Originally Posted by
KENNECTED
I disagree about your statements above. I'm taking you at face value for what you've written above.
The signs are clearly visible on the OUTSIDE of the train, right by the door, so it is VERY CLEAR what car you're boarding. When you walk in you're not craning your head of straining to see the sign, it's visible.
In my experience on every train, while people are boarding and once the train starts moving, the conductor makes announcements on where the first class car, quiet car and dining cars are located. At each stop they will again give notice about the location of the car. Many times Amtrak staff are on the platform directing customers.
Now if people do not follow the rules, then say something and have them removed.
I ride the NER every week and this is just not my experience.
First, I have never, ever seen labeling outside the car. They just don't do that with the QC. Maybe they do on the Acela? But never on the NER.
Second, they do occasionally announce the QC but certainly not at every stop... perhaps just the major ones, if that. And who cares? Because you're already seated and talking so you either don't hear or don't want to move by then.
Third, on the rare occasions there is someone outside the car, it's at NY only. None of the other stops that I've seen.
Lastly, you cannot "have them removed." Not only because sometimes you won't even get to be there in the first place due to the new lack of seats, but because conductors often don't care and even if they do, what are you going to say? "Sir, every single person around me is being noisy. Kindly remove all of them?"
But really, it's no longer about identifying the car. The one I described where I had the businessmen in front and the man with child behind
did have Amtrak staff outside denoting the QC and BCC. It's really about it just being the first place to sit down.
Originally Posted by
Debonaire
I think charging a $5 fee for the quiet car is a great idea. But rather than just discussing it here, we should all be sending feedback directly to Amtrak. I'm sure they would appreciate the potential revenue increase.
Agreed! I am totally for this and will write to Amtrak this evening.