4 replies to this topic

[KevinKorell]

Use this thread for reports on our time in Chicago on Monday, July 11th before we board the Empire Builder headed west.

[KevinKorell]

Met up with other Fest attendees. 4 of us went to Beggar's Pizza diagonally across the street from Union Station.

Currently enjoying the new Metropolitan Lounge.

[pennyk]

Passengers were provided snacks in Metropolitan Lounge.  The "walk" from the lounge to the train was a bit disorganized.

Edited by pennyk, 11 July 2016 - 08:22 PM.

[KevinKorell]

The "walk" from the Metropolitan Lounge to the Empire Builder was more than disorganized. It was an outright mess and unfair to first class passengers worthy of the lounge. Passengers on our train were called up to the front by the desk. Those who would need assistance were told to wait for somebody to help them. The rest were told to go out to Track 30. Most of us did so, only to find out from a gate attendant that the Empire Builder was on Track 19.... On the other side. We knew that Track 30 is a through track and that its being there was possible. By the time we went to the correct track we had to cut through the line of coach passengers that had already queued, and then pre-boarded ourselves with nobody seemingly in charge at the gate for Track 19. The lounge got it wrong.

[BillMagee]

That was, indeed, a mess. Very disorganized and, sadly, very Amtrak. Fortunately, the service on the train (where it really matters) was fine.