Amtrak

I was on the train from VA new port news to Boston and the train was so cold. No heat. I asked if can they turn on the heat or turn the fans off, they said yes but it never happened. Everyone was on with their coats and hoods on saying "it's cold" and again, nothing. It is winter and we have reached New York, and it's cold. The lady told me it gets too hot, so I guess on Amtrak, customer service is a no-no. Wow, 14 hours and no heat. Never again. 2/6/12 train 66 4:55 to 7:55 and I'm freezing sad.

I was on the Amtrak train, and instead of a steak, they made me eat shrimp and lobster tail. Also, the wine was room temperature, instead of slightly chilled. I was also appalled at the patte'. It wasn't fresh as described. It was 4 hours old. To top it off, when I was at the station, the Amtrak employees didn't pour my soda for me. I had to get it myself. What a horrible experience!

Here are the contents of a complaint I just emailed to the Amtrak corporate office, where, if my previous experiences with Amtrak are indicative of their corporate offices, it will probably be ignored:

"I would like to formally complain about Penn Station customer service manager who, after speaking to me in an extremely abrasive and rude manner, refused to give me her full name. I missed my train due to the incompetence of two ticket sales representatives, who were under the mistaken impression that I would not have to visit the "Canadian Check-In" prior to boarding my international train. As per their instruction, I simply waited in line and was told upon attempting to board the train that I would have to get my ticket stamped at the "Canadian Check-In" desk. I immediately ran there but apparently several other customers had also been misled and I and about five other passengers were deemed "too late" and told that we had missed our train.

I then went back to the ticket salespeople and explained to them what had happened. They were a man and woman sitting next to each other, and upon hearing what happened, the woman started arguing with the man, saying "You see what happened? I knew he had to check in!" Then they switched my ticket to the next train, which was 24 hours later, and decreased my fare by $7. I was of course irritated by the situation, as I would be missing my first day of University classes because of their incompetence, but they were relatively nice about it so I wasn't too upset.

I then asked if I could store my baggage at Penn Station, as I had a lot of heavy bags and did not want to have to carry them all the way back to my friend's apartment which was on the 6th floor of a building without a working elevator. They told me to go to the baggage check counter, which I did. There I was told that I had to pay $4.50 per bag to keep it there overnight. I explained to the man there (who was very nice) that I had no money and explained my situation to him. He told me that he was not authorized to waive the fee, but that I could speak to the manager at the customer service desk and she could do that for me.

So I went to the customer service desk and explained my situation, and asked if I could speak to the manager. The woman working at the desk there said okay, called her manager, and told her that I was there and wanted my baggage storage fees waived. Twenty minutes later, I asked if the manager had perhaps forgotten that I was waiting there, and the woman at the desk said "Yes, maybe, let me call her again." She called a few minutes later after chatting with one of her coworkers. There was apparently no answer, so she said she would try to find her. She then continued to gossip with her coworker for about ten more minutes before standing up to find her manager, which I found to be a bit obnoxious but I didn't react.

Finally, about another fifteen minutes later (totaling about 45 minutes of waiting to ask the manager a simple thing) the manager came to me and asked me in a very aggressive, confrontational tone, with her hand on her hip, "What do you want?" I replied, "I ended up missing my train this morning and it was sort of Amtrak's fault, so I was hoping--" at which point she cut me off. "Oh really? It was Amtrak's fault, huh?" which she again said in a tone I found to be quite rude. I then explained the situation and she continued to speak to me rather rudely until I explained why I hadn't gone to the Canadian check-in counter, at which point she said, "Mmhmm, yeah, and why don't I go and ask those people at the ticket counter right now?" I was rather taken aback by her implication that I was somehow lying about my story. Bear in mind that I still had not asked for anything, I was simply explaining what had happened.

To this I replied that, "Yes, of course, we should go right now and speak to the people at the ticket counter." Unfortunately, when I brought the manager to the man who had misled me about the check-in policy, he lied and said that he had only said I didn't have to check my luggage. At this point, I started to get pretty visibly upset, and the woman sitting next to the man cut into the conversation and semi-explained what had happened to her manager. I was pretty stunned about the whole situation, and the woman was behind a glass panel, so I didn't hear exactly what she was saying to the manger, but finally she asked me what it is that I wanted.

Having gotten much more upset than before, I now suggested that my ticket be refunded in full. The woman's reply to this was to shake her finger at me and say "Nu-uh. There is no way I am giving you a full refund. I don't think so. You should have just told me that's what you wanted in the first place so I wouldn't have to waste my time with you." I was now quite upset, and asked her what her first and last name were. She replied that her name was Yura and that people go by their first name around here so I don't need her last.

I insisted that I wanted her first and last name spelled out for me and she simply walked away. I then asked the woman at the customer service desk how to spell her manager's name, and whether there was someone higher up that I could speak to. She said she didn't know the manager's last name, but that her first name was Eura-- spelled that way if I remember correctly, and that she didn't think there was anyone higher up at Penn Station that I could speak to."

On new years day 2012, I bought a ticket from San Diego to Santa Barbara. I am a disabled person with a county of Los Angeles access card. As I boarded the train,12 noon departure, I requested that I get off in Los Angeles to get my medicine. I needed to take and board another train or thru way bus the next day. The conductor was very rude and told me I must get off in Los Angeles or Santa Barbara. I told him I was sick and told him it was necessary.He ignored me and turned his back to me. I asked to speak with the supervisor.

The train departed about 15 minutes later, another conductor Kevin ** came over to where I was sitting. He told me, I must buy another ticket now or I will be removed by the sheriff department in Solana Beach. I told him the ticket does not say there are no stopovers and I am disabled person with a valid ticket. He became very sarcastic, waved his hand in my face and told me to get downstairs and get ready to get off my train in a very mean tone. I then told him to mind his manners and not touch me. He acted as if he was about to push me down the steps with my baggage.

I was now short of breath and sat in the cafe car. I heard him whisper to another conductor, "I am going to show this honky ** ** white trash not to cheat me". I then felt very upset and feeling more ill. The train arrived in Solana beach, Kevin ** escorted me to 2 sheriff deputies and told them I was abusing other passengers and I had the wrong ticket. He wrote my name and left very quickly.

The trains departed and I told the officers he lied about me and I showed them my ticket and my passport ID. One officer told me I can talk to the Amtrak ticket agent nearby. I needed to get medical attention and did not want to waste my time. I also showed the officers my access card. I asked them about a local bus to ocean-side so I can board a greyhound bus to Los Angeles. They assisted me and left.

I bought tickets online for a round trip on the Coast Starlight from Emeryville to Portland. In Emeryville I used a kiosk to print my tickets (for three of us). The ride up was uneventful aside from being three hours late. On the return trip I went to a kiosk again and was told to go to the ticket agent. The agent insisted that my return tickets had been printed in Emeryville and that since they had "cash value" they couldn't issue new tickets to us. I had to purchase new tickets to get home. I read the new tickets carefully and found no indication of this policy.

I was curious so I asked the ticket agent if I could sell my tickets, which supposedly had cash value to a third party. I was told that the tickets were not transferable since I'd is required onboard. I feel like I was extorted into buying tickets I had already purchased. In fact they had a complete record of my purchase in their computer. In addition to all of that, the coach seats are less comfortable than a torture device and the on board food was barely mediocre.

My husband and I took a trip on the Zephyr on 11/22/11 am train heading to Reno from Sacramento. We were charged for our lunch and the couple sitting across us. Why would we spend $40.00 on total strangers? After waiting one month to hear from Amtrak about this complaint, they said I have to dispute it with my bank and they refused to refund our money. However, they offered me $40.00 of free travel.

My son left his return ticket on the train when he came to visit on December 15th, 2011. I believe I picked him up at 11:30 am in Tacoma, Wa. When we went to talk to the agent on duty, she had told us that he would have to buy another ticket. It was their policy. The agent had all his information on the computer and knew he had purchased the ticket. To me, it feels like the only thing that AmTrak cares about is money and not personal relations. If this is the case then see ya Amtrak! We are regular riders, at least twice a month, and for $50 they are willing to lose a customer. There policy, it's like going to the doctor for surgery and he operates on the wrong leg. But beforehand you have to sign a form stating that the doctor is in no way liable for his actions. I know we sign them and read them, but come on, really?

I have been using Amtrak to go to Harrisburg for many years. In the past, it was quite easy to buy tickets at the ticket window which was open more often than now. Then the ticket vending machines came along (sometimes a hassle to use) then got a little bit easier. Up until May of 2010, these Quik-Trak ticket vendors accepted debit cards which was quite convenient for me (providing the machine was working properly). Then the less convenient was last year in Paoli, PA. I have another credit card that I use only for this purpose. When I ordered my tickets on the Quik-Trak, as I pressed the key for my destination, the machine stalled and did not proceed to the next frame. Luckily, the ticket window was open that particular day or I would have to order tickets on board the train.

Due to the unreliability of these machines, I decided next time to order online and have them sent as regular postage to my address for free. When I ordered tickets recently, I discovered the only option for mailing the tickets was a $15.00 fee for shipping them express mail; less convenient. I certainly hope if in the future when I print my barcoded itinerary and bring it to the station to scan to print pre-ordered tickets, the machine is more reliable since there is only a limited amount of hours that Paoli, PA. Amtrak ticket service window is open.

My brother, who has health issues, boarded an Amtrak train with travel partner from Portland Oregon to Las Vegas New Mexico. They were told they could check their bags as far as Los Angeles (because the Las Vegas station does not have a bag pick up). When arriving in Los Angeles, they were told that their bags were missing. They were advised to fill out a missing baggage claim, which they did, and continued on to Las Vegas hoping that their bags would soon follow. They arrived in Las Vegas to a blizzard and only the clothes that they had been wearing for two days on the train (they had even checked their small backpacks so they had nothing but their wallets). They were told that no one would be able to help them until Monday (which seems ridiculous to me; I mean really? Their bags were lost through no fault of their own and no one can help them because it's the weekend?).

They both had job interviews in Angel Fire New Mexico and had to leave Las Vegas, still with no luggage. Since my brother's phone charger was in one of the bags he checked, he had to rely on me to assist. The experience I had was the absolute worst customer service imaginable. The people I dealt with (not Customer Care, because they were not there until Monday) were defensive, apathetic, rude, and said such things as "What do you want me to do about it?" When I finally did reach "Customer Care", the man was irritated with me and said that the only compensation my brother could hope for was a "travel voucher". I had to laugh. Amtrak lost my brother's luggage, forcing him to go to a job interview in rumpled, dirty clothing and was rude to me during my attempt to see what they could do, and their compensation is a ticket to travel with them again? Ridiculous. They need to get his bags to him in Angel Fire and refund his money. If they were a privatized organization and treated customers in this manner, they would be out of business within a year.

I bought a round trip to ticket from Richmond, Virginia to Metro Park, Iselin, NJ for my 18-year-old college student. He had the email confirmation which instructed him to go to the kiosk at the station to print his ticket. He did that per the instructions and got to Metro Park in Iselin, NJ. The return did not go the same way. At Metro Park, the kiosk would not print his return ticket. He went to the ticket counter where the person told him his return ticket was issued in Richmond, but my son told him it was not printed at the kiosk, no one told him he was suppose to get the round trip tickets in Richmond that the machine should have printed both tickets.

The ticket official was very rude and told him he had to buy another ticket for $128 dollars. They would not honor the email that he had that gave instructions to "print the ticket before boarding the train". No where was he told that he should have gotten both tickets on the first leg. This is ridiculous and I would like a refund of the $128 dollars since we paid for a round trip for $256.70. It is not our error that the kiosk did not print the return ticket! That is Amtrak's mistake!

I live in a mobile home park that is close to the tracks. There are some trains that go by at 2 am and blow the horn several times very loudly! There are elderly people who live here trying to sleep! The horn is way too loud for this time of night when people need their sleep! The train going down the track is loud enough and people expect that when they live near the tracks. It seems cruel of Amtrak employees to lay on the horn in a residential area at that time of night.

We were to board an Amtrak bus back to Emeryville, CA from pier 39 San Francisco, CA. As it turns out, the bus that was going to Emeryville said we could not board. It was because he was only taking passengers that had to go to Emeryville/Sacramento. We are frequent travelers with Amtrak, and we have been allowed to go back to Emeryville early if we want. We were told to wait for another bus that would take us back. Well, the bus was a campus bus, a small one. And this bus driver took us to the Amtrak bus that was at the ferry building. He dropped us off at a street where there were a lot of homeless carts.

Amtrak bus arrived about 15 minutes later. There was no room for all of us. So, about 13 of us had to stand all the way back to Emeryville for about 30 minutes. My husband and I are seniors above 67 years old. We had our two grandchildren with us. We paid for a seat. We did not pay to stand up. We also bought our tickets a week before. Someone made a mistake and we had to suffer by standing all that way. It is also dangerous. How would you feel gong over the Berkeley Bay Bridge and down a busy freeway holding on so you won't fall on the person that is in front of you?

Train #718 waited for 35 minutes in station in Merced, CA waiting for other passengers. We were never told what the problem was until train departed. We were informed that passengers were late from another train. Conductor made statement that "someone had friends in management to get train to delay". I missed my ride in Fresno and had to pay a taxi $26 to get back to my dorm.

My husband and I were ticketed on Amtrak from Red Wing, MN to Chicago, IL on August 14, 2011. Scheduled departure was 8:54 a.m.

Over the course of the next 12.5 hours, we sat on folding chairs on the platform in Minnesota. I called Amtrak auto-answering system as well as live agents eight times during the day. Each time, I was told a different story about how late the train would be. The story started out that the train would be seven hours late. We could deal with that. But in seven subsequent calls, either Amtrak has the most incompetent computer system in the world for estimating ETAs or agents were just plain lying, because hours late became first seven, then eight, then10, then 11 hours late.

After sitting on the platform all day, afraid we would "miss" the train(!), we finally gave up at 8:30 p.m. All the other passengers had given up and left long before. It was dark, and we never did see the train!

So we came home, cancelled our Chicago vacation, and started trying to get refunds. Some business operators refunded our money, some didn't. Amtrak customer relations did refund the price of our tickets (if we sent them back at our expense), but refused to take responsibility for the forfeiture of our first night at the Chicago hotel or one other vendor who required a three-day advance cancellation notice. So we ended up $206 out of our pocket.

If Amtrak had only contacted us about the extreme delay before we drove to the station, or if they had told us the real story all day, we could have made an informed decision about what to do and also cancelled the hotel in time to get our deposit back. Also, Amtrak apparently subcontracts with bus companies to bus passengers when the delay is more than six hours. But they never told us that, nor did they tell any of the other passengers waiting with us. We were all told later that a bus did come, to the other side of the small depot building. The driver came in, and when he was directed to all of us with our luggage, out on the platform, he just turned around, exited the building, got into the bus and left us all behind. Of course, none of us were looking for a bus--we were looking for a train!

The bus driver didn't even have the courtesy to walk 20 feet, announce he was there and the bus option. We have been told by customer relations that Amtrak has a policy of never taking financial responsibility for any losses incurred by passengers because of Amtrak schedules or anything else Amtrak does.

I can understand unforeseen delays. I do not accept the misinformation, the lack of early communication to passengers (they apparently knew about the seven-to-12 hour delays the day before!), the ever-changing story that differed from passenger to passenger when we would call separately, and the bus fiasco.

I am appealing their refusal to reimburse us our forfeited deposits, but doubt I will ever hear anything back, let alone be reimbursed the $206. So in a nutshell, Amtrak cost us a day out of our lives, an uncomfortable 12 1/2 hour wait on a platform, stress and hassle, ruined our vacation, and cost us $206 out of pocket on unrecoverable deposits.

What a deal. I think our government should look at Amtrak as one of their first budget cuts. This organization is a money hole, extremely poorly run, totally confused, chaos reigns, and giving out no information or misinformation is the rule. They could care less about anyone or two passengers--just another day for them. Really unmotivated and bad attitude, from top to bottom.

My wife and I were graciously invited by my son and daughter in-law with prepaid tickets ($292.00) to Wilmington Delaware on July 29 and return July 31st to save time. I have used Amtrak previously and thought it would be a change so as not to drive this 4-5 hour car ride. The cars were clean and the ride down was fine. We enjoyed the weekend and returned on the 140 train from Washington to New Haven. This train was apparently overbooked as we had to walk through 4 cars to find seats. On the last car my wife found 1 seat. Across the isle were 2 seats with drinks and a computer. there was a sign that said "This seat for Crew". Tired of going through the cars I sat in the isle seat. Moments later the ticket taker stood over me, pointed to the sign and said. Do you see the sign? I respectively responded by saying "Yes..but there are no seats on the last 4 cars and wanted to sit with my wife".. Again, while pointing..."Do you see the sign...it says for crew".

I mentioned that I was the customer whose ticket was paid for by my son and there were no seats on the last 4 cars. As I was "asked" he walked me 3/4 down this car and asked another traveler if he would move his computer aviling 1 seat and sat alone while my wife was at the end. This was very disturbing to me and fail to recognize that I as the customer had to be exposed to this type of behavior. Look forward to your reply.

On the 13th of July 2011, I arrived at 30th Street Station in Philadelphia, PA quite early in anticipation of my trip to Savanna, GA on train # 89, which was scheduled to depart at 7:37 AM. I was excited about seeing my daughter and 2-year-old grandson.

Upon arriving, I discovered that my train was delayed because of "engine trouble". An hour later, my train finally arrived. During the train ride, the speed was decreased from 79mph to 59mph. It was because of the extremely hot weather, we passengers were told.

When the train had reached SC, through no fault of Amtrak, we encountered a severe thunderstorm in which trees fell upon the train tracks and a large limb crashed through the window, struck and injured the engineer. The passengers were told the train's engine had blown during this mishap. We passengers sat stranded on that train for several hours with no food and were offered free water and some little mixed nut snack.

Some several hours later, we were rescued via some local buses that transported us to our final destination. That was a very long ride and we reached our destination the next day.

My complaint to Amtrak is that my vacation was shortened a day because of this mishap. Not the storm, but the engine problem. My question is, couldn't Amtrak, once made aware of the engine problem, transfer the passengers somewhere between Philadelphia and a nearby state instead of risking the chance that the passengers would not arrive to Savannah, GA safely?

I am very unhappy about this situation and I think I should be compensated in some way for the inconvenience and lack of sleep and food. My confirmation # was **.

My return trip to Philadelphia was smooth and problem free.

After sitting on the train, traveling back from Dallas to Chicago for 3 hours, we had only made it to East Dallas. It is unacceptable. The engineer had informed us that the dispatcher at Union Pacific has not given him any answers. And she could not be reached on the phone. How ridiculous is that? We were told back in Dallas that there were two freight trains. The 1st one did not arrive until 1 hour and 15 minutes later. Now at 6:48, we were still sitting in Dallas and we got on the train at 3:45. Due to this inconvenience, we were 5 hours late arriving back home to Chicago.

I am so frustrated with this company. And not to mention, the have the worst customer service in the world. They're very inconsiderate of the customers. Normally, I am not for folks losing their jobs. But this woman (dispatch) should be written up or fired for her behavior, for not caring for her job or the customers she serves that keep her employed. Let's not mention when my husband called customer service at 800-872-7245 to complain. The CSR rep's response to him was "What do you want me to do? My job is to take reservations and cancel reservations." Now why do companies in America act like that? It must be their company's policy to act this way because it's neutral across the board.

While sitting in the dining car waiting with my 2 year old, the waiter asked for my order. After giving him my son's order, I informed him that I would not be eating. It's just the 2 year old. His response to me was I could not be seated unless I was dining in. Hello, who would allow their 2 year old to dine alone? After I refused to leave because my son wanted to eat, his service to me was sour. This would be our family's first and last time. We would never travel on Amtrak again. I would not put my dog on their trains. They have horrible service.

I almost forgot to mention the customer service lady who was working at the ticket counter in Dallas. How could I forget how obnoxious she was? There was a woman who was in need of some assistance with her tickets. She told her that she was going on break and closed her window.

July 11, 2011: Coastal Starlight Train from San Jose to Portland, Oregon was a terrible disappointment. First, our accommodations were tiny and misrepresented by sales agent. Second and most important was the poor attitude and inefficiency of the employees on that train. Frankly, they did not care to be of any help to, let alone, do their jobs with passengers. Accommodations and attitude were lousy.

My friend and I booked what was supposed to be a round-trip ticket from Washington to Atlanta to attend an event over the Labor Day weekend. After paying for the tickets, we called the call center and were told that they had only booked us for a one-way trip when we clearly had booked round trip and demanded another $500 to fix the problem. So I told them that I wanted to cancel my reservation and was told that the money would be released immediately.

The next day, I called my card and the refund had not been issued. I called Amtrak and was told that they would not process the refund for seven to 10 days even after they screwed up the thing to start with. When I told them that was unacceptable and that I could not and would not wait a week for them to fix their mistake as I needed the money to make other travel arrangements, I was put on hold for over an hour while the representatives "assisted other callers" (code for smoking, drinking and calling adult chat lubes when they are supposed to be cleaning up Amtrak's messes) and they refused to address my concern.

If this pathetic company insists on continuing to treat people this way, they need to be out of business with their incompetent employees banned from service work! I will never travel by rail! Go to the lowest regions of hell, Amtrak!

I bought my tickets (roundtrip from Kingston to Boston) online. I went to the kiosk and got only my ticket to Boston, so I assumed that I would have to print my returning ticket before boarding the returning train. When I tried to print the ticket back to Boston, the kiosk referred me to the agent. I talked to her, and she was unbelievably unhelpful. Apparently, there was absolutely nothing she could do except insist that my ticket had printed in Kingston--which it hadn't! I called the Kingston station, who also said it must have printed and it was my own fault for not picking up the ticket. Infuriating!

The Boston agent made me buy ANOTHER ticket (so at this point, I had spent $80 on a day trip to Boston). I was told I could call customer service to request a refund. I spent 40 minutes on hold before I got someone in the refund department, who was nice but put me on hold for another 15 minutes. She said the refund would go through in 15 days. It didn't. It has now been 3 weeks since the fateful day. So now I'm facing the prospect of another hour spent on the phone trying to wrangle back my $30. I feel exploited, scammed, and helpless. It's such a shame because I want to support the train infrastructure in this country, but next time I'll be driving. And there's no way in hell I'll ever buy a ticket online again.

I have two issues: The first is that I believe a handicapped wheelchair bound person should be made completely aware that this train in not actually handicapped accessible. A person traveling in the handicapped room can not and will never be able to VIEW the country side because they absolutely can not access the dinning car or the viewing lounge! They will be confined for the entire travel time in their little cubicle! This should be made plain in all your advertisements!!!!!

Second, our attendant, one Mr. Khan, was not all that helpful and he even reprimanded me one time for not telling him that I could not navigate the steps. My husband wound up doing all the running upstairs to get the extra things we needed. On our way home there were towels and wash cloths aplenty in our compartment, but on the way up, there had been zero, and I had no idea they were available...I also noted a head protection on the seats that had not been put there prior to our leaving from Sanford on July 14th... On our way home on July 20, an attendant by the name of Linda waited on us and she was terrific. Thank you for hearing my position.

I bought a 10 ride ticket and couldn't use it 4 times because the train was so late I would miss my appointments so I did not travel Amtrak. My ticket became expired with 4 rides Amtrak would not honor.

I normally never complain about anything but I feel as though Amtrak really drop the ball on this one. I arrived at the Wilmington, DE station at approximately 12:15pm, my train was scheduled to leave at 1:30pm. I had made my reservation weeks in advance and all I needed to do was go to the kiosk and print out my tickets for boarding, this is where my nightmare began.

All the train systems were down, nothing was working and there was no way of printing out my tickets. How am I to board the train without a ticket? Well, the customer service workers told us that all we had to give the conductor was our reservation number to board since every Amtrak system was down. I got my seat on the train, sat there and waited for the conductor so that I could tell them what I was told at the station. The conductor finally showed up and I explained to him that the systems were down at the station and that there was no way for me to retrieve this ticket, and we only needed to give the reservation number and it would be fine. He looked at me like I was crazy and proceeded to say that other passengers from Wilmington station had their tickets ready and made it seem as though I was making this up! I was not pleased and thought to myself that maybe it's because they were able to get the tickets before the ** systems shut down!

I was forced to repay for another ticket or else I would have been kicked off at the New York Penn station with no place to go. Unbelievable! I will not ride on 176 north east regional ever again and thank you guys for making my trip ** I was so embarrassed and the conductors on that train are a piece of **

Luckily, when I arrived at my destination in Providence, the customer service representative was so nice and helpful and I was able to get my money back. Even they were like, I heard the Wilmington train isn't that friendly, and I thought you are so right!

My disabled family was to travel from Shelby, Montana to Spokane, Washington, to Seattle, Washington, to Olympia, Washington on May 1 and 2, 2011. They arrived in Shelby at 2:00PM, MDT. They were advised the train would be 4 hours late, which eventually became over 12hrs. late. Original schedule said they would leave Shelby, Montana at 5:22 pm, MDT., actual departure time was closer to 5:40am, MDT.

They were left alone in an empty train station in Shelby, Montana for about 16 hours. They paid for sleeping car, and meals. I phoned Amtrak in an attempt to get them food, water, and to be woken up so they did not miss their train. I was refused. They were in a small town, (about 3,000) that had no 24hr food places, or other all night facilities. They were given no security or any kind of bedding materials.

In addition, they were denied access to sleeping accommodations on the morning of May 2, 2011, which was paid for, and were denied supper on one day, and denied lunch the next day.

After checking with Amtrak, I was told that they would be put on a bus from Spokane, Washington to Seattle, Washington. A bus ride of some 8 to 14 hours duration would be intolerable to my special needs children, not to mention to their diabetic mother.

I was told by Amtrak if they caused a missed train connection that a hotel would be offered. Amtrak missed three connections. No such offer was made for a hotel. As of June 26, 2011, in spite of numerous emails and telephone calls, I have heard nothing from Amtrak.

I have 2 travel vouchers, from a previous trip, that I wanted to use for a trip on June 6 The vouchers were to exspire on June 3. I spoke to an Agent on the phone and was told that if I made the reservations and picked up the tickets before the exspiration date on the 3rd the vouchers would be good. I told the agent That where I live there is no Amtrak Office and I would be traveling by car from KS to NE to catch the train to CO. The agent told me that since I was making the reservation and using my credit card to hold the reservation the vouchers would be honored,I made the reservations on May 12. When I got to the station on June 5 at 11:30 pm (when the station opened) I was told they would not honor the vouchers. .

My daughter (who was traveling alone) arrived at the train station. My daughter needed to pay for the upgraded ticket, but her magnetic strip would not work on her card. She contacted me and asked the agent to take a card over the phone. She would not. I called 1-800 Amtrak, paid for the upgraded ticket. I gave my daughter the new ticket confirmation code, who then gave it to the agent. She took her time processing this information and was extremely rude to my daughter. I was on the phone with my daughter and overheard the entire conversation.

Not only was the ticket agent rude, she refused to let my daughter in the station at 3:30 am until 2 minutes before the train left. She then followed her to the boarding area where she cursed at her before she entered the train. I could never treat my customers like this and expect to get a return visit. I am totally outraged over the behavior of this agent. My daughter is a teenager traveling alone and this agent brought her to tears at the station. Is this really what train travel is about???

My fiance and I were returning from Washington DC on June 7, 2011 and were delayed over 4 hours getting into Chicago Union Station. We understand these things happen; however and are not writing to complain about this seemingly pretty common practice of Amtrak being late. We want to get the word out (and have tons of video/audio to prove it) that something very scary happened to us while on our return trip home. We booked 2 lower level seats because a friend recommended them for longer train rides because of the extra room around the seats (for those in wheelchairs, etc. or who cannot climb the steps to the upper level and much more crowded coach seats).

There are about 16 seats in the lower level with only one door to enter the car. It's an "automatic" door that has two "buttons" you press (one near the top, one near the bottom) and the door opens rapidly. The entire lower level where we were sitting was pretty much full and most were passengers that boarded with us in DC. Most were also elderly, traveling alone and one man appeared as if he'd just had surgery due to him wearing a neck brace. He was also very old and could barely press the button hard enough to open the door to get to the restrooms in the hallway on the other side of the door.

Our complaint starts when one elderly woman gets up and tries to open the door but nothing happens. My fiance gets up and tries to help her by pounding on each button, but still nothing. There were a couple of male passengers who came down from the upper level to use the restrooms and we yelled through the window for them to try and help us get the door open.

They pressed the buttons on their side and still nothing. A rather large, muscular man comes down and he and my fiance working together on each side of the door managed to pry it open. This took about 15 minutes, meanwhile the poor elderly woman had to hold it because she couldn't access the restroom. Another elderly person mentioned their medication was in their luggage on the rack outside of the room and was getting very emotional and scared. My fiance also suffers from anxiety and needless to say was a complete wreck and now has bloody knuckles from punching the buttons so hard in an attempt to get the door "unstuck".

I also have a pretty nice-sized bruise on my hard from "side-ramming" the door to no avail. While we tried to get the door open (about 15-20 mins time) almost everyone in the car decided to all push our call buttons in the hopes an attendant could get us out of there and hopefully fix the door so we didn't have to be scared of being locked in again. 5-6 call buttons were pressed, in a car specially made for the elderly and handicapped (presumably those who WILL need assistance at some point) and NO ONE CAME! I have documented these events on my cell phone's video camera. Once the door was pried open and we put luggage down to keep it from closing, my fiance and I decided to go find an attendant and see why no one came to help.

What if there was an emergency? What if someone panicked to the point they passed out or worse? In 15-20 minutes time, a lot could happen and all of us spoke about how scary that was that if something worse did happen, we would be ignored and left to fend for ourselves. My fiance and I walk upstairs and through the coach seats to the dining cart to see not only the lady attendant who briefly introduced herself hours early and said she boarded in Toledo, also assuring us if we needed anything she'd take care of us. We see her and 4 other attendants sitting there at a table just chit-chatting and none the wiser. We walk up to them and asked what they were doing and why no one answered our call-buttons???

We were immediately told to sit down and calm down. The lady assigned to our car didn't say one word nor did she come down with us to the car. Another attendant who admitted he was on 2 hours of sleep and expected to do another shift an hour and a half after we arrive (if we ever arrive, that is) into Chicago, came down and ended up doing something with the key to the door that it stayed open continuously. This was after him yelling at me for videotaping all of this and also after him giving a very detailed explanation of this apparently common occurrence with the automatic doors.

He said something about air pressure building and creating a lock and that it "happens all the time". He acted like it was a known issue and one that apparently wasn't important enough to remedy for the sake of their passengers' safety. He also went on to give excuses as to why no one answered our calls. He said he was in the sleeper cars because someone was sick and that our car wasn't even "his". We asked why the lady who WAS assigned to our car didn't come then and he said she was also in the sleeper cars helping those customers. He further explained that "due to the economy" Amtrak has made major cuts and doesn't supply an attendant to every car. Only the sleeper cars have their own attendants. When we asked if he thought that lower level passengers, most likely elderly and disabled should also have an attendant to help them, he couldn't disagree and said it's been a complaint for a while now. So, basically he told us those people who pay close to $1,000 for sleeper cars are more important than disabled and elderly persons who reserve a specific seat expecting they will have someone to assist them if needed.

God forbid that gentleman in the neckbrace was in that car alone. I fear the worst would've happened and he may have been left for hours with no one. Luckily we and the rest of the passengers in the car offered to help him with luggage, getting up and opening the door (when it actually worked) when he needed us. We were more than happy to help him, but yes we often wondered why an attendant came by only once throughout the entire night to check on any of us and it was a simple walk-thru after most everyone had already fallen asleep. We have video evidence of this particular attendant saying how they are over-worked and instead of Amtrak hiring enough staff to cater to the load of passengers they have, they simply offer overtime to their existing attendants, who often ride back to back day after day with little to no sleep. He said "three days on, three days off" were his exact words.

I really hope for the safety of all Amtrak customers that this doesn't also apply to their conductors driving the trains. So, that is our complaint. We witnessed and were subjected to complete negligence and excuses for these actions as well. As expected from a government-affiliated corporation, we don't expect a huge settlement or even a refund (they did offer a "partial" voucher for a future trip with Amtrak...like we will EVER step foot on their trains again...needless to say we refused and asked where to file a complaint). We just want the word out. We would LOVE a refund for this horrible trip and that would be great, but what's most important to us is that this STOPS! This is not safe and not fair and they are playing with people's lives and safety. We all know they don't care about anything but making profits, but what we witnessed today was absolutely appalling and makes me sad and ashamed to be human because there was NO humanity shown today. And the fact this goes on day after day after day with people's complaints all over the internet doing nothing but helping them vent a little, something has to change.

This HAS to stop. If Amtrak is so closely tied to the US government, then I will do what it takes to be the voice of the people and write to my Congressmen. I will not give up that somehow, some way these greedy corporate soulless people will finally cease to be able to have such a lack of care for their customers. I will never again ride Amtrak and I vow to tell everyone I know about my experience. I thank God everyone was okay and nothing more serious happened to those elderly people traveling alone. Point is, we were locked in a train car for over 20 minutes with call buttons pressed and got NO help, NO apology, and not even a second thought as to how to prevent this in the future or how this might affect people emotionally. I feel taken advantage of and I don't like that one bit. So please, if any lawyers out there think we have a leg to stand on, I'm prepared to be the little guy (gal) to stand up to this money-hungry corporation. We have video of all of this, the employees sitting on their butts, and really doing nothing to remedy it. Had we not been there, who knows if any of the others in that car could've even made it up the stairs to go find an attendant. I am grateful we were there to help in Amtrak's absence and because of their many thanks we know they will remember our act of kindness. I hope they will also spread the word on what happened today and if more and more of us tell our stories, then maybe just maybe Amtrak will grow a heart and treat people like human beings instead of luggage. Thanks for listening and I hope to hear from someone very soon.

On behalf of the few remaining fellow employees that still care I must apologize for the 'new crop' of recent hires in the customer service, on-board service, and train crews. About 15 years ago, Amtrak was the subject of litigation, or threat of litigation, by a number of organizations representing a certain minority group regarding the alleged failure to hire members of said minority. Amtrak HR has since made it an unofficial policy to hire large numbers of same. It could be understood if the hiring policies were set up to represent average demographics of the real world, but the current ratio of these non-Caucasian employees in these departments are approximately 79%, as acknowledged by the company.

This in itself should not be an issue, but reality being what it is, along with this hiring policy change, also came a change in the overall attitude and ability of these new employees. Combine the above with the added complication that the company has instituted a draconian anti-discrimination policy, that any Caucasian employee, from labor through management, who wishes to complain or accuse, the truly guilty are much too afraid to do so, knowing that they will likely be accused of being a racist, which can and does allow the company to fire them immediately without protection of union intervention.

Regarding the unions, I must say that at one time, they were a necessary organization to represent labor against abuses and low pay. But as it is set up today, the common phrase regarding them is that they do 90% of the work to protect the 10% of the people that do not belong there, and 10% of the work for those that do. Recent (official and unofficial) agreements between the unions and Amtrak, allow the company under a number of circumstances, (allegations of racism being one of them) to fire an accused employee immediately without benefit of a trial.

Now can you imagine the fear that instills in those better employees who may be accused? The additional catch-22 situation is this; when an employee does excel at his or her job, I can say that Michael, who made this same observation, is absolutely correct. He or she breeds contempt among those that do not work up to the same qualities and standards. One thing that may be hard to comprehend is that what this company stresses is consistency, and as sad as it seems, one is not able to offer superior or even decent services to the public in one location, or by one or two better employees, except to the detriment of those that are unwilling to provide the same. These better employees as often chastised for providing stellar performances that most others cannot or will not match. Thus, the level of service is repeatedly lowered to match the poorer performers. Understood how it works now?

What Amtrak has yet to address is that this has gone on for too long, and although we are told with each change of upper management that things will change, and customer quality will improve, I have yet to see it do anything except to further deteriorate. And yes, this tax supported quasi-government agency is all about politics. I and so many other that have been here for so many years used to love our jobs, used to love going into work every day, but no longer; we are all now merely trying to survive as we count the days until retirement. Yes, it's a sad situation.

To further qualify my ability to write the above, I must say that I have been with the company for nearly 30 years. I have been part of labor, and middle management, and also a union shop steward. I am saddened by the current state of our company, as we have our hands tied, and are now delegated to reacting versus a previous much more proactive corporation. No matter what message you may believe I am trying to portray here, I will explain frankly that I am Caucasian, and have always prided myself in judging a person by their abilities, attitude, and performance. I must add that there never has been a lack of 'minority' employees in railroading. History tells us that railroaders have served proudly, and with great service in mind to passengers over the years, regardless of the employee's race or background, until recently.

I have witnessed in greater numbers these better employees, the best that Amtrak has, get frustrated and quit, and worse, sometimes get fired for speaking up against those that are not willing to do the job. As a side note, I have heard over the past few years complaints from my long time fellow employees about just how bad the attitudes and performances of the newer hires are; ironically these comments come from ladies and gentlemen of color. I hope this may explain to you what has happened in the past decade or so. For me, there's only 3 years and 7 weeks to go.

I work for a K-8 School (public school) in Pueblo, Colorado. During the spring of the school year 2009 /2010 and all through the school year 2010 / 2011, students fund raise to afford a trip to San Francisco as a reward for their hard work academically. We purchased round trip tickets from Denver to San Francisco on Amtrak. Our departure from Denver was on March 18 and we were to return on March 24.

We boarded the train in Emeryville, CA and waited in the city of Colfax for 8 hours because they were cleaning the tracks from snow. Finally, we were told that there was an avalanche on Donner Pass and they could not take us over the pass. I was not worried because the conductor told us that Amtrak would take care of us and get us home. The conductor arranged for us (a group of 22 students 14 years of age including 3 special needs students and 15 adults 2 of whom were handicap) to get hotel rooms. We got off the train in Sacramento, expecting Amtrak to do as they promised.

While waiting for our baggage, a woman comes out from the ticket office and starts yelling at me. I was the teacher in charge. She stated that I had to get back on the train and go back to Emeryville. I told them that the conductor promised to get us home and to pay for hotel rooms. She stated that they were not going to do this and they (Amtrak) could not get us home. While this conversation was going on, the baggage claim person (Victor) came over to us and stated that he would handle the situation. Victor walked our group across the parking lot to a hotel and purchased rooms for us to for the night under Amtrak's name. Amtrak paid for the first night.

The next morning, I received a call from the hotel manager stating that Amtrak called the hotel and told them that they were not going to pay for another night and that we needed to find a way home because Amtrak was refusing to give us a ride home. Amtrak did not call me even though I gave the station my cell phone number.

I immediately call the Amtrak Group Sales office in California and they stated that they would not get us home. They stated that because of the avalanche on Donner Pass did not give them access through, they could not get us home. I offered to get a charter to get us around the pass and get us to Reno, NV and be able to board the train further down the line.

Amtrak immediately told me that this would not work because they were "sold out. "I have a hard time believing that Amtrak was sold out if they did not have the passengers that were booked in Emeryville, Sacramento and all the stops before the pass. I told them this and I was yelled out with a comment of "what do you not understand, we are sold out. " I called the station in Sacramento and they yelled at me and told me that they could not get our students home and I was on my own.

I called the district of our school and told them the situation. Our school, Goodnight School, had no choice but to use our school's remaining funds from our parent support group to get the students home.

Now, students who have worked over a year to fund raise to spend time in San Francisco have to continue fundraising to pay back the cost of airline tickets, another night in a hotel and charter bus fee to get to the airport to repay the costs incurred.

I have called Amtrak Group Sales to see if they would refund our tickets. I am not asking much, just a refund. The Group Sales Department stated that they cannot do much for me. They offered to give me travel vouchers. How can we return our money that we borrowed from the parent organization with travel vouchers? It took me a week calling everyday to the Group Sales office to get a lead employee who gave me a 1 800 number to their customer relations department who would deal with my case. The customer relations department stated that she had no record of our travel because they have already recycled our reservation number and stated that she would try to handle the case.

She called back today and stated that Amtrak was maybe considering refunding a fraction of our money if I would send the tickets back to them. I was also told that they would not give me the amount of money they were willing to refund me, unless, I release the tickets to them. I am afraid to release the tickets to them because they are so disorganized.

I need help. Most of the students that I took on the trip are from families living below the poverty level. These families cannot pay back the plane ticket costs. The parent organization was saving money for more computers in our school and this will be lost unless we fund raise in a community that is listed as primarily under lower middle class. Most of my interactions with Amtrak has been negative. I have been in tears talking to their agents only to receive flippant responses from them. They do not understand the devastation they have caused to our school.

I just had the most horrific travel experience of my life on Amtrak. I was going to a professional conference in Minneapolis Minnesota, leaving from Grand Rapids, Michigan. The first hour of the trip was fine. The conductors were friendly and everything was going well. In St. John's MI, we ran across an open swing bridge. They couldn't get it to connect (after sitting on the track for 2 1/2 hours). So they decided to get buses for the rest of the leg to Chicago. The buses took an hour to get there. We were promised that our connections were being held at Union Station. My ticket showed a 2:15 departure time.

We arrived in Chicago at 2:13 pm. When I rushed into the station, I was told by the lady at customer service "Oh baby, that train is gone. Look at the board. 2 o'clock. " I showed her my ticket which clearly said 2:15 and explained that the train was supposed to be held for us. She basically told me "Sorry, Charlie, you have to go next door to the voucher area."

So I go over there and I'm told that my only options are to spend the night in Chicago on their dime, and take the train the next day at two pm (I needed to be in MSP by 7 am), or I could get on a Greyhound and travel from 9:30 pm until 6:30 am. I ended up renting a car (even though that was what I was trying to avoid - the expense of gas or flying) to get myself to Minnesota on time. So that tacked an extra $360 onto my trip, that I really couldn't afford, but was forced to ** up (because there's no possible way they'll pay for that from what I'm hearing. I doubt I'll even get my fare back for the train that I didn't ride).

On the way home, I arrived at the station for a 7:50 am train and found a sign saying "train delayed at least three hours". I say "so once again, I won't be making my connection in Chicago". They tell me "Nope. They'll bus you to Grand Rapids". The train arrived at 12:30 pm, and I arrived at Union Station at 8:15 pm and was subsequently stuck on an uncomfortable bus for three hours longer than I had planned.

The staff at the station both in MSP and Chicago were extremely rude. They didn't seem to care in either place. I was shaking and nearly in tears on the way to Minnesota and was told that there was nothing they could do but the two options given. Well, they could have held the train like they were supposed to. They could have gotten us off the GR to CHI leg much earlier and had us arrive on time. There were a lot of things that they "could have done". Instead, my train left early from Chicago. This is the poorest experience I've ever had with customer service. Like I said, I doubt I'll be refunded for any of it, and that really just **. I will never, ever, ever take Amtrak again. And I doubt they'll care.

My 19-year old daughter took the Amtrak train from Chicago to Iowa on 3/5/11. During the ride, she fell asleep, and the man next to her grabbed her breasts and kissed her. When she reported this to Amtrak employees, they highly discouraged her to file a report. They told her that they would have to stop the train and she would have to get off with her attacker and file a report in the jurisdiction they were traveling through. They told her that they would not hold everyone else up for this process, so she would be stranded in a strange place over night. They also informed her that, most likely, nothing would happen to the guy anyway.

When my daughter called me from the train to tell me what was going on, I could hear Amtrak employees telling her to get off of the phone. At first, they did not want to do anything at all, but after her dad spoke with Amtrak police, they grudgingly tried to find out the guy's identity. He told them that he did not have an I.D. If that is true, he shouldn't have even been on the train. Their own policy says that you must have an I.D. to ride and you must be willing to present that I.D at any time. They said that they could not detain the guy and they would try to "keep an eye" on him.

After being asked to present I.D., the man got off of the train early and just walked away. At some point, my daughter heard one employee making fun of her to another employee saying: "You can tell her that 'her assailant' jumped ship at the last stop. Particular emphasis was placed on the words 'her assailant' as if she was being overly dramatic. There was one kind employee and I wish I knew his name who helped my daughter and tried to comfort her. He was the only bright spot in this horror show. I am furious and appalled that my daughter was treated this way after being the victim of a crime.

She didn't deserve any of the treatment she got and was only trying to come home and spend time with her family over Spring break. I am so concerned with the safety of passengers on Amtrak now in light of the way things were handled. We will not be using Amtrak in the future.

My husband and I each bought $580 rail passes for our honeymoon trip last year. The trip itself was a nightmare, every leg of our trip was delayed by at least several hours. Twice it was delayed by over 24 hours (once with us actually stuck on the train that long just outside of Denver!). We called customer relations after our trip and were given vouchers for only a fraction of our initial costs. Then, we had to wait for them to be mailed before using them, and only then (upon close inspection) did we learn that they had an expiration date.

Not only that, but there are apparently no extensions on this date whatsoever unless you have documentation of a medical emergency that left you incapacitated for the entire length of the time that the vouchers are good for. Again, I was only told this after I tried to redeem the certificate a week past the deadline. This is a terrible company that does not care at all about the health, safety, or satisfaction of their customers. Consumers, beware!

I arrive before 8:30 pm then I could either dine there or take the food "to go". There was a lady (she boarded the train in Washington, DC) who was sitting next to me named Daisy who witnessed this conversation. At approximately, 7:45, I told Daisy I'm going to get something to eat before they close and I left my seat and made my way to the dining car. When I arrived at the dining car and asked for food, several staff members instructed me that I had to have a reservation to eat. I told them I wanted to take my food "to go". I was instructed that I had to speak to the man in charge of the dining car to take my food order and I did. When he came, he told me I needed a reservation and I told him that I wanted to take my food "to go". He said OK and he would take my order shortly. A few minutes later, he arrives with a short lady, who was in charge of taking reservations. He asked me where I boarded and if I saw this lady and if she took my reservation and I said no. The lady said she went to everyone on the train and asked them for a reservation. I asked her if she saw me and she said no. I said I must have been in the bathroom when you came to my section of the train, no big deal but I just want my food "to go".

The time is now 8:20pm and I asked him again when was he going to take my food order and he said, "in a few minutes". I mentioned that I had been standing for 30 minutes and I was angry and hungry and this man never took my order. The process never started and I felt embarrassed for standing while watching people eat (in a small confined dining car) and scolded like a child for not having a reservation that nobody took. So I said, "come on man, when are you going to take my reservation" and he said stop acting like a Negro. Then I lost it and said, "who the **** you think you're talking to". Then he said. "I want you off my train and I'm calling the conductor". When the conductor arrived I told him all I wanted was to be served food and the man wouldn't even take my order. The conductor called the police on his walkie talkie and I was removed from the train when we arrived in Raleigh, NC. I was left stranded in North Carolina.

In NYC station, they don't give out train gate info until 10 to 15 minutes before boarding the train. If you have small kids and many bags to load, it's nearly difficult to do it safely. You have to wait in line with other passengers, bags and kids in hand.

Two days before Christmas, I traveled from Sacramento to San Jose for the second time ever taking Amtrak. Because I was late getting aboard, I put my suitcase in one of the storage areas (which cannot be seen from the seating area), as is the case with most of the train.

When I reached San Jose, I realized my suitcase was taken by someone who got off at an earlier stop. I was told that nothing could be done and to fill out a form which I could not get help with for a half hour after deboarding. I called the lost and found several times but no one answered. I left messages and no one called back. All of my Christmas presents were in my suitcase as well as jewelery, clothes, etc., over $1,000 loss.

I still get angry every time I think of the poor service I received regarding a planned Thanksgiving trip to see my brother, round trip and a sleeper. The Amtrak web site said I could get a refund less 10% if I cancelled seven days or more before departure or I could get a voucher for full fare if I saw a ticket agent in person. I went all the way downtown in the late evening when the office was open to see a ticket agent in person 10 days before departure and he said I would be penalized 10%. I told him not to process the return. He then issued me the tickets.

I was upset. I told him that was not what I wanted. He said nothing. I took the tickets (but signed nothing) and sometime that I lost the tickets. I spent hours on the phone with customer service and the best they said they could give me was a voucher for future travel with a $75 penalty for lost tickets. I asked to file a complaint which they agreed to do but I found out afterwards that this is an internal correspondence and I will never see the outcome. I will never travel Amtrak again. Reservation #***

I am getting my ** kicked as a disabled guy in a hit and run in 2000 and again falling in 2010 (the disabled support rail in a hotel bathroom got ripped from the wall). I am homeless with my kids in a hotel for nine months--it's harder for me to walk and Amtrak smashed both of my wheelchairs after I tried to file a discrimination complaint for being locked alone in the train, and worse, I now have no chairs. I have lost two jobs because of it and my legs and body are dying more and more everyday. I have fought hard but it is clear that I am losing this battle. I have no idea what to do next. I am brain-damaged and it's harder and harder for me to think. We had our (second hand) toys stolen from the back seat of our car that we just got fixed. I see no way out of this. I have little to no help and Amtrak refuses to fix the chair I need to go to work in. I am trapped inside most days and I am losing my mind.

I purchased a reserved coach seat and when I boarded, I was told they overbooked the train and my husband and I had to sit in the lounge car for over 4 hours. I called customer service for a refund and was told they do not issue refunds.

Amtrak locks wheelchair bound passenger in train follows dangerous security protocol. He was trapped on a darkened train all because the conductor was in a rush to get to a party. The lights and the engine were shut off. Amtrak's rules are straight forward if your are disabled you are the first to de-train and Red Caps assist you with your belongings. You are not locked on the train with the lights turned off left to fend for your disabled self unable to get your wheelchair off. He was trapped and held against his will. Period.

What if he had collapsed as has a seizure condition that leaves him highly susceptible to falling? Worse he had just suffered a series of seizures and his eyesight had left him. And security? What if this were a passenger that was intent on doing harm he could have easily pulled off a massive disaster due to Amtrak's lackadaisical excuse for security. We as travelers are harassed to no end, strip searched, and body scanned, x-rayed, and all except when the conductor or pilot has another arbitrary concern or company party to attend.

Fortunately, he was not the T word and was only a disabled man being tortured and kidnapped by the railroad. The man's disabled children, a girl 6 and a boy 8, both suffering from limb girdle muscular dystrophy were waiting for him outside. The father only agreeing to what was supposed to be a momentary separation as he was promised that help was seconds away.

The ailing family was now becoming increasingly distressed over the others disappearance. What sort of thing was this to do to 3 disabled people? What would have happened if the children were abducted from the Chicago Station platform while the father was locked helpless on a darkened train? By The Grace of God Go I is not an appropriate standard of security for one of the world's largest traveling institutions. Ms. Marty ** 73, was one of the many witnesses to Mr. ** disparaging and reprehensible treatment.

These were--multiple punishments that occurred over a several day trip. Mrs. ** suffering from sleep apnea and congestive heart failure found herself in similar situation with Amtrak-as she was also left alone and abandoned. All facts that will not shine brightly upon Amtrak's organization. Perhaps her conductor was on his way to a party too? The disabled man did state to an Amtrak that -- it is difficult to imagine that The DOJ would look at such instances as anything other than a serious breach in the chain of proper security protocols and the rampant and institutionalized abuse of disabled people.

After he complained about another inordinate wait, the red caps finally showed up. They dragged his luggage on the ground and acted incredibly irritated at the disabled family's existence. He denounced Amtrak's behavior; that he was locked in the train, being the last off, separated from his children and having his bags scrapped along the ground it was only then that the uniformed personnel demanded the disabled mans ID, a Disability Badge which was hanging conspicuously around his neck.

When he inquired as to why they would be asking for his ID when he got OFF the train as opposed to getting ON the train-' he was referred to 6 other employees who also repeatedly demanded he identify himself. He went to file a discrimination complaint, with the Chicago Supervisor Kathy **, (who reeked of alcohol) he was told he --had enough time to file a complaint or board the train but not both--. Yet the train to Los Angles was over 3 hour away-he was then forced to move his own luggage-again sighting his own early arrival --you have to go get your own cart and move your own luggage because you are so early-- Mrs. Baker proudly proclaimed. She seemed upset that her allegation that the luggage weighed over the limit of 50lbs failed to materialize-after each and every article that the family had was weighed.

He warned her that she was abusing every single Amtrak rule simply as a mechanism of harassment. Additionally --what did weighing the bags have to do with being locked on the train? Is Amtrak really allowed to lock you on the train if your bags weigh too much and weren't you supposed to weigh the bags when you were getting ON the train and not OFF the train? She sighted the fact that unruly passengers can be thrown off the train and forfeit the cost of their fare. The disabled father responded that he now --understood the rules and that if he filed a complaint his family would be stuck in Chicago with no way of getting home.

That would be the second time that Amtrak would kidnap and hold the family hostage. After being habitually harnessed by Amtrak on their journey back to Los Angles the family discovered that both of the 6 month old wheelchairs that had been shipped by Amtrak appeared as if they were thrown off of the train. Both were smashed and unusable. The father's wheelchair was worth over $27,000 and now was nothing more than an expensive paperweight. The other chair now only operated in reverse.

Amtrak was now using the story that the wheelchair was delivered broken as the disabled father --had admitted to them-- as much. They failed to mention that the father was referring to a previous pediatric wheelchair that was delivered to the him and that he was forced to return as such a chair was useless to a grown man of nearly 6 ft and over 200 lbs. All of which is clearly documented in the family's medical records. Demonstrating Amtrak's willingness to do whatever they need to do to get out their obligations. Apparently the railroad has to find some way to explain how metal parts were twisted off the wheelchair. Yes twisted off how from a fall?

A Dent perhaps twisting off from a fall sounds impossible. Amtrak would have you believe that every event that took placed against the disabled man and his family were separate and individual events rather than a pattern of force, discrimination and intimidation. Who on God's green Earth is going to believe that you better start looking for the OJ jury and see if their available their you're one and only hope he have no fear of security tapes the transit officers held his hand, his arm and hugged him how bad he have been?

It makes much more sense that the disabled man was wrongfully taken last off the train, locked aboard the train, improperly separated from his children, had their bags dragged across the ground, were threatened that they couldn't get on the train if they filed a discrimination complaint, that Mrs. ** cohort (s) intimidate and harassed the family all the way back to Los Angles and finally in the utter act of malicious conduct had both of their wheelchairs destroyed appearing as if not one but both were smashed by having them thrown off the train. Anything to not fix the wheelchairs you broke!

I lost 2 jobs because of you as I have no way of getting to work or doing a job as I cannot stand for long periods of time. You have helped to make me and my 2 disabled children homeless I am living off of vouchers. Amtrak your are just bad people! **, Mark ** as the administrator of this case you have become the evil enforcer of power gone wrong! Do the right things refund my round trip fare and fix my wheelchairs! Yeah how did they both break anyway Adam? Your malicious defamatory and slanderous position will not be tolerated. His witnesses extend from transit police officers to Ms. **, Paul, Beth, Shanana, Mrs. **, Mr. ** ET AL. PS The other very important thing he informed Amtrak of; Not negligence but maliciousness.

The service was so poor. We are unable to walk up the stairs to the dining car and no one came by to take food orders. The call button that is there for emergencies does not work. Train your employees on customer service, please. I would not be complaining but it has not been addressed because I took the same train ride last year and the exact same thing happened.

What does one have to do? I give you my train fare and what do I get in return? Also, I bring my own disinfectant to clean bathrooms so I can use it. Do I get paid for that?

My girlfriend took the train from Kansas to Kingman, Arizona. She accidentally left a piece of luggage on the train as she was tired and the train didn't get in until 1:45 am in the morning. Long story short, Amtrack in Fullerton, California found it got a hold of her through voice mail notifying that she had left the box as luggage on train and that if i was at the Kingman stop, I could pick the box back up or it would be taken to the Flagstaff depot. Then she was personally contacted by a employee at the Flagstaff depot and told that he had the luggage and was very nice and stated that he was sorry that Amtrack could not get it to me personally due to the fact that there is no employed personnel at the Kingman depot and that the fact of the 104 miles from Kingman being the driving miles for us to get the luggage. The young man stated that there was no rush, the box was secure and will be there when she was able to pick it up.

Due to the fact that she is ill and had some medical issues, she does not drive. She informed him that it maybe a while before she would be able to claim the box. She does not have an idea what to do and discussed with the young man if in fact, if there would be any other pick up service such as ups or particular carriers that could pick it up and she could pay for the luggage to be delivered. Again, he told her no but please not to worry it would be taken care of. She then was placed in the hospital with congestive heart failure and continued to worry about the package while there. Today, 11/27/2010, she called back to speak to the same young man regarding the luggage which was not there and the employee that she talked to told her that he had no idea what she was talking about there is a box there and was a box there and it had been there for a while but didn't had her name on it so he most likely couldn't help her.

She pleaded with him, stating that if he would please check again and the box that is there what did it look like, he replied that it was just a box. She stated perhaps that it was re-wrapped but it made no sence since all luggage must be identified and checked. There are other Amtark personnel who knew that she had a box and that it would be there. He then asked her, "well, what is in the box." She told him that it was some magazines, some coffee cups, some jewelry, some snacks, makeup, some memorabilia, some souvenirs that were in the box and a Nora Roberts book. "Is there anything inside this box that says this stuff is yours.", he asked.

She asked, "Do you mean personal identification inside the box?" There wasn't and why should she have to leave ID in the box. She just told him what was in it. He then stated, "Yes, this must be yours." And then scorned her for just leaving the box and telling her that she was lucky it's still there and that he could charge her money for storage and that he was not a storage facility nor was it his problem about the reasons that it had be stupidly left on the train that it simply was not his responsibility to take care of her problems.

She then was emotionally upset, pleaded that please she understood, and asked the young man several time please. Please, she told him again why and what happened when she had mentioned the fact. Did he know of any other way that she would be able to have the package picked up possibly. He said that he didn't know and that there isn't anyone that works for them in Kingman. And again told him she knew that and said that yes she realized this and knew but Kingman is a stop. Could he put it back on the train and she would be able to get a ride or cab there to pick up the box. He said no. But again stated you need to come get your stuff soon. She stated she was sorry and explained that again she had been ill, does not drive and does not work. Sorry for the inconvenience, please. Okay that she would make arrangements to pay someone to take her or would have to ride the bus there and back to pick up the package and he hung up.

Then she stated, "Oh my, what if he doesn't mark it or note." I called him and called him back, the same young man answered and she stated that she had forgotten to give her telephone # and her address in case he need to note the call and mark the box . Then the young man stated it was marked. She said as she was then in tears, "But I thought you told me that my name was not on it and that you needed to open it to see if there items which were in it were hers." He then replied, "Well, just make sure you come get this soon." And he hung up. There in recurring emotional distress, she became very upset about this and stated as crying that she felt like she would never be able to retrieve the box, would loose her things and did not understand why the young man said that her name was not on the box and it was, and stressed emotional about her treatment and things.

I see no reason for this treatment and wonder if that is acceptable to Amtrak and if so, i being part of the American public would not want my family members, elderly or loved ones to use your services regardless of the fact that if she never sees that box and I know this woman will stress over and over about this until she dies. No one should ever have to be treated as though they are less than human and in today's economy The employee and the corporation that he represents, the policies and statements that it makes to America and its people should not be defrauded by such shame, fully discriminating treatment from an employee.

I will not allow anyone to disrespect my loved ones like that or misrepresent my country as such with allowances like this and don't have a problem letting others I know about this honorable treatment and situation that occurred today. If this is allowable to your company, I will make known and I will suggest that others be aware and not to use your company's services.

My wife and I were online, trying to get a train ticket for our son. The dates were close, so I wanted to have the ticket mailed via FedEx to our son. The website kept giving a warning about the dates being too close. I decided to call and find out how much leeway I needed to plan for to get it mailed through FedEx (that was my only question). I get an agent online and she immediately said she had to 'mirror' me, I tried to stop her as I only wanted to clarify the time window, to me a simple question, I can handle the rest.

She would not stop long enough to entertain my question, insisted on 'mirroring' me (this was unnecessary from my standpoint, I needed a question answered). Finally I got tired of trying to ask a question she obviously did not intend to answer, so I told her I wanted to speak to her supervisor. A couple of minutes passed, and she came back on saying her supervisor was busy and she would try to help (imagine that?). So I gave her another chance, I finally got to ask my question (for future reference, it is 4 business days). She was very overbearing, and wanted to control the entire conversation, I was about worn out from dealing with her.

She made the mistake of asking if I still wanted to talk to her supervisor, which she shouldn't have asked. I thought about it, and the way I was treated, I felt something had to be done about this, so I said - Yes, I do want to speak to your supervisor. I don't know if she got one of her cronies to take it for her, or not, but I got someone who pretended to be a supervisor. By this time, the more I wrestled with them, the angrier I got. I told the supervisor about the way I was treated and reminded them that no matter how trivial I am as one person wanting to buy a ticket, I was indirectly the reason they had a job, and that I could not believe the attitude of their employees.

The supervisor was nice and attempted to appease me, but I finally just told her not to appease me and just do something about it. I ended up buying a plane ticket instead, it cost me more, but I got treated much better. It was worth the extra money. I was raised in a different time, customers were and still are the source of my livelihood. Anyway, I have never been treated so arrogantly, and without consideration.

My mother and I had to travel from Toledo to Albany, New York to visit our aunt who is terminally ill. We are both major handicapped and asked for assistance on the train there and back. On our trip there, we could not get any help from any one on the train at all. It was extremely hard for both of us for the entire 13-hour trip there. We had no legroom and could not move. We asked if they could help us since there were literally dozens of seats with just one person in them laying down sleeping. They refused to wake anyone and ask them to sit up or move someone around to accommodate two handicapped people that they clearly knew were handicap. It was the most miserable time we had.

When we finally got to Albany New York, I called and made a complaint about it and they said they would assure that they would help us out on the return trip by assuring a handicap place and possibly to comp us with a room designed for handicapped people on the way back. We thanked them, thinking it would be great coming back at least. When we got there, there were some wonderful people willing to help us out. They even went to the point of giving us the number to call and see if Amtrak would comp us the room that they reserved for us since we were tight on money there. We called and the customer relations woman refused to comp us the room even after explaining all that happened. She said that they will try to find a spot on the train for more legroom. We were very upset but wondered if maybe it would be ok.

Well, we were totally wrong and another bad experience began. They placed me and my mother next to the bathroom doors and next to one of the main doors that lead you from one car to another and the doors were broken. It was so loud that you couldn't talk and it was absolutely freezing. One of the ladies finally came up and offered to move us away from the noise and to seats further away so we could rest. My mother did finally move to another seat for a couple of hours and eventually had to return to her original seat due to the spacing. I'm a disabled veteran, have major issues with my legs, and could not move. She had to move back because she was cramping up so bad that it was hurting her. It was our first time on an Amtrak and both ways ended up being horrifying.

Like the lady in Albany had offered, had they helped us out and truly given us that room that they reserved for us I wouldn't even be complaining as much. But put us next to a bathroom for 13 hours with people going in and out, broken exterior door, freezing because of it and the noise from it is ridiculous. We need to travel again to New York to help with funeral arrangements and I'm up in the air about using this way of traveling again. I want some type compensation for what we went through, whether it's now or when we go back, especially if we use Amtrak again.

Amtrak smashed 25K wheelchair and 2.5 k disability scooter. Amtrak.com (Amtrak) is doing nothing but stalling. I have lost at least two job ops due to me not having my scooter and wheelchair.

Short compressed version. On or about April 23, 2010, I was traveling on Amtrak from Chicago to LA.

Me (brain damaged) and my son (MD) and my daughter are disabled. Went to file a complaint about discrimination. I was told I can get on the train or file complaint. I would not have time to do both (according to Kathy **, supervisor of Amtrak; the lay over was 3 hours and she smelled of alcohol. Red caps would not help me with my luggage; I must pay $3.75 and move my parcels myself as per Kathy. My disability scooter (2,500 K) and 25K wheel chair were smashed and now Amtrak won't repair them. Yes, how exactly were they both broken and badly at that?

A non-disabled friend of the conductor was allowed in the disabled car and allowed to drink and use four seats while we were told we must stay in our wheel chairs. He could drink and come and go as he wanted and we were afraid to go to the bathroom as we were threatened to be thrown off the train. I went to many organizations and no one can help. I took pictures, filed an insurance claim, filed complaints on BBB, Consumer Affairs, etc. Amtrak claim they have sent me claim forms to Philly, which is great since I live in CA. I again gave them my address and they have forwarded me nothing.

On 8/30/2008, I took Amtrak from Lamy, New Mexico to Spokane, WA. The train from LA terminated in Seattle, and the next train out to Spokane was not until the next day. I decided to spend a few days with a friend. When I called Amtrak, I made reservations to leave Seattle on 9/8/2008. Shortly after my reservations was made to leave Seattle, I received a telephone call from the reservations supervisor. She told me I could not continue my trip with my Service Animal, (which is a cat) because cats are only comfort animals. I was carrying a letter from my physician and had traveled with letters from my physicians with my Service Animals for years.

My cat is 9 years old and due to my disability, I am unable to leave home for more than an hour or so without him. However, even telling the supervisor I had a letter from my doctor, I was still denied boarding on Amtrak to continue my trip. The supervisor telephoned the station master, and told him I was traveling with a comfort animal, and she also cancelled my reservation. I was stranded in Seattle at my friend's home, until she found someone to drive me to Spokane. As a result, I lost my apartment, because I did not know I was getting to Spokane.

That resulted in me having to stay in a hotel for 2 weeks. Amtrak caused me to incur over $2,000 in expenses, due to stranding me three quarters of my trip. I have not been able to find an attorney to represent me in this case, however, I know they violated the ADA, as it says that any animal that performs a service for a disabled person, is a service animal. I know the law is being changed to say that only canines can be recognized as Service Animals, but that law was not in place in 2008. In addition to stranding me, and refusing me service, Amtrak's workers were rude. I could not get any one to help me on, or off the train. When I pushed the button for the train attendant, as I was traveling first class, no one ever answered.

It cost me over $900.00 to rent a room at a hotel, over $500.00 on food and transportation, and $450.00 to pay someone to drive me to Spokane. Due to the type of disability I have, I cannot stay in hotels. I had to go out and purchase sheets and blankets for the hotel bed. That is why I always make arrangements for a permanent resident, prior to moving. I had an apartment to go to, but due to Amtrak denying me service, I had to make other arrangements. It all resulted in me seeing a psychiatrist for a year. My copay was $3,000.

My wife and I boarded train in Tuscaloosa, Al. Sept. 9th, 2010, going to New Orleans. On approaching our boarding car, our bags were taken by boarding porter (? ) and place by train. We were told to board train. We were shown to our bed room. As the porter was telling us about the services and train began to move, we notice that someone outside of the train was pulling our bags off. We told the porter that our bags were being left and that a stranger was pulling our bags away.

We did not know the people, take our bags and this excited us. If they took our bags away from the station we would not see our bags again. I approach a lady porter and told her of our problem and it did not seem to bother her. She was explaining to the other bedroom porter it was not his fault. I concerned that our bags would be gone forever. I ask her to call the station manger and get our bags. It did not seem to bother her. I called a friend of mine and he contacted the station manger and got our bags from the people.

We had our daughter to contact the manger about our bags and his was that we would get them the next day at seven in the evening. As I am a heart patient and a cancer patient and my medicine was in my bags. I needed my bags. The conductor came to our bedroom and was sorry for what had happened but we still had no bags. I called a friend and he picked bags up and FedEx them to me in New Orleans.

I feel that the least that Amtrak should do is to pay for my friends trouble as he had to drive 60 miles and then pay for the FedEx bill. We love the train and will travel again but it was not our fault that our bags was left behind but that when the bags was taken from me that was Amtrak that should gotten them on the train. I believe that I am due an explanation. The food is great and the service is great, it's just that someone fell down on their job and I had to pay for their mistake.

I purchased a ticket online from LA to Albuquerque, New Mexico on August 16 to arrive the 17th of August. I planned to connect to N. M. Railrunner so I could get home. The train got delayed in LA by 6 hrs. We had to buy our own meals because they would not feed us. If they would have told us of this delay, I could have traveled another day, no problem. But instead, they kept saying 1 hour delay after another 1 hour delay. I could not get out of Albuquerque because when I finally got there, Railrunner had quit running for the day.

So, I had to get a room and wait until next day. All these were added expense that I did not plan. I wrote to Amtrak customer services about my complaint. They said they would get back to me in approximately 7 days. This was 30 days ago. I think that all they want is your money. Once they have it, they don't care. They should have common courtesy to get back to me when they say they will, so that people will continue using their service. To this day I still haven't heard from them.

I had to cancel a reservation and made a new reservation through phone in the morning. I checked my bank account and found that Amtrak had deducted the old amount ($321) and new amount ($387) from my bank account. I called the call center to find out, why that was done. The representative was so rude and was literally shouting on me. I had to tell him to please speak properly and don't shout. He hung up the line and I was put on hold for half and hour. Finally, I was disconnected and called again. The second call center representative was equally rude and had no clues that why was the amount deducted twice and just told that I need to wait for couple of days before I get to know, what is happening.

I am a regular user of Amtrak and was really disappointed by their customer service.They don't have any idea about what is happening and on top of that, talk to the customers in a way that makes them feel that they are obliging the customers by talking to them.

I wrote to you last November/December when our luggage was stolen off an Amtrak train. My elderly mother was assisted with her luggage by a porter and when she reached her destination, her bags were gone. In it are her clothes, medicines, Christmas gift and a few sentimental pieces. At first, Amtrak would not take our calls. Then, we wrote to you and they called us back . We thought there might be some hope.

Amtrak informed us even though they helped her with her luggage, they were not responsible and we should use our homeowners policy for the lost of our items. How convenient for them to pass the buck. My mother could not get her insulin, her heat meds. Suppose, she had died due to their incompetence. The worst insult of all, my dad had been a Pullman porter on the railroad for years and he actually took care of his guest. He didn't take advantage of them. Senior citizens ride Amtrak because they think it's safe.

I think I will call the attorney general's office as well as the local paper. We actually had a terrible time replacing her medications because the thief had refilled her prescriptions before she could. It's heart wrenching.

I was traveling between Seattle and Portland on #513, on 8-27-10. My confirmation number is **. The train was freezing. All the passengers in the car were extremely cold. I would guess the temperature was around 55 degrees. We all asked if the heat could be turned up and was told they would check it out. After an hour, we asked again and were told the same thing. We all requested a car change and we were told the train was too full to change cars. This was not true and it turns out that the entire train was cold. It was a very bad experience and felt like my concerns and discomfort were disrespected.

I was appalled to see the way you have put advertisements over the whole exterior of Acela 2151 this morning. It is undignified, worse than that, obnoxious, and the painting disturbs my view outside the window. I am embarrassed to be riding this monstrosity! I will continue to ride these trains, but this is a downer.

In February 2010, I took an Amtrack train from Dearborn, Michigan to Chicago. From Chicago, I took a train to Denver, Colorado. This was the worst experience I have ever had. I was looking forward to this ride because it was my first ride on a train. Well, I don't smoke, but I was forced to sit beside passengers that were getting off the train to smoke during stops . The smell after they returned to their seats after smoking was horrible. This was my first train ride and it is my last. Accommodations should be made for non-smokers. There should be smoke-free trains.

I have never filed a formal complaint. I am one of those people who let things roll off their back and am embarrassed when I watch someone make a complaint or witness someone at the receiving end of a complaint. But I was shocked and dismayed at the abusive behavior I witnessed today from 2 Amtrak employees.

I was helping my sister and her two kids (4 & 2) board a train from Old Saybrook, CTbound to Trenton, NJ (Final destination Washington D.C.). She was having trouble boarding with 2 kids, a suit case, a stroller, etc. The Amtrak employee stood there on the platform and made rude comments about how she "should get a move on" & "stop making a ruckus" all while rolling his eyes and shaking his head. He did not offer to help while she struggled to get the wheels of the suitcase to cooperate. After I helped them board I got off and said to him "It is very difficult to board this train with 2 kids and a stroller." He shrugged his shoulders and said "She didn't ask for help".

I responded by saying "You didn't offer any". He waved his hand at me to shoo me away and told me to move along. I told him I did not need to hear his rude remarks. He shrugged and laughed at me. As I was walking away from him down the platform I passed his co-worker who looked at me, started laughing and said to me "This ** is funny". I was shaking with anger by the time I got to the ticket booth to make a complaint. By the time I was through with my complaint I was crying. I was given a number to call. By the time I got connected to person I had been on hold and transferred for an hour. The woman who took my complaint acted bored and uninterested. I know how these things work. Amtrak is big and they take complaints (if you are patient enough to wait) and file them away. No one is reprimanded or held responsible.

Worse yet, I asked my sister to get the two employees names. She told me the entire time she was on the train the employees passed the story of the encounter around making fun of the "loud crazy woman" and the lady with the kids. My sister had to deal to deal with the female employee (Kim) sitting in the same car as her and talking loudly on her walkie-talkie to her colleagues about us. My sister asked Kim for her name and the name of the other man. She also told Kim it was unprofessional to make fun and laugh at passengers.

Kim said "It's a free world I can laugh at anything I want to". She had also taken off her name tag and told my sister she was not going to give her name and she would have to ask the man for his name herself. Fortunately, another passenger saw how my sister was being treated and gave her Kim's name as he had seen her name tag. For the entire ride my sister had to put up with Kim's intimidation as she made fun of her to her colleagues as my sister sat just a few feet away.

My sister is a single-parent who spends her hard earned money to visit me. Her discounted tickets cost over $200 round-trip. I would think in this tough economic time when people are struggling to find work, those who have secure jobs would treat people better. Particularly if they are wearing a company shirt. As a small business owner I would be mortified if someone were to report abusive behavior from my employees. I feel like no matter what I do (call or write a letter) my complaint will never be heard and if I stop riding Amtrak, they will never know the difference or care.

My husband and I were riding Amtrak's Southwest Chief from Albuquerque to Fullerton. Somewhere in Arizona, there was a delay due to flooding. I am a diabetic on a special diet. We went to the dining car for dinner and the vegetarian dinner was sold out. So we were each served dinner rolls, two baked potatoes and a large portion of green beans (better than nothing). Between Fullerton and Albuquerque, there was an incident with a Metro train hitting a truck on the tracks which delayed our train 2+ hours. I am diabetic, so grateful when we were given snack packs. However, they were outdated "best by 07/02/10" (it was 8/03/10). We didn't notice this until we had eaten cheese that was more than a little "off". It was then that I discovered the toilets were no longer flushing in our car.

On the return to Albuquerque, there was a 4-hour delay waiting for the the train from LA due to brake problems. Although they knew it would take quite a while to repair, we were given updates in 15-minute intervals so no one could leave to go to a nearby restaurant for dinner.

We were seated by the attendant in the downstairs handicapped section (although we did not have downstairs tickets). A disabled man in a wheelchair was seated in the last row without access to his chair. He repeatedly rang for assistance but no attendant ever came. My husband and another passenger helped the man to the bathroom several times. The man never ate anything between Fullerton CA and Albuquerque NM, as far as we could tell. Our seats were loose and moved back and forth with any bump, and the "automatic" door to the downstairs section did not close.

As a diabetic on a special diet, I was unable to find proper food for dinner or breakfast. The outdated snack pack only caused temporary discomfort. But I was more concerned about the wheelchair-bound passenger, as he was headed all the way to Chicago and had not received assistance by the time we got out in Albuquerque.

I paid to take a train from Savannah Georgia to Tampa Florida, the train was derailed in Virginia. Am-Trak informed me of this at the train station not before. I was told that they only handled the tickets and that I should call their 1-800 number if I had questions or complaints. I called that number and was told it was not their fault the train derailed and they would only refund the portion I paid for the ticket. I asked why I was not notified of the situation and they stated they left a message on my phone. I stated that I am disabled and my phone is in my room and that I did not receive a call or had no messages on my voice mail from Am-Trak. I was informed very rudely that I did receive a call.

The customer service person started to talk loud and became verbally abusive. I asked to speak to a supervisor but was informed that they do not transfer calls to or give out number of supervisors. I explained that I knew that the train derailing was not their fault but that I felt they should be responsible for the lack of adequate plans available to handle emergency situations for their passengers. They were friendly and helpful when taking the money for the reservation but rude and verbally abusive when problems arose. I feel that their customer service chain in is not sufficient to service their customers. Customers have no one they can talk to about the poor quality of service they receive from the Am-Trak employees. The employees are not accountable to anyone and can be really mean if you disagree with them.

When my husband, myself, my 14-year old son and my 20-year old son, who is a Marine who just got home from fighting in the war in Afghanistan, we decided to take a trip to Santa Barbara. As soon as we get on the train, Captain Kirk asks us for our tickets, grabs them rudely out of my husband's hands and because they were stapled to a brochure of Amtrak, Kirk ripped the staple from the brochure and said, "This is for tourists and not to be stapled to the tickets."

Our return tickets were also stapled to the brochure and Kirk didn't like that either so he undid those as well. So my husband mumbled under his breath some bad words and Kirk got in my husband's face. My husband can't remember the exact words but something to the effect of "because Amtrak is a federal run institute, he could have him kicked off."

Next picture shows that we see a table that would seat four people so we grab that table to have a good view of the ocean. Well, Kirk comes up and says that we can't sit there because "Amtrak staff sits there." So we move and come to find out that Captain Kirk and one other staff member are sitting in the dining cart for about half hour chit chatting. Hello! He wasn't even utilizing the table of four that we wanted!

So, we go about our Santa Barbara trip for a couple of hours. We get on the train to come back to Irvine, CA the same day and we see Captain Kirk again and again. He is so very rude along with another staff member! My husband and I have taken this trip before and it was pleasant. But to have my son fight for this country and to have Captain Kirk and some of his staff be unprofessional is definitely not necessary!

We paid a lot of money to show my son a good time and to get into my husband's face and talk about federal employees and the rights they have--don't talk to me about rights! I want a full refund and to have "Captain Kirk's" ** not deal with the public. He doesn't belong with the people who want to enjoy a pleasant ride on the CA coast!

I sure hope he is not on our train on the return.

My daughter was scheduled to catch Train #92 out of Orlando, northbound to Jacksonville, FL on Friday, July 23 at 7:24pm. However, when we got to the train station at 7:20pm, there was no one at the ticket window and the office was dark. We, along with several other passengers, stood there for a few minutes waiting then I told my daughter to wait in line while I looked for some help. The train still had not arrived when I found a heavy set young man outside standing with an umbrella in an Amtrak uniform. I asked for his assistance in getting a ticket for my daughter that had been prepaid. He proceeded to tell me that the office was closed and he couldn't do that.

others in line to follow me to the Winter Park station, only one other passenger took me up on it. On the way to the WP station, I called ahead and spoke to a courteous and friendly man by the name of Brian, who listened to my dilemma and said to come on up and he would take care of us. And the rest they say is history, he was efficient and very apologetic for the trouble we had at the Orlando station and gave us our ticket and boarding instructions and 13 minutes later the train arrived, my daughter boarded and was on her way.

I have been riding Amtrak for over thirty years and I have never run into a station closing before a train comes in. Therefore, this is my formal complaint to you concerning this matter and I really need you to address it so this doesn't happen to someone else who does not have the resources nor quick thinking ability to go to next station. Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

This does not cover all events, I complained about being discriminated against I was threatened that I would not be able to get back on my connecting train and when I arrived in LA from Chicago my disability scooter and wheelchair was smashed, nether are in working order. Now Amtrak will do nothing despite filing a legitimate claim. They discriminated against 6 others 3 of which I am still in contact with.

On or about April 23, 2010 Los Angeles - Union Station, CA (LAX). Karen B., when I complained to bagged handled about him dragging my under weight several employes including but not limited to the red cap said the need to see my ID despite me wearing a disabled Id badge issued by Los Angeles Metro Around my neck. (Further why am I showing my ID when I am getting OFF the train and not on it?) When I inquired why during my travel both way on approximately 6 train was I never asked for my id that as soon as I complain about service I am being harassed.

I was told that I had to check in my bag even though according to my count and the people who helped loads us aboard six others trains, we had the allocated number of carry ons including a hand bag a laptop and a food bag. Mrs. B. insisted I check in my bags and insisted my bags weighed over the 50 lbs limit. When placed on Amtrak scales it was revealed that only one bag was 41 pounds and the remaining were 22 pounds or less.

I requested a complaint form from Mrs. B., she initially agreed to provide me one and then later rejected my request. I informed her that I felt these threats were coming from the fact that I was complaining and that Amtrak did not like disabled people and did not want me complaining. I also expressed to her, based on my conversation with her and other employees that they wanted my silence and if I did not provide myself, my wife and two small children would not be allowed on the train. Fearing these repercussions, I discontinued pursuing any of my complaints against Amtrak and their employees including my belief that they were not compliant with state and federal regulation regarding the treatment of disabled people-meaning me and my son and as it turned out quite a few other including but not limited to Mr. B. (threatened to throw him off the train for not having his ticket when we seen the Amtrak personal lose it leaving Mr. B. and other passengers to find it), Beth, and Marty W. It later would be much clearer to ALL of us that the abled passengers were being treated significantly better then the disabled ones.

One of the indignity I suffered is Mrs. B. et al informed me --since I was early-- I must move all of my own luggage, further I must go rent the cart for my luggage and pay the $3.50-I was forced to check a single bag, Just so Amtrak could make their point. Every time I new employee showed up I was made to show my ID again.

One passenger, who was friends with the conductor, and kept calling him Freddy (he was not wear a name badge) was allowed to drink and use four seats (two on each side while neither my disabled son or myself were allowed to use two-even though they were open and available. We were continually harassed and admonished for our behavior while Freddy's friend was allowed free rein. We were reminded more then once that "speaking rudely--" was grounds for being ejected from the train. We certainly feared it at every turn.

It is also important to note Mrs. B. smelled of alcohol which made it much more intimidating to deal with her. injury emotional, loss of 23k scooter and 2,500 scooter, to me it sure felt like revenge, any possiblitiy of me earning and income and going back to work

the train was delayed in rocky mountain because of an accident on the tracks we were bus to washington we were told a train would be there waiting for us. no one at the station knew what to do the luggage was on different bus i had to search for my luggage the train they put us on was so crowed i had to walk through three cars to find a seat. i am a 79 year old male new to new york i think amtrak should have better service in case of accidents while in new york i got a telephone call from my doctor in kannapolis that it was urgent for me to report to him on thursday june 17th at 9am.

i wanted to change my reservation to wed june 16 but was told i would have to pay extra money which i didn't have. if i miss my doctor appointment i won't see him for three months he is going out of town i am a sick person and is schedule for an operation. it is important that i keep this appointment on june 17 which will be impossible because i will be on the train. if you can in any way help me change my reservation from the 17 to the 16 (without a fee)please let me know via the email address. thank you

I registered for a promotion for a free trip: Northeast Regional line. You are supposed to take two round trips and get one free. I called after my second trip to make sure that my partner and I qualified, we were told yes. When the time came that we were to use our free trip we were told that we did not qualify because we were supposed to take 6 Acela trips. I said no that was not the promotion. I was transferred to someone else who was rude and told me I didn't qualify because I took two Acela trips and two Amtrak trips.

The promotion did not specify that and I was told that I had qualified. We spoke someone else the next day and they asked us if we read the fine print. We registered online were the promotion was displayed and of course it is no longer displayed. After long drawn out phone conversations with not very nice people no compensation was offered but we got a snarky "Sorry". A terrible experience, with no one knowing what exactly what the promotion was. Get it in writing with Amtrak or you get anything!

We of course had to purchase the tickets for our travel. I blame the"Amtrak Rewards" system for this chaos. The money is not the concern, it's the fact they are so smug with their non-answers and they knew they had us over a barrel because we did not print out the original promotion offer.

Traveling from NYC to Syracuse NY with my family including my 7 year old grandson. Two female passengers were using profanity loudly and repeatedly. Two elderly ladies complained to the porter and he told them to move to another seat. As the foul mouthed females continued with their profanity, my husband became upset and told them to watch their language as there were several children on the train. The females laughed at him. He then found the porter sitting in the snack car with the other porters and told him to please handle the situation. After quite some time the porter came and spoke to the females.

I have traveled Amtrak many times and find it unsafe that they never screen bags and the porters are always in the snack car. Why don't they regularly patrol the cars? If they did perhaps our whole car and several children wouldn't have been exposed to such rude behavior by the female passengers. Or it could have been handle sooner. Is it Amtrak's policy that the porters hang out in the snack car when the train is moving? I will never take Amtrak again and will fly or even take the bus. This behavior would never be tolerated on a plane.

My husband and I recently took a trip on Amtrak thinking it would be an enjoyable way to travel. We were wrong! The food not only was expensive but it was rotten but so was there help. They were very rude when we complained about the grease dripping off the vegetarian burger. It was a severe stomach ache with just two bites. The lady across the table from us got a salad with a rotten tomato and brown lettuce on top of it. Even though the waitress saw it, she chose to ignore it. The macaroni and cheese I think had been sitting in the oven for a couple days. It came out in chunks, and I had a hard time cutting it with a knife. The sandwiches, you couldn't bite through, and although they claimed to be deli, had no condiments on them. They were chewing food as they handed out sandwiches, making announcements over the intercom, crunching away. For all the politicians talking about the infrastructure for the last twenty years, bridges are collapsing and the rail is so uneven it nearly throws the cars off the track. I thought I was going to have to go to the hospital from whiplash. Needless to say, the trip was a nightmare! I needed to stay in bed 2 days after traveling on Amtrak. I will go to the doctor and find out if I have herniated discs from the trip.

On March 17, 2010 I and my husband were taking an AMTRAK trip to Ann Arbor, Michigan. The route was as follows: NYC-Penn Station (10:50 AM) to Pittsburgh (8:00 PM). Then Pittsburgh (12:00 AM) to Toledo (5:30 AM). Toledo (6:30 AM) to Ann Arbor.

NYC Penn Station to Pittsburgh was fine. However, the Pittsburgh to Toledo route was so horrible I felt traumatized during my entire visit with my relatives in Ann Arbor. The train was filthy and smelled like urine throughout the entire train. It was so awful I could not get that smell out of my head during my entire visit. On top of that, there were no announcements for what station we were stopping at. By shear luck, my husband woke up when we arrived at Toledo. Had he not woke up just at that moment and asked someone on the train where we were, we would have never known to get off.

On Friday, 3/19, I called AMTRAK to voice my complaint and was told they could not really do anything for me accept to change my accommodations for additional charge. During that conversation I was told that breakfast is served at 6:30 and lunch starts at 11:30 am. Because I was afraid we would experience the same horrible situation on my return trip, during my visit in Ann Arbor, I went to the Amtrak station to exchange my return tickets Toledo to Washington for deluxe sleeper with bathroom accommodations at an additional charge of $322. The agent was very nice and accommodating. However, because I was misinformed about the meal times on my phone conversation of 3/19/10, we missed the lunch we were entitled to because the actual hours of dining were 6:30 to 11:30 am.

Next problem is on train 132 (Washington to NYC) on 3/21/10, leaving at 3:25 pm and arriving 6:45 pm, just before Penn Station. After the Newark drop off we came to a full stop and were told that we have to wait on the tracks for 5 trains to pass us that were in the tunnel. In fact 8 trains passed before we can move. There was no warning of this at Newark. Had they warned the passengers of this dilemma up ahead, we might have chosen the option to get off the train and take a cab to Penn Station.

I believe due to this aggravation and the traumatic feeling I had during my whole visit to Ann Arbor I should be compensated. I do not want vouchers. I want to be refunded for the sleeper car in the amount of $322. I would not have booked those accommodations were it not for the awful experience prior to 3/21/10. Due to the horrible accommodations of the Pittsburgh to Toledo trip, I felt traumatized during my entire visit with my family. I could not get that horrible odor out of my head. Because I was afraid of experiencing the same horrible situation, I booked the sleeper accommodations in hopes to avoid the filth and odor of the previous trip. The additional cost was $322 which is the amount I want refunded.

I check in my luggage at the Los Angeles Station. My luggage was stolen by an employee. This is in the police report.

I am writing to express my deep disappointment with the conductors on the March 4th, 2010, 304 Lincoln Service train from St. Louis to Joliet. I have been riding Amtrak from Joliet to St. Louis, back and forth, for over six years now and have never been treated so shabbily on one of Amtrak's trains before. I should have known my trip back to Joliet wasn't going to be a good one when I arrived on the platform ten minutes before departure and there wasn't a conductor in sight to tell me where to board. This has never happened before.

After waiting a couple of minutes on the platform between two trains, an Amtrak employee driving a service cart appeared and I had to ask her which train was my train to Joliet and where to board that train. She indicated which was the Chicago bound train and that I should board at the front of the train, which I did. The first car was rather full so I moved on to the next car and took a seat. After the train pulled out of the station, a conductor finally appeared and asked how I had ended up where I was. I told him no one was around to tell me where to go when I boarded and I gave him my ticket. After looking at my ticket, he told me I would have to move two cars back and I told him that would be no problem. He tore the stub off my ticket, handed it back to me and walked away. I shoved my stub back in my purse, gathered my belongings and moved back to the last car.

After relocating to the correct car and settling in, the conductor returned and asked for my ticket. I told him he had taken my ticket back in the other car. He told me he would never have done that. So I began to panic. I looked through my purse twice while he stood there reiterating that he would never take a ticket until he was ready to cancel it and he told me if I didn't believe this, I could just ask the two young passengers who had entered the car at the same time he did that this was the case. This, of course, embarrassed me as these two young men were now drawn into this debate as unwilling spectators. I told the conductor once again that I was sure he had taken my ticket in the other car and he insisted once more that he had not.

While still looking through my purse, yet again, I told him I did not have the ticket. He said, "Well you'll just have to buy a ticket". I told him, "Oh no I will not, Sir!". At which time he said, "Well, you'll be put off the train in Alton then!". A second conductor appeared and stood there for the rest of the argument. I told the original conductor once more that I had already bought my ticket and that he had taken it, during which time I found my stub in my purse. I showed it to him and said, "Look, this is all you gave back to me". He said, "Oh no, that stub isn't canceled. I would never have given that back to you uncanceled. I will look through the tickets I have here, but I know yours is not here". So he quickly flipped through the tickets and announced that my ticket wasn't there. I said, "then how do you explain this stub, Sir?". He replied that the stub didn't matter as it wasn't canceled.

I again told him that he had my ticket and he said it wasn't in his stack, but I was welcome to look through his stack of tickets if I thought he was wrong. I told him, "I would very much like to do that". I took the stack of tickets from him and in a matter of seconds, I had found my ticket and said "Oh, gee look! Here I am, Sir! I think you owe me an apology!". All he said in return was, "I need your stub". Naturally, I had put the stub back in my purse and had to dig it out yet again. I handed him the stub, he took it, said a curt and insincere, "I apologize" and both conductors walked away without a further word.

I feel that I was treated as if the situation had been my fault or as if I had been trying to scam them and that any other kind of apology wasn't warranted. My usually pleasant train ride was ruined by conductors who couldn't even admit they had made a mistake and who had no kind of concern for me as a customer or human being. I rely on Amtrak to get me back and forth from my daughter's home in the St. Louis area, but I'll think twice about taking the 304 again!

I was boarding a train going from Houston to New Orleans and was told to sit in seat 11, so that's where I sat. About two minutes later, a man came up to me and said I had his seat even though he was in the seat next to mine. He was traveling from California and wanted both seats. So I sat in another seat and was again in someone else seat who had just boarded. So I went and sat in the lounge car. When a employee passed, I told him about it and he told me to go find another seat and walked away. It was early in the morning and most people were sleeping over both seats, so I had nowhere to sit. I stayed in the lounge car the whole way.

On February 9th 2010, I had a round trip ticket on Amtrak Acela from Boston to NY. My train into the city at 5:20 am was incident free. However, I was notified that my return train home at 6:00 pm was cancelled due to bad weather. A winter storm was in effect overnight into Wednesday. At that time, no snow, rain or inclement weather was happening in NY.

I quickly re-booked for the 5:00pm train which was not cancelled. I arrived at NY Penn station one hour before the train was expected to leave to ensure I got my new ticket for the #2168 train which I did.

The train was delayed and severely over-booked. It was announced that over 100 passengers were without seats, sitting on the floors, in the aisles and in the passage ways between the cars. There were passengers that did not have tickets to that (2168) train but from another train that was also cancelled. As passengers moved about the train, they had to step over people as there were no clear passage ways. Even though I was a ticketed passenger for that train, I had to stand for the entire three and a half hours of the trip.

The staff did nothing to remedy the situation other than tell us to call 800-usa-rails to make a complaint. The over crowding on the train was a true safety hazard that was overlooked by the staff on the train and customer service when notified. As a result of the over crowding even with a ticket, I had to stand for the full three and a half hour trip and was pushed out the way by passengers moving throughout the train.

On 1/17/10, we took a train from Penn Station to Stamford CT. We are not experienced train passengers. When we arrived at the station in Stamford, there was no announcement. I was traveling with my 5 year old son, 74 year old mother and my son's father. We were unable to sit together due to many people who took one seat. Therefore we were separated. When the train stopped, my mom stated "we're here". She got up and proceeded forward, took my son's hand and exited the train. I got up and reached for her luggage, proceeded forward to meet Rich. He got up and we gathered the rest of our belongings, began to exit the train only to see the doors shut! Panic! Oh my God, my son is off and we can't get off. Trying to push every button to no avail, I went back into the car to see no one to help us. The car was silent.

Then the car attendant came through the other car. I ran down the aisle saying, "You have to stop the train. We didn't get off." He just said "we can't; you have to stay on until the next stop. "I said, "You don't understand. My elderly mother and 5 year got off but we didn't." With no compassion, he just said again, "There's nothing I can do." In the meantime, he got into a verbal altercation with Rich. All he could say is that they had cutbacks and there's only three of them working in eight cars. I didn't care. My son is all I could think about. I began to cry. I need to call them but my mom has my pocketbook. I used Rich's phone and was able to contact them, they were okay. She said she'd wait in the waiting area until we get back. So many "what if's" ran through our minds. The trip to Bridgeport seemed like 2 hours. We stood by the door to make sure we got out this time.

Any parent out there can imagine this feeling. Amtrak needs to get a grip and have some compassion. What if it was your 5 year old left, how would you feel?

i had to drive another 32 miles to get my boyfriend on Caltrain to head back to Richmond. I made it in time, just as the same bus arrived, at approximately 10:45, 15 minutes prior to the departure of CAL Train to SF. While i save my boyfriend $4, i spent more money on gasoling (approximately $10). this is not OK.

10/28/09 the 2pm train to LA in Bakersfield and then it was the 4pm because of them ruining my trip. I had a very horrible experience with Amtrak going from San Francisco to LA. It is not even a long trip and that shouldn't have happened. I have now noticed a lot of people complaining I would think you would want to give customer service but they seem to think the opposite.

They were horribly horrible rude to me in Bakersfield with no reason. There were no other customers in line almost to him but I know they are slow and just tried to get him to pay attn when he was not even looking up but just looking at his cell phone in Bakersfield. He didn't have a tag I could see and wouldn't give his name.

In SF I went to check my bags which I had counted on. They refused the clerks as the bridge was closed. I said they could send later but they still refused.I had to take it myself. I was paying for that part also to me. The clerks told me that I could check them in Bakersfield. I said would I have time with the change there and they said yes.

When I got to Bakersfield I said something about it and he the clerk got very angry and said He wasn't going to check the bag and that I was being abusive which I wasn't. I just told him I wanted to check the bag and what had happened. He had been looking at his cell phone instead of working and was angry actually that I had interrupted. It was terrible.

The other clerk a black girl in the middle also refused saying I was supposed to be there 45 min early which was ridiculous and no one had said before. The other was busy. The one who wouldn't check it the white guy kid was light colored and could be seen as being conceited as if a young girl not I,would like him if hard up. It was ridiculous and I was mad. It was difficult to take my luggage and I wanted to leave it and check it which is natural. They acted as if I shouldn't and it was too much trouble for them which is what itwas. The white guy clerk had told me that "I couldn't talk to him that way and Had to be "nice" to people" was the idea. It

was totally ridiculous.

I then saw the mgr outside who asked what it was. I had left my ID inside so I missed the then bus by then. He had left it on the counter without telling me so it looked like an advertisement like a big baby.He had then again acted very unprofessional and repeated it. I then tried again to get them to check it but they refused. The mgr then came in and made them check it. I was still stuck in Bakersfiedl.The excuse was also gone since my ticket was for the later bus anyway. It was a terrible experience and just havingto talk to people so stupid. I waited to send it too since I was busy and upset and traveling.

The mgr a woman there tried to act as if nothing had happened andthey were really "helping" and trying to get my luggage there. That was the idea anyway and I know how those people are. She acted as if I was some kindof nut she was placating. She also the mgr had sarcastically acted as if I was going to try staying there all nite when I asked how late the station was open. Believe me I didn't want to stay there. I am really a quiet person and well behaved.I have also worked in travel and I am not going to recommend Amtrak.

I know if an actual mgr had been there and heard it they would be sorry. The girl also in the middle did not want to do any work. It just made them more work which is their job. People like them who just keep repeating things and have it all wrong and or the managers stand up for them. This could be because they can get away with it or agree the customers are terrible. I was also so upset I had one on it but there wasn't a tag form to fill out either.

Also when I got to LA of course they gave me trouble about how many days it could stay in luggage. I saw on the info it was so many days like three. He had a sign that said 2 up and then there was an obnoxious statement from the of course hispanic rude customer service in LA. He right away was argumentative saying he was going to check the date and not trust me. When I went back over there the other cust svc in baggage said it looked fine to him since he could read English and it was ok with him. All in all I know to stay away from Amtrak in LA anyway.

It was a trying experience. It could have been difficult or impossible to take my own bags on the subway across the bay and then staying in Bakersfield stuck there and late.

When leaving LA we had trouble closing the door on the train. We were held back 2 hours but what was worse the electric power and circulation was off for 90 minutes. It was extremely warm and hard to breath. Then reaching San Antonio we were not aware that we had a 7 hour layover and had to sleep on the train. Again the power and circulation were turned off for 90 minutes and that was worse with the odor of sweaty bodies and coughing and people sneezing. The trip back from Austin was the same discomfort. I believe someone should look into these conditions and I feel the price of the tickets was unfair for what we had to put up with.

i spoke with Linda T about my lost luggage and she made two attempts to speak with E. Micheal T but he never returned her call. I am handicapp and I have always experienced a good rapport with Amtrak. On Novemenber 21, 2009 Saturday train # 92 the porter put my luggage on the train and it dissappeared. I had gifts for my grand children , clothes and most important my medication. I have spent 400.00 dollars trying to replace my medication thus far. It is December 11 and i have 10 days left befor medicaid will let me purchase my medication at my dicounted price. That means I have at least another another 400.00 to spend just on medication. My families christmas gifts are lost and I am stranded with no clothes.

through medicaid my medicine is $55.00 but to purchase it again has cost me a fortune

I recently rode AMTRAK for the first time in years. I have severe COPD and blocked arteries, so mobility is slow and difficult. When I left Portland, I had to walk about a block carrying a heavy tote bag with my medical necessities and food. By the time I got there and learned I would be upstairs and no help was available to get there, I collapsed in the vestibule and sat on the floor until I was able to breathe well enough to proceed. It was hard. When I arrived at Emeryville, I was dropped even further from the depot. I asked a conductor if someone could help me, or if I could ride the baggage cart. He shrugged and turned his back on me.

Preparing for my return trip, I called the national 800 number. I described my experience and my health situation. I was promised a wheelchair to, and help getting onto, the train at both ends of the trip. A lower level seat was mentioned. When I arrived at Emeryville the ticket agent argued with me, saying You dont need help--the train will stop right in front. I told her I had been promised help and she did not understand my health condition. Apparently nobody was there to help, because the same lady came out, without a chair. I offered her my tote bag but she dodged, and refused to carry it. She then walked rapidly out of the depot. I struggled along gasping behind her as best I could. Her help consisted of asking a conductor which car was for Portland. She left. I found I was seated upstairs again, four cars away from the snack car, so I was unable to get any food or drink for 17 hours. When I got to Portland again no help was available to get me to the depot. In fact, an official scolded me for not crossing the tracks quickly enough though I was moving as fast as I am able.

I emailed customer service and was told I would get an answer in 2 days. 10 days later I emailed again and was told I should call the 800 customer service number. I answered that it was they who should contact me because it was I who was treated badly, so why should I have to pursue them? I mentioned the ADA. The next day a very nice lady called from customer service. We went over my story and their records. She apologized and said they would investigate. I have heard nothing from them. If I do not, I will not ride the train again. Most of the Amtrak people I have contacted were at least polite, if unhelpful.

I purchased a ticket on Novemer 24th out of Savannah, Ga going to Winter Park Florida. After exiting the train I realized my ticket had fallen from my baggage and the train as it usually does had already quickly exited the train station. I was told that the "policy" of Amtrack is I had to "purchase" another ticket in order to leave Winter Park back to Savannah on November 30th. Keeping in mind that there is a computer trail of my name and ticket generated on the 24th, they were telling me that even though Amtrack has already been PAID for the NOW EMPTY SEAT going to Savannah I have to pay again for another seat because I lost my ticket which was handed to me.

Although, John had stated to me to "read the fine print" on the jacket of the ticket I was unaware after traveling on the Amtrack for years back and forth from Savannah. I would safely assume Amtrack uses a computer system to track payments and check-ins. However, they are stopping with a paper trail for the consumer. John was holding firm to his word even though I had offered to wait at the train station with proper ID to show that it is in fact me who should be in that empty seat. I travel with the airlines frequently and have NEVER encountered this poor customer service. If there is a missing ticket they simply give you a boarding pass providing the proper ID.

On December 24th, 2008 my husband and I booked one-way Amtrak travel from St. Paul, MN to Kalamazoo, MI (with a connection in Chicago). We thought it might be fun to book a room in the sleeper car, so we picked room that had 2 beds and a small shower/bathroom.

Once we boarded this train that was 13 hours late, there was no food or drink left on board the train. So now we, as passengers, were faced with waiting 13 hours in a train station without food (and it was Christmas eve, so there was nothing open nearby), getting onto a train that was also out of food and drink. The plumbing on the train was clogged, so the entire bathroom was flooded with water coming up from the drains and threatening to spill into our room. The conditions were absolutely terrible - passengers were starving, sanitation was non-existant, and we were very, very late.

When I called Amtrak after the ordeal, they refused to refund my money, offering instead a non-transferrable voucher good for only 1 year. I can do next to nothing with this ticket because I've since moved to Houston where the cost to travel anywhere worth mentioning via Amtrak costs quite a bit more than it did in the Midwest (mostly due to things being spread apart). I can't transfer the ticket to friends or family who could use it either.

After travelling on AmTrak's Carolianian (trains ## 79 & 80) to and from Raleigh, NC, and Union Station, DC, over just a two-day period, I was dismayed by the rude behavior and apparently arbitrary policies - - and implementation thereof - - on my return to DC. Mr. B could not adequately explain why passengers going to Washington were required to sit in only one car that became almost entirely full when another reserved coach behind it had many seats available. There were passengers in both cars going to Philadelphia or Wilmington, and there was no similar policy on the trip to Raleigh the previous day.

The final straw was when I called AmTrak "customer relations" (?) today and was told that they would forward my verbal report but I could not expect to hear anything more from AmTrak. That is NOT customer service!

i would like to find out who to ask and what would need to be done to have amtrac to provide a service stop in meyersdale, pa. as they do run through here twice daily and this area of our county desperately needs public transportation. the nearest stations of amtrac are 50 miles from here and we have no other forms of public transit so they would stand to make a considerable profit by providing even a whistle stop. thank you and I look forward to hearing from someone to approve this and start the process of making this much needed service start as soon as possible.

I am not complaining that the train was late since there was an extreme amount of rain so it was 1.5 hours late. When it finally arrived, everyone loaded up and it left immediately. There was another delay due to the weather. It finally made it to Malvern Arkansas around midnight, which was about 1.5 hours late. The conductor missed the stopped and could not back the train up. I am not sure why he did not back it up. He dismissed passengers about a block pass the designated spot and I as well as a couple of other passengers had to walk. I am 71 years old with arthritis and degenerative bones and almost fell about 5 times. I had to walk up a hill and through rocks. Finally, someone came to assist me in walking. Had the person not came on the last near fall, I would have been on the ground from weakness. This is completely unacceptable.

On 10/11/09 around 10:30 AM I was sitting in the Amtrak train station at 401 I Street when a security guard named Ted A walks up to me and asks me if I have a ticket. I said no, but I am going to purchase one. He says no you are not. I say why are they not going to sell me a ticket? He said because I am going to tell them not to sell you a ticket because you are 86 out of the station. I go up to the ticket counter and ask to purchase a ticket. Mr. A walks up behind me and tells the ticket clerk not to sell me a ticket because I have been 86 from the station. I told the clerk that Mr. A did not have the authority restrict my travel liberty. That under the United States Constitution I could go anywhere I wanted to go and use any form of public transportation wanted. The clerk told me she had to do what he asks.

I told them they needed to call the police. Mr. A told me and the clerk that it was the Amtrak police that told him to do it. Mr. A gets on his cell phone and calls the police but he does not make a normal emergency call. He tells the dispatcher my full name and that I had been 86 from the train station. Mr. A has never asks me to see my ID but he knows all my information. As have written in the past, Mr. A has told me on occasions that he did whatever he was paid to do and didnt care what it was. I have gone to the Amtrak Station a number of times in the past and he would meet me down the street and ask me where I was going and did I have a ticket. When he calls the police, as he has done a couple of times in the past, he requests certain officers to respond to the station. I specifically heard him tell an Amtrak dispatcher that he wanted a certain officer who I have already written about to respond to the station.

Mr. A told the police and the clerks that I purchased tickets and turned them back in without traveling. I explained to Mr. A a number of times about my situation and even told he could take a look at my past trips on Amtrak in the past years that were up to around 180 at the time all over the United States. This is not about me being at the train station or trespassing. This is about reprisal.

I thank you for your help in this matter.

My husband and I decided to experience train travel and booked a trip with Amtrak from Palatka, FL to Williamsburg, VA leaving on Sept. 26th and returning on September 30th, via the Silver Meteor. I had reserved a Roomette for the long ride from Palatka to/from Richmond, VA, where we would change trains and was advised by former train travelers to inquire about a bedroom upgrade after boarding the train. We had a wonderful car attendant with our Roomette and the conductors arranged an upgrade for less than $100.00. Our trip was very enjoyable and we were contemplating a future train trip in the Western states.

Unfortunately, the return trip was a disaster and I place the blame solely on the train crew. We boarded our train in Richmond before 10:00 p.m., another Roomette, and the Roomette beds had already been prepared. Those Roomettes are about 6' x 3.5' and, when the beds are out, there is little to no room to move around. We were not ready to sleep and had to go to the Lounge Car in order to sit properly.

When we finally found the Conductor and inquired about an upgrade, he told us that it would cost $200 and, if we didn't upgrade after the next stop, there would be no more upgrading. I thought that was very odd until we noticed that the train crew were all in the unoccupied bedrooms.

As well, when we were in the Lounge Car, we watched one of the car attendants consumed an alcoholic beverage while on duty. When I laid down on my bed I discovered that my bed linens were dirty and smelled of cologne. I knew that those linens had been used by another passenger and that is disgusting. I would have requested new linens if there had been a car attendant in sight.

The lack of car attendant may explain why there was no coffee, juices or ice at our sleeper car station. That is a service I paid for and did not receive. As well, we were not informed when breakfast was being served and, when I finally found an employee, we were told that the Dining Car was only open for another 45 min. (it was 7:45 a.m.).

The Dining Car was quite an experience. The manager of the Dining Car kept discussing his "union rep" in a loud voice to other employees, the temperature in the car was freezing and our food was cold and not appetizing.

The trip to Williamsburg was so nice and, because of the train crew, very enjoyable. Due to the attitude and behavior of the return trip train crew, Amtrak lost our business as well as future business with our many friends. I did sent Amtrak an e-mail voicing our concerns but, as of this date, we haven't received a response. From what I've since read about Amtrak, that is typical of their customer service.

Why is there no train between Los Angeles and Las Vegas? this is ridiculous it's 2010

I Took a Roundtrip ride from Penn Station up to Niagara Falls Ontario on the #63 Maple Leaf Train. My trip began on August 4th. I checked in at Penn Station, then went over to a Table in the Middle of the Open Area and filled out me and my family's Customs Paperwork. Then I took my tickets over to a clerk near the Amtrak Waiting Area to wait for our Boarding Call. Because I'm very thorough I continually check back in with the 2 clerks asking again and again what the overhead speakers were saying and if it meant that I should proceed. The answer was always "not yet", "not ready", "we'll let you know".

As the minutes went on, I started to see Amtrak workers scurrying around and putting certain patrons luggage on Hand Trucks. Again I kept checking in with the Amtrak Clerks asking if I was missing something and once again, their reply was "not yet", "not ready", "we'll let you know". Finally, I decided to leave the Waiting area (which was now 75% empty) only to see a line of over 100 people long so I asked a few of the people on the line which train they were taking and of course it was the same one that I was scheduled to take.

The Rest of the trip went as expected except for the very rude conductor that shot back at my wife when she mentioned to him very nicely that the bathroom was messy. Amtrak really needs to take a look in the mirror and see that there's a lot they could do to improve with their customer service and in turn their image.

I can tell you right now I was very disappointed with EVERYTHING that was important here and I know that I could never recommend Amtrak to anybody else that might ask me for my feedback.

You folks really need to clean up your act and get with the times to become competitive and streamlined. It's not only about collecting a Pay check!

In the past 6 months being a 100% disabled Vet. with eye problems etc. have lost or was stolen my baggage while on route to Lompoc, Ca

On Friday, Sept. 11, 2009, the bus due to arrive at the Riverside Transit Station at 8:55 a.m. never showed up. I had to take the 10:55 a.m. bus that caused a terrible inconvenience for myself as well as my son who suffers with an incurable blood disease. I was supposed to meet with him and his doctor for some very important tests he was scheduled to have. I wasn't able to meet with them and my son had to reschedule the test for this week and I won't be able to go with him.

I loved the Service and the fast ride and the train was within few minutes of being on time. Bad news is the noise in the cars from undercarriage rattles and squeaks was the worst I ever heard on a rail car especially on the 2203. I did complain to the conductor and he agreed and the problem was being repaired as the cars go in to service overhaul. My complaint is that these high speed cars did cost the taxpayer a lot of money to the European contractors and that they should repair them sooner than their next service date. I will say when the cars were not rattling they were more quiet than a luxury car. I loved the ride, speed, service and would recommend the ACELA Express to anyone..just bring some earplugs.

On August 31, 2009 Chicago, IL/Ann Arbor. Departed Chicago 6:00/6:30pm expected time of arrival in Ann Arbor 11:00/11:30pm. Arrived in Ann Arbor at 3:30 AM. As we were approaching Battle Creek, Michigan the conductor informed the passengers that a car had hit one of the trains earlier that day at a crossing and caused damage to the train and we were therefore going to have to go around the damage train and that would involve changing tracks and some delay.

As we sat for about 45 minutes to an hour and did not hear alot of up date from the conductor as to when we would be moving our train proceeded to move backwards for such a long stretch of track and no word from the conductor what first came to mind is does the conductor know we are going backwards!

After the long stretch of going backwards we finally stopped and started going forward on to Battle Creek and continuing on to our destination to Ann Arbor, still now word from the conductor. Then the train stopped again and we proceeded to go backwards again, this went on about three to four times, again no update from the conductor. After awhile a couple of employees came through and repeated the same story to us passengers about the train/damage/lady hitting it etc.

Next information the passengers received was from one of the employees passing through with gloves on that we were going to tow the damage train and some of the passengers asked how long would that take and the employee said: I wish I could answer that," and moved on!

I cannot imagine Amtrak would make a last minute decision to tow a damaged train, and have passengers delayed for four and half hours. This is what I believe!! I believe that Amtrak knew when train number 354 left Chicago from the beginning of the journey it was going to tow the damage train in Battle Creek, MI, I also believe that Amtrak was very much aware that it would take up to four and half hours to reach the passengers to their destination.

I find this very unsatisfactory, very disappointing, and above all the lack of consideration and the little regard Amtrak had for its passengers, and the little ones (my four year and nine year old Grandchildren and family), we appear to be of no interest whatsoever to Amtrak. What does appear to me is Amtrak was more interested and valued more of the caring of a damage train than it was in caring and the value of its passengers.

I have traveled on Amtrak many times over the past 50 years because I prefer traveling by train over flying.

I am 76 years old and am recovering from a neck and shoulder injury and hadn't traveled for four years because of being ill and pain from the injury. Because of the injury it is difficult to handle my luggage. For this reason I called Amtrak ahead of my travel time and requested that Amtrak help me with my luggage. They reassured me that they would put my request on my records and all I had to do was to remind the Amtrak attendant when I got to LA and they would help me get a red cap. The attendant did help me with my luggage and got a red cap for me when I arrived in LA. I don't know the name of the Red Cap but he was a heavyset Negro man.

I was expecting the same service that I received in the Chicago Station. I Chicago a Red Cap picked me up from the train when I arrived and took me to a small room where I could leave my luggage until it was time for the train to leave. I also had an opportunity to get something to eat or shop if I wanted. I was taken to the train when it was in the station and before the other passengers were let on. The Red Cap in Chicago helped me find a seat on the train and also put my luggage on the train for me. I was settled in before others started getting on the train.

NOT SO IN LA. The Red Cap took me into the station and let me off at the entrance where it says TO THE TRAINS and I was told to stay there until he came back. It was almost 2 hours before the train was to leave. I wanted to go to the bathroom and get something to eat but I was stranded at the seats where he left me off. I couldn't leave my luggage and it was too heavy for me to take it with me. The Red Cap came by to pick us up 50 minutes before the train was to leave.

He took us out to where the train was to park and dropped us off on the platform and said, Your train is coming. I assumed the train would be there in a few minutes but NOT SO. He said the train was coming but he didn't say WHEN. There was no place to sit down. It was a long walk to the restrooms. We watched each other's bags so we could go to the rest room. Later, on the train, I saw one of the ladies who had ridden on the same Red Cap cart with me and she told me she asked the Red Cap to let her ride around with him until train time because she was unable to stand that long.

When the train did finally come we had to cross the tracks to board it. I looked around and there was no one to help with my luggage. I finally spotted an Amtrak employee on my side of the tracks and asked if she would help me get my luggage to the train. She took my luggage to the door of the car but the attendant, the name on the name tag, as best I could see was Lydia. She was slender, older Negro lady.. She informed me that she wasn't going to touch that bag it weighed 50 lbs I told her it wasn't 50 lbs because it was 50 lbs for my flight to Kansas and I had removed a lot of the contents for my trip home on the train. It contained couple of blankets, a sweater and some food.

But she insisted she wasn't going to hurt her back. She pointed to a male passenger next to me and said, Have him help you. I didn't ask him because if he injured himself in some way while lifting my bag it would be an opening for a law suit for me or Amtrak. Just as it would have opened a door for me to sue Amtrak if I had been injured because no one would help me with my luggage. I felt it would have been more professional for the attendant at the door to say, I'll find you some help in just a minute. There is a possibility that she couldn't lift my suitcase but the attendant shouldn't have ignored me.

Finally another Amtrak employee walked by and I asked him to help me. He said he had something to do but would be back to help me. He did come back to help me on with my luggage. He said he knew the suitcase didn't weight 50 lbs. Just a few seconds later the attendant that refused to help me with my luggage came into the car with the conductor and pointed to my luggage on the shelf, and told him it weighed 50 lbs.

The conductor just tugged at the suitcase didn't take it off the shelf to lift it and walked away saying nothing. I don't know the name of the conductor. Neither the conductor or the attendant acknowledged me with an apology or sorry for the inconvenience. Just simply walked away.

People who ask for a Red Cap usually are handicapped in some way which keeps them from walking the long distance to the station from the train or the luggage is too heavy for them to carry. They shouldn't be left alone to fend for themselves as we were. There were 3 of us. It could have turned out much worse if it had been 90 degrees on the platform the sun reflecting off the concrete could make it feel like it is in the 100's or someone could have been too weak to stand that long or been injured by having to deal with their own luggage. I feel this is a very unfortunate thing that happened. I will have to think twice before I travel on the train again.

My family was out of town in Arizona on vacation, and had family from Virginia visiting. My son had a doctor's apptment and was unable to come up with us. His 21st birthday was July 1, so we were figuring out how to get him to Az., so that we could celebrate his 21st birthday. I found Amtrak had a train that would pick him up in San Bernardino and drop him off in Needles, in which we would pick him up at the station. I booked online and paid with my credit card.

My son hit traffic that day and was running late, however, when he arrived there were paramedics out front, which ended up delaying his train. He had never taken the train before. When he walked up from the parking lot he inquired to a gentleman if he could park his truck where he parked it. The man said it was fine and inquired about what train he was catching. My son advised he was catching Train 4 to Needles. The man advised my son he was lucky because he was the conductor of that train. He told my son to hurry and follow him. He took my son to train 4, and before boarding asked for his i.d. My son showed him his drivers license, and the man put him onboard.

After the train left the station the same man, who ended up being Conductor George, asked my son for his train ticket. My son advised he didn't get to pull the ticket from the train station because he had rushed him onto the train. However, my son did give him the confirmation number, from when I booked it. George went away for awhile, came back and said he confirmed my son did pay for a ticket, but because he did not physically get the ticket out of the station machine, he would kick him off in Victorville. Or, he could pay Conductor George another 65.00 to stay onboard. My son explained to George he had no money and no cell phone. George said it was his problem because he was late.

My son advised George he should have asked him for his ticket before he put him onboard, at least if he was denied to board, he had transportation home. My son called me from another travelers cell phone. I told him to find George so I could explain the circumstances. When he found George he tried handing him the phone advising him his mom wanted to talk with him. I could hear George loudly taunting that he did not talk to mothers. Since I thought George could hear me, I was advising George my son had no money, no cell and no transportation home and not to drop him off in Victorille. I told my son to sit in his seat and do not get out. I figured if they called the police maybe they would be able to talk sense into the Conductor, since transportation was paid for already and he failed to do his job. My son called me again, close to 10:30pm and advised George was pulling on his arm and trying to throw him off the train.

My son called me from the cell phone, of another passenger, and the passenger was getting off in Victorville. So my son followed him out so he could finish his conversation with me. As soon as my son got outside, Conductor George threw his bag off the train and told my son he was getting off. The person who had the cell phone advised my son he had people picking him up and could take him to a safe part of Victorville, but my son wasn't sure what to do so he refused. My son ended up walking to an AM PM, in which he used someone elses phone to call and advise me where they stranded him. 10:30pm, my husband and I had to leave our family in Arizona to drive 2 1/2 hrs to pick him up, then 2 1/2 hrs back. We originally were going to celebrate his 21st bday at the casino's when he arrived at midnight, but instead we were now forced to just get him picked up. At 1:30am, when we finally arrived at the AM PM, it was a sight. I could not believe this is where Amtrak had thrown my son off the train.

Very unsafe location. I would love to throw George off the train at this location, with no money or cell phone, and let him fend. When I contacted Amtrak Customer Service they opened a case, but were not able to give me George's name. I was later sent an email chain in which Rueben was suppose to conduct an investigation and get back to me. After numerous emails and voice mails to Rueben, I finally received one stating he conducted an investigation and none of the staff on the train recall this situation.

Conductor George's actions were unprofessional. To date, no one at Amtrak will give me his last name.

I purchased a round trip ticket, called to cancel the trip two days in advance. Then was informed to mail back the tickets (keep a xerox copy) and you'll get your money in your account. It will be there in 10 days from the time you mail the tickets. Call us if you want to know the status of your refund.

Beware:
Amtrak has conflicting policies on ticket refunds.
NEVER mail back tickets for refunds.

If you do send them certified mail.

REPS will tell you conflicting times for your refund anywhere from ten days or so to 3-4 months.

Instead of having each person have accurate information (they don't like to be bothered with looking up the policy using their computer, they usually just make up a time in their head and strive to get you off the phone.

Forget about oh i understand
or the traditional how can I help you?
or I apologize let me see what I can do
as a question the rep will just pull something out of his/her hat instead of offering accurate information
Can you hold on while I check on that? will only be offered if you prompt the customer service rep

(one claim: there are only 40 of us and I'm the only Chris.)

At Amtrak 8 times out of ten you are treated like a nuissance.

washington DC. (Which sounds like a quick solution, no?)

BEWARE: AMTRAK charges you a 10 percent fee to cash in (a restocking fee obviously, or maybe to bankrole new training for reps that give misinformation, burn out, or get booted out!)

(est. time to discover there is no solution is about 45 minutes you may luck out and get someone who truly does care, but they don't seem to be able to help other to say "It's really not a good system.")

BEWARE: REFUNDS, you may as well keep the tickets and hope you'll have the guts to take a trip on the train in the next year.

That is unless you have the fortitude to play investigator, enjoy frustration, being treated poorly, and having absolutely no solution to your problems.

Just an FYI: Buy your tickets when you board the train, then again you'll face a stiffer ticket price.

E-tickets need to be mailed to you if you dont have an open Amtrak office close by.

Few will have the compassion to say sorry.

THEY KEEP 10 percent of your ticket value and you'll wait months to get the refund.

HAPPY TRAIN TRAVELS!

I'm complaining about my return trip from Portland, Or, on the Empire Builder 7/10/09 - 7/12/09. It was with great finacial sacrifice that I paid the $1378.70 WI-OR round trip, with handicap compartment. When I got to my room, there were no towels, washcloths, seat-liners or cups. The door lock was broken and the sink had no plug ( stopper ). There was garbage and filth on the floor, excrement around the toilet and sink. The built-in garbage container kept falling from the wall and slamming to the floor. It was packed with garbage from the previous occupant. The speaker in my room didn't work. The garbage container fell to the floor for the umpteenth time, blocking my safe path to the toilet and sink. I rang for Sam, the room attendant and waited over 45 minutes. He said he was at a wine-tasting affair and it was announced on my speaker system. I never heard it.My door was open, and I could hear the speaker down the hall. Sam said I must have turned mine off. It's in the ceiling and I'm 5"-4". I couldn't have reached it if I DID want to.

This is a handicap car. There were other handicapped people who might have needed his help also. I was uncomfortable, worried about the unhealthy conditions, and, yes, angry. I see a LOT of complaints when I went to " Amtrak Complaints " on the internet. They are operating with our taxpayer money and getting millions for their lack of sevice. I just got in the mail today a CREDIT of $550 to use on my next Amtrak trip. I called and said that wasn't good enough. I don't want to chance another Amtrak trip...EVER!!! But John Wojuichowskis' assistant told me I should be grateful. They don't have to even do that much. I feel helpless complaining. Almost as helpless as I felt on that dirty, germ-laden, buggy, train. I expect there might have been rats or mice on there too, if they could stand the mess.

I am a daily passenger on the New Jersery Transit train to and from New York City. I board the train each week day in Trenton NJ - with Trenton NJ being the final stop each evening on my return. My complaint: as a paying passenger I enter into an agreement with NJTransit at the cost of $352.00 per month for their service - which is to get me to and from my destination in a safe and timely manner. I don't understand why I my train - 6:03pm from NY City has to sit each evening and wait for Amtrack to run 1 sometimes 2 trains before us, when we are steps from the platform.

I have heard every excuse. The most recent - "Amtrack Owns the Tracks". So, because I don't happen to be a passenger on the evening Amtrack I don't deserve proper service or I should consider myself a second class passenger? I hate sitting for up to 10 minutes at times waiting to disenbark a train that is just feet away from the platform. I am angry for NJTranist for not doing enough to protect the interest of their customers.

When pulling into the train station in Denver CO. the canvass boot came off that was a wall between the cars. I told Kevin and he said that we will get to it when we are ready or something to that effect however when the train turned you could see a large gap. This gap was large enough for an adult to fall out. I believe this was a serious safety issue and nothing was done about it. We spent 3 hours in Denver there was no reason why they couldn't fix the boot. I took pictures of the boot being off at Denver and just before I got off the train.

I don't understand why they wouldn't fix this simple problem all they needed to do was pull it back into place and re-snap it. A simple fix. I feel that passengers were put at risk because of the railroad union and the employees of Amtrack. We were lucky no one was hurt but the potential was there. The reason this bothers me so is that a woman on the train was told she could not walk around the rain without shoes on because when walking between cars she could loose a toe. What is the difference between not whereing shoes and a missing a boot to keep people from falling off the train or loosing a limb something needs to be done about this

On July 5th, Sunday, the I took the train in Califronia From SOLANA BEACH (departs 7/5/09 12: 30 noon) to Los Angeles. The Train number is 589 Pacific Surfliner. I am a Asian girl from Taiwan carrying a slightly over-sized Luggage. To be honest, it was slightly over 60 pounds. When I entered the Amtrak station I was a bit concerned about my luggage so I asked the guy who was selling the tickets in advance and he said it was ok as long as I carry it myself. I thought I can put it on first floor then I am capable of moving it myself because I can drag it.

Later the train 589 arrived and my guy friend tried to help me carry the luggage up stair to 2nd floor, but in the process of getting up on the 2nd floor, a good-looking white guy with a dark blue hat in the LAST section of Amtrak said to me that the train is leaving so I have to ask my guy friend to get off the train right away.

I have no choice but to ask my guy friend to get off the train even I am NOT capable of carrying the luggage myself upstairs to 2nd floor. After the train started moving, I tried to carry the luggage upstairs myself, but was having some difficulty because I am a very short (only 5'1) and weak girl who is not strong enough to do this independently, therefore, the process is a bit slow.

I was so SURPRICED that the White Amtrak guy in the Last section told me in a very COLD and indifferent voice : "Pick it Up!" I struggled and pushed the luggage up but still failed, so I asked him if I can put it in the first floor somewhere. He said : "NO." I said : "But the luggage is too heavy, I just cannot do it myself." He said : "PICK IT UP! It's your luggage!"

I tried again but failed. It is too apparent that I am too weak to do this myself, everyone on Amtrak can see. He said: "PICK IT UP! JUST GO PICK IT UP!" The voice was so mean and cold so I was a bit scared and SHOCKED. I have never seen someone so mean on other Amtraks. I was quite satisfied with Amtrak Service except this incident. He said again: "PICK IT UP! PICK IT UP!" Another decent Caucasian woman cannot stand it anymore, so she gently said " I can help you. We can do it together." After We 2 GIRLS finally struggled and finish the move of the luggage. The White Amtrak guy said : "Just want to TEACH YOU a LESSON that you cannot carry Luggage that are oversized."

Later when I saw him again, I have no idea why this white guy suddenly CHANGED his attitude when talking to another Caucasian woman. He became extremely polite and helpful. Even the Caucasian woman is only carrying a slight case, he asked her if she needs some help and smiled to her and carried her luggage for her.

I did not said this White Amtrak guy was wrong in informing me the message that the luggage was slightly over-sized, but he should not use this kind of manner with DISRESPECT and mistreatment. It is an insult to an Amtrak Customer and young child who has hope to USA. It is totally not Respecting a Human and presents a LACK of CHARACTER and SERVICE in Mass transportation. Also, it is inconsistent from what the guy selling the tickets told me. My Luggage is not OVERTLY too Huge, just ONLY 2 inches bigger (30 inches compared to the Limit--28 inches maximum)

This has never happen in school even since I've been in the US, especially in California. The professors who are well educated in our University treat me with respect and fairness. Most of the Caucasians I met are very friendly and nice, except in this case on AMTRAK, which was a total SHOCK to me. I liked the US very much because I think US is generous enough to tolerate different people to enter this country, and they grant me the chance to live in the US, gives me opportunity to be in the US to get educated (I pay out of my own pocket).

They have great ideas and promotes humanitarianism. They are open-minded and great leaders. They tolerates me to live and study here even my ancestors had made no contrubutions to this country, which I was very grateful and thankful to. Therefore, I think being on this land I need to be humble and thankful to what was granted to me.

I was taught from book that the Premise of US allows us to pursue the happiness, regardless of our gender, race, even economic status. It is the character counts, not the superficial appearance---skin color, race, gender, social-status, or even money in your pocket. However, seems like it's only an ideal, and mean people in the real word are everywhere. I thought US is different from my country, but seems like the WORST part of Humanity is all the SAME everywhere.

Everyone that I spoke to said not to worry we will come get your parents when it is time for them to board. Everytime I saw them come over on the Tram I stopped them and asked them if it were time for them to board. Everytime I asked they replied not yet but we will come and get them when it was time. When the time finally came no one came to get them I just kept asking until the redcap told me it was their train.

Everyone started loading on the trams people that were not ever in assited waiting were loading on. These trams were for people whom could not walk all the way down on their own. I watched many people get on that were not even waiting they just walked up and got on. When I finally started walking up to the tram to help my parents get on they shewed us back in a line.

At that point I was really upset. My parents carry on luggage was in the line where they were standing my mom stepped back away from her briefcase and one of the assisted helpers bent over picked up the bag and tossed it approx 5ft to the tram. It had a (brand new laptop in it that I gave them for christmas in it)

I placed a claim against the gentleman that threw it on the tram and that was 01/04/09 it is now 06/26/09 and I am still batteling with the Customer Relations. (C. Gilmore) she has been adamint about me sending my original claim and repair estimate to her.. The orignal was sent to the LA Station as I was instructed. I keep telling her I do not have the original. Then they told they needed me to have the laptop repaired and send them the receipt.

Once again I did this and yet they are still telling the doucments are not sufficent for the claim. I can't believe that I am having so much trouble over $350.00 dollars. That was the total amount to have the laptop repaired. Not only that they are trying to tell me that it was our fault because this should have not been carry on.

I'm curious why they advertise they have internet connection if you can't bring your laptop on the train. Please give me any suggestions of whom I can contact at Amtrak. Had to replace the motherboard. The laptop was three weeks old.

I am a retired Law Enforcement Officer. In all the times I have taken Amtrak, The vast majority of my travels have bun at least cordial, if not fun. Yesterday (6/12/09) was absolutely the worst. From Train Conductor E. Badger down to the Stewards/Porters was the worst I have ever seen.

Myself and my family, some of which were experiencing Amtrak for the first time, were coming back home from New Orleans. After stopping in Meridian, MS One of our seven seats was given away while two members of my family were off the train (with permission) stretching their legs and taking pictures from the platform. I was "cat napping" in my seat. So I was not aware that they had left. My one Grandson (8 yrs. Old) came and sat in the empty seat next to me and that woke me up.

I look and notice the two front seats that had been occupied by my Daughter and 4 yr old Grandson were now occupied by two gentlemen who had evidently just boarded. I then noticed my 4 yr old Grandson was across the isle setting on my 12 yr old Son's lap. My Daughter and Son-in-law returned, noticed that my Daughter and 4 yr old Grandson's seats were no occupied by someone else and sat in the seat across from me. I tried to tell the Porter/Steward what was going on. He asked me "how many tickets do you have?" I said "Seven". I told him per Amtrak safety policy I had purchased him a ticket and told him my Grandson was setting on my Son's lap. He ignored it and walked away.

A couple of minutes later a Female Amtrak employee came from the back of the car and asked me "how many paying tickets I had. I again said I have "seven" including my 4 yr old Grandson who was now being forced to set on another family member's lap. She then walked away. Nothing else was said. Before we got to Birmingham, I advised another female Amtrak employee that I wished to speak to the train Conductor about filing a complaint. She was very nice and stated "yes sir, I will tell him you wish to speak with him". Within 3 minutes I was told by my Daughter (I am legally blind and could not see him), the Conductor and this same female employee we walking down the isle toward us.

As they passed and I could see well enough to see it was the conductor, he was passed my seat. My daughter by the way, told me she heard the female employee say as she was pointing to at me "that gentleman would like to speak to you regarding a complaint". After he passed by without stopping I said; "excuse me Sir, are you the Conductor"? After he replied formally "Yes I am". I stated "Sir I have a complaint". He said VERY loudly, "What's the problem?" I told him that my 4 yr old Grandson, a paying customer was being forced to set on a family members lap.

I must note here that when we boarded, the Amtrak employee (the first gentleman I mentioned about) had placed the hand written little with the letters "BHM" in the seat in front of mine, indicating those two seats were, of course, occupied. Mr. Badger's exact response was; "So, what do you want me to do about it?". (Mr. Badger had to clearly see my 4 yr old Grandson now setting on my Daughter's lap beside him). I stated; "I want you to make it right Sir". he then started walking away. At this point I asked for Mr. Badger's name. He stopped walking and stepped back and again VERY loudly said [his name]. I want to stress that during the stop, I was told by my family, that my 4 yr old Grandson had went over to set on my 12 yr old Son's lap so he could see and wave to his Mother and Father who were standing on the platform.

I am very very upset about this. It is not about the small fee for my Grandson. I could not care less about that. It is the, I feel, Federal Safety violation that was committed in front of these Amtrak employees. On the trip to New Orleans from Birmingham on Tuesday, June 9th, we hit a car near Bessemer Alabama and came to a quick stop. Nothing happened, fortunately, that I am aware of to put a member of my family in danger but it is the point of the matter. Amtrak obviously is concerned about the safety factor and requires travelers with children older than 2 to purchase a ticket for the child. Why didn't employees feel this way?

With Amtrak's noticeable decline in travelers over the years, incidents such as this are not going to cause people to come back again. As I said, there were other incidents we observed involving other travelers and even more that I could add about our experience but I think I have stated enough for now.

I realize that the Conductors are there to help the train run smoothly and keep things orderly. This Conductor ignored these responsibilities while on an absolute power trip.

I am filing a formal complaint with Amtrak and would be very surprised if this was this individuals first complaint.

It started with just making a reservation which seem to be hard for reservation to get it correct. My family of 4 (2 adults, 2 handicap kids) were put on different trains at different times... it was a mess... I made reservations though a live person and let them know my childrens needs because one of them needed wheelchair access. I also had to call 4 times to get the wrong information on my bags. Our train was leaving at 7:24 on Sunday the 24th of May 2009. We got at the station at 6:30pm and no one was in site...

so I got out of my car and went to find someone to get a wheelchair for our son. I started to head down a long covered walkway when I notice some young lady coming down with Amtrak on her jacket she told me I would have to wait for help she was working with another customer. I told her that I needed to go get my tickets so I did. I went into the building went to a window that seemed to be no one around I said Hello and some guy ( dark complication Indian I believe) told me to come over to where is window was so I went over to the window and give him my ID he proceeded to verbally attack me and my daughter saying we should have been here one hour later and that I was lucky he was going to help with my tickets and continued to be abusive verbally and told me to sign my tickets I told him I was missing some tickets he started arguing with me again and becoming abusive and told me that he gave me my tickets already I told him that he did not give me any tickets and he told me that this was my fault for his mistake because I was late to get to the train station.

I got my tickets after 30 minutes of him lecture me and become abusive. I went outside and told a gentleman that I needed asst for I had handicap reservations he did not listen to me and also became abusive verbally telling me to calm down and shut up. I was really upset because they wanted to take my son out of the wheelchair without my approval. When we got on the train I ask for a tray for my son and was told there was none available. The car we were in was very cold, I asked for blankets I was told they had not a thing to give us. The bathrooms were dirty with no soap and floors were dirty and we spent 21 hours in a very cold car. I talked to the conductor and was told that there was nothing he could do for us we got into new York and he did not get any better there we had a red cap person tell us that we had to remove my child out of the wheelchair because he needed it for someone else I told him no that I called and made reservations for this situation and I was not taken my child out of the wheelchair until we get on another train we were waiting for. He became upset and treating us with that we may miss our train

we finally got to Albany and the next morning on May26th I called the customer service because I had 2 children who were running fevers and I could tell both of them were way to cold and was getting sick we moved south to Florida because our children can not medically take the cold and I and my husband were very concerned for there health. When I called the customer hotline I was told supervisors do not talk to customers they were only there for administrative reasons only and corporate did not want to talk to customer s either I told them I was very concerned about my ride back to Florida because of the cold and was told that there was not a thing Amtrak could do for me. If I wanted a sleeper then I would have to come up with more money... we were heading back to Florida on the 27th of May and I was very concern about the condition of the train for my family health they could care less I was told all they have to do for us is get us from AA to BB and that is all. I called our childrens doctor because we were very concerned on there health and the fact they were running fevers and seem to have an upper respirator infection. We went to sears and purchased 2 big blankets and thought that would help just in case. It did not it was so cold in the car we were in and I ask to conductor to please let us go into a warmer car and was told they did not have any more room. I asked about the sleeper was told that I would have to come up with more money to go into a warm car...

I did not have any extra money I did not need the food I just wanted a warm area for my children. He said there is not a thing he could do for me. I got home and called my pediatric doctor and both of my children have upper respirator infections and it was caused my condition on the train... I also was in the emergency room with an upper respiratory infection. My husband also got one to

Amtrak was cold hearted and uncaring about there customers. All they care about is the money and nothing else.

To my horror the trip took 9 and a half hours!!! I understand things can get alittle behind. But 3.5 hours behind is over doing it. The train left on time. There was two inspections. None of them took over 30 minutes. As we stopped at stations for people to board and get off . This also only took a few minutes. No explaination from Amtrak why it took almost 4 hours longer than the scheduled time frame. I have drove myself this same trip and it took me alittle under 6 hours. That included me stopping for a rest room break and to get something fast food to eat. I thought the train would save me the stress of driving and wear and tear on my van. The trip was a night mare unless you are prepared to spend 10 hours sitting on a train. It was horrible and I will never use the train again.

I put my 16 year old daughter on the 5:30am train in Eugene for a 60 mile trip to Salem, which is supposed to arrive there at 6:42am. When the train arrived at Salem no one announced the arrival, nor were any doors opened to allow anyone off even if they knew that this was their stop.

When my daughter contacted me by cell phone at 6:50 saying that she was still on the train and traveling. Kitty, the assistant conductor, informed me that she was told not to announce the arrival because their were people sleeping and they didn't want to wake them. When I asked how logical was it not to announce the arrival because people who may need to get off were sleeping.

I was then told they would let her off at the next stop some 30 mile past here destination and that I could pick her up there. They assured me that my minor daughter would be safe. As it turns out they stopped at a random railway crossing were there was a Mexican restaurant. They gave my wife the wrong address, didn't even bother going into the restaurant to make sure it was safe.

My daughter had to wait 2 hours until my wife finally found the restaurant.

When I finally got ahold of a customer relations agent they said sorry but since she had an adult ticket she was considered an adult and told me that they were sending me a $14 voucher for the price of the ticket.

I am still ******I contacted my congressman, Peter DeFazio. who happens to be on the House Transportation and Infrastructure committee. He is also on the trains and hazardous transportation subcommittee, I am hoping this will give me some satisfaction. I also called our state paper and they sounded sympatheic and may feature this fiasco in the paper. I don't want money, I want every employee that was on that train that day FIRED WITH MALICE. I want Amtrak's executives to acknowledge that as a pseudo corporation that they could give a **** about customer service. They answer to no share holder they answer to no one. I agree that they provide an essential public service but even public buses have better public relations than Amtrak.

Let's face it a condutor's job duties are limited: check ticket, announce arrivals and departures, and open and close the damn doors. If they had simplly done those simple things this type of crap wouldn't have happened.

the consequences of this event caused my wife to miss 7 hours of work, drive 200 miles for a simple 60 mile trip. And the psychological trauma has been especially difficult for my 16 year old daughter, put off a train in the middle of no where, where she doesn't know anyone, that she has never been, sitting in a restaurant where they speak limited english. On top of that when they stopped the train everyone on the train was watching and wondering why this little girl was being kicked off the train. Even the people at the restaurant wondered why she was kicked off the train. Talk about one scared humiliated young girl.

Ok, here goes... WHO: April, VRE, Amtrak. WHAT: Virginia Railway Express (VRE) has a partnership with Amtrak to let commuters ride the Amtrak if they purchase a step up ticket for $10. The problem is, there are no VRE employees to ask questions to so I posed my questions on how to do this to the Amtrak employees and conductors. Of course, they all gave me wrong answers which resulted in my getting very rudely dealt with by the Amtrak conductor who did not want to hear any explanations. Yesterday I went to Alexandria and purchased a step up ticket.

When I got on the Amtrak, the conductor looked at my step up ticket and asked for my VRE pass. I showed it to her and she immediately said this is the wrong ticket. I said it was for the correct zones and she replied you need to pay a full fare. I said no I don't, I have a step up ticket to which she said it's not validated. I told her I had no idea I had to validate it because when I rode 2 days ago, everything was ok and when I purchased the ticket and asked the Amtrak ticket seller if I had to validate the VRE ticket he told me no, as long as it covered the zones I was ok.

She looked at me and said, I'll be back through to collect the full fare. I told her I didn't know from who but I wasn't paying anything else. She then said I had to get off in Woodbridge (about 30 miles from where I live). I said why can't I just validate the ticket in Woodbridge and she said because I won't let you back on the train without a full fare. Of course then the conductor who checked my ticket 2 days ago and said it was ok walked up and asked her if there was a problem she needed his help with.

At that time I just stopped talking because I know Amtrak, they'll call ahead and have the police arrest me for refusing to pay or something. I contacted VRE to complain and only got the rules told to me. I let them know I had no problem following the rules if they were told to me correctly. VRE is usually no help other than refunding the $10 step up fee.

As a result, I had to wait at the train station for the commuter (VRE) train, which was still about 90 minutes out. I was also embarrassed as this is the 2nd time something like this has happened. I have tried the step up 3 times and got booted off 2 of the 3 times. Both times I followed what the Amtrak employee told me to do, to the T, however because it wasn't what the conductor on the train wanted, they both booted me off. On both occasions, the conductors were very rude and abrupt.

I had a ticket for the Acela Express leaving at 7:30 am. The women waiting on people behind the counter were the rudest people I have ever dealt with. I asked what track the train left from, and woman #1 replied, Why can't you see that? Tell me why you can't see that!. There was a comuter train leaving on the same track, 5 minutes before, and I got on it by mistake.

The man on the train said it happens all the time. After an hour I finally got back to Back Bay and had to get another ticket. Woman #2 told me she had never seen anyone take a commuter train by mistake, and would charge me 30 dollars extra to take the 9:20am acela train. When I objected, the manager said it was my own fault that I took the wrong train. She was unapolagetic, nasty, and ended the conversation with We won't miss your business.

I am disgusted with Amtrak. Their employees behind the information and ticket counter are rude and discouteous, not to mention unhelpful. This was the worst traveling experience of my life. I'm a 45 year ol woman, and haven't been treated with such apalling disrespect by anyone in my life.

I will be 2 hours late for a doctor's appointment, and I am extremely upset

On March 13, 2009 the ticket agent told everyone at the last minute that no bags would be checked due to the fact that he had to sell tickets. It was the worst scene. I had a large piece of luggage, and a carry on that I had to struggle up two flight of steps. The conductor wanted to know why we had all of the luggage. I was in tears! I am on a nebulizer, and have had a total knee replacement. I wrote to AMTRAK concerning this incident, and would you believe AMTRAK sent me a voucher for $25.00(Which I plan to return). The $25.00 voucher was a slap in the face, and a total insult for what I went through at the Birmingham, AL AMTRAK station. I was traveling on Amtrak's Crescent.

Due to the fact that I have a prescribed nebulizer, I was totally out of breath due to the fact that I had to take the luggage up two flights of steps. Since I have a total knee replacement, my knee was paining after the two flights of steps.

At 4:40/AM my friends joined me at the Fullerton Train Station which services both AMTRAC and MetroLink passenger trains. The machine which issues ticket also serves both trains. This was the first time either Ron or Scrub had ever used this service or this machine. When I arrived at the station both Ron and Scrub were attempting to get tickets. Ron purchased a ticket from Fullerton to the Los Angeles Union Station and then to get to the Wilshire/Vermont station on the RedLine. They didn't know that the one MetroLink ticket served both. He purchased an AMTRAC by mistake for $11.75 and it gave him a ticket for the subway also.

When I arrived, I showed them how to get the correct ticket, it cost $6.00. Scrub had purchased one on MetroLink but had failed to get a senior $6.00. The one Scrub was $11.40. All of us are 70 plus years old, it was 4:40 in the morning, poorly lit and very confusing. When the day at the Shriner's Hospital where we all volunteer. We went to the Union Station AMTRAC ticket office and asked for a refund for the unused ticket. We were told that they would not refund any money, the tickets were good and the mistake was [theirs].

We know the mistake was and that we should have known better. We were not trying to defraud AMTRAC. All we wanted was a refund for a ticket that was not used. I don't think that is unreasonable.

While riding Amtrak train 393 from Chicago to Centrailia Illinois on March 17,2009 there were individuals drinking beer that was not purchased from the snack car, beer that they had presumably carried on with them, since they did not purchase it in the snack car as they do not sell beer in cans. They were drinking, talking very loudly and cursing very loudly and there were children present on the car. The conductor only came through to get tickets when he knew new passengers had gotten on and did not come through to check to be sure every one was safe. There was a couple argueing very loudly and no one came to make sure they would quiet down.

The drinking was done by both black and white travelers and the party went on from Chicago all the way to Centralia. they should have been escourted off the train by at least Lincoln, Illinois. We have ridden the train numerous times and have NEVER had passengers act in this manner. The conductor should have made his presence known and made trips through the cars to make sure other passengers are safe.

We are planning another trip on Amtrak and want to make sure we and other passengers do not have to put up with this type of behavior. When the passengers in question got off the train, they had a good time talking about how the train ride was, since no one did anything to them about their drinking and partying. We rode from Boston to Chicago and NEVER did we see anyone take a beer from the lounge car and take it to their seat. These passengers should have been escourted off the train and made to find another way home. They had drunk enough, they were getting loud and obnoxious, and noone wanted to listen to them.

We and other passengers were made very uncomfortable because of the language and use of sign language. The conductor sat in the snack car and in the car ahead of our car and did nothing to make sure the passengers were kept safe. This is a bad way to run a business. And a bad way to run a train. I am sure I am not the only one who does not like to be subjected to this kind of behavior.

I was on my return trip home. I was asleep and I felt the train had stopped, I heard the sound of people coming and going off the train, I heard no announcements. Being a smoker, I thought I had the time to have a cigarette, so I proceeded my way to the open door of the train, (I believe to be the lugguge compartment towards the end of the train. I stood on the train on the inside waiting for this employee to assist a wheel chair passenger aboard. Nothing was said to me as I stepped off the train. In other words no warning or anything. As I stepped off, I noticed the wheel chair ramp was out for the wheel chair. Within seconds, I noticed this said employee, pulling the ramp back into the train, so I ran, about 10 to 15 feet to the train to board, he still said nothing,.

Then I notice the train starting to move or roll. I put my right foot onboard, my right hand on the door and began to panick. I was litterally riding the train like a skateboard. I was scared todeath. The employee then looked at me and asked Why did you get off here?, with a fear I never felt before I couldn't answer, at least not fast enough for him. So he looked at me and said I think we'll just leave you here..and that he did. I wasn't even aware of where I was until I asked a young man, who seemed to be attending the sub station in Redding, CA. He said he would be locking up soon. I think he called his supervisor and got permission to let me stay inside until I made some arrangements.

It was between 3:30 and 4:30 A.M. when this happened. I was so afraid and I pulled alot of muscles because my adrenalin had to start up so fast. I could have been pulled under, my left foot was inches from the wheel of the train as it proceeded to move. This should not happen to anyone! I wasn't causing any problems, I wasn't instructed not to step off. I feel totally violated as a ticketed passenger. There really are no words for what that emplyee did. F.Y.I. I was on the 14 Coast Starlight heading north, the morning of February 24, 2009

Pulled muscles, traumatized, and unnessary abandonment.

I shipped my belongings Amtrak Express from Seattle, WA to Jacksonville, FL. 2 of the 10 did not arrive and 4 of the items had been pilfered through. I received a check for $50-- that is less then what I paid for the two boxes to ship. The quality of worker I have dealt with at Amtrak has been poor. I did meet some nice people and they seemed to know what was going on but for the most part it was a horrible experience just to get simple answers.

After being lectured about insurance by the Customer Relations Specialist, C. Gilmore, I told her that I am disappointed in how Amtrak has been handling the lost packages and I thought Amtrak would be more reliable. Her haughty response was Well I'm sorry that you thought that. That was the end of our conversation.

Two packages were lost that were together worth $750. I received a check for $50 which is less then I paid to have the two packages shipped.

I bought a ticket in Everett, Washington onFeb 20,2009 telling them that I am handicapped,in a wheelchair, on oxygen and needed electricity to run my machine. I also needed to be fed for the 2 day trip from Seattle Washington to Fresno, California. On my return home on February 28 on train 14 - Coast Starlight ticket. I was in a dangerous situation during the overnight 9 hour trip. I was in the handicap car which no one checked on even for tickets as there weren't that many new passengers there. I had the light on for help for many hours without anyone coming to assist me. Mealtimes were not given, so I went without food, until the evening meal when I told the personal of debarking passengers I was terribly hungry and I got a supper.The attendant said she was too busy to do anything for the passengers in this handicapp car even when we could not walk up the stairs to get food.

But the most dreadful time was when I was waiting for assistance sitting in a wheelchair with my oxygen plugged into the outlet in the train wall when all the lights went out and I had no way of opening the electric door or using oxygen. No one came to find me, although I was the only one left on the train in a wheelchair. My husband came looking for me or I would be there yet. No one spoke as those personal leaving the train rolled out the ramp to bring my wheelchair to the ramp below. I was so scared I could hardly breathe as I felt I would be left there all night in the dark without anyway of helping myself.

I was in danger the entire time and I was assured when I bought the ticket in Everett, Washington that I would be fed and watched after. I wasn't. To say the least I will never travel Amtrak again, but what about the others who will travel and possibly die. I could have. I have heart failure and have coded three times. I can't handle stress at all and that was what I had in abundance. It was not right. What can be done?

PhysicaL damage to my heart by extreme neglect in providing food and a safe environment. Being deprived of oxygen in a locked car without electric power to get out or use that oxygen. I had a good chance of dying and I know that. I was very afraid for my life.

On 2/20/09, I boarded the Amtrak Zephyr #5 with a travel companion in Grand Junction, Colorado, to take us to Emeryville on a roundtrip coach ticket. I'm a single, 65 y/o man with various health conditions including a mobility disability. As the train approached Utah at nightfall, I went to my assigned coach seat from the scenic car. I immediately sensed a terrible sewer or septic tank odor as I entered the coach and it became intolerable after I had taken my seat. Other passengers began complaining of headaches and I experienced nausea.

I felt that this was a hazard to be responsibly reported. I sought a conductor or staff member in alarm. I was treated by the conductor I located in a forward car as an annoying troublemaker and he reluctantly offered accomodations in a coach behind my original reservation away from the scenic car, lounge, and dining car. My companion who had taken an adjoining seat reported the same event and was offered the same solution. A plumber in a forward seat identifyed the smell as sewer gas or methane. I knew it to be explosive and unhealthful in enclosed areas. The smell was heavy and horrible enough to motivate me to flee to a forward car for safety. In the confusion, I left $260 on the seat but was unable to retreive it because the car was locked when I went back to recover it later.

I asked another conductor if it was possible to upgrade to a sleeper compartment but he said none was available for me. My companion, John D., had asked for the same solution a few moments afterwards and was granted the upgrade at an additional expense of 102.00. He arranged to put both of our names on the ticket. From that time until we got off the train in Emeryville, Ca., we were subjected to strange rudeness and dismissive comments.

After having lunch the next day, we signed the bill as was required and returned to the sleeper car. An extremely rude dining car manager brusquely walked up to our door to demand that I pay for my meal which was part of the fare. Luckily we had the ticket evidence to show to the conductor who yelled at us in a threatening way and threw the cash amount in question through the door into our space. I was told threatenaly that documentation was being kept on my unwelcomed complaint and that I could be removed from the train in the middle of the journey, even with my obvious mobility disability. This was puzzling and when John and I complained about it to another conductor, we were verbally abused and told to stay in the tiny sleeper compartment without access to rest of the train including restrooms and dining car ammenities. This behavior was somewhat explained by a taunting staff member's mimicry on passing by the compartment, saying loudly in an exaggerated feminine way, Oh, the smell is horrible and it was obviously intended for us to hear.

I knew then that the bizarre behavior came from bullying discrimination from the staff toward us as suspected gay men. I'm taking this as a serious offense because such discrimination violates the law. When I reported it to the customer service dept by phone from my home as soon as possible, I was merely offered as compensation a small voucher for future travel (as though I would ever feel secure in using it). I will never travel by Amtrak again so the nontransferable voucher is useless.

I have the misfortune of having to take Amtrak from Sacramento to the Bay Area four days a week on business. My experience with them has never been a great one, and usually my displeasure is tolerable; rude conductors, lazy station workers, train cars that are air conditioned to industrial freezer temperatures, delays and the like. This last incident was a first, and hopefully a last.

On a recent trip I left my cell phone behind on the train. I received a call from my phone the next morning. It'd apparently been found by a cleaning crew member who had decided to take it home rather than turn it in to the lost and found. He'd rifled through my messages and photos, and proceeded to describe them to me. He then suggested that I offer a reward, at which point I said I was not going to pay him for something he was already being paid to do, especially after such a gross invasion of privacy. Essentially, he was holding my phone for ransom. Needless to say, I never saw it again.

I sent letter on Jan.7, 2009 with no response from any of 6 executives that received it. [Their] posted Policy was not followed and I believe endangered the welfare of my children. I made reservations for my 2 unaccompanied minors to travel on Amtrak for December 26, 2008. While it is a difficult decision for any parent to allow their children to travel unaccompanied there are supposed programs in place to provide safe and secure travel for the minors. At least this is what I expected from Amtrak. I have utilized the unaccompanied minor programs with the airlines in the past without any issues or concerns. After reading the policy online and speaking with reservation agent I was assured that my children would be monitored and [Amtrak] had a good program in place. This was not however what we experienced from the moment we arrived at the departing station.

They arrived an hour prior only to be handed a wristband and tickets. At no time did an agent ask them any question, not even what their name or address was, let alone anything that would determine suitability. When they went to the boarding area, the on board agent who met them was rude. They were taken on board and not even seated when the train left. Eventually they were given seats together and got settled. This was the last they would hear from any of the Amtrak employees for the next 7 hours of their train ride. They were left completely to their own defenses and fortunately were responsible enough to be able to go purchase food and help each other. I cannot understand why an 8 year old and 11 year old would not even be asked if they were okay for that amount of time.

[Amtrak] instructions for employees state that they are to call the adult meeting the child beforehand to make sure this person will be at the station. I never received a phone call from any employee. Upon arrival the Amtrak employee is to examine the identification and compare the signature to the identification presented. When the train arrived it was raining and the kids stepped off. There was an employee that had been on board that was helping customers off. I was standing right there to meet them. As soon as they ran over to give me a hug she started yelling at them to get back over to her, they would have to wait. I told her we could wait but that I wanted them to stand out of the rain which was maybe 5 feet away from her. She then snapped at me and said no, they are not allowed. I told the kids it was okay to wait with her but I moved over under the overhang anyway because I had a toddler with me.

As I turned around she screamed at me with an attitude and said cant you just sign this paper? That was the first mention of me signing anything so I said sure. I signed the paper and tried to ask if I needed to do anything else but she ignored me and walked away. I went to another employee that was outside and asked if I could go and they said yes. At no time did the employee that turned over my kids ask to see my identification or even ask my name. I had confirmed information inside 2 hours earlier (the train was delayed) but not with either of the employees that were outside in the unloading area. I see this as major concern and safety issue for my children. I could have been anyone and she didnt bother to do her job.

That really scares me that an employee would have such disregard for their care by leaving them alone on the train for more than 7 hours and for their safety by allowing them to leave with someone whom she never even asked their name. Needless to say my children did not make the return leg of the trip on Amtrak. I couldnt risk their safety by releasing them to [their] employees care. [Amtrak] policies and procedures need to be reviewed and enforced before something bad happens.

Safety and welfar of 2 children was put at risk.

The station mgr. explained that the train was late, perhaps til around 12. 15 pm. and apologized for the lack of public announcement. He went out into the waiting area and then talked to every person which we appreciated. The train never came until 1:45 PM. Due to switching problems, an electrical fire, we never pulled into Penn Station until 2:30 AM on Saturday, believe it or not. We were outraged by the lack of communication at the station initially, on board the train later. Why I even had to call on my cell phone to AMTRAK for find out why we were standing still on the track 5 min. before arriving in Penn Station. We missed our Fri. eve events that we had planned, were exhausted the next day.

Lost tickets to events Fri. eve Jan. 23rd, exhaustion for our non-stop Sat. plans, walking in NYC in the middle of the night to our hotel. We ask for a refund of our tickets. Amtrak served the folks traveling that train so poorly, I was grievously disappointed.

I chose to get off.

When I looked all the Amtrak information once again on page 3. I saw they said an additional service change " may" apply if your departure sation is an open staffed station. I am wounder:

Especially, I am not "rich". This was our first time to bring my three little one to have fun. It was not very good to treat people like that. I will complain to the office. I hope that they will improve.

On 1/17/09 at 2:17pm, I brought my three young kids to take our first train trip from Richmond to sacramento. According to Amtrak Transit Transfer information and the other passengers, we believed that we could buy tickets inside the train from the conductor. We had no problem to buy tickets when we got in from Richmond station.That train # was 734. The conductor changed us $42 without any extra change. Because I didn't decide which station I may off. So I throught I could buy tickets inside the train. (You know it was not easy if you had short period of time and brought 3 little one to run fast and buy tickets.)

We got into # 745 train in Sacramento at 4:40pm. The conductor told me she had to change me extra 50% because I bouhgt tickets inside the train. I showed her the information that I saw. It didn't say the passengers had to pay extra. She gave me to choose either paid for $80 for 3 or got off on the next station and bought ticket and waited for next train. I chose to get off. It was a very bad experience for me. If I paid for the extra that mean the total for our first train trip was $122. When we got off #745 train on Fairfield at 5:15pm. we were cold and hungry. The ticket machine was out of service! I tried to call the Amtrak number but it was just answering machine.

Finally, the train came at 6:17, we got in and bought tickets cost just $30. When I looked all the Amtrak information once again on page 3. I saw they said an additional service change may apply if your departure sation is an open staffed station. I am wounder: 1. they just say they may charge addition. they didn't say they will or must and how much? So they can not change us extra or less than 50% right! 2. In the same tcket & passenger information book pagr 5. They say tickets may also be purchased onboard from the conductor.

I understand I need to buy tickets. But I hope they write the information more clear. Even if I didn't buy tickets before onboard, they ccould just sell me tickets without extra change. Especially, I am not rich. This was our first time to bring my three little one to have fun. It was not very good to treat people like that. I will complain to the office. I hope that they will improve.

On 1/17/09 at 2:17pm, I brought my three young kids to take our first train trip from Richmond to sacramento. According to Amtrak Transit Transfer information and the other passengers, we believed that we could buy tickets inside the train from the conductor. We had no problem to buy tickets when we got in from Richmond station.That train # was 734. The conductor changed us $42 without any extra change. Because I didn't decide which station I may off. So I throught I could buy tickets inside the train. ( You know it was not easy if you had short period of time and brought 3 little one to run fast and buy tickets. )

We got into # 745 train in Sacramento at 4:40pm. The conductor told me she had to change me extra 50% because I bouhgt tickets inside the train. I showed her the information that I saw. It didn't say the passengers had to pay extra. She gave me to choose either paid for $80 for 3 or got off on the next station and bought ticket and waited for next train. I chose to get off. It was a very bad experience for me. If I paid for the extra that mean the total for our first train trip was $122.

When we got off #745 train on Fairfield at 5:15pm. we were cold and hungry. The ticket machine was out of service! I tried to call the Amtrak number but it was just answering machine. Finally, the train came at 6:17, we got in and bought tickets cost just $30. When I looked all the Amtrak information once again on page 3. I saw they said an additional service change may apply if your departure sation is an open staffed station. I am wounder: 1. they just say they may charge addition. they didn't say they will or must and how much? So they can not change us extra or less than 50% right! 2.In the same tcket & passenger information book pagr 5. They say tickets may also be purchased onboard from the conductor. I understand I need to buy tickets. But I hope 1.they write the information more clear. 2.Even if I didn't buy tickets before onboard, they ccould just sell me tickets without extra change. Especially, I am not rich. This was our first time to bring my three little one to have fun. It was not very good to treat people like that. I will complain to the office. I hope that they will improve. 2.

They can't even run a rewards program properly. An agent in Saratoga Springs misspelled my name for an Amtrak Fort Edward-NYC roundtrip in late July 2008. As a result, my trip wasn't recorded for the Guest Rewards program when I checked a month later. Over the next 2 months, I submitted 3 Missing Points Requests online with no result. I emailed Amtrak in 10/08, provided the ticket number and dates, noting that my Guest Rewards number was on the tickets, and got a reply that after 6 weeks my points would be credited.

After that didn't happen, I called the Guest Rewards program in early Dec. and spoke to supervisor Julie, who took my ticket info (again) and said it would have to be recorded manually and take another 6 weeks. That hasn't happened, either.

I'm in two airline rewards programs and haven't had this problem. Since I can't get credit for using

Amtrak (this is the second time this happened), I'll be taking buses (more convenient and cheaper) and my car more frequently.

Used a debit card attached to my checking account to purchase a one way ticket online and received a confirmation for that one seat. The next day I discovered that my checking account had been charged 2 additional times. When I called Amtrak the next day they indicated that this type of flaw happens when debit cards are used and I should not use one to purchase a ticket.

I am extremely frequent user of Amtrak and this system, and not only have I never been told not to use a debit card but nowhere on the website does it indicate or advise against using one. The Amtrak agent told me this happens frequently if you mistype something and have to go back to correct it. What's odd about that explanation is that if indeed 3 tickets went through, why did I not receive a confirmation for three tickets?

The biggest complaint I have is that there is obviously a flaw in this system that nobody is addressing, not to mention the series of phone calls I needed to make to get the money put back into my checking account. This was my money, actual cash - not credit and they told me it takes 2-3 business days to process. Meanwhile this is not even my error - it was Amtrak!

Obviously we are not talking a large amount of money here - the overcharge was $91.80, however - the aggravation: because it was a Friday, I had to wait until Monday to speak to someone because their Refunds department only operates Monday through Friday.

After a series of calls with Amtrak and my bank, plus going into work late so I could handle it from home, Amtrak does not even bother to apologize, does not step up and take responsibilty for whatever this system flaw is,and from what I can see on the website, still does not advise (or not accept) debit cards. Frankly this error only caught my attention because that particular checking account had a low balance so it place it into a negative balance. Had there been a larger amount in the account this may have gone unnoticed and it makes me wonder how many times that in fact may have happened to other consumers. Mainly I just want others to be aware of this flaw in Amtrak's system and the possibiliy that they could be stealing your money.

I recently emailed Amtrak Customer Service the following complaint regarding my train travel experience:

I'd like to share with you my recent experience traveling from NY to LA on Amtrak. When traveling coach, I do expect a certain amount of discomfort and I plan accordingly. However, there are a number of things Amtrak might consider to create a more pleasant trip for coach passengers.

1) Smoking: Smokers are addicts and will continue, despite threats to put them off the train, to smoke in the bathrooms and changing rooms. The smell from this permeates the entire train car and does not go away. Please make a real effort to create a solution that meets the needs of your smoking and non-smoking passengers. Smokers are not going away and they don't care about kids, people with allergies, or the general health of anyone else.

2) Air Quality: We had the unfortunate experience of several drunken passengers who had both stomach and bowel problems. For the last 30 hours of our trip, the train car smelled like a port-a-potty. Several passengers had to leave the car as the smell was overwhelming. I'm not sure how to solve this, but ventilation changes or a different cleaning and/or toilet solution might help.

3) Employee Morale: In general I found the train personnel to be on the discourteous side. Perhaps it was a bad journey for everyone, but passengers look to the staff to help make it better. I observed staff giving curt responses, speaking in disrespectful tone of voice, and flat-out ignoring passengers.

I do enjoy riding the train, much more than flying. But after this last trip I am not likely to choose Amtrak. All my friends have now heard about my experience and that kind of word-of-mouth is not the marketing that will bring you new passengers. Thank you for your time.

I received a reply which in itself barely addressed my experience or gave any hint of the company's desire or intention to create better travel experiences. In addition, when I replied with the information requested in their email to me, the Amtrak email server did not process my reply and returned my email as 'undeliverable.' Here is Amtrak's reply to my complaint:

Thank you for your email.

In order for us to document your concerns and suggestions correctly, and to provide the right train manager the information we are asking you to attach your reservation number or travel dates to this email.

Once we have that information we will file a report on your behalf to the responsible managers.

We do apologize for your trip being less then satisfactory and we appreciate your comments.

So, Amtrak is an option to car and air. Excuse me a moment. BwahhhHahhHaaaSpurt. Ok, that's done. Train is five hours late. Even with a built in fictional four hour fix the tracks equipment delay, it's five hours late. Demented passengers roam the train without restraints shouting that they have been kidnapped by terrorists. No food. Surly employees.

Never take Amtrak again.

I was scheduled to depart on train # 8 on 01/06/09 from Rugby, ND to Minneapolis-St.Paul MN the train was to leave at 10:38 p.m. on 01/06/09 and it finally arrived the next morning in RUGBY, ND on 01/07/09 at 10:00 a.m. this caused me to miss my connecting flight in Minneapolis on 01/07/09. I was literally stranded in a town with not even a cab to take me to a hotel somewhere to stay overnight.There were No phone calls from the train stating they would be delayed almost 11 hours! What a nightmare....

I lost $281.00 for the flight on US Airways that I was not able to get to from this train delay of 11 hours! It then cost me another $150.00 for yet another ticket from United airline to get home safely. ($281.00 + $150.00= $431.00)

1/6/09 I boarded the MARC train from Baltimore heading toward DC. I purchased a ticket for the BWI Airport, only to later find out that I needed one for DCA. The ticket lady on the train checked my ticket and all was well. After we passed the BWI exit and I still hadnt gotten off, she approached me and said (in a loud, accusatory tone) I thought you were going to the airport? I replied: I am. She scolded me for not getting off and then proceeded to rudely give me instructions on how to get back to the airport stop that wed just passed. As I tried to explain to her that I needed the airport that was connected to the subway and not the one we just passed, she walked away and totally ignored me.

Luckily, she later walked passed again, and thus I was able to stop her and ask how I get to he airport with the underground subway. She sighed loudly and rudely, cut me off mid-sentence and said I just gave you instructions on what to do, but since you didnt hear me, Ill tell you again. I let her ramble on and then repeated to her for the third time that I needed the airport that was connected the subway, NOT the one we just passed. At this point I was getting angry and nervous b/c she was trying to kick me off the train! A fellow passenger overheard our convo and politely interrupted to explain that I was talking about the DCA airport, not the BWI airport. (I think the ticket lady knew this the whole time, but was purposely being difficult, b/c after he explained that, she said I dont have anything to do w/the subway, I only deal with MARC trains). After he explained that to me, she snatched my ticket, showed it to him, and said well, she bought a ticket for BWI, so she needs to get off at the next stop.

This made me nervous b/c getting off at the next stop would hinder my trip I was already headed in the right direction, I just simply purchased the wrong ticket. Thankfully, a nearby passenger was able to intercede and suggest that I just stay on the train and pay the price difference that would take me to DC, instead of getting off. Long story short, I ended up at my final destination, but it was only b/c of the nice passengers. If it was left up to the ticket lady, I wouldve ended up at the totally wrong destination, out of more money, and late for my appointment. Amtrak employees are the most rude, abrupt scoundrels I have EVER dealt with. I am so annoyed with how I was treated, that now Im looking for an alternate means of transportation.

It is my opinion Amtrak is inflating fare prices.I was told by Amtrak Ticket Agent that seats are priced due to availabiliy.So youd think the train was full.Not so.8 car train with mimimum 35 seats per car,heard Amtrak onboard employee state 44 people on the whole train leaving Boston to New York.I disembarked at New Haven CT.Train stops along way there,maybe picked up 40 people.Additionly people got off too.This policy of pricing is at least deceptive,pricing tickets as reserved class,and the train is 60-80% empty.Mailed WashDC for this policy of theirs.See what happens.

Well it seems that Amtrak can charge high rates for empty trains even at peak times of travel.One day fare is this, next day different price.Amtrak is federally funded,so why this policy of priced by availibility.Funny leave Boston to New Haven 54.00.Reverse trip 38.00.Pricing demorgraphically probably.Think fares artifically inflated, and Public has no knowledge of how Amtrak plays with fare rates.pricing should be posted Nationally, in advance as they use Federal Dollars.Well I am disabled get reduced fare, 10-15 % still take bus sometimes because the cost is lower.Well hope someone can delve into this practise of pricing.Thanks

Several years ago - long before 9/11 - I made a complaint to AMTRAK about an open gate at one of their rail access locations where they have a small mobile office and some communication boxes. This gate (approximately 12 feet wide) allows access for full size vehicles directly from US Route 1A for about 75 feet to the rails, underneath of US Route 1 overpass,overhead power supply cables, and the mentioned housings.

Someone responsible for security at AMTRAK assured me that the gate would be secured and that Warwick Police would keep a check on it. This resulted in no action - the gate remained open most of the time, at least. I went to the Warwick Police and an officer I spoke to said, What do you want ME to do about it? I said either have the gate secured or tell me to mind my own business. After that the gate was secured.

Today, 28 December 2008 at 10 AM, walking my dog on State property along the AMTRAK fence, the gate is wide open and there are no AMTRAK employees on site. The chain and lock hang loose on the gate. Truck tire tracks seem to indicate that a work crew had recently been there and left the gate unsecured. However, even when the gate is locked a person can easily crawl under or squeeze between sections as have graffiti artists within the past months to cover the walls of the overpass and reataining wall next to the tracks. There is a double fence at the retaining wall area but it is only four feet high.

Along with the huge amount of graffiti, piled and strewn around the area is a huge amount of trash including a large container of what appears to be waste oil. Two large bags of trash have sat so long that the top half of each has deteriorated and the contents spill out. How AMTRAK can say it has taken care of its security is beyond my understanding - yes - a terrorist could create a security problem ON the train - but corridor secuity is almost forgotten.

My 84 year-old mother was taking the train from Simi Valley, California to Solana Beach, near San Diego. The only seats available were on the upper level, up a short but steep flight of stairs. My mother had two bags of the airline carry-on type. Needless to say, she couldn't climb the stairs carrying her bags so I helped her. While we were looking for an empty seat, the conductor got on his public address system and said If you are not off this train in 10 seconds, I'm going to throw you off, and then began a ten-second countdown.

I hurried my mother into the nearest empty seat, hoisted her bags into the overhead bin, and ran down the stairs for the door. Not only did the conductor (I didn't think to get his name) not offer to help an obviously elderly woman with two bags, he was rude and sarcastic about asking me to hurry.

I made reservations on Amtrak to go from Indianapolis to Chicago, then I was going to use Van Galder bus lines from Chicago to Madison, WI. I am 19 years old and I was excited about the trip, my first on a train or bus. I was going to Wisconsin to spend the Christmas holiday with my father and other relatives. The reason I chose the train versus flying was not only the rate but I thought traveling on a train would be interesting and nostalgic.

I departed Indianapolis (train #851) on December 21st, 2008 at 6:30am. I was to arrive in Chicago at 10:35 am and then catch the bus at 12:35pm and arrive in Madison Wisconsin at 4:05pm where my father would be waiting to pick me up.

The train departed from Indianapolis on time however, half way there the train stopped moving. We sat for about 2 hours. We were told that we were waiting on a different conductor.

We finally began to move only to stop again, this time for about 4 hours. We were told then that the tracks were covered with ice and the tracks could not be switched.

By this time everyone on the train was getting upset. Other passengers had missed schedules flights out of O'Hare airport. The girl sitting next to me had missed her flight to Kazakhstan, which she could not get a refund or another flight without paying full price again for.

There was an elderly woman who was on the train alone. She was going to Chicago to take a flight to Denver. She had missed her flight and was very afraid and confused as to what to do. Basically those people, among many other would just be stuck in Chicago.

During the 4 hours of just sitting there, the train ran out of toilet tissue, ran out of cups for water and had no food to offer the passengers. A diabetic passenger became ill and used his cell phone to call an ambulance which became stuck trying to get to the train. I am hypoglycemic so I brought some snacks along. The passengers who did bring food were sharing with others who had none.

Several times I called my mother and she called Amtrak customer service to find out the status of the train. On one of those calls she made to customer service, she told the agent that I had been on the train for 11 hours and it was suppose to be a 5 hour trip. The agent told my mother, in a not so nice tone, that I had not been on the train for 11 hours. She said I had been on the train for 5 hours. She told my mother not to worry about it, I would get there. She didn't say it as in, don't be worried, your son's ok, he's in good hands. She said it as in, I don't really care, it's not my problem.

Another time when my mother called Amtrak to inquire about the status she asked the agent since I had missed my bus, what was I to do once I finally did arrive in Chicago. The agent told her to tell me to go to the Van Galder bus counter to get a new ticket reissued. Once I finally got to Chicago, there was no Van Galder counter. I could have caught a 7:00pm bus to Madison if I had not had to search around for something that did not exist. I stood in line for about half an hour to get a new ticket to Madison. I had to wait for 1 1/2 hours for that bus. There weren't enough seats so I had to sit on the cold floor. Also, when they reissued my ticket they didn't bother to tell me that I would have to switch buses along the route. I finally arrived in Madison WI at 12:05am. 8 hours late.

I purchased a round trip ticket which I will not be using to return home to Indianapolis. I will not get on an Amtrak train again. They are not customer oriented. They are not prepared for delays or accommidating passengers in the event of a delay. They fly by the seat of their pants so to speak.

I purchased tickets for my daughter and her five year old daughter for travel on Amtrak 12/22/08 scheduled to depart Salem, OR at 3:37PM and arrive Klamath Falls, Oregon at 9:50PM. She had to chain up and drive 30 miles to the Salem station and called before departing home. The recording said the train was late and would depart Salem at 5PM.

My Daughter and her child have been waiting at the Salem Amtrak station since 2pm and everytime I call Julie (five times now), I get a new extended delay time. It is now 9:30PM and Julie now says the train will depart Salem, Oregon at 10:30PM. I have tried to transfer my call to an agent and receive a message about high traffic and 15 minute wait for an Agent. This is no way to run a business. The Amtrak computer and agents should be able to give customers a more accurate departure time before they leave home for the train station, instead of changing the departure time for hours on end.

hardship and stress (results remain to be seen)

I ride on Amtrak as a commuter each week between Hudson, NY and New York Penn Station. Even though I have found Amtrak to be consistently unreliable, and increasingly too expensive, I rely on this service. Last night, my passage (or lack thereof) from Penn Station back to Hudson was totally unacceptable. Though the weather conditions may have impacted the ride to some degree, it was far from the first technical failure on the part of the train service.

However, what exacerbated the difficult situation was how it was handled. We sat on the train with little information, and no satisfactory solution for several hours, culminating in reversing the train and sitting for a long period of time in the early hours of the morning. At about 4:30 AM, we left the train in Rhinecliff station, sat for another half hour; we were then offered a taxi. The driver taxied us unsafely along a dangerous roadway, finally arriving in Hudson at 5:30 am. Needless to say, my workday is compromised by the endurance of last nights fiasco.

Amtrak, should take responsibility for these kinds of unpleasant, damaging and remorseless inadequacies. I will continue to seek any possible opportunity for alternative to the derelict railway system operated by Amtrak, but it is unfortunate that I am transportation dependent. I sincerely hope that there is someone affiliated with the Amtrak service that will seriously consider the experiences of those of us that endure your below-grade performance and inflated ticket costs.

Fools!

First, they send an email blast to thousands of people when only tiny numbers of seats are available. Then, when they INSTANTLY sell out, thereby disappointing many thousands of people, they don't even have the common courtesy to post a prompt that says Sorry, sold out or some such acknowledgement. No respect for the time I wasted and the perplexity experienced. They are a witless company, behind the times and risking being rude in their absolute ignorance of web-based customer service protocol.

On Nov. 28, 2008 my husband, who has had a stroke and has hemiparesis on the left side and has a scooter as walking is very difficult for him, my son who has Downs Syndrome and myself boarded train #796 - Reserved Coach, which was posted as a Senior/ADA car.

The train was late leaving LA and we were told to disembark quickly at our respective stations. When we left Anaheim Station (the one before Santa Ana) I collected our things and put them by the exit door. At Santa Ana we let a few other people off first as they could move quicker and then I gave my son a suitecase and told him to get off as I helped my husband off.

Just as my husband got his foot out the door the porter or conductor (which ever) hollered Board from upstairs and closed the door. I pulled my husband back, his cane was caught in the door, and the train left the station leaving my son on the platform by himself at about 11:30 PM.

My son is 30 years old, but he has Downs Syndorme and so is really only about the age of 7. I tried to get some attention and the man who took our tickets came down the stairs said Oh I didn't know you were on here He took our names and then told ME to go find the conductor and tell her, which I did. She was upstairs and three (3) cars down. When I found her I told her what was happening. She spoke into her communicator and said You'd better call someone, she's is quite upset Then she turned around and walked away.

I want back down to the car where my husband was still standing with another passenger supporting him and his cane still out the door. The Porter/Conductor was taking names of those around.

When we reached Irvine we disembarked with all our baggage. I asked how we were to get back to Santa Ana where our car was parked. Since it was about 11:50 PM by then everything was closed and no taxis were there. The porter/conductor just got back on the train without answering and the train left.

I think an incident report may have been filed. I would like a copy of that and the names of those involved.

My son was very fearful and he is still somewhat traumatized.

Made reservation on an Amtrak train trip from Santa Barbara, CA to Sandiego, CA on the 26th of November. It was a 'Reserved Seat Only' train. Business class was sold old and we (my wife and I) were put on 'Stand By'. At boarding time we were 'Upgraded to Business Class. The train had nine (9) cars and two (2) Conductors and had been OVERSOLD. Angry people everywhere. No seats. And only two Conductors to try and maintain peace and order. Yelling and screaming. Still, at every stop (many) more passengers boarded this Reserve Seat Only Train. No seats. Train #774.

Many will never ride Amtrak again. Our trip to San Diego was a nightmare. At 79, I'm glad I survived. Out tickets were numbered. Business Class. We will never travel or recommend travel on Amtrak again.

On Nov. 28, 2008 my wife and I had the worst rail trip of our long lives.

We traveled from Fredericksburg, VA to New York City on Train #80, The Carolinan. What a nightmare.

The Fredericksburg station is unattended. One depends on an ancient loudspealker to learn which of the two tracks the train will arrive on. Since no announcement was made before the 3:41 p.m. arrival time we followed rumors back and forth between the tracks. Finally a garbled announcement came that the train would arrive on Track 2. We then tugged our luggage back to Track 2. The train arrived an hour late but on Track 3. We, and a crowd of 20 or so, had to then scurry down a long ramp and up another to get back over to Track 3. Only one car of it was open.

So, a late train and misinformation provided us with one miserable experience. My wife and I are in our seventies. We did not realize that only Olympic athletes can board a train at Fredericksburg.

One more thing. My wife is ill today from standing outside for an hour and a half and racing back and forth between the two platforms because of the pitiful lack of clear communication.

I want an answer as to whom is responsible and what redress will we be given.

As I reported to you earlier this week, regarding my lost luggage. And how Coach USA said they have liability limits for luggage carried on the Amtrack buses. So I recieved a check for $250.00. Here's the icing on the cake, On back of the check where you endorce it with your signature, it is stamped with this: Endorsement of this check is a legal release and acceptance of the property under claim releases all carriers from further liability.

Is this legal? So I cant cash this check if I want to further try to recover money for the items lost by this company? Someone please help me. I am furious!

I was traveling from Benicia,California to Los Angles,CA, to meet up with family. I Then made arrangments to fly out of LAX to Louieville, Kentucky to watch my son graduate from the Army Basic training. As we arrived in Bakersfeild to get off the train and board the bus, I was instructed that I could not carry on my medium peice of luggage on to the bus. I asked why and did not get an explination. In fact the bus driver Mr V was rude. The bus was less than half full. No one was sharing seats. So their was plenty of room for my luggage to fit in front of me or on the next seat like other customers had done.

When arriving in Van Nuys I asked the driver to retreive my luggage from the storage under the bus. His responce was it is not here. I was in tears. I ran inside the office and told the recptionist that the bus driver lost my luggage and he's leaving. Gail ran outside with me and told Mr V to open the storage again and look for the luggage. He did but he did it with a caviliar attitude. My family had arrived to pick me up from the bus stop. I explained to Gail that I was leaving at 4am the next morning. I informed her of all the items in the 1-piece of luggage that was missing. I told her I was on disability, and had all my medicine just filled before leaving for this trip. They totaled over $300.00. I had bought my son a AppleIpod -MP3 for his birthday. I have a recipt for the I pod as well as a recipt for the medicine. I packed my Make-up bag, 2 pair of shoes, New Clothes for my son to wear and brought his Rebel Cannon 35mm Camera so we could take pictures of this important event in all of our lives. Gail was nice ,but no one offered any fiancial assistance to help with replacing some of the medicine or my sons birthday present that I had saved for for three months. A report was filled out and I called every day while in Kentucky. When arriving back in LA still nothing ahd turned up.

This took place on Septyember 8,2008. It is now November 12,2008. I just got off the phone with Ms.G. I have been calling her every week regarding,this incident. Today finally she said the Office cut me a check for $250.00. I said you have got ot be kidding me!. She went on to say $250.00 is the maxium amount they can reimburse someone. I don't believe it. I have had to spend over $500.00 dollars to replace the medicine, and to buy some over the counter medicine to help me while I was out of state. Not to metion My sons I POD. A $300.00 investment. I got it for him so he can have music and movies while he's fighting in IRAQ. What about his clothes and his camerea? I am not a wealth person so what I have It means a lot to me.

This Amtrack company and Coach USA who I found out sub-contracts drivers for amtrack, Their a piece of work! I want to take them to court. I want to be reimbursed for my loss! They act like oh WELL Thats all we can do! I am not buying it. PLease inform me on what I can do to get reimbursed. And another thing all the suffering and stress, at one of the happiest times in my life Amtrack sure put a damper on it by the unprofessionalism of a company that was suppose to be caring for their clients. I wouldnt recommend them to anyone. I am not through with this issue.

I need help in dealing with Amtrak complaint; health, supervision, management, safety and disability issues on a 3 day train ride relocating elderly family member back east. I went the route of the unemotional letter and have only been able to speak with a rep twice. Never return my phone calls or respond to request to speak with 'deciding' individual. Cost me over $3000 to get back east from Arizona and riding on Amtrak for 3 days was like riding a 'port-o-let on wheels'.

My aunt was on oxygen 24/7, they did not put us in the handicap room as I requested on the first leg (32 hours) and the second leg (13 hours) put us in a handicap room when they knew the emergency attendant call button did not work. I found that out only when I had to use the call button in the middle of the night to get some assistance.

I can send you the letter of complaint that I sent them asking for credit of the accommodations, not our tickets. They take 3 months to only credit my card with 1/3 the cost and now will not respond to my calls to explain their decision or allow me opportunity to challenge their decision. I need help.

I paid for services that we did not receive nor have I been given full opportunity to challenge them. 15 different issues

Told to arrive for the Auto Train @ 12 noon and I was there. Train scheduled to pull out at 4:00 PM, to arrive in Sanford Fl. @ 9:00 AM the following day (13th of October. Train was not there and came in 5 hours late. Then we were kept in suspense until we finally left at 9:45 PM to arrive in Sanford Fl at 230-300 pm the following day.

No seating and we stood for approx. 9 hours before we were allowed to board the train. The train was full and I would say that at least 85% of the waiting people were elderly, with canes, wheel chairs etc.

Customer service personnel would not even try to tell us what was going on or give us an approximate time that we would be leaving. It was later learned that a freight train had been in an accident with a vehicle, which is an understandable delay. My complaint is that whoever ran that terminal should have made provisions to feed the customers at least coffee while we waited. Night fall came and it got chilly and there were these elderly people, not dressed for the evening chill, cold and complaining.

At 8:30 at night they brought out some warm soda and warm water, and a small tray of Stale naccho chips for the people to eat. Having gotten chilly, I asked an attendant if they could at least let these elderly people on the train to get out of the cold and they would not. Once boarded they advised that they would not be serving the evening meal afterall. At approx. 10:45 PM they brought out sandwhiches in the Lounge car while now underway.

The problem is that those same elderly people were required to walk through the lenght of cars rocking back and forth (3-4), falling in peoples laps and holding on for dear life. Those attendants could have at least handed the sandwhiches out to the elderly while seated and showed a little customer service.

Consequences are that I lost one whole day of my vacation and missed a family reunion brunch, which is why was going to Fla. I can understand the delay as accidents happen, but you can imagine the rush of elderly people trying to scramble to get a sandwhich as most of these people hadn't eaten in hours. They even closed down the snack bar at 4:00 instead of keeping it open to accomodate their customers.

A lousy trip, lousy customer service and I will never ride that train again. Their advertisement makes it sound like a luxury ride when in reality it was terrible. At least 1/2 of the cost of that ride should have been returned to the passengers.

On October 17, 2008 an Amtrak train carrying 200 passengers from Chicago, Indy, Cincinnati, Huntington, W.Va. and stops in between to Washington, D.C. and beyond was delayed in the mountains near Prince, West Virginia because of a CSX derailment. Passengers were kept on the train for approximately 12 hours. Some of the younger, non-disabled passengers, me included, were permitted the opportunity to climb off the train for a smoke-break. (I am a non-smoker but after being kept in the train for that many hours....)

We were then required to get back on the train and kept for additional hours. Many of the passengers including scores of elderly, diabetics, some children and some disabled went with little food or water. The power was disconnected at various times throughout the ordeal which caused the toilets not to be able to be flushed. There was no cell service, no wi-fi or other way for passengers to contact the police, EMT's, family, friends, etc. When busses finally arrived, the crew abandoned the train, citing a federal law that prohibited them from working more than 12 consecutive hours.

The first person to board the first bus was the conductor of the car in which I was riding. The crew left many elderly and disabled passengers on the train to fend for themselves. Amtrak's conduct throughout the ordeal was disgraceful. More than just being disinterested and not helpful, many in the crew were openly hostile to the needs of the passengers. Disgraceful. I will never step foot on another Amtrak train. Never, never, never.

We were scheduled to return to IL, from Denver,CO on Oct 5,08 @8:10pm. We called, before we drove the hour to Denver Station, and they said the train was 14 mins late. We arrived at the station at 7:40pm. At 8:15 (5mins after we were supposed to leave) they announced our train was stuck behind a broken down freight train, and there was no estimate of how long. For the first three hours they told us that the train would arrive in 1 hour. That hour came and they announced it would be another hour. Finally at 12am they said the train would arrive at 1am. 1am came and went no further announcements were made.

We waited in that station for 7 hours, with no information being gived to us. We finally borded the train at 2:30am. We were not given any other options, I later found out that we could have recvd a refund then, and found an alternate way home to IL, we were not given that option. Twice on the way back to IL we had to wait for new crew to arrive, the one time in Nebraska, we waited there for 2 hours for the crew.

The tickets we paid for said we were to arrive in Naperville, IL on Oct 6th at 2:30pm. We finally arrived in Naperville on Oct 7th at 2:30AM. 12 hours after the scheduled time on our tickets. The train was dirty, and the bathrooms in our car were not working, The toilets were full of waste. We were on that train for exactly 24 full hours. We contacted Amtrack when we got home.

We paid $206.50 for 2 round trip tickets from Naperville,IL to Denver CO. All they will give us for our trouble is a $175.00 (for both of us) voucher for another train trip. Like we will ever take the train again!

In October of 2007, my wife and I (65 years old) began a two thousand dollar Amtrak trip in a standard roomette. We were soon subjected to stultifying high temperatures and a lack of ventilation in our 6 and-a-half by 3 and-a-half foot compartment. The unsmiling, condescending and insolent conductors professed helplessness in the face of the oppressive conditions, and when I asked one of the conductors what his name was, he immediately covered his identity badge with his hand! We continued to object to these conditions, and finally the conductor had the train stopped, called in local marshals, and ejected my wife and I from the train in the middle of the night. We were forced to quickly pack all of our luggage and drag our bags off the train without any assistance. We had our tickets confiscated, and were left standing in the dark around midnight, after being told that we were forever banned from Amtrak trains.

However, we were not the only couple who was profoundly distressed by our Amtrak experience. When the conductor overheard me speaking to one of the marshals about this, he immediately returned our tickets to us and offered my wife and I the option of getting back on the train the following day! What was it that I told the Marshall? That approximately 12 hours before, another couple had been kicked off the train with the accompaniment of the police for complaining about the suffocating conditions!

It's one thing that Amtrak charges high prices for the honor of occupying a tiny bedroom in one of their obsolete railcars. It's another thing if in addition, the service personnel are generally rude, insulting and sadistic. The only exception to this would be in the dining car where a gratuity is expected. My wife and I sued Amtrak for this abusive service and our abandonment in an unknown town in the middle of the night. We won with little difficulty. It seems Amtrak has a stable of attorneys on call to take care of litigations of this type. Make sure you are prepared with adequate legal support the next time you travel Amtrak.

Booled ticket from Kalamazoo Mi to Det. Mi Sept 12. Train was to leave at 3pm, left one hour late. Then the trained was stopped several times to allow freight trains to use the rails. Freight vs people? Trip was two and one half hours longer than scheduled. Come on the train schedules in the 1940s and 30s were on time. Sixty years later the schedule is very rarely kept?

I missed my ride and had to hire a cab at the same cost of the train ticket.

purchased tickets to travel to richmond virginia on train 67 leaving penn station new york at 3am 9/5/08. while at the station it was annouced by intercom that the train was only going to washington, the attendants at the station had no other info for us.when the train arrived and we got on the train the conductor announced over th loud speaker that due to the expected storm the train will only go to washington and anyone going beyond will be on their own , amtrak has no other arrangements made, when the train arrives in washington we will be taken back to where we originated from my husband and myself are seniors and did not want to stranded in washington so got off the train.

On Saturday 9/6/08 i called am trak customer service got an apology was told that the train did go to Richmond it was an hour late, that it was probably a misunderstandind and that they will investigate to find out where the conductor received his directive, they also said that they were commuter trains from washington that could have taken us to richmond if we were given those directives they told me to mail my tickets or go to an Amtrak station and have my money refunded or use it for another time. i am appaled that a company like amtrak could do that to their consumers at 3am and also to know that we were given incorrect information, the attendants were misinformed, the conductor was misinformed, we were unable to spend the time with our family at a special event, food that i was taking for that occasion was wasted.

I just found out my brother had died. So i was going to travel from Denver to Osceloa, IA on sept 4. ...The train was late gettig into denver, then thru the night late at other stops making the final stop for me almost 3hrs and 20 mins past the time that was suppose to be he arrival time.

My son was there waiting to pick me up, then drove my to Des Moines...I wasnt able to shower or clean up for a lucheon with family,,,but still missed the lunch,,,and then to top it off my other brother was then taken to the ER with severe chest pains, and these brthers of mine are just in their 50's.

Amtrak gave me so STESS, and I travel by train ALL the Time and have NEVER had a bad thing to say about the service before, but on the night of Sept 4th comming from Den on train 6 it left little to be desired...sorry. Former Amtrak Lover

We have been loyal Amtrak riders for many years, and we have never had a problem until our last trip on August 31. When the train pulled into the station, the platform was about 1 1/2 foot below the first step of the train. Normally, the conductor puts a stepstool on the platform to aid passengers in boarding the train, but this was not done. The conductor saw that my wife was unable to lift her foot up on the step, yet no aid was provided to her.

She had to get on her knee to get on the step and when she tried to get up she slipped and caught the handrail. When I tried to get on, the same thing happened as I was unable to get my foot up on the step and I had to crawl up the steps to get on the train. THE ENTIRE TIME THE CONDUCTOR JUST STOOD WATCHING THIS HAPPEN!! NO OFFER TO HELP OR ANYTHING!! HIGHLY UNPROFESSIONAL OR COURTEOUS! I am not looking for anything in return for this incident, just for Amtrak to train their employees in simple courtesy.

I took Amtrak for the first time, alone, with my two small children, ages 19 months and 5 years old. I purchased roundtrip tickets online to travel from Sacramento to Salt Lake City and back again. When I arrived at the Sac station to pick up my tickets they printed me two tickets, one for me and one for my 5 year old, to go from Sac to SLC. I asked about my return tickets and was told I would be issued the return tickets at the SLC station.

Nearly a week later when I arrived at 10 PM to prepare for my 11:30 PM train from SLC to Sac I was told that the computer showed my tickets had already been printed in SAC. I explained there had been a mistake, that I was not issued the return tickets. The Amtrak empolyee, Don, was VERY rude to me. He said he could not print me another ticket. When I asked to speak with someone else, a manager or someone higher-up, he refused. He rolled his eyes a lot at me and walked away when I begged for help. He told me that all he could do was sell me another two tickets. I explained that I didn't have the money and it was too late for me to find a way to get the money.

I explianed that I had no friends or family in SLC, I had been there for a symposium, and I asked if Amtrak was going to kick a mother with two small children onto the streets for a mistake THEY had made. I was told by Don and later told by an Amtrak employee over the phone, Yes. Don told me he would not print me a fake ticket and implied the whole time that I was trying to scam Amtrak! I have never been treated so rudely in my life! I ended up having to call my husband and despertly find a way to buy two additional tickets so I could get home! Every course of action I have tried to take has gotten me nowhere. When I arrived in CA I waited in the Sac station for over an hour, pouring sweat (no a/c there) waiting for them to look for my tickets. They told me of course that they couldn't find them.

My children and I have been nothing short of traumitized by this experince. I cannot even look at an Amtrak employee without having a post traumatic stress reaction. I cannot even begin to explain how frightening it is to be in a strange city, late at night, in a filthy train station, with two small children, and to be told that Amtrak doesn't care that they sold me a ticket they didn't give me - I was going to either come up with anohter $100 or be spending the night on the streets! Both my children, and especially my 5 year old, were very traumatized by this event. They were scared they wouldn't be able to get home and my son has nightmares about the event.

My extended family of elven boarded, including one diabled adult, two elderly and two children, boarded Amtrak on Monday, August 4th for our first vacation in 20 years. We were informed upon arrival at the Wolf Point, MT station that there had been a freight train derailment and we would need to take a bus 270 miles from Libby, MT to Shelby, Mt. My first concernt was for our diabled passenger, confined to a wheelchair. I questioned the stationmaster about this and he assured me Amtrak knew about her and they would make arrangements to accomodate her(they had a Handicap sleeper) and we had made previous arrangements for her at each station.

When we boarded the train we were instantly met with an extremely rude car attendant. We were told, in regards to our disabled person perhaps she shouldn't be on this train if she can't walk. Needless to say this is not an acceptable comment to make to anyone. I questioned the conductor about transfer to the bus and onto the bus for a disabled person and was, once again, assured Amtrak would tak care of it. Well, when we arrived in Libby, MT there was NO accessible form of transportaion or anyway for a diabled person to board the bus. My husband and brother basically picked her up and she tried as hard as she could to move her legs as much as possible. They basically carried her up (and back down when we arrived) the steep embankment to the bus and the steep bus steps.

When we arrived in Shelby, we were not given any information other than it would be at least an hour and a half wait for the train to arrive. It was over 2.5 hours. This was the most miserable night of our lives. The children (both under 8) were so exhausted they could barely function, as well as the rest of our crew. When we finally got on the train - after trekking about 2 blocks, in the dark, over uneven, gravelled surface with our whole crew - we were told we couldn't sit down until all the seats were turned around the other way. This took well over 15 minutes to do.

Amtrak claims to be accessible and will accomodate their hadicap passengers - WRONG. On our outbound trip there wasn't anyone that provided assistance. I think my brother and husband even assisted putting out the wheelchair ramp to the train. There was no way that Amtrak complied with ADA at any point on our outbound trip.

My family paid for 11 tickets as well as over $1000 for a handicap sleeper. This money was pretty much a waste for the outbound trip. Also, for our elderly, children and handicap, and the rest of us, we were so exhausted we lost a whole day of our vacation, because all anyone could manage was to fall into bed when we arrived at our destination.

I went on a multi city trip from San Juan Capistrano (SNC) to Santa Barbara (SBA) to Salinas (SNS) and back to Irvine (IRV). This was the first time I tried bringing my bike along as well as the first time I purchased online. The station attendant at San Juan Capistrano was very helpful and assured me that bringing a bike would not be a problem, she told me where the racks were on the train and that the bus driver will simply put the bike underneath. No problem I thought and was excited for my trip. I got to Santa Barbara no problem; I got to Salinas no problem.

My return was a problem. The bus driver informed me that there was already a bike on the bus and it was too full to fit my bike. I informed him this was my return and I do not live in Salinas, California. He told me I could take the next bus but I knew this would get me at my destination at 11 o clock at night which wasnt feasible. So he suggested putting the bike on the next bus, which was an inconvenience for my friend who dropped me off at the station. So the bus driver told me to talk to the baggage check at SBA. When I arrived in Santa Barbara for my transfer, I told the ticket agent my situation. He informed me that he has never heard of a bus not having enough room for a bike. After hearing this as well, I came to the conclusion that the bus driver was too lazy to move some bags around to make my bike fit. I was furious.

The ticket agent told me the best they could do is have my friend put my bike on the Monday train to union station in Los Angeles, which is at least an hour away from my home and an incredible inconvenience. Let me also state that my friend was leaving for a trip for a week the next day so this would not work for him or me. My friends best option was to ship my bike at my expense. This was also my best option.

This bike is not just for fun. I do not own a car. I own a bike. I work 4 days a week and my bike is my main source of transportation to work. The buses are not convenient and walking is unrealistic. I work at 5 am tomorrow and will be walking because I do not have my bike because the bus driver wouldnt let me take it home because he was too lazy to move some bags. The bus wasnt even half full of people! There were lots of empty seats on the bus. This is very frustrating.

I am out a bike at the moment, which was damaged dealing with fed ex. and It cost my friend at least 60 bucks to ship my bike.

Manager would not divulge her name, but since train I had beeen was too late to make connections from Chicago to Holland acted abusively & demanded that I board a van to Michigan or relinquish my Michigan ticket for half it's value and take $20 in cab fair. I have great concerns and financial losses. The van driver was NOT an Amtrak employee.

Physically and emotionally drained...missed work....had to hire my own licensed driver while stranded and am now out over $500 due to expenses incurred to reach home in Michigan.

The train was FREEZING cold and no blankets available (i brought my own). Many of the footrests were broken so people were unable to rest on the 22 HOUR ride that was supposed to be 18 hrs. The train ran out of food and water. The bathrooms were locked due to no water. The bathroom on our car was NEVER available and when I asked about it, the attendant would not answer me.

I will never ever take AMTRAK again and have told everyone I know of my horrible experience. The woman attendant on my train on Cardinal 51 to Chicago was lovely. I wish I had gotten her name so I could thank her for being a normal person.

I now have a bladder infection from holding my urine for 4 hours. My back is in constant pain from the fact that my footrest would not raise up. I thought a trainride would be fun but it was the worst trip i have ever been on.

Someone has to do something about Amtrack!. I can't believe what they get away it. I recently travelled to NC from Mass. and took 4 different trains. The last train was the last straw for me and Amtrack. Everything started out fine as we were travelling from Richmond to Boston. After a couple of hours into our trip, we were told that the car we were in was being shut down. Everyone going only as far as NY was to get off the train in Penn. and go upstairs and get on another train. (this was because the train had no seats available). All other passengers were to gather their belongings and go to other cars and find seats.

We walked the length of the train and no seats were available mostly because people sprawl out across two seats. We had to sit in the club car. No where to put luggage, so we placed one luggage bag on the table. A couple of hours later, the crew started letting oncoming passengers sit in the car that they told us to leave. When I asked about this, the crew told me their were bugs on that car and if people wanted to sit there they could. This was after they made people going to NY get off the train and get another train. So, we stayed in the club car with our luggage.

Around NY or Conn. a new crew came aboard and one of the female conductors approached us screaming to get the luggage off the table in the club car. I said okay and then proceeded to tell her why it was there to begin with (no where else to sit, being thrown off one car, etc). She kept on yelling at me and said she didn't care. I could not believe how rude and abusive she was. She left the area and I went to find out her name, and she again started screaming at me that she wasn't rude to me. The trainmaster had to tell her to leave the car. The situation with her was outrageous and I was shocked. How can the employees get away with this? In any other profession if an employee spoke this way to a client they would be fired. I actually thought she was going to hit me.

The trainmaster came back to where I was sitting to talk about the situation. Other passengers also told the trainmaster that it was the employee who was at fault. The government should not be subsidizing this service and someone or some organization needs to shut this service or should I say disservice down. I've travelled Amtrack in the past and my first trip actually took 48 hours to get from Boston to Florida because of delays. Besides the expected delays and intolerable bathrooms, I don't expect the employees to be this unprofessional.

Who would give there business to any company like this? I called customer service and they told me their records show that the car was shut down because of an air conditioning problem. What a lie! They can't even write an honest and accurate report. I will receive a voucher for another trip but who in their right mind would subject themselves to this abuse.

my daughter called me up at home livid. She had been waiting almost 1 hour to buy tickets for Lake George. She stated only 4 people were working and most of them were walking away and talking on their cells. If her train was not delayed she would have missed it. People were complaining and missing trains. This happened on 8/6/2008 at Penn station, NY at 7:30am in the morning. She called me and asked me to complain because she would not be back for a whole week. Using cells should be banned when working.

30/6/08 A journey from Minneapolis St Paul to Seattle. This Empire Builder originated from Chicago and was due to arrive at MSP at 11.15 pm. It arrived 8 hours late. My wife and I had to endure a night at MSP station as Amtrak was unsure of when the train would arrive. SO our first night 1st class accommodation was in fact on the floor of the station.

Instead of arriving at our final destination, Seattle by train was were detrained at Spokane and then had to travel 5 hours by bus. The staff managing this at Spokane were extremely rude and did not communicate with the 200 passengers. As a final point I was surprised at the reaction of other passengers who seemed to quite passively accept this debachle, perhaps they were used to this sort of service from Amtrack. Now waiting on a reply from the CEO of Amtrak and their complaints department.

The company may have got us from point A to point B but it was not in the style or custom of the first ticket that we paid for.

trip to washington dc from lafayette indiana, 21 hrs going and 24 hrs coming back, was not told length of ride when set up travel reservations through yankee holidays, dirty train all around, food was not good, and service was not good, rude attendants, so cold on train with no blankets and very uncomfortable seats, would not recommend train ride for my worst enemy

I love riding a train. I live in GA and travel to Baltimore for business; NY and PA for personal visits. I try to always pay for the roommette because I know if I travel coach, it will be a rough ride. Almost all attendants are rude. Travelers are treated with such disrespect. You might get a pillow, you might not; if you ask, they roll their eyes, make a face and maybe you will get one. The people who board in Atlanta fill the rear of the train; IF you are headed to NY, MD or PA. The people who are not traveling as far may board toward the front of the train. Seems the theory is that you who has the longest trip will walk the farthest to the service cars.

Don't even try to get a seat in the next to last car - I was told that if I board in Atlanta and I am going to MD, PA or NY, I have to get in the last car because that is where the MD, PA and NY people are - NOT TRUE. BY the time I get to MD, PA or NY, there are lots of people in the forward cars going to the same place. Restrooms are nasty. But mostly, I just wish I would be treated with respect. Someone needs to train these folks in the art of customer relations.

When I registered a complaint - I got to speak to a customer relations person who told me that everything they did was just to run more smoothly; she couldn't explain why it made it run more smoothly; but she was sure it was; and I wouldn't understand that. So I am getting a gift certificate. I don't really want a certificate, I want the service to improve. She said they have spotters who travel; I do not believe they have anyone who spends the night on that train and comes back saying it was a nice experience. My bet is that the spotter take a short trip and the attendants know who they are.

I cried the last time I rode the train. My brother was in ICU, I had to go coach because I couldn't afford the roommette on such short notice. I mistakenly sat in the wrong car and they got rude and mean and said I had to move. When I cried, they allowed me to stay where I was. That is when I realized that by the time I reached my destination, I was surrounded by many others going to the same place I was going. What a shame that Amtrak has so little regard for customer feedback.

This is our first time to ride an Amtrak. After my wife and myself got-off from Seattle trip, we tried to find our connecting train and as soon as we got on the San Diego bound train from Los Angeles, we accidentally sat down on the RESERVED sign in which we were not aware and the female conductor got-upset. I wished that all conductor employees from San Diego base Amtrak would be more tactful and considerate if someone inadvertantly made mistakes and not looked at us with sarcasms.

I felt that unless this conductor employees be given proper customer relationship training, I will refrain from supporting the Amtrak transportation from any future trips that I wish to make. I only asked that the management would look into this incidents fairly and reprimand those who violate the code of the Amtrak Company. I wished any passengers especially Senior Citizens be given a little more respect and help make our trips an enjoyable one.

My children (ages 10, 11, and 18) took train 311 from St. Louis to Kansas City on 6-19 it was involved in an accident with a pickup truck. The driver of the truck was killed. Amtrak never contacted me or even bothered to let us know if the children were ok. We could not get anyone to answer the phone and my e-mail has went unanswered. These children had to return on tran 316 on 6-23. It was not easy getting them on the train and this trip took 10 hours. Each call gave a different delay time. They left Kansas City at 4pm and arrived in St. Louis at 2Am

My children are traumatized by the death of the man, and then having to endure all the stops returning home, made them think there was another accident.

I am a 62yr. old disabled female, I normally use an electric wheelchair but for a trip from Calif. to Denver, Colo. I purchased a light weight electric scooter that would be able to be put in an aunts car that I was going to visit. When making reservations I was told that Amtrak did not leave from Stockton, Cal. but would take me by bus from Stockton to Sacramento Cal. where we would then get on a train direct to Denver. Knowing that with my physical problems I would not be able to endure a bus trip that would take about an hour I decided to rent a car in Stockton and drive to Sacramento to catch the direct train. I was traveling with my 22 year old granddaughter and four month old greatgranddaughter.

Upon arrival at the station in Sacramento I was told that there was a problem and the train was not coming and we would have to take a bus from Sacramento to Reno, Nevada ( about 3 hour ride). I asked the agent about the scooter I was on and was told no problem they would get it on the bus. There was a problem...there was no lift for the scooter and I was told it was necessary for me to get off the scooter to have it put in the baggage bin and that if I could make it up the bus stairs they would sit me in the first seat. I said I could make it that far....but unfortunately the only seats available were in the very back of the bus. By the time we got to Reno I was in so much pain from being in one position and cramped for such a long period I could hardly move. I had to attempt to kick my carryon down the aisle to get off the bus.

Once inside we were told there would be a 3 hour lay over until the train would be boarded. It was just as well as I spent all that time in the restroom vomiting from the intense pain. When it came time to board the train..the attendant did not want to put down the ramp but asked me to get off and help lift the scooter over the gap between train and platform! My granddaughter was aghast and told him there was NO way that her grandmother was going to lift anything! She handed me the baby and assisted in getting my scooter on board. At this time I asked if there was any place I could lay down and stretch out for even 20 minutes to attempt to get my back back aligned...the answer was NO..I hadn't paid for a sleeper. My aunt after learning that we would be riding a bus and knowing my physical problem called Amtrak and paid for a disabled sleeper room..the agent told her to call me back on my cell and tell me to call the conductor and let them know it was paid for.

At 11pm I put on the call button, at 1am my granddaughter put on hers. At four am when we arrived in SLC an attendant came to get some passengers off and asked why the call button was on...I informed him, my granddaughter questioned why there hadn't been a response...she got none. Well now we got off that car and was told to move down towards the front of the line of trains, and they would direct us to correct car. Now there was a woman attendant that asked me to get off my scooter and help her load it...at this point my granddaughter had run out of patience and told her to get out of the way her grandmother wasn't loading anything..she would do it herself.

I could list more problems with the service but they pale in comparison to the pain and needless expense. When I attempted to contact Amtrak management with this problem I was told they don't talk on the phone and given an address in Washington D.C. to write to. I really had wished a faster remedy as my visit is only a month and I will be returning by dreaded Amtrak.

Spent $92.00 on rental car to avoid bus trip and ended up on bus anyway. Aunt paid $189.00 to upgrade tickets to handicap room. Ten days later I am still not able to get around and enjoy my time visiting my aunt and am having to take pain medication. I don't want this to happen to any other person with special needs...I was fortunate to have a granddaughter with me..but what if I had been alone, or the next person like myself. I have always been timid and partly ashamed of needing a wheelchair or any special accommodations but now realize that there is a need for ADA as we really cannot rely on the kindness of others.

I reserved 3 AMTRAK tickets online. The train was late - I called AMTRAK to get a status on the train (this was an unmanned station). They said the tracks were being worked and there would not be a train. They were send a bus but didn't know when the bus would arrive. We needed to get to our destination which was 100 miles away. So, we decided to drive. The representative that gave me the information that there would not be a train said that my credit card would not be charged for the reservation. It was.

There is no way to get through to AMTRAK to get this resolved. I've left message - sent e-mails from their website and tried to call their number. I tried to cancel online and could not do that either. Still waiting - have filed a dispute with my credit card number.

I purchases 4 round trip tickets from Charlston SC to Orlando Fl. While on a 5 day vacation the return tickets were lost. Amtrak would not reprint the tickets, they made me purchase 4 more tickets, they said it was there policy. No one never told me of this policy nor is it posted anywhere, not in the statin or web site or on their tickets. That could have been an easy fix with just reprinting them.

Had to buy 4 more tickets and the strees level was outragous trying to get last minute tickets for 2 adults and 2 small children.

Due to high gas prices, we are limited on vacation trips this year so I decided to take my family of four (two small children) on our first train ride on an Amtrak train from our home in Lee's Summit Mo to Jefferson City to visit my in-laws. Although my in-laws live more than an hour from the Jefferson City station, they agreed to pick us up. The train TO Jeff City was an hour late meaning my 80+ year old in-laws had to wait in the heat for us to arrive. But that was nothing - the return train was over TWO HOURS late. Our train was scheduled to leave at 6:20pm and it didn't arrive until 8:30 pm.

My in-laws then had to drive back home in the dark with their very limited vision. We didn't arrive home until past 11:00pm - an almost five hour fiasco. Oh, and it only takes 2 hours to DRIVE to my in-laws. I called customer service the next day but was told all they could do was offer a discount on my next Amtrak trip (like a want to do THAT ever again!). The agent said, Trains are late all the time...if we issued refunds we would go out of business ... maybe that would be best for all involved!

A travel company should take care for its customers About the famous Amtrak We are a couple from Europe, travelling from San Diego to Los Angeles and then to Pomona. We already bought our Metrolink tickets for Pomona from San Diego station, so well be ready to catch the line of 9:00 . It happened about 7:30 last night, when a car hit the train. We were stack for two hours in the train.

Finally we got to Los Angeles about 11:00 which means we lost our train to Pomona. We asked in the information and the customers service what is going to be with us, as we lost the only train to Pomona and they answered that it was not their fault if we lost the train to Pomona. There obligation was to bring us to LA and that was it. We said that we are foreigners, we dont know anybody to help us, and is not our fault for this delay and loose the only means of transportation to Pomona.

You know what? They just show us the place to get a bus for Pomona. We told them that even if we go by bus, there is no one to pick us up from the station, as the shuttle do not work after 11:00. They answered they dont have any obligation to bring us to our hotel. We travelled for two hours and finally we got to the Pomona Bus Station. We were left there for one hour, all alone, cold, hungry, despair and afraid as we are foreigners in a frightful dark unknown place, because some idiot wanted to bit the train.

Please tell me, is that fair? Who can trust the Amtrak again? The company should take care of its passengers and especially for something that it wasnt our fault. I will never travel with Amtrak, because they are very cruel and have a bad behavior to their customers. Thank you

I am afraid to use trains anymore. The time we were closed in the damaged wagon caused me cleistofovia. The time we were waiting in the bus station to pick us up, caused me nightmares. I lost the faith I had to US and the services they provide.

I was on my way back from New York to Washington with my fiance. It was about a 4 hour train ride and had to use the restroom. The rude attendant told me to go to the business class restroom which was in the next car.

I saw about 200 newspapers available in that car and decided to take one because I was bored and the train ride was very long. As soon as I was going back the rude attendant grabbed me by my arm and said that was for business class passengers. I asked if I could pay for one and he said NO! and made me go put it back.

I have been a loyal customer for amtrak for 3 years spending over 10,000 on travel with them. This was the last straw, I will never do business with this piece of garbage business again. I would rather walk than even go on amtrak again for free.

We live outside Michigan City, Indiana. Our 4 teenage children travel everyweek to Ann Arbor, Michigan on Amtrak. We spend a considerable amount of money per month. At this point in time, we are so frustrated with the on-time status of Amtrak. Trains are anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours late, EVERYTIME, EVERY TRIP inbound and outbound.

Inbound into Michigan City from Ann Arbor the train doesn't come into the station until 9:20pm..we have sat at a dark, un-manned station parking lot until 1:00 am waiting for our children. The conditons on the trains are overcrowded, dirty and the food is overpriced! Everytime the train is late, we call customer service and complain..LOUDLY and will continue until something is done. Customer Service is rude, non-apologetic and ill informed. Changes need to be made before the whole system collapses.

We've spent considerable amounts of money for poor service with no accountability from Amtrak. What can we do? I'm open for suggestions!!

I rode the Amtrak to go see my mother in Poplar Bluff, MO. I Left on 3/2/08 From St.Joesph, MI. The train was three hours late getting there. And, it was very unorganized the whole trip. Coming home it was four hours late. We missed the train in Chicago, so they had to bring us to St.Joesph in a van. And the whole reason I rode a train was because I thought I would get there faster. But, instead, I was antagonized and disappointed by the service. So, I would like my money back for pain and suffering. Thank you for your time!

I am considered disabled by the state of Michigan. And, a guest on the train had to help with my luggage. I had migraines and cramps in my legs. I was miserable the whole way. My seat was broken so I could not rest my legs.

On 2/16 I bought two one-way tickets for my daughter and grandchild of four years of age. It is an hour's drive to the station, and upon arrival we were told that the train would be an hour and a half late. Upon their departure on Train #775 to Ventura, my daughter, who is 4 and 1/2 months pregnant, boarded with a small duffel bag, a car seat, a four-year-old and her small suitcase. They walked toward the back and found no seats available. My daughter then asked the conductor where there might be seats. The conductor asked her if her tickets were Business Class, and when she replied no, he told her she had to move to the next car. At this point my daughter tripped on an article and fell, and instead of helping her the conductor laughed. My daughter got up and continued unassisted, and when she entered the door to the next car my four-year-old grandchild got stuck in the section in between the cars. All of this occurred while the conductor continued to watch. In the next car she stood until finally a 16-year-old boy offered her a seat.

The consequences are that my daughter--due to Amtrak's lack of safety-- fell, and due to their neglect, my grandchild could have been seriously injured while stuck in between cars. Are there no safety measures that conductors are required to perform for passengers?

I called trying to book a trip with Amtrak, as per their suggestion since I am a disabled person. The first person I spoke with seemed to be very nice and helpful. She instructed me that since I had the cash and not a credit card, to go for me to the station in my hometown and pay for my ticket there. Well, I called back to see if someone could pick up my ticket for me since I am disabled. I was then informed that my station was unmanned and no longer had a ticket counter, so I would have to purchase a prepaid credit card and pay with it, or go to a travel agent. So I proceeded to put the cash on my prepaid Visa as instructed by customer service at Amtrak. Then when I called to purchase my ticket they said my credit card declined it, and I should call my credit card company, which I did. Visa informed me Amtrak was running the credit card for $0.00 which is flagged as a fraudulent charge in their system.

I called Amtrak back and again got the run around trying to state what the problem was with Visa. This continued back and fourth until I reached an older woman who had been with Amtrak, who informed me this was a computer glitch in their system, and to call back in a couple days. I called back, and they could still not run my card. I was instructed again to call Visa which I did, and was then instructed by them again that Amtrak was still trying to run my card for $0.00. I called back and asked to speak with customer service after 30 minutes of hold, I finally reached someone who said she needed to transfer me to the refund dept. Why, I do not know. The lady I spoke with in refund started getting rude and ignorant with me saying it was not a refund matter and transfered me to the complaint dept., the complaint dept. told me to go to a travel agent and spend an additional $45 to buy the ticket. I asked to speak to management, and no one came to the phone for over an hour.

I still do not have a ticket I need to be in Florida at the beginning of March, and the stress Amtrak has caused me has raised my already high blood pressure.

I had a very bad experience with Amtrak, on Sat 29th Dec 2007. A group of friends and I had scheduled to ride our bicycles from Pasadena to Solana beach; about 110 miles and return back to Los Angeles via 3:33pm train from Solano Beach. I took the precaution of making a reservation in advance. I went to pick up my ticket at the station in Solano Beach around 3:00 pm; I mentioned to the ticketing agent that we were a large group of about 20 cyclists going back to Los Angeles. The train arrived and I made my way to where the conductor asked us to go, I boarded the train and a few minutes later I was very rudely asked to leave the train as they didn't have any more room in the train for cycles.

I suggested that I could take off the wheels of my bicycle which would occupy much less space where the standard luggage rack would suffice; a very simple solution. I was told that the luggage racks were for people going to Los Angeles. Funny, that was exactly were I was going. I suggested that perhaps the baggage car could be used to place our bikes but my plea went on deaf ears. At this point the conductor called Amtrak security guards and refused to listen to any reason or suggest any solution except to de-board the train and take the next train, which did not depart for over an hour. I was forced to get off the train. I had been riding my bicycle for over 6 hours and was quite exhausted and was not expecting to wait over an hour with no guarantee of getting on the next train.

I am very disappointed with the level of service provided by Amtrak. Not only do I subsidize Amtrak with my tax dollars and had paid in advance to get on a train, I was denied a seat on the train. I don't understand why the conductor of the train couldn't open the baggage car. This is the second time I have had the same experience, where I was denied a seat because I was travelling with a bicycle. Either disallow bicycles on the trains or let people make a prior reservation so that you can accommodate special needs. It is very frustrating going to a train station and then being told you can't get on. I am sure there must be some obscure rule why the baggage car cannot be opened at Solano Station; however it probably won't make any sense as on the subsequent train the conductor had no problem opening the baggage car and being very accommodating. I will not be riding Amtrak anytime soon. Their lack of customer service has lost at least one but most likely 20 customers.

Today's problem started with trying to apply a Transportation Certificate to a reservation (#16A5A5) over the phone. I was told because I have a piece of paper, I either need to drive to downtown LA to pay the balance by Nov. 6, or, mail the voucher back. Since the voucher is documented on a computer system, both of these options seem inconvenient and wasteful at best, completely archaic at worst.

For the past two years, I've traveled to Chicago from L.A.for family holidays. The first time I was injured (just had a bad horseriding accident and couldn't fly). The train had no heat, uncooked food, was full of loud and offensive drunk people (including one that told racist jokes until 3am), dysfunctional and dirty bathrooms and staff was unresponsive. On the return trip, much of the same. Customer service on the phone was limited, by mail was slow and impersonal. I filed a complaint, then, with the BBB, and was finally issued a Certificate, which never reached the appropriate level of restitution.

Last year, I decided to give another chance and use the Certificate. Both trips were even worse - toilets overflowing, excrement all over the bathrooms, people smoking on the train, underage drinking, the snack bar ran out of food 1/2way through as did the dining car, the cabins were freezing and the staff unresponsive. On one leg of the trip, a mentally retarded man was touching people while they were sleeping, screaming to himself and tried to get out the back door while the train was in motion. It took six hours of complaining to have him safely removed, even when some of the passengers he touched were little children.

My luggage, upon arriving in Chicago, was completely soaked all the way through with some chemical-smelling thing and all my stuff had to be replaced (including the suitcase). On the way back, it happened again. After all that, I was only issued $200 in a Travel Certificate.

I've written the assistant of the Vice President of Marketing, who apparently is the upper level consumer complaints person. He passed me off to another person who provided the usual level of vague and detached communication. Nothing was solved, and the VP assistant has not refused any more communication from me.

Took first train trip since 1972 r/t from Kansas City to St. Louis on Trains 313/314. Trip to St. Louis advertised at 5hrs 40 mins. Departed on the dot but arrived STL 2 hrs 40 mins late due to track work and numerous freight trains taking priority. Return trip departed on time at 4 PM and pulled into KC at midnight. 2 hrs and 20 mins late. Not a happy experience for a rail lover that has looked forward to riding the rails all these years. Never again on AMTRAK.

The train from Herrmann MO to Kirkwood MO., a trip of under an hour, was 3 hrs. and 15 mins. late in the morning/afternoon of 10/15/07.

Lost work.

On Sunday September 23rd I was harassed, manhandled, and threatened to be arrested while attempting to board Amtrak train #59 in the city of New Orleans. Instead of checking that no one was carrying concealed weapons, hazardous substances, or other prohibited items, Sal, the security guard/officer on duty, was busy making sure that all of the carry-on luggage was properly tagged. Mine were. I did not, however, have official Amtrak luggage tags, but my bags were labeled with my name and contact information. He told me that I had to have official (?) tags. I stepped out of line, tagged my bags with my name, and proceeded back to the exit. He apparently doubted my efforts because then as I was walking through he grabbed me, and yanked on my backpack. I, like most young women my age, have a problem with any person manhandling me, especially when it is a man. Considering the circumstances--that he doubted whether I had my laptop case tagged--I believe it was highly inappropriate. I told him not to touch me. He then threatened to have me arrested because he claimed I was disrespecting his authority and my luggage tags did not contain my address. I pointed out to him that it was within my prerogative to not be touched by another person, and that he was nit-picking over my carry-on tags. I seriously believe that this is an individual who is threatened by anyone questioning his judgment and that this entire situation escalated due to the fact that this man is appearing to look busy by harassing young women about the proper way to fill out luggage tags, rather than doing authentic protection enforcement activities. For instance, he could be making sure that the names on the bags match the names on the ticket, or that the addresses on the tags and the ID are the same. According to Amtrak's own labeling policy, passengers may use their own personal identification tags, or may obtain Amtrak baggage identification tags at station ticket offices, or onboard trains from a member of the train crew (Amtrak website). This guard/officer did none of the things that one would expect from a professional Amtrak employee or affiliate. All that he did do was mistreat, harass, and show me a complete lack of disregard. I hope that Amtrak takes this matter as seriously as I do and that Security Guard/Officer Sal will be corrected for his complete lack judgment and for having the audacity to bring a young woman to tears by grabbing and screaming at her over simple luggage tags. In the future, I will reconsider my travel choices and keep this incident in mind when choosing between Amtrak and my other options.

My boyfriend and I took a trip to Montana, this is our third amtrak trip, because amtrak sent us a voucher because of problems last year. We set another trip up hoping it would be better. I set this trip up so we would not have to use a bus at all. This year some of our experiences were positive as the trains were cleaner and the attendance on board were nicer and seem to be doing more on the train then the last two years.

We went from Stockton to Sacramento and connectd to go to Portland Or. Once in Portland we stayed over night at a motel, went back to the train station the next day and went from Portland Or to White Fish MT. The only problem we had was the train was four hours late getting into Portland.

Coming home was a different story we were on a sleeper car #32078 and the bad experience started, we took a sleeper car to make our trip more comfortable, the train was four hours late coming from Chicago to White Fish MT, we were told they had had problems in Chicago but had fixed them.

In our sleeper car all of the toilets were locked because they were plugged. The car smelled like a toilet. They told us we had to use the toilets in the coach car ahead of us.

Our cars toilets stayed plugged from White Fish MT to Portland Or. When I went to the coach car to use the toilet, I hate to say this, but I went * and put the seat down to flush the toailt and it wouldn't flush and I felt terrible but I had to leave it like that.

There were no cups, and the trash hadn't been removed and no running water. My boyfriend found the same problem in another toilet. Even though we had the toilet problem I want to give credit were it is due to the attendant on our car he was very nice and attentive.

When we got on the train going from Portland to Sacramento we do have a complaint about the dinner we were served, we usually like the food on the train, it was awful the potato was partly raw, the broccoli you couldn't cut with the knife, and the fish wasn't cooked all of the way. We left most of the meal.

..I will NEVER EVER TRAVEL AMTRAK again...the conducter treated me like a criminal trying to get away with some horrible crime....I was traveling from Alton,Il. to Springfield,Il on the train that arrives/leaves at 5:45PM at Alton...I had to pay cash as the station was closed (or so I was told)...the conducter said I should pay a penalty as the stationmaster told him I had come in earlier when he was open and didn't purchase a ticket , at that time, and he said I came in later after closing to purchase a ticket.

I have been taking the Amtrak to Chicago about once a week. If the train is 20min. late that's great. Last week the train was over 1 1/2 hrs. late, going to Chicago and also that late on my return. Try to make an appointment and get there on time! I've been informed that all the delays are because of freight trains that come first.

After our disastrous attempt to travel between Chicago and Alton Illinois, our group decided to try another direction. This time we made reservations to travel from Kirkwood, MO to Kansas City, MO.

February 23, 2007 we arrived at the Kirkwood, MO Amtrak station approximately one hour early. When presenting our tickets, the volunteer manning this station saw our destination and said "Oh." We all responded almost in unison, "You can't be serious." He then informed us that our train had been cancelled. When asked why, he did not know.

He got on the phone and came back to tell us that they were sending two buses to the Kirkwood station. One would be an express bus to Kansas City, with one stop a few miles outside of KC. The other bus would make all stops in between. We asked if we could reserve seats on the express bus, but he told us there was no way he could do that. He wasn't even sure if there were seats available on the express bus because they DON'T HAVE A COMPUTER TERMINAL at the Kirkwood station.

Having suffered through the bus substitution last year, we informed the volunteer that we were cancelling out tickets and driving to KC, which we did. I have contacted 3 different Amtrak representatives about getting our money refunded, but since vouchers were used (given to us after the March 2006 debacle) they refuse to issue a cash refund. We each have to send the unused tickets by registered mail to even get new vouchers, which would be worthless as none of us will ever travel with Amtrak again. When asked about being reimbursed for gasoline that I used in making the trip, I am simply told that Amtrak is not responsible.

Amtrak is no longer worth supporting with our tax dollars and should be de-funded. They have no reason to make their service better as there is no competition and they get millions from the government every year. It was a good idea that has never come to fruition. Let them compete in the market place, build their own tracks and update their trains at their expense, not the taxpayers.

Aside from the emotional distress and anger as this exact thing happened in March of 2006 on a trip to Chicago from Alton, IL, there was wear and tear on my vehicle plus about $60 in gasoline that came out of my pocket.

Midway through my travel despite me calling them at 9am to see if train was still running from Washington to Florida. AMTRAK cancelled my train, made no accomodations, told me I was stuck in DC until Sunday and that I would miss my cruise...They would not pay for meals, hotel , a train back to get my car or go home I wound up renting a car and they refuse to pay for that.

Besides that the train is FILTHY -- the filters where air comes out are all corroded. They don't clean the trains or the bathrooms, don't help handicapped. IT IS A VERY POOR OPERATION.

Staff untrained for routine safety procedures. Usanitary living conditions. Hostile living conditions, due to staff and management. Obvious fraudulent departure/arrival times.

Loss of three days of vacation in travel time. Fanily seperated during travel without forewarning. Two days without heat or seating due to derailing. No food or water or heat for a total of one day and a half. Trauma to a seven month pregnant women sleeping on a floor and borrowing crackers from fellow travelers for a two year old. Two days of parking fees from a company that is outsourced so as not to be redeemed by Amtrak.

I have taken Amtak from Oregon to Wisconsin on three occasions. The first two experiences were fine (but 10 years or so ago). I was able to convince my wife to take Amtrak this summer, but was a not sure that she would like it like I had as she is a light sleeper and we were traveling coach class. The trip from Oregon to Wisconsin was fine ( an hour or so late but not bad). Our bad experience came on the return trip to Oregon. We were told that we would have to leave the train at 1:30 am in Spokane to board a bus to Portland.

The explaination given was that passengers bound for Chicago needed our coach and that it was cheaper to bus us to Portland than to bus the Chicago bound passengers. When asked how a simple mathematical exercise of comparing seats available to passengers had gone wrong, no explaination was given. I couldn't understand how tickets could be sold if there were no seats available. The conductor seemed to be somewhat sympathetic but was put in a no-win situation. Needless to say my wife was quite upset with her sleep being interrupted so that Amtrak could sell more tickets than there were seats available. I was apprehensive about the ability of Amtrak to provide a bus, given their bungling of ticket sales. We are not difficult people, so we did as Amtak asked.

My wife and I missed a night's sleep due to Amtrak incompetence. The seats in the bus were small and uncomfortable and not what we paid for. I am doubtful that I (a person who is train lover) will be able to convince my wife to travel by Amtrak again as a result of this experince. We were not offered a free train ticket or a fare rebate as a result of this Amtrak error as is common in the airline industry.

On June 15,2006 my family and I boarded the Coast Starlight in Los Angeles, Amtrak's premier train. I had once taken the same route in 2000 and it had been an enjoyable experience. This last time around was horrible and I will not ride Amtrak for many reasons. When we boarded our train, we were shown our private family sleeping room. No air conditoning, the curtains were tattered, the carpet was stained, ripped, and dirty, and the blankets were filthy. We complained and were assigned another room. The air conditioner worked, but this cabin was filthy too. I had to remove the blankets as they had other people's hair enmeshed in them along with what looked like grass.

Amtrak adverstises a Kiddie Car that was non-existant on this trip so our preschooler had to make do without a place to play for two days. We were supposed to have first class accomodations and we paid $750 for that privilege. What we received was anything but. Paper plates, paper table cloths, and waiters getting into a shouting and then shoving match are not what constitute first class travel. The food was disgusting, over-microwaved, wilted lettuce, overripe tomatoes and fruit, stale bread were all horrible.

Sanitation was deplorable. The toilets kept backing up and the water in the sinks wasn't draining and the lavatories smelled foul. Human excrement was smeared onto toilet seat lids and never cleaned off.

We were due to arrive in Seattle at 8:30pm. However, by 10:30pm we had only reached Portland and we decided to detrain, rent a car, and drive the rest of the way. The train had run out of food, people were getting agitated, Amtrak employees were hostile, and sanitation was non-existant. I believe the train finally arrived in Seattle at 3am, about seven hours behind schedule.

On June 20th, we departed Seattle back to Los Angeles. After we were seated in our first class deluxe accomodations, costing us another $750, I asked if the private first class lounge car, the Pacific Parlour car, was open yet. I was offhandly informed that the Pacific Parlour car was not available, no explanation given. The attendant actually had to nerve to be angry with me for asking about the whereabouts of first class lounge car. We settled in and decided to make the best of it. At least the room was reasonably clean. Again, horrible food, poor service, hostile employees.

This time the Coast Starlight did have its Kiddie Car in tow. I took my preschooler down there to play. On the way down, I tripped and nearly fell down the stairs due to a piece of rubber stripping that had come loose. Once inside the Kiddie Car, I noticed the latch on the storage closet was broken when the door swung open as the train lurched along, striking several small children. I found a magic marker and used that to keep the latch shut. The toys were old and broken and dirty. The room smelled like urine. On the wall were decorations left over from St Patrick's Day, and mind you this was now June.

That evening I tried to bathe the children in our private shower. Barely a trickle of lukewarm water came out, and our attendant was so hostile I was afraid to complain to him. So I bathed the children as best as I could and put them to bed. Then I took my shower. I thought I had secured the latch, but as we went over yet another section of rough rail, I was thrown out of the shower and smashed against the window. My husband checked the lock and found it to be broken. Again, the train was delayed.

Because of the delay, the attendant did not want to fold the beds back up for day use because, according to him I just have to make them up again for no reason and I don't want to hurt my back for nothing. We had no first class car to lounge in and I was not about to let my preschooler play in that unsafe, filty Kiddie Car. I firmly insisted that the beds be put back up for day use and he stared daggers at me, then finally agreed to do so. My children were terrified of him, asking me why this man was so mean.

Again, toilets started backing up, food supply ran low, and tempers were short. We were supposed to arrive in Los Angeles by 9pm, but it was obvious we wouldn't arrive until the early hours of the morning. Giving me a dirty look, the attendant converted the room to sleep accomodations and I again bathed the children under that pathetic trickle of water, and put them to bed in their regular day clothes. I then packed everything up and went to bed myself.

I am glad I dressed the children in their day clothes and packed because when we finally got into Los Angeles at 4am, seven hours late, the train had no power. No electricity, no lights, no running water, no toilets, no ventilation. The only light we had to see by were the small emergency lights in the hallway. It was dangerous trying to detrain in the dark while managing my own bags, as the attendant would not help me, but my children and I did get off the train safely.

We will never again ride Amtrak. That train fails in so many different ways. Amtrak cannot keep on schedule, they cannot provide proper sanitation, they do not properly stock their food supplies, let alone prepare food properly, they do not ensure a safe environment for passengers, and their staff are rude and hostile. It has taken a month for my anger to finally abate at the horrible and unsafe trip we had with Amtrak. I now plan to write my Senator, my Represenative, and to you about how delapidated and unsafe Amtrak is. It ought to be shut down. It is a disgrace that America does not have a sophisticated interstate rail system and Amtrak only adds salt to the wound.

Amtrak's west coast operations are a disgrace. On 6/15/06 we trained from Fresno, CA to Seattle, WA, mostly on Coast Starlight 14, scheduled to depart Sacramento at 11:59PM, to arrive Seattle the following evening at 8:30 PM. The train left Sacramento over two hours late, arrived Seattle over 6 hours late. On the return trip, July 15, departed Seattle fairly close to the scheduled 10:00 AM. Was to arrive Sacramento at 6:35 AM the next morning, but actually arrived some 7 hours late...and missed, by hours, all connections to Fresno.

To add to the agony, on the return trip, the train running very behind schedule, stopped a few miles north of Sacramento with the PA announcement that the crew had worked their hours and could not take the train into the station, and a new crew was on the way by van. Other travelers and train crew members tell me that the Coast Starlight almost always runs many hours behind schedule. It is to be expected.

I urge Amtrak to adjust its schedules to reflect reality of travel time. First time travelers with friends or family waiting at the destination station would not have to wait literally hours, often in the dead of night in a less then secure location. I also urge a review of the agreement between Amtrak and Santa Fe. Apparently Amtrak is at the whim of Santa Fe and much of the chaos is a result of that relationship.

Took Acela Express from Penn Station to Rte 128 Station (outside of Boston) on 4/23. This is a reserved seating train. I took the train with my two children (ages 5 and 7). The train was oversold. Staff was totally rude and unhelpful in getting us seating. They could not comprehend why I found it so necessary to be seated in the same cabin as my children. They also tried to dissuade me from sitting in the quiet car because I had children (even though they had over sold). It took us 45 minutes to get seats. We had to wait for passengers to disembark to get seats.

Went 45 minutes on a 3.5 hour train trip in which we had reserved seats (did not get what I had paid for).

I traveled on March 21 to south Carolina, and that was a great troip. Great food etc, and even the coach seating was comfortable and nice... however......My return trip was a night from hell. I was set to depart on March 24th at 11:02pm, and did not depart till 2:00am! When I got on the train I was taken to my room, ( a deluxe sleeper) and the bed was pulled out.

I was told I would have the bed pulled out with ample walking room. I was told there would be a tv and radio access. I was also told food would be delivered to my room anytime I wanted it and that the lounge for VIP first calss was open 24/7 for me. My suitcases were going to be put in my room, THEY WERE NOT! How do you expect me to use a shower and toilet with no accessories? I was also told that the VIP lounge food was included in my trip, but I was charged 8.00 for a drink and sandwhich.

Breakfast was HORRIBLE! Eggs, bacon, and hashbrowns, BLOOD COLD. The only thing good was the coffee, but no refills at all! Is this how you treat 1st class passengers who pay 400-500 dollars for a room? When I finally set off to go to sleep at 4:00am in my "deluxe sleeper", I reached down to get my bagm, with my books in it, and it was soaking wet. I reached to get my coat and other garments, and they were SOAKED as well. I felt the entire floor and it was soaking wet and stunk of mildew!!

I pushed the call button, for the attendant about 3 times in 45 minutes, and he never came to my door. I finally went to find him , and banged on his door. He came to my room, and said they didnt know why it was leaking but they would try to get me another room. There were no more sleeper rooms so he dpwngraded me to another size. Thsi room was much much better--- however..... NONE of the reading lights woorked, the Radio earphone hook up did not work, room service was again not available in the morning for anyone, and we were told no food in our rooms!! COME ON!!! The speaker to announce arrivals weas horrible and no one would come by and make sure people knew we were stopping.

I had just come back from visiting my mom who was diagnosed with cancer. Do you think your customers need added grief and stress for your staff? I expect a response, and a refund that the conductor told me I was entitled to.

Subject to delays is not an accurate description of the lines schedule. It seems they are hitch hiking on Union Pacifics rails so have to pull off and stop everytime there is a freight train! They have absolutely no way of knowing how long your trip will take and when you will Depart or Arrive. The 10 hr trip took 17 hrs from Chemult to Sacramento (400 mi driving), and 16 hrs back.

I missed the funeral I was headed to, the whole puppose of the trip to Sacramento. 7 hrs on a 10 hr trip is far more than a delay. Now I had to turn around and pay again to suffer the trip back. The Crew must have went to a special class to be so uniformally rude. They offered nothing as you sat for hours as they crept along, not a bag of nuts or a soda- They woke me up, made me move next to an occupied seat, double up saying the needed the seats, no one ever sat in them.

I finally moved back to be confortable and six hours later they snapped at me that someone needed a seat, I would have to return to the other spot. So I had to move so this person vcould enjoy both seats I was sleeping in. NEVER will I travel Amtrak again! THEY HAVE NO BUSINESS OFFERING THE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ON SOMEONE ELSES RAILS!

I was part of a party of 4 that booked travel on Amtrak from Alton IL to Chicago IL on 3/10/06 and to return from Chicago IL to Alton IL on 3/12/06. For the return trip 3/12, on our initial boarding and seating we found the staff very pleasant and friendly, however this initial enjoyment ended quickly. The train left Chicago on time at approx 3:20 pm, but before we could get out of the city we had to stop to allow a freight train to cross at an upcoming junction. This wait was almost 3 hours and there was never an official reason for this inordinate delay.

It was rumored thru the train that the freight train had a car derail which was the cause of the delay, but nothing offricial was ever said. As we proceeded on our southwest journey, we were stopped again by a severe weather warning which included tornado watches and we remained motionless for even more hours, again with no update on conditions or a time frame that we might expect to resume. Hours later we resumed our journey and were told that track spotters needed to be used to ensure that the tracks ahead of us were clear, but no one knew what a track spotter was. This further delayed our trip as the train could not reach it's normal speed and there was an inordinate amount of non train station stops that were also not explained.

At approx 3 am the next morning we stopped a third time and were told that a power line was down across the tracks ahead of us and we had to wait for the power company to remove the line before we could move. Again, no mention as to where we were or how long we could expect to remain motionless. By 7 am we still had not moved, but we were told that the power company would have the tracks clear "any minute".

At approx 9:30 am the train began slow backward movement and the car we were travelling on stopped at an intersection where 4 charter buses were now parked. With no advance warning those of us travelling to Alton were told that one of the buses was to take us the rest of the way and that we had to get off the train immediately. This caused no small amount of confusion as approx 80 people had to gather their personal belongings and "de-train" at the same time. We finally arrived at the Alton IL station at 11 am, approximately 19.5 hours after we left Chicago for what was advertised as a 4 hr 36 min journey.

At no time during this delay was any accomodation made to the passengers. Dinner and breakfast still had to be paid for even though not budgeted for our trip back. Soft drinks and water also still had to be purchased rather than offered complimentary to make up for the delay and the fact we had no place to go. I had wondered if Amtrak would make any type of offer to make up for this ordeal. Perhaps a refund on the ticket price. Perhaps a voucher for a future trip one way to Chicago. Maybe even a voucher for a discount on our next Amtrak purchase.

What we ended up with was an apology and then told to get off the train immediately. Whereas I realize that the delays due to weather were unavoidable by Amtrak, their complete lack of communication to the passengers and not making any accomodations to passenger comfort was unexcuseable. Passengers sitting on a train for hours need to have frequent updates on what is going on as not knowing only increases the frustration and the tension between them and the train staff. If travel plans are going to change, i.e. the use of buses, advance notice needs to be given rather than waiting to the last minute to tell passengers to get off. For my next trip to Chicago, I would rather drive myself and pay the exorbitant hotel overnite parking fees before even considering using Amtrak ever again. The absolute least that could have been done was to provide bottled water gratis, but they did nothing.

Not only did I have to wait for an hour in Baltimore for a new engine to replace a faulty engine, but when I reached my stop at Trenton, the doors did not open. I rushed to another car and that door didn't open either. I had to go to Metropark before getting a return train to my stop. It added an extra 40 minutes to my already delayed trip, and it caused me extreme mental anguish and physical discomfort. I have arthritis and having to rush to make another train was unbearable.

I was reading about your Amtrak complaints and it brought back alot of memories. I was employed by Amtrak for four years in the early 90's when I got out of the navy in the onboard service department. I worked mostly the overnight trains out of DC and I have to say that I can relate to all of the complaints. The majority of employees couldn't have cared less about the passengers or providing decent service. The union was so strong you could get away with anything and not worry about losing your job. I still have a folder full of letters I received from passengers thanking me for the service I provided.

I quit several months after I was made a acting onboard supervisor. I was promoted after 3 1/2 years because of the service I provided and my fellow senior employees hated me because of this. I finally got tired of the politics and the union and quit. Amtrak will never suceed until they are able to break the union and fire the bad apples.

I had an Amtrak train booked for a trip to the snow with my wife and 3-year-old daughter. We wanted to take a scenic train trip through snow-covered mountains. The night before we were to leave, Amtrak called to say the trip back was going to be all on buses. I cancelled the return trip and had to book last-minute air and ground transportation at substantial cost.

The train arrived 1 hour late, without warning. It was re-routed several times. We were scheduled to arrive in Reno at 4:30 p.m. but didn't arrive until almost 11 p.m. By the time the train was in the mountains, it was pitch black outside, so the only scenery we say was people's back yards in Stockton. When we arrived in Reno there was an announcment that we had stopped on the wrong tracks, but that we were to get out anyway. There was a very long drop from the train to the ground, with large sharp rocks below.

A small metal stepstool was placed under the train. It soon got slippery and icy. My daughter slipped on the step, falling face-first into the rocks and getting injured. No staff were anywhere near to supervise.

On December 26th I boarded the train in San Diego, California bound for Ventura, California. We were informed prior to reaching Los Angeles that we would have to get off the train at Norwalk and take buses to LA. The train was fully loaded with holiday passengers. I was seated in the lower portion for elderly and handicapped persons and there were many people there who were having a hard time exiting the train. We were told that they were working on the tracks and so thought that this was an emergency situation.

There were many buses waiting and many of the elderly and handicapped people were having difficulty getting around, i.e. hearing problems and not understanding what was going on, vision problems, difficulty walking and carrying their luggage when not expecting to have to do this etc. Also there was a Mexican man who did not speak English and did not understand why he had to exit the train. When we got on the bus the driver told us they always do maintenance work on the holidays as there is less traffic then. However, when we got back on the train a woman who was on another bus told us that her bus driver said it was because they had to do paper work before the end of the year so they could get paid.

mergency this should be done at another time. I ride the trains several times a year and so am familiar with what should be going on. I believe this should be looked into by the Amtrak officials.

On October 31, I picked up my packages that were to go to West Palm Beach, because the train was not running, I delivered the packages myself. I turned in the receipt for the payment of $34.00 and I was told the refund would have to mailed. I have not received it yet.

I tried to buy ticket from Los Angeles to Las Vegas with ISIC (Student International Identity Card) discount 15%. But everybody was trying to convinced me that I have no discount. I talk to cashier then to Customer Service and even to manager on duty (Frank Chevez). I lost all day to prove my right. Eventually I had to find internet access and made and print on-line reservation with ISIC discount. Still they were trying to convince me that I'm stupid and I'm cheating putting something to internet what doesn't exist (that was so stupid that couldn't believe...)

Eventually the manager during my second visit called somewhere and found out that I was right. After all he said "OK" he didn't even want to apologize.

I boarded the southbound train at Raleigh, NC. I told the conducter that I had recently had a quadruple heart surgery and I needed a window seat, with privacy. I also said I have a hearing problem and that the VA is providing a hearing aid solution. He (the conductor) asked me "do you have two tickets?"

Later, because the train had lost several hours, we stopped at Winter Haven. Instead of traveing to Tampa, as originally scheduled, the Tampa and Winter Park Passengers were to disembark at Winter Haven. Because of my hearing problem, I didn't hear the cxhanges. The conductor said a nasty remark, when I disembarked, a remark not to be repeated. I resented it. I expect professionalism, not racism.

On Tuesday, October 4th, I was on my way home from New York aboard Amtraks Regional # 127. Things had gone reasonably well until we stopped and lost all power just north of Edgewood, Maryland. I waited with other passengers for the trip to continue, until conductors asked everyone to leave the train and walk the quarter mile or so to the next platform.

So off we went, jumping down from the last step to the rail bed below, suitcases in hand. We stumbled along the giant rocks as best we could, some making the trek better than others.

I have written to Amtrak requesting a voucher good for another trip on the Northeast Corridor, preferably with no unscheduled side-trips.