experience, and at least the train is running well. And I have a nice roomy Amfleet 2 LD coach seat for a NEC ride. But it looks like they still have a few kinks to iron out at Moynihan as passenger loads increase. In fact, I think they're going to need another ticked passenger general waiting area, as the current one was already full when I checked it out. Another reason the Metropolitan Lounge would be worth it, even if they sderved no food.
Be aware that there appears to be no more pre-boarding from the lounge, which negates one of the advantages of being able to use it. When they announced the train in the lounge, they were already announcing general boarding. This wasn't just for my train, but all of the trains that left before mine. I had asked for a redcap in an attempt to board even earlier. They didn't even call for us until after they announced general boarding. If you are in a sleeper, and all you want is help with your bags, I guess it doesn't matter, but facing the prospect of being the last person on ,and having a roller bag, I cancelled my redcap request and went to the gate.
When I got on the platform, there was a crowd near the only entrance two the two coaches being carried on the Crescent today. The attendant was assigning seats at the door, which made the line back up. Actually, two lines, as there was also a crowd coming from the direction of the escalators from the old Penn Station, and from the look of the line, more people were boarding from the old station than from the new Train Hall. Just when I got to the head of the line to get my seat assignment, someone came form the inside of the car and told the attendant that someone was sitting in his seat. So I was left cooling my heels for a few minutes while that was taken care of. Then I got my seat assignment, went into the coach and found that some was sitting in MY seat. So I called the attendant, and after some discussion, he told me to sit in the empty seat pair behind the seat I was originally assigned, even though it was reserved for people with disabilities. (The person in my initial seat was claiming a disability.) So in the end, I have 2 seats to myself, at least to Trenton, which we are now entering. Look, I understand why the attendants want to assign seats, but why don't they just issue seat assignments when you make the reservations? They clearly have the IT capabilities as demonstrated by the Acelas and NER business class procedures. Why not extend it to LD coach, too? Station dwell times a re much longer because of this fussing around on the platform assigning seats.
Well, as I suspected they needed my seat for someone boarding at Trenton. However, the attendant said I could just go into the next car and find an empty seat, which I did.
Well, it's an experience, and at least the train is running well. And I have a nice roomy Amfleet 2 LD coach seat for a NEC ride. But it looks like they still have a few kinks to iron out at Moynihan as passenger loads increase. In fact, I think they're going to need another ticked passenger general waiting area, as the current one was already full when I checked it out. Another reason the Metropolitan Lounge would be worth it, even if they sderved no food.