customer N.
Beware 3-hr delay leaving Chicago for East
I rode Amtrak from Indiana to Hudson, NY. The train leaving Chicago was 3 hours late in departing Chicago (it left the station & sat on the track until repairs were made to tracks somewhere from tornado? Storm damage, they said.) So I spent the night on a bench, waiting for a delayed train. The train ppl on the train & on the phone rearranged my schedule to fix my missed connection by making an unplanned stop to deboard me in Hudson NY -- good thing it was a connecting ticket and not two individual cheaper tickets! Then Two Weeks later I took a train journey from Hudson NY to Moynihan Penn Station NY, perfectly timely. Same day from there to Washington D.C., perfectly timely. Then again, a very long wait to board a train that left Chicago 3 hours behind its scheduled time (AGAIN) and eventually took me to Tampa, Florida 5.5 hours later than scheduled. I missed the recital I was supposed to sing at, despite the ticket agent on the phone assuring me that the train was "usually on time." Lying to a customer is not right. He had access to more data than my one experience, and yet my trust in his word was disappointed. He could have warned me instead of giving false assurance. And there is no compensation for an agent's lies to a customer. There should be insurance available for purchase to protect the customer from known schedule issues! Chicago should Announce in advance they will run 3 hours late, so people can plan properly and not be all stressed in boarding just to sit. Moral of the story: leave a day earlier than needed or don't take Amtrak. The staff ON the trains were all wonderful, helpful, caring. The food in cafe car was decent & even offered some healthy options. I love the ability to walk the cars, sleep, use restroom, not get lost. I did get slightly Disoriented when cafe car was in front vs. in back on different trains in same day, and actually once passed thru' my car & had to walk back more carefully to find my seat again... but no circling to ask for directions because GPS went off! I brought a blanket & clothing for a pillow, had water with me to stay hydrated, and my luggage was easily accessible for food & change of outfit after sleeping in my seat overnight. I read an entire book, chatted with various ppl, enjoyed watching little dramas play out in the ppl & families around me. I met some nice & interesting & friendly ppl while traveling on trains -- a more genteel crowd than on buses, in my experience. It was much less stressful than an air flight, tho' it cost way more in dollars: in round numbers, $700. from Hudson NY to Tampa FL. I and my luggage arrived safely. And both trips included a complimentary sandwich, possibly as an apology for Chicago's wrecked schedule. I didn't need it, but I appreciated the gesture. Many ppl I met on board the trains desperately did need the free food. I was glad to see them eat! One fellow I was assigned to sit next to was severely underweight. I shared some of my food with him, also. I wish the hefty train ticket automatically included a meal for a certain mileage! Like airlines used to. Maybe show printed paper ticket & get it hole-punched when customer gets a meal. Kudos to the diligence of staff checking restrooms & frequently cleaning, especially after old men in swaying cars missed their target. It is a common hazard and staff did their best to combat it. Much appreciated! I still want to talk my hubby into taking a train trip with me, just for the experience. He hates to drive, what could be better?