Trip Report: October 24 to October 31, 2006
by Ted & Sylvia Blishak
GrandLuxe Express to Denver
Monday, October 30, 2006
Absent Minded in Sacramento
We arrived into Sacramento Station well after dark. Instead of walking to the Holiday Inn-Capitol Plaza, which is only two blocks as the crow flies, but six blocks on foot, and eight blocks by street, we find a taxi waiting just a few yards from the platform. Checking into the Holiday Inn, I reached for my waist pack, which contained my tickets and itineraries, as well as my cell phone, and everything else of import. To a feeling of horror which made my blood run cold, I found it was not on my waist. I could just visualize it now, rolling down the tracks toward Davis, California, sitting on the overhead shelf of our Bedroom, where I had stashed it.
The friendly, smiling, and optimistic front desk clerk was sure that it would be recovered, but I was pessimistically convinced that I would never see it again. As soon as I arrived at our room, I called the Amtrak toll free number (not the one where Julie, the Automaton answers, but a dedicated travel agent's line staffed 24/7 by real American people). Explaining my situation, she quickly called the Davis Station, to find that the train had just departed. I asked her for the number of the Martinez Station, the next stop, and when I phoned them, the Amtrak Agent on duty there said, "Oh, we just heard from the conductor of Train No. 5 that your waist pack had been found, and that your reservation called for you leaving on Train 14 that night. Your waist pack will be turned over to the me, and I will relay it to the car attendant of the 1430 car on Train 14, where your Bedroom was confirmed. He will have it for you when you board."
I was amazed at the thoughtfulness and efficiency of this Amtrak team, but could scarcely believe that such a complex recovery could ever work, with so many people involved. I tracked the progress of the two trains on the Amtrak web site, and after No. 14 departed Martinez , I called the Martinez agent again, and she told me that the transfer had taken place, and that the car attendant on the 1430 car was in possession of my waist pack and my tickets. I called the young lady at the Holiday Inn front desk, who was greatly relieved that things were in good hands, remarking, "See, I told you so! I was hoping you would call and let me know, and I'm happy that it all worked out."
Train 14 was scheduled in at 11:59pm, and indeed it rumbled into the station on time. Boarding the 1430 car, there was our attendant, George, a tall blond man with an Eastern European accent, waiting with my waist pack in hand. I pulled my tickets and handed him my Sacramento to Klamath Falls coupon, and we retired to our bedroom, to find our bed made up, ready for us to turn in.
I have nothing but accolades for the crews of Trains 5 and 14, the agent at reservations, and the agents at the Martinez Station, and I will be writing a letter of praise to Amtrak Customer Service.
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