2 replies to this topic

[steve4031]

I live in Chicago, and I had been planning on a Christmas trip. Initially, I thought it would be great to travel by rail to and from Chicago. But I kept reading reports of sleepers being removed and passengers being notified at the last minute. Additionally, the fares were outrageously high. I decided on the Coast Starlight. There had been no reports of sleepers removed at the last minute from this train. According to various railfan forums it was running with fewer sleepers than normal. I booked in November and scored room 12 in the 1431 car. The fare was 860. This may seem high but I anticipated 5 meals in the diner with normally good LAX crews and fantastic scenery.

I used miles to fly United from Ohare to LAX and Seattle to back to Ohare. I splurged and paid to upgrade to Polaris seating on a 787 from Chicago to LAX and first class on a 737 returning from Seattle.

On Christmas Day I got to the airport early, anticipating using a one day lounge pass from the United Credit card by Chase to sit in the lounge. I had read on flyer talk that these passes where not always accepted on days when the United lounges were busy. I hoped that paying for the first class upgrade might help my case. It didnt. I was annoyed because Amtrak Select Plus Status use to guarantee lounge access. This was no longer the case and now one day passes cannot be counted on. Taking trips for the sole purpose of earning select plus status is now not really an attractive process. I normally travel in sleepers, so I am guaranteed use of the Amtrak lounges wherever I am in the system.

I discovered a pizzeria Uno chain outlet on concourse C near the lower numbered gates and enjoyed a sausage pizza for lunch. Then I walked down to the other end of the C concourse to wait for my flight which departed from C29. I found a working outlet and charged my electronics why I waited. I played games on my phone, and relaxed. The plane boarded about 20 minutes late and left about 20 minutes late. We arrived LAX about 5 minutes late.

Tho Polaris seat was a bit tight for me. I am 6 feet tall and 285. There was plenty of legroom, but it was a bit narrow. The flight attendance provided excellent service. I had trouble locating the shoulder belt that attached to the seatbelt. I overheard flight attendants asking other passengers to put theirs on so I looked for mine and could not find it. When the flight attendant reached me I explained that I could not find it. She smiled and said it was hiding and reached by me and located for me. She was very pleasant about the process.

The food selections in first class were not interesting to me so I planned to pass. The flight attendant excelled again. She asked me if I wanted something off of the paid coach menu. I asked for the cheeseburger. She said she would see what could be done. I told her the cheese plate would work if the the cheeseburger was not available. Eventually she returned with the cheeseburger warmed and in an attractively wrapped paper bag. I opened it, put on ketchup, and took a bite. It was delicious. It was served on a pretzel roll with bacon. IMHO this could be served on the Acela and be an improvement over some of those meals with 53 ingredients, 52 of that I do not like.

I got off of the plane in LAX at about 6:20. Made a bathroom stop, and walked to the shuttle stand in front of the terminal. I waited less than 5 minutes for the shuttle for the Hyatt Regency. By 6:40, I was in my room. The app with digital key was a major time saver. This hotel has a 24 hour market, and the breakfast restaurant opened at 6 a.m. I went to bed about 9 pm and slept until 5:40, got up,, showered and went down to breakfast. The service was good. There is a buffet, but when I asked for a menu the waiter cheerfully complied. At Hilton Ohare they usually want to argue with you and insist you eat off the buffet.

I used a car service to get to Union Station. I did not want to rely on Uber and maybe drivers being available or not available because it was the day after Christmas. I left the hotel about 7 a.m. and was in the lounge at LAUPT at 7:30. I was probably one of the first passengers to check in for 14. There is a doorbell outside the door. I pushed it and then prepared to pull the door open. Rather than push the button the guy got up and opened the door and remarked that I was eager. I asked him why? He remarked that it was because I pulled on the door. At the old lounge in NYP and the lounge in Washington, DC this was normal practice to be buzzed in. He was polite, but why make that extra remark.

[steve4031]

On right side. Windows are immaculate. No baggage car so I'm right behind the engine. Two sleepers, a diner, business class car, and then the sightseer lounge and some coaches.

[steve4031]

Reservations for lunch. Great crew.