Amtrak — Local services in West Chicago Township

My amtrak scorecard. LA UNION STATION Cannot be in the waiting area unless you're train leaves within 2 hours. Area can be dangerous if you walk around. Two bags stolen in baggage claim area while picking up another bag on carousel. Contents cell ,laptop other electronics. Asked amtrak attendant to call police. ASKED amtrak ticketing atent to call police. No calls made I had to stop a security guard to call. 2 hrs later filled out report. I was treated like it's normal and happens all the time. Tickets from LA to Tucson a route I use monthly with my bicycle. Trainside checkin changed for bicycles with no update on there we set. Had to cancel was not prepared to dissemble and purchase a box and pay a handling fee. Got a refund that evening my bike was stolen my fault. But would not happen if I was on train. DENVER UNION STATION Checked my bicycle and two boxes. I questioned why if I get 2 items checked at no cost and I already paid $20 FOR bicycle. Why am I being charged additional $20. Baggage person said. That's the way it is. I commented " that may be but I dont think it's right. He became irate jumped over counter and threatened me to get me blacklisted to travel. And was calling homeland security. NO REDCAP SERVICE.

NO LOCKERS AT ANY STATIONS 10 HOUR LAYOVERS MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO EVEN WALK AROUND STATIONS.

TRAIN FROM TUCSON TO CHICAGO. train lost brakes. 10 hour delay. Feed us some kind of rice thing and orange aid not even juice.

EVERY CREW RUNS THEIR TRAIN DIFFERENTLY AND CLAIM ITS POLICY. EXAMPLE : closing observation car when it suits them.

Last but not least !!!! DONT BUY A RAIL PASS ! TO MANY REGULATIONS. TO MUCH FINE PRINT REGULATIONS. What they don't tell you is there's only so many seats available under the rail pass. ticket from florida to salt lake one way $376 Rail pass $459 I purchased rail pass for benefits and paid additional. First time I wanted to take advantage of the rail pass I was charged a additional $50 telling me they had no seats available for my pass. $509 PLUS cost spent in snack shop. Note please don't tell me I should have read all of the stuff. It took me two years of asking researching the rail pass before I purchased these little things just keep popping up as we go along. If you're traveling coach traveling coach. Be prepared to be treated like a second-class citizen unless you pay $1500 for a little run. You virtually get no service from any of the conductors. Pretty much just get snide remarks. Oh and I forgot to tell you about the microwave $ 10 hot dog and soda. All food is microwaved. Coffee is $2.50

My feelings are Amtrak has hidden agendas to take your money. I have logged over 6000 miles on Amtrak. Not one single trip was the same and most employees don't even know Amtrak polices.

RESULT I'M DONE AND ENCOURAGE YOU TO LOOK AT OTHER MEANS OF TRAVEL . STATIONS DANGEROUS AND USUALLY IN HOMELESS AREAS. CAR BATHROOMS IN NNEED OF REPAIR. AIR CONDITIONING ON EVERY TRIP...

The arrival at the Chicago Union Station on Amtrak trains is very antiquated. The I recently traveled from Grand Rapids to Chicago an the trains cars were old and like departure, upon arrival at Amtrak in Chicago, one has to take 3 big steps down to get to the platforms. Our trip was on a showy day so upon arrival, the steps were wet and partially covered with snow from the journey. The staff was helpful and willing to do any heavy lifting but c'mon, it's the 3rd decade of the 21st century and Amtrak has not kept their cars modern nor up-to-date and the steps - how stupid that the platforms haven't been modified over the years (along with new cars that have improved lighting, USB ports, better climate control) so there are NO steps. Thank goodness I don't have any mobility challenges.

The platform area was so-so lit and definitely needs an overhaul to make it more welcoming and provide for a safer feeling.

So why two stars? I did have the opportunity to travel in a business class seat (thanks to my employer) and visited the business class lounge at the station - that was very clean, spacious, and well lit, warm. However, the snacks provided were a super "Meh!" and WHY do American lounges feel the need to blast multiple TV's from every angle. They ought to be on silent mode and if one wants to listen, download an audio app that one can then select the audio to listen to on their headphones through a mobile device. Amtrak could also then tie in their train announcements over and through the app to the listener to make sure they don't miss any key announcements.

But wait... Amtrak evolve into something better? That's the day I stop selling people dry land in...

I had the unfortunate experience with the desk metropolitan lounge attendant in Chicago. Having received instructions at 3 am via text messages as normal from Amtrak, I was headed to my regular routine to wait for boarding in the lounge. Upon showing my ticket I was denied entry into the lounge and when I disputed the instructions, after the attendant shouted at me and acted hostile because I cannot hear due to work related hearing loss, he attempted to intimidate me by calling over two police officers. They were polite but turned on their body cameras and made me feel unwanted and like a criminal. The entire Lounge was empty and I just wanted to sit before my trip per the instructions I received. I was nearly brought to tears because of my embarrassment and having explain to the police officers and showing them my ticket and text message they let me go to my train. I want justice for the horrible treatment of me because I was NOT at fault and any right minded person would just acknowledge the tech error and let me in as normal. Instead, Union Station Amtrak had failed once again and I unfortunately will never forget this event. Each time I am asked to travel for business, I will question my choice to either drive or take Amtrak, and the likely choice will be to drive or fly. Amtrak absolutely faulted in their training of this employee and made me feel small and vulnerable as well as making sure I reiterate my story to coworkers colleagues family and friends that will now view Amtrak and Union Station employees and service as not...