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Going cross country
Considering taking Amtrak from NJ to LA. Anyone else do it in first class?
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Originally Posted by Mary2e
(Post 35172000)
Considering taking Amtrak from NJ to LA. Anyone else do it in first class?
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Originally Posted by schriste
(Post 35172068)
Yes. a number of times. You will need to change trains most likely in Chicago, but New Orleans is also a possibility. I happen to enjoy trains and traveling by sleeping car (first class) so I have enjoyed my trips on Amtrak for the most part. However, in the past couple of years there have been a number of operational issues (covid for one) and the elimination of full dining car service on East Coast trains that have made the trip less attractive and usually more expensive. But even if Amtrak was perfection, some people might not enjoy the experience that much (for any of a hundred reasons),
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Originally Posted by Mary2e
(Post 35172000)
Considering taking Amtrak from NJ to LA. Anyone else do it in first class?
Do you have any specific questions? I would recommend a train to Chicago and then the Southwest Chief (or the California Zephyr and Coast Starlight). In other words, I would recommend avoiding the Crescent and the Texas Eagle (due to regular reports of substandard food and rude train crews). |
I haven’t done NJ to LA, but I have taken the Lake Shore Limited, and I tried commuting on an overnight train between NY and the Southeast, all in first class (sleeping cars).
Never again. Enough nasty employees that at some point you’ll deal with one of them, and TV dinner food, wrapped in plastic with the labels still on, on trains east of Chicago, and rattling old equipment, all at a higher price than flying first class. It’s not worth it. Imagine if the US had only one airline, government-funded and with a limited schedule. Just how great would air travel be? |
Originally Posted by Mary2e
(Post 35172073)
Thank you very much. It seems the Chicago route involves changing trains only once, and takes just under 3 days. Has that been your experience? Delays? (yes, I know they happen everywhere).
You can scan through the posts here and get some idea of some of the recent issues. Lousy food on the train to Chicago is one. Another has been a shortage of equipment with some unlucky sleeping car passengers suddenly finding out they no longer have a sleeper. I imagine the odds are not great of this happening, but in the past, I never even worried about it. I have usually had pretty good staff on the Western long-distance trains. My last trip from Chicago to Reno in 2021 had a very good crew. |
Originally Posted by serpens
(Post 35172094)
Yes, and I hope to do it again. However, my sister-in-law took the train in sleeper class from northern California to Washington and was bored to the point of "Never again."
Do you have any specific questions? I would recommend a train to Chicago and then the Southwest Chief (or the California Zephyr and Coast Starlight). In other words, I would recommend avoiding the Crescent and the Texas Eagle (due to regular reports of substandard food and rude train crews). |
Originally Posted by WeekendTraveler
(Post 35172124)
I haven’t done NJ to LA, but I have taken the Lake Shore Limited, and I tried commuting on an overnight train between NY and the Southeast, all in first class (sleeping cars).
Never again. Enough nasty employees that at some point you’ll deal with one of them, and TV dinner food, wrapped in plastic with the labels still on, on trains east of Chicago, and rattling old equipment, all at a higher price than flying first class. It’s not worth it. Imagine if the US had only one airline, government-funded and with a limited schedule. Just how great would air travel be?
Originally Posted by schriste
(Post 35172203)
Yes, it takes 3 nights to get to Los Angeles. If possible, I'd suggest trying to take the train to San Francisco (Oakland) as that particular route is exceptionally scenic from Denver to Salt Lake.
You can scan through the posts here and get some idea of some of the recent issues. Lousy food on the train to Chicago is one. Another has been a shortage of equipment with some unlucky sleeping car passengers suddenly finding out they no longer have a sleeper. I imagine the odds are not great of this happening, but in the past, I never even worried about it. I have usually had pretty good staff on the Western long-distance trains. My last trip from Chicago to Reno in 2021 had a very good crew. Thank you |
Originally Posted by Mary2e
(Post 35172430)
Thank you. Nothing specific yet, we're just tossing around the idea. We have 2 little dogs and thought it might be easier to take them on the train before we put them on a plane to Hawaii. But we may simply fly and take a couple of days before flying again.
I do not think I would attempt it with dogs. I'm not even sure if that's possible even with the new pet policy. |
I took the Coast Starlight (with a room) Seattle to Los Angeles and back a few weeks ago. Quite enjoyable even if the crew made as if it is/was like flying UA. Superliner carriages in the west are said to be better than Viewliners in the east.
Originally Posted by Mary2e
(Post 35172430)
We have 2 little dogs and thought it might be easier to take them on the train before we put them on a plane to Hawaii. But we may simply fly and take a couple of days before flying again.
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Originally Posted by YVR Cockroach
(Post 35172756)
I took the Coast Starlight (with a room) Seattle to Los Angeles and back a few weeks ago. Quite enjoyable even if the crew made as if it is/was like flying UA. Superliner carriages in the west are said to be better than Viewliners in the east.
Unfortunately pets are only allowed on trips of up to 7-8 hours (not for the train but your trip). |
https://www.amtrak.com/pets
Per the pet policy Pets should remain entirely inside a closed carrier while in stations and onboard trains and must remain with you at all times; do not leave them alone.Onboard, place your pet carrier under your seat (not under the seat in front of you), except on Amtrak Cascades trains where you can put your pet carrier on the floor in front of the seat next to you.Pets are welcome in Coach class and Acela Business Class, but remember they may not travel in Acela First Class seating, non-Acela Business class, First Class private rooms or food service cars.Some routes designate a specific Coach car for pets: Amtrak Cascades, Carl Sandburg, Illinois Zephyr, Illini, Lincoln Service, Saluki, Pere Marquette, Wolverine, Blue Water, Hiawatha and Missouri River Runner. On other pet friendly routes, you and your pet may ride in any Coach car. |
Originally Posted by Long Train Runnin
(Post 35172826)
https://www.amtrak.com/pets
Per the pet policy Looks like pets in sleepers are a no go. That's what I thought, but wasn't positive. |
Originally Posted by Mary2e
(Post 35172842)
Well, then we simply won't use Amtrak
Certainly, in this case to make it easier on the dogs it won't be a fit for you. |
Amtrak east of Chicago is like transferring to the NYC subway. Nasty equipment and staff.
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