SouthernRailway wrote:Matt Johnson wrote:Downgrade severely, then upgrade slightly and issue a press release covering only the latter? The true definition of fake news I suppose...
https://amp.usatoday.com/amp/790961002" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Thanks for sharing. That article is totally misleading--and in my professional circles, "misleading" = "lying", so it's full of lies. Shameful.
Well that meal actually looks pretty appetizing. The choice of pictures was interesting and maybe someone will see this article and decide to give the train a try.
I don't know why they rolled this out in the way that they did. The very thought of making "First Class" passengers eat cold meals was really disgusting. If they started this program with a few hot choices at breakfast and lunch/dinner, it would have been so much more acceptable.
I think considering everything (free drinks, room service, private lounge, etc.), if the meals are good (and there are reports that the food is very good), this just may work out well. It's not what we are all used to, but we have probably all had mediocre meals and services in traditional dining cars, right?
Now with the ability to reduce dining car crew to one or two people, Amtrak should be able to realize big savings in food operations and keep those new dining cars operating at least for sleeper passengers.
On the other hand, what would be the financial results of opening up the same process and meals also to coach passengers on a 24 hour basis and charge for the meals? Can't see how this would not even be better for the bottom line.
Anyway, I am willing to give Amtrak the benefit of the doubt and see how things go. It would even be a little bit nicer if the dining car had a selection of snacks and treats like in the Acela Lounges if they are kept for First Class passengers only.