Existing 14 -> 28 connections after 4/15?
Mar 29, 2014, 8:52 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 23
Existing 14 -> 28 connections after 4/15?
This was mentioned briefly on another thread, but it went by pretty fast without much comment. Seems important to me, so I thought I'd ask in a new thread - it sounds like Amtrak is going to revise the Empire Builder schedule. In particular, after April 15th, train 28 (EB Builder) will now leave PDX two hours before the Starlight (#14) arrives .
This begs the question, what's going to happen to those of us (like me!) with existing 14 -> 28 reservations ??
This begs the question, what's going to happen to those of us (like me!) with existing 14 -> 28 reservations ??
Last edited by Robert Armstrong; Mar 29, 2014 at 9:18 am
Mar 30, 2014, 9:24 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 23
Umm, is that a serious suggestion? I think this is beyond Julie's pay grade...
Just for fun, though, I did call. Julie reports the departure time of train 28 from PDX as 4:45, which is the old schedule. I don't think Julie has been briefed on the changes yet. She's always so gosh darned perky, though - it always makes me smile to talk to her!
I'm sure ultimately I will have to talk to an agent, however I've found that there is some variation in the training of different agents. If you talk to three agents about edge conditions like this, you'll get about five different stories. I find it helpful to be an informed consumer and know what the real Amtrak policy is before I call. That's why I ask here...
Just for fun, though, I did call. Julie reports the departure time of train 28 from PDX as 4:45, which is the old schedule. I don't think Julie has been briefed on the changes yet. She's always so gosh darned perky, though - it always makes me smile to talk to her!
I'm sure ultimately I will have to talk to an agent, however I've found that there is some variation in the training of different agents. If you talk to three agents about edge conditions like this, you'll get about five different stories. I find it helpful to be an informed consumer and know what the real Amtrak policy is before I call. That's why I ask here...
Mar 30, 2014, 10:27 am
#4
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: DTW/FNT
Programs: Delta (nee NW), Hilton Diamond. IHG (PT)
Posts: 4,823
I just tried booking San Luis to Minot for 4/28 and it shows no same day connection.
I'd call the PR guy (Mark M) whose name is on the press release. (I think he's still based in Chicago).
Now if you're looking for a stop over in Portland or Seattle..... <lol>
and the situation is likely to continue for some time
see
http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/...t=Full+Article
Bob H
I'd call the PR guy (Mark M) whose name is on the press release. (I think he's still based in Chicago).
Now if you're looking for a stop over in Portland or Seattle..... <lol>
and the situation is likely to continue for some time
see
http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/...t=Full+Article
Bob H
Last edited by BobH; Mar 31, 2014 at 6:44 am
Mar 31, 2014, 8:50 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 23
I'd take that deal if Amtrak was willing to do it without trying to turn it into two separate trips. It means we'd have to change our Starlight trip to be a day earlier, which is OK if there's a room available. The sleepers tend to fill up fast, though, for summer travel.
Mar 31, 2014, 10:20 am
#6
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: CMH/CVG
Programs: Marriott, Southwest, American, Delta, Amtrak,Multiple others
Posts: 564
I'd take that deal if Amtrak was willing to do it without trying to turn it into two separate trips. It means we'd have to change our Starlight trip to be a day earlier, which is OK if there's a room available. The sleepers tend to fill up fast, though, for summer travel.
Mar 31, 2014, 11:31 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 23
Yeah, there was a special exception for that connection - there's another thread about that topic in this forum. Unfortunately that exception was very specific (and not well known by the agents, as you found out) and AFAIK there's been no such policy announced for the opposite connection.
Mar 31, 2014, 11:50 am
#8
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 2
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amtra...builder-3.html
Let us know how it works out.
Mar 31, 2014, 11:58 am
#9
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: MSN/HOU
Programs: DL Silver (0.239 MM), DL SkyClub Life, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,107
I was in contact with AGR Insider who indicated that AGR will treat 14 to 28 starting the 15th just like 27 to 11 and allow a PDX overnight at customer expense. You'll probably have to clue in the AGR call center to the schedule mismatch when you call in, though.