LAX to CHI on the Chief.
This will be a brief report because I have a pressing engagement in about an hour. (OK, OK … so it’s the Red Sox vs. the Mariners.)
The Chief departed Los Angeles on time, fell behind by an hour or so crossing New Mexico, but made up most of and we arrived here something like eight minutes behind schedule.
It was an excellent crew–car attendant passed my personal test by informing me he would bring by suitcase up to my roomette and then by lugging it back down the stairs when we arrived in Chicago. Without being asked. On both mornings, I found my bed put up and the room restored to daytime configuration when I returned from breakfast. Lavatories clean throughout the trip. Cheerful, friendly and efficient.
The dining car crew was also very good. Friendly, efficient and wiling to accommodate a couple of tables where people were enjoying conversation and having a second cup of coffee.
The food was good –not great– and by the time I get back to Los Angeles, I will be sick of every item on it. There really needs to be a greater selection OR different menus for different trains.
Tomorrow it’s the Cardinal to Washington, DC.
I had an interesting experience on the Silver Meteor this week. I boarded in Fort Lauderdale and rode to NYC. The trip began with me leaving my iPhone on a bench at the FL station. My sleeper car attendant checked on his flock frequently and offered any help anyone needed. He even loaned me his phone so I could check on mine. But he was probably the strictest attendant I’ve ever encountered. He went to every room to lecture people on the proper way to put the scoop back in the ice container because someone laid it flat on top of the ice instead of putting it scoop down with the handle up in the air. I had dinner in my room for a change, and as he prepared my tabletop with placemats, I made the mistake off touching one and he told me not touch it while he was working. Then when I signed the meal voucher where he had made a huge “X” I got scolded for not staying within the box with my writing. Another passenger got reprimanded for getting a blanket out the top bunk for an elderly woman who felt chilly. I can’t be sure, but I suspect he spent some time in the military.
You can call it “interesting” if you wish, but I would call it impertinent and over the line.