crescent2
Conductor
I'm trying to decide on plans for a tentative trip in sleepers.
In addition to my concerns, someone yesterday totally changed his itinerary to avoid an iffy connection, and someone today was wondering whether to cancel her trip at the last minute. Both of these were much shorter trips than the one I'm considering. So, my concerns remain about making six (!) connections to and from long distance trains during one 10-day trip.
What is Amtrak's usual, if "usual" exists, remedy or backup plan when the following connections are missed?
Hold the connecting train (how long?), bus to catch up to the train, hotel and rebook the next day's train, or something else?
nb Crescent to wb Cardinal in CVS
nb Crescent to wb Capitol Limited in WAS
wb Cardinal to wb CZ in CHI
wb CL to wb CZ in CHI
wb CZ to nb CS in EMY (or DAV or SAC)
nb CS to eb EB in PDX (very tight connection, but apparently there is a good backup bus bridge for this one)
eb EB to eb Card, or eb Cap Ltd, in CHI (poor record here)
eb Card to sb Crescent in CVS
eb CL to sb Crescent in WAS
eb EB to sb CONO in CHI
These are options for a possible spring or summer 2014 trip I'm working on. I'd be using AGR sleeper awards, so scheduling an overnight stay as insurance isn't an option except between two AGR awards. I'm concerned that a trip booked in sleepers could turn into an extended "surprise" coach trip because of missed connections. Obviously, the earlier in the trip that happened, the bigger problem it would be because of all the subsequent missed connections.
Another question: Which trains are more likely to have unsold sleepers available in spring/summer?
I'd appreciate your knowledge about how good the backup plans are for making these connections. Thanks much!
In addition to my concerns, someone yesterday totally changed his itinerary to avoid an iffy connection, and someone today was wondering whether to cancel her trip at the last minute. Both of these were much shorter trips than the one I'm considering. So, my concerns remain about making six (!) connections to and from long distance trains during one 10-day trip.
What is Amtrak's usual, if "usual" exists, remedy or backup plan when the following connections are missed?
Hold the connecting train (how long?), bus to catch up to the train, hotel and rebook the next day's train, or something else?
nb Crescent to wb Cardinal in CVS
nb Crescent to wb Capitol Limited in WAS
wb Cardinal to wb CZ in CHI
wb CL to wb CZ in CHI
wb CZ to nb CS in EMY (or DAV or SAC)
nb CS to eb EB in PDX (very tight connection, but apparently there is a good backup bus bridge for this one)
eb EB to eb Card, or eb Cap Ltd, in CHI (poor record here)
eb Card to sb Crescent in CVS
eb CL to sb Crescent in WAS
eb EB to sb CONO in CHI
These are options for a possible spring or summer 2014 trip I'm working on. I'd be using AGR sleeper awards, so scheduling an overnight stay as insurance isn't an option except between two AGR awards. I'm concerned that a trip booked in sleepers could turn into an extended "surprise" coach trip because of missed connections. Obviously, the earlier in the trip that happened, the bigger problem it would be because of all the subsequent missed connections.
Another question: Which trains are more likely to have unsold sleepers available in spring/summer?
I'd appreciate your knowledge about how good the backup plans are for making these connections. Thanks much!
