Just got back from my Surfliner adventure, which I'll contrast with my usual Cascades experience, for those who've ridden one, but not both of those routes (or neither).

Cascades biz pax check-in with agents for seat assignments up to 30 mins before boarding, taking their seats at that time, while coach pax line up single file to get their seat assignments at that point, and then board.

I was a bit consternated that all Surfliner pax form a single line in the main waiting area @ LAX - starting about 30 mins before departure, but aren't actually called to board until about 10 - 15 mins before departure. No real differentiation of biz pax at boarding, I had to ask around to find the biz entrance.

Conductor took tickets, saying nothing about amenities until the guy after me asked him specifically about that: "The attendant will be passing out snack packs and a beverage in a couple of minutes." Yes and no. A rather un-smiling woman handed out drinks (water, soda, wine) to the dozen or so pax; no word that coffee, and hot water (tea), were available at all, and no mention of snacks. I saw the snack packs when I went to make tea, so I took one, but I don't believe anyone else did. Surreal trip at night - felt like a character in a modern Hopper painting. Train was on-time.

Northbound, there were separate lines for biz and coach; about 15 mins before boarding the biz pax were allowed to board, and coach shortly thereafter (as on planes). Attendant handed out snacks first, taking "drink orders" (more like FC on plane). One fellow got on at Anaheim with a Biz Class ticket, which he left out, but the conductor densely (or deliberately, I couldn't exactly tell which!) refused to lift! I was in agony over those missing AGR points the entire way, though said nothing to anyone.

I was struck by how empty biz class was both ways, compared with up north, where it's generally full for the same supplement. Cascades pre-boarding works better for me (in fact the chief reason I pony up!), but I'd much rather have access to coffee (bad though it was) and hot water, than a $3 coupon.