rtabern
Conductor
It's been about 3-4 years since I got hassled last in the Chicago Metropolian Lounge about being admitted without having to show tickets per Amtrak Guest Rewards S+ policy.
But, low and behold... there were a bunch of new workers in there on Saturday morning (11/3/12) and I got hassled again.
The first agent told me that she didnt know what Select Plus was -- and didn't think I could be admitted without a sleeping car ticket. (I actually had one, but it was easier to get my card out of my wallet than rifle around for the ticket stub)
The second agent said that I could be admitte with the S+ card... BUT... I "HAD TO" show her a ticket for the Hiawatha (which I was connecting to).
I had that in my pocket, but refused to show it, because she should have know the Select Plus policy. Finally, when I showed her I had several station managers phone numbers in my cell phone... and asked her which one she would like me to call... she admitted me to the lounge, but cocked quite an attitude.
She also refused to provide me her name (another Amtrak policy) until I asked 3 times. If I remember it was "Ms. Dee" or "Ms. McPhee" or some BS like that.
Anyway, just a heads up to S+ passengers... please be aware.
If this happens to you -- go in the Amtrak passenger services office -- right across from the water fountain... towards the right... between Lounge G and the shop there -- AND ASK FOR A MANAGER.
I did this... the female manager I spoke with (really tall lady)... was very nice. I provided her a copy of a daily service builliten reminder about S+ that a manager at Amtrak gave me in 2011 (that I keep in my wallet for such occasions)... and she photocopied it... and said she would put it in all of the Metro Lounge agent's boxes and follow up with the "bad apples" in the lounge on Saturday AM in Chicago.
But, low and behold... there were a bunch of new workers in there on Saturday morning (11/3/12) and I got hassled again.
The first agent told me that she didnt know what Select Plus was -- and didn't think I could be admitted without a sleeping car ticket. (I actually had one, but it was easier to get my card out of my wallet than rifle around for the ticket stub)
The second agent said that I could be admitte with the S+ card... BUT... I "HAD TO" show her a ticket for the Hiawatha (which I was connecting to).
I had that in my pocket, but refused to show it, because she should have know the Select Plus policy. Finally, when I showed her I had several station managers phone numbers in my cell phone... and asked her which one she would like me to call... she admitted me to the lounge, but cocked quite an attitude.
She also refused to provide me her name (another Amtrak policy) until I asked 3 times. If I remember it was "Ms. Dee" or "Ms. McPhee" or some BS like that.
Anyway, just a heads up to S+ passengers... please be aware.
If this happens to you -- go in the Amtrak passenger services office -- right across from the water fountain... towards the right... between Lounge G and the shop there -- AND ASK FOR A MANAGER.
I did this... the female manager I spoke with (really tall lady)... was very nice. I provided her a copy of a daily service builliten reminder about S+ that a manager at Amtrak gave me in 2011 (that I keep in my wallet for such occasions)... and she photocopied it... and said she would put it in all of the Metro Lounge agent's boxes and follow up with the "bad apples" in the lounge on Saturday AM in Chicago.