Now that you mention the cross country and the paying for wine tasting in the same message, it brings to mind something. When we rode the CS in late march a gentleman sat down next to us in the lounge and introduced him self as a Manager of Customer Service for Amtrak.. I have his name here somewhere but it is probably not important. At any rate he wanted to know how we were enjoying our trip and what improvements we would like to see. We had just spent two days without toilets working properly on the Zephyr among other issues so he got an ear full.
His discussion was of how they were planing to improve the CS and return it to a premium train. One of the things I recalled was his idea of a wine and cheese tasting, I thought he said at the station before departure, but maybe that was wrong. At any rate the idea to charge for it was in that conversation. He also wanted to know our opinion of the Cross Country Cafe since we had also ridden the CN to chicago.. I told him what I thought of the limited menu, cold food, and one cook. Plus the displeasure with no lounge that held more than four tables. He rattled off all the reasons why the Cross Country was doing so well and the "bottom line" had been greatly improved and sales were "Up". So I can see how if he had anything to do with it the CS might have ended up with both.. the fellow was with amtrak for six months he mentioned.. My opinion was he was more interested in cost cutting then real passenger satisfaction.
I have received at least three follow up questioners in the mail about the satisfaction of the Cross Country Car on trips to chicago., I never give it a great rating. A couple weeks ago I got a long telephone survey about the car and what I thought of it alone, and then in comparison with the service previously where it had the full diner and lounge.. You know which one won in my opinion! My wonder is what do they do with all those surveys, they must just "dump" them because I can't figure why they seem to be plowing ahead with them even though the crews and passengers do not like them..
I would have been highly disappointed had I expected the Pacific Parlor and got the Cross Country.. When we rode they were not running due to remodeling they said.. What did they remodel them for? It just shows how little understanding or concern Amtrak really has for the quality of experience they sell. I still content that at the prices they are willing to charge, nothing but the best possible service should be provided. When someone plans a trip for six months or more, and chooses a train for the experience it is supposed to offer, then amtrak should provide those services and equipment as advertised! But the disappointment of the passengers seems like something they take no responsibility for..