The Star segment was great. Superb attendant in sleeper and excellent service in dining-car.

Became upset with sleeper attendant on east-bound Capitol related to his "attitude" about "using" the empty Standard Bedroom across from mine.

As it was, I found my sleeping car on the Capitol extremely warm as compared to the other one. Since my daughter and I were sharing one standard bedroom, I thought perhaps it might be cooler for me to just SIT in the empty room directly across from ours.

Now here is an interesting point: after we were seated in our bedroom and the attendant came around to introduce himself, he informed me that TWO rooms were reserved for us instead of just ONE. "Great", I thought. "This will make the trip so much easier. I did NOT know how this "mistake" had occurred, but I was happy to accept it.

But, it was obvious that the attendant was SORRY (immediately) after he told me this---knowing that I would "take advantage" of the situation and ACTUALLY occupy the room.

Well, after dinner I moved over to the empty room in a futile attempt to escape the heat. There was a pillow on both seats, so I chose to sit on one of them. Evidently this was a big mistake on my part.

Back and forth ther attendant pranced by me in the "extra" room. At first he would just stop in front of the room, peek in, then move on. It was OBVIOUS he did NOT appreciate my using the room. Finally, he said, "Sir, I hate to say anything, but MY PILLOWS !!!"

I immediately got the "hint" and moved back to my original room, saying nothing to him.

Since my daughter was traveling with me, I did not "force" the issue. But I was extremely irritated by this matter.

I understand completely WHY this guy did NOT want me using the extra bedroom----it might mean more WORK for HIM !! He is sayimng to himself: "Hey, if that guy or gal does NOT USE that room, it is less work for me. I will have one less room to "ready" before I reach Chicago (we detrained in Pittsburgh.)

Now you must understand that I had no intention of actually SLEEPING in that extra room. I simply wanted to SIT there for a while in an attempt to cool off. But I guess I made the big mistake of sitting on one of the clean pillows. Perhaps the guy thought I was going to "trash" the room and cause him a great deal of "extra" work.

Anyhow, I thougth this guys attitude was extremely rude. He "attempted" to be polite, but I understood PERFECTLY his "point"---"Buster, you have no business even SITTING in this room."

Needless to say he got NO tip when my daughter and I departed.

But I wonder now if I should have SAID something to him when he made the silly comment about "HIS" pillows.

I do remember his full name. Should I report this incident to HQ or do you think this would be inappropriate ?

Have any of you ever moved across to an empty economy bedroom for a while just for a change of view ? Have you ever been told to "vacate."?

Anyhow, I think I had every right to be upset with this character. He simp[ly could have said, " please feel free to USE this room to SIT in, but please keep it neat---and you must use your OWN pillows to sit on."I would not have had a problem with that at all.

During the DC to Pittsburgh "leg", I kept watch on the room to see if it ever became occupied. It did NOT. This leads me to believe that (in reality) this "extra" room really WAS held for my daughter and I.

Like I said, the only reason this guy did not want me in there was because it might mean a little extra work for him.

However, that's not an excuse. If your room had inadequate air conditioning (was it just your room or the whole car?) then you'd be quite entitled to ask for a different room if there was one available. Perhaps just a little misunderstanding or miscommunication at both ends, not that I'm blaming you.

For the same reasons, when traveling in coach, I'll often switch seats more than once -- even to the point of moving to another car. Again, I've never had a problem.

The attendant does not get paid for any work we do after arrival of the train at final destination, but we must go through the car, clean up obvious trash; make sure all beds are made and ready for occupancy; strip pillow cases; unload all linen and unused pop, water, etc. Plus, we're just as eager to get off the train as everyone else.

I've frequently told people they can use an empty room when one is available, but to avoid the problem of changing those pillow cases again, I don't put out fresh pillows in that room. Inevitably, though, there is trash to clean up.