TRAVEL PLANNING TIPS: THE DANGERS OF DOING IT YOURSELF
Although some people think that the internet is all that's needed for planning a trip, Condé Nast Traveler Magazine recently reported that many experienced travelers have learned the hard way that going back to a travel agent makes a lot of sense.
How can The Train Travel Consultants at Accent on Travel USA help you with your trip planning? Let's look at the couple from New York, who booked their trip on the Internet, and found themselves on the Three Rivers from New York to Chicago, rather than the full dining and lounge equipped Lakeshore Limited. They were disappointed with the limited microwaved options for meal service. We would not have put them on this train unless they knew they wanted it and specifically asked for it.
Then there was the elderly couple with difficulty walking. A travel agent not familiar with Amtrak trains put them in the sleeping car on the California Zephyr that was two cars away from the diner. I would have booked them into the sleeper adjacent to the dining car, unless it was not available, in which case I would have put them on a waiting list for the closer car.
Another couple that thought that Emeryville and Oakland (stations three miles from each other) were the same place, and didn't realize that the California Zephyr no longer goes to Oakland. They were concerned about whether or not their friends would be waiting for them in the right station. We carefully explain this to our clients.
There was the disappointed passenger who wanted to make a connection from the Sunset Limited to the Coast Starlight and found that Amtrak had ticketed him on the tedious and very un-scenic bus/train connection through the San Joaquin Valley instead. We would not let this happen.
Traveling from Chicago to Glacier National Park on the Empire Builder? Would you want to be in the Portland sleeper and have to walk the entire length of the train, through all of the coach cars, every time you wanted to get to the dining car or the lounge car? I don't think so, unless you were an exercise addict who wanted to practice keeping your balance over rough track while avoiding getting banged into the bulkheads, so I would put you into the Seattle sleeper which is right next to the dining and lounge cars.
What if you wanted a Deluxe Bedroom Suite for your family, then found yourself in rooms A and B, with a solid wall between you? Would you be disappointed after paying a couple of thousand dollars for a trip of a lifetime? We would never let this happen to you.
There is more to planning a train trip than a few simple key strokes. Let us help you plan your trip of a lifetime. We will get it right for you.
Please give us a call at 1 800 347 0645, or send an e-mail message to accentontravel@juno.com
. Even if we're on a trip, we'll be checking our messages frequently and contact you as soon as we can.
TRAVEL TIP CONSIDER SANTA BARBARA AS A STOPOVER POINT.
As we have said on other occasions, making a connection between the Coast Starlight and any other train is risky because of the train's tendency to run late. We've written in an earlier report about a stopover in Los Angeles; this time we decided on Santa Barbara. While it is not exactly a "hub", it does provide frequent service to Los Angeles and points south on the Pacific Surfliners (the Surfliner route begins in San Luis Obispo, without a change of trains in LA., terminating in San Diego).
While one thinks one is heading south on the costal route, a look at the map confirms that the Southern Pacific was correct when they used to call this line "eastbound"; a term Sylvia's father used when, based in San Luis Obispo, he worked the GS-4 Daylight locomotives as a fireman. Surfliners also make it possible for a same-day connection from Santa Barbara through L.A. to the evening trains, the Southwest Chief and Texas Eagle to Chicago, and the Sunset Limited to Orlando.
Travel Tip: If you have a choice about your direction of travel on the Coast Starlight, take it northbound, and wake up early to see Mt Shasta. The tracks go right up on the shoulder of the massive volcanic peak, and words cannot describe its mystical beauty. If you travel southbound you'll miss both it and Klamath Lake as darkness will have fallen.
Travel Tip: First-class passengers have their meals, but not gratuities, included in the cost of their ticket. We were surprised to notice how many first-class travelers neglected to leave a tip. If you choose to tip, the amount should be the same as you'd leave in a restaurant. By dinnertime, we had only $20 bills left. The maitre' d wasn't able to change them, nor were our dining companions, but the conductor was. Be sure to keep plenty of $5 and $10 dollar bills on hand.
Travel Tip: Don't even think about booking coach for overnight travel unless you really can't afford a sleeper. Snoring, crying babies, bare feet extending into the aisles, and the realization that most of these people have been on the train for two or three days without the opportunity to take a shower or a convenient way to put on fresh clothing, are all reasons why a sleeper is worth the high price. But make your plans months ahead, as sleeping car space is hard to get, even in this, the supposed "off season".
Travel Tip. Never book same-day connections to the Coast Starlight from the Texas Eagle/Sunset Limited or vice versa, but add an overnight stay in the Los Angeles area.
Travel Tip: It is good sportsmanship - and makes your trip more enjoyable for yourself and those around you -- to be prepared for delays and late arrivals, and to handle them without complaining. Stay tuned for our next installment. Trains are about enjoying the unexpected and seeing the country, not about getting there in a hurry.
Travel Tip: Get up early for breakfast, which usually begins at 6 or 6:30 AM but is not announced, as many passengers prefer to sleep in. Otherwise, you may encounter delays.
Travel Tip: Always carry a cell phone on Amtrak, as arrival times are problematical and if you have any type of arrangements to meet someone, keep an appointment, or if you've arranged for transportation, you'll need to update people at your destination.
Travel Tip: In Chicago, leave your luggage in Room 341, which is an extra baggage storage room for first class passengers adjacent to the Metropolitan Lounge. The Red Cap will give you a baggage receipt and your bags will be secured. Then place your name at the front desk of the Metropolitan Lounge and you will be called when the Red Cap is ready to help you board your train with your baggage.
Travel Tip. Don't assume that you will be able to be served in the dining car when you are boarding a late running train. The dining car service hours may expire before you board, leaving you hungry, or forcing you to find something in the snack bar. You might find the snack bar to be closed for a crew break, and even if you are a sleeping car passenger, food acquired in the snack bar will be at your own expense. If you are, for health or dietary reasons, unable to skip a meal, it is best to have something before you board.
Travel Tip: Amtrak as well as major airlines notify travel agents of schedule changes by automated computer messages. If your travel agent doesn't make it a policy to check their computer for air and rail schedules changes shortly before your departure, and provide you with an updated itinerary, change travel agencies. It is a simple matter for an agent to print a new itinerary from their computer. Just to be on the safe side, note your own calendar two or three days before departure and make sure you have the latest information, and call the carrier before you go to the airport or train station.
Travel Tip. I don't advise close connections on Amtrak, but it depends on the situation. Short distance trains have a reasonable chance of running somewhat close to their scheduled times, but long distance trains are habitually delayed. So if you must make a tight connection from a long distance train, don't check your bags through. You and your bags may end up at different destinations.
Travel Tip. Don't depend on the availability of Red Caps or baggage carts. You may find them, but when you don't, you want to be able to lug your own bags with a minimum of effort. Wheeled bags or folding wheeled carts are a must. This is especially true when traveling by sleeper, for you will usually find that the sleeping cars are at the end of the train furthest away from the station. Station platforms can be long and with the addition of material handling cars, your walk to the station is longer than ever as you stroll past several box cars on the end of your train.
Travel Tip. Don't depend on snack bars on Amtrak trains to be open at the usual times when passengers might be thirsty or hungry. From our experiences snack bars tend to be closed at lunch times, cocktail hours, and after dinner so that the attendants can take their breaks. Try to anticipate your hunger pangs or thirst and go to the snack bar to stock up with food or beverages before customary snack times, meal times, or cocktail hours. Or if you prefer, bring your own bottle and snacks, and ask your sleeping car attendant to bring ice and setups. He will usually have ice, soft drinks, and water in his own sleeper, and not be dependant on the vagaries of snack bar attendants. Also be aware that snack bars are not open when you board the train at its point of origin, nor do they stay open to their destination. The attendant will make an announcement when he is ready to open after the train leaves its point of origin. It usually takes him about an hour to get ready to open for business. He will also announce the closure of the snack bar prior to the train reaching its destination. He usually likes to have anywhere from one hour to one and a half hours to close up his snack bar so that he can disembark immediately after arrival.
Travel Tip: Have both hands free when walking about the train. Carry your valuables in a waistpack when you venture to the dining car. Walk with knees slightly bent, in flat shoes, and have both hands ready to balance yourself against bulkheads, backs of seats, or overhead racks. Amtrak does not own the tracks it runs on (except between Boston and Washington DC) and therefore has no control over the lack of maintenance the freight railroads provide; so complaining to Amtrak won't help. It is very easy to lose your balance, so be careful.
Travel Tip. Every Superliner sleeping car has a public shower room on the lower level for the use of passengers in the standard, accessible, and family rooms. There is a small changing area with a bench and a stack of bath towels, washcloths, and soap. The shower control reads Off, Cold, and Hot. This control should be labeled Off, Very Hot, and Scalding. Be careful.
Travel Tip: Make your sleeping-car reservations eleven months ahead of travel if you can. First-class accommodations are sold out months ahead.
Travel Tip: You will be seated with other people in Amtrak dining cars, and that is one of the most enjoyable aspects of the trip. Strike up a conversation and you are guaranteed to learn about interesting people and what they do often people who would never meet in your usual social encounters back home.
Travel Tip: If you do have a complaint on an Amtrak trip, try to get it resolved immediately by consulting with the onboard staff. If it's a small matter (such as missing out on a meal) they may provide you with a voucher for $10 or more on the spot. If it's a large complaint (such as a malfunction or repair issue in your sleeping accommodation) get a statement in writing from the onboard staff, and notify your travel agent upon your return. Amtrak's Customer Service Department will be consulted and you'll need your ticket stub. A voucher for future travel will then be calculated and mailed to you.
Travel Tip: Not all stations provide redcaps, and luggage carts are sometimes in short supply. Since you'll have to handle your own luggage at times, don't bring more than you can carry comfortably. We always bring too much won't we ever learn?
Travel Tip: Bring your own timetable, available in the stations. Then you'll know where the train makes stops, and if it's on time.
Travel Tip: Carry high-protein snacks, such as M & M's with peanuts or granola bars, in case of delayed meals caused by late connections, small portions -- or to keep your energy up if needed.
