Originally Posted by
fairviewroad
I realize that. But that doesn't mean the person taking the additional joy ride isn't taking up revenue space. If there are two roomettes remaining on #5 heading west out of Denver...and the first roomette is only available to SAC, but the second to EMY, and person #1 is making the connection to #14 in SAC but books himself to EMY, then he is blocking a revenue room from SAC to EMY. If person #2 comes along an hour later and tries to book DEN-EMY it will show up as sold-out. Person #2 says screw it, and hops on Southwest airlines. Thus, the joyride from SAC-EMY has cost Amtrak that revenue and the room from DEN-SAC goes out empty.
Far-fetched scenario? Not really.
Actually, it is far-fetched. How could a room be open DEN-SAC but booked SAC-EMY? Since no boardings can be sold from SAC west, all stations from SAC to EMY should have the same availability.
But it did make me think that from the view of not needlessly blocking salable space, the idea of buying a Roseville-EMY coach ticket is the least optimal to Amtrak as potentially you could be taking the last seat Roseville-SAC. Even "force selling" a SAC-EMY coach ticket is potentially revenue blocking. Allowing an unreserved coach ticket to be used for continuing passengers is the best and then letting you stay in the room they know will be vacant is the best.