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The husband and I took the Surfliner from LAX to SBA using AGR points. Tried Business Class for the first time. Going north the BC coach looked the same as all the others and actually had more people in it than the adjoining coach/diner. But of course we got free coffee, juice and pastry. The train was on time, the staff very pleasant.
The return trip was on the older (heritage per our TA) one level cars. The BC car had been "overbooked" and there were no seats for us. We sat comfortably in the cafe half of the car until Ventura. Luckily not too many people desired use of the cafe part of the car since four of the ten tables were taken up by conductors or supplies. Per Linda, the TA, the crew have no other place to work or store things on these older cars. Once in our seats, soft, leather like things, it was very comfy and we enjoyed the trip home. We had our choice of soft drink, coffee or wine and received a snack pack to eat. Although we departed SBA about 30 minutes late we arrived at LAX a bit early.
Linda stated that they have seen considerable increase in ridership recently which she attributes to the higher gasoline prices. She is a longtime LD train TA and will be returning to the Coast Starlight in October, her home for the past seven years. She did note that it was nine hours late last weekend and the conductor indicated it had been stuck behind a disabled freight.
All Amtrak personnel we met were very pleasant and it was an enjoyable trip trainwise. I checked out the "First Class Lounge" at LAX. It opened a little after 8:00 am for the Starlight sleeper passengers. The lounge is created by taking some low tables out of the Traxx bar, placing them in the hallway and putting several chairs around them. There were three or four tables. The passengers went up to the bar to get coffee or juice. As noted on another forum, there are a lot of birds in Union Station and they get pretty agressive when food is in sight. This "lounge" area was roped off and a sign indicated it was sleeper passengers only. There was also a dedicated security guard monitoring the area. When I commented that we should have a "real" lounge she agreed and said "We would have one if we owned the building". I did note that LAX seems to have fixed their PA system. All announcements were very clear as opposed to the almost comedic type of garbling one usually heard.
And the most important thing: the reason for our visit to SBA. Art and I spent a very enjoyable afternoon with Frank in SBA and Norm. We toured the city, had a delicious lunch at Harry's, saw their very lovely home and had great talks about trains, cruising, airplanes, Norm and my addiction to our iPhones, the stock market and the joys of just being alive and able to travel. The pleasure of meeting new and interesting people through the forum has to be one of its greatest virtues. Thanks guys!
-------------------- Vicki in usually sunny Southern California Posts: 951 | From: Redondo Beach, CA | Registered: Aug 2006
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You are very welcome! We enjoyed the day, too, and I hope you noticed we were able to hold off on any local fires until after your departure. We can't see flames but there is some smoke. Homes in Glenn Annie and La Patera Canyon have been evacuated and another 200 homes are on evacuation warning.
Frank (and Norm) in not so sunny SBA
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
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I also noticed that the PA seems to be fixed in Los Angeles. It's about time!!! When I was there on June 10th, I was shocked that I could actually hear what was being said. The only place where it still sounds like Charlie Brown's teacher is in the tunnel leading to the tracks---couldn't understand a word.
The Biz Class seats on the Horizon equipment are very comfy---much more so than the Biz Class seats on the Surfliners.
I was wondering where Linda has been---the Surfliners. Hmm...I woulda thought she had enough seniority to stay on there. Maybe she just wanted a break when it was the "Stublight" and is now bidding it back again?
Sounds like you had a nice time in SBA.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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Business class "out west'" sounds so much nicer than in tne east. There is an argument in the club car over which drinks are included and the only perk I see is that someone will come and help us get the luggage off at our stop.We have to detrain inBridgeport (miserable station) because there is no stop for Trumbull. There is no checked baggage there so we have to take it with us. The cars are really regular coaches though if we are lucky we get the ones with leg rests.Arrugh!!!
Posts: 1577 | From: virginia | Registered: Jun 2005
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Train Lady - Well, one paid dearly for BC, $20 or 500 points.
Smitty - Linda said she had 25 years with the company. She described herself as "stuck on the Surfliner" until October.
We also took advantage of buses to get to Union Station. Parked in the Artesia Transit Center and let MTA do the driving. Works well as long as you aren't needing a bus late at night - they become quite infrequent then. But the bus drivers charge us something different every time. Going home it was $2.25 for the two of us. I find that hard to divide in two to figure out one fare. And, since it was after 7:00 pm I think it should have been lower. Oh well, at least we weren't driving.
-------------------- Vicki in usually sunny Southern California Posts: 951 | From: Redondo Beach, CA | Registered: Aug 2006
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I don't know how many points are charged but the fae has gone up to $35 extra for business class and no more perks or service than before.
Posts: 1577 | From: virginia | Registered: Jun 2005
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