Passenger Trains > How to file an official compliant re: airline food on Amtrak

I just got off the phone with an Amtrak Customer Relations person after filing an official complaint about the new airline meals on the Capitol and Lakeshore. If you are concerned about this issue here’s how to do it:

Call the usual 1-800-USA RAIL. Press 0 for an agent. Ask for a Customer Relations Representative. Use those exact words. A real person will answer (or did when I called. She said they only answer Monday thru Friday). State you case for why you are opposed to the new policy (I pointed out that Amtrak has more money than ever and proposes to provide the worst service ever - I sensed that the Representative was sympathetic) You will be issued a “case number’ Not sure what to do with that, but I wrote it down.

The Agent stated that the complaint “will go straight to Corporate” . She sounded like they were interested in the public reaction. Let’s be sure they here from us.

John Webb
Trinidad, CA

I’ve sent an email to Customer Relations and mailed a letter to Corporate for good measure.

Already sounded off to my Representatives via email, but will take the chance to call next week.

Posted from iPhone

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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/22/18 13:52 by darkcloud.

If Amtrak is "trying it out" on two lines in response to a Congressional directive, I doubt complaints will get very far.

None the less, I called my Congressman (Brian Mast) to express my concern.

Posted from Android

I just sent Amtrak an E-Mail on their website objecting to this downgrade in service. Will let you know if they answer.

Since I believe the Delta Team is intent on eliminating Amtrak, no amount of objections will help -- but I did it anyway.

This is all silliness.

"Filing a complaint" is not going to get any results, any more than filing a complaint with VIA about late trains will get any results.

reindeerflame Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> This is all silliness.
>
> "Filing a complaint" is not going to get any
> results, any more than filing a complaint with VIA
> about late trains will get any results.


Especially if you are not a regular user of the services,
i.e. the LSL. If you ride it once every few years or
never ride it at all, why should Amtrak worry about your
gripes?

There are people who complain to Amtrak about everything,
whether it actaully has anything to do with Amtrak or not.
These types develop the reputation within Amtrak of being
cranks and crackpots, so they get a form letter in reply
and nothing happens.

We could try "filing a complaint" about Amtrak running trains like it is 1910, and asking for high-speed services. Perhaps that would instantly "go to corporate", as well.

Here's what the Economist said:

Amtrak loses a lot of money providing food service on its long-haul routes because it loses a lot of money on almost everything related to those routes. Long-haul passenger train trips, especially at Amtrak speeds, are for hobbyists, people with lots of time and very restricted budgets, and people who are afraid of flying.

No private-sector company without Amtrak's political and legal obligations would continue to operate its long-haul routes without substantial changes. In a world where members of Congress actually cared about making Amtrak more viable, they would be focusing on pushing the company to scrap or drastically alter its long-haul services, and not suggesting that serving food to people is the heart of the problem.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/20/18 13:06 by reindeerflame.

reindeerflame Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> We could try "filing a complaint" about Amtrak
> running trains like it is 1910, and asking for
> high-speed services. Perhaps that would instantly
> "go to corporate", as well.

Visions of a round wire basket on the floor with the name CORPORATE on it.

Posted from Android

White Collar Crime and Mafia Crime is not that different....

So your going to write Amtrak and tell them to behave? Just like you would tell that to a Family Boss! RIGHT....

Realist Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> reindeerflame Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > This is all silliness.
> >
> > "Filing a complaint" is not going to get any
> > results, any more than filing a complaint with
> VIA
> > about late trains will get any results.
>
>
> Especially if you are not a regular user of the
> services,
> i.e. the LSL. If you ride it once every few years
> or
> never ride it at all, why should Amtrak worry
> about your
> gripes?
>
> There are people who complain to Amtrak about
> everything,
> whether it actaully has anything to do with Amtrak
> or not.
> These types develop the reputation within Amtrak
> of being
> cranks and crackpots, so they get a form letter in
> reply
> and nothing happens.

I don’t ride these trains, so why do I care? I want Amtrak and Congress to cut this crap out so it doesn’t spread to the rest of the network. I’ve already lost the dining car on the Star.

Until this country gets its stuff together and supports a rail system better than the long distance trains, I will fight for them until the last wheel turns and the last decent meal served.

ETA: I’ve only ever written 2 complaint letters in the 12 years I’ve ridden Amtrak: 1) when they took the diner off the Star and 2) this new change on the LSL and CL.

Posted from iPhone



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/20/18 13:53 by chrsjrcj.

reindeerflame Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> This is all silliness.
>
> "Filing a complaint" is not going to get any
> results, any more than filing a complaint with VIA
> about late trains will get any results.

i agree. i am SURE members of congress have NUMEROUS other complaints/requests that they are concerned about in order to stay in office.......

66

reindeerflame Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> We could try "filing a complaint" about Amtrak
> running trains like it is 1910, and asking for
> high-speed services. Perhaps that would instantly
> "go to corporate", as well.
>
> Here's what the Economist said:
>
> Amtrak loses a lot of money providing food service
> on its long-haul routes because it loses a lot of
> money on almost everything related to those
> routes. Long-haul passenger train trips,
> especially at Amtrak speeds, are for hobbyists,
> people with lots of time and very restricted
> budgets, and people who are afraid of flying.
>
> No private-sector company without Amtrak's
> political and legal obligations would continue to
> operate its long-haul routes without substantial
> changes. In a world where members of Congress
> actually cared about making Amtrak more viable,
> they would be focusing on pushing the company to
> scrap or drastically alter its long-haul services,
> and not suggesting that serving food to people is
> the heart of the problem.


In other words they scrap it everyone's hsppy since it didn't work and we got proof of this! Whatever Reindeer, you really need to wake up and smell the coffee!

Posted from Android