sppunk

Was there for the first time this past Saturday/Sunday. It's a night/day experience from the hell that is Penn Station. Clean bathrooms, a bar! with ample seating, natural light.

That said, we went down and boarded from the West End Concourse. One note for future readers - the train was at least 3 car lengths beyond the stairs that dump you on the tracks from the WEC. Took a second to realize that.

musicalbox

Things have been rearranged a bit at the food area of the lounge, the popcorn and beverages (including coffee) are now off to the side and self-serve. Some new menu items have been added to the prepared foods, among them an egg and cheese breakfast sandwich and caprese salad on skewers. I had literally five minutes before my train was announced so couldn't take time to check it out or take pictures but I think it's a good move to have some things you can take yourself.

Also, they announced my train early and one of the escalators was open and unattended so people just started heading down to the platform. I overheard a redcap complaining about it on his radio ("you let people down? you're killing us here!") so it seems like this was an exception and not a new rule.

rittenhousesq

I'll be spending time in the lounge this coming Wednesday May 4th, so I'll be sure to snap a few photos and share here.

rittenhousesq

Here are the promised photos of the minor changes to the food and beverage area of the Metropolitan Lounge. Basically, one area adjacent to the bar has been opened up and now available for self serve is the flavored water, iced tea, assorted chips, candy and coffee. All the other food items and the bottled soft drinks are still served to you.
The omnipresent Francis was manning the bar as he has been for every one of my visits since they began offering alcoholic beverages. I asked him if he has a cot set up in the back and he said he does work the majority of the shifts, with part of the weekend and Monday as his time off.
Sorry, that date should read 5/4/22

Long Train Runnin

Thanks for the updated photos!

I fixed the date in the thread title.

hotelfanatic

Love this lounge. Much better than 95% of hotel lounges in the states. Maybe even 99%.

Mr. BoH

New lounge is fantastic, but they need to bring back the track pre-announcements like they used to have at the old Penn. The ability to beat the rush to the track and get early seats was a huge benefit that they have not carried over for some reason. At my visit last week, my first notice of the track was happening to see if post on screen. As we got our stuff together to leave, we finally heard a loudspeaker announcement as we were going down the elevator, a good 2-3 minutes (at least) after the track was posted for all to see.

rittenhousesq

Yes this is true. When my 6PM Acela was announced and I arrived at the escalator for the track, the line was already massively long, but those of us in first class simply lingered in the front near the top of the escalator, and after the agent verified we were in first class, we were let down before anyone else.
Overall, since more seating is pre-assigned these days, I don't worry as much about getting down to the train early.

Mr. BoH

Yeah, it is no big deal for the Acela anymore. But for the NER or Keystone there is no assigned seating. Especially when traveling with a companion, your only chance to find 2 seats together is to get down early.

musicalbox

Our track was announced early today (3pm southbound Acela) but there was already a long line. I think people figure it out. I got on it but it turned out the bend went the other way and I and a few folks in front and behind me were out of luck. Rather than get back on further back, I went though the downstairs hallway - it helped that it was Track 15 right near the stairs - and got right on. Yes I had an assigned seat but that line is just ridiculous.

As I've mentioned before, when I do coach on the Regional I just board at Penn Station. You can always beat the Moynihan crowd.

physioprof

Francis is the best!

hotelfanatic

Is Francis the bearded gentleman in the picture? I know he's been here since beginning. What about the young thin African American who has been around since the beginning also? He always have a big smile and very helpful. I wish they have name tags (unless i missed them).

rittenhousesq

Yes that is Francis with the beard and he was wearing a name tag

hotelfanatic

I see now, they do have name tags. My eyes are not the best without my eye glasses

emt68

Is Red Cap service still available, and are those using the service still among the first to board?