We’re taking the Auto Train later this month. We’ve got a sleeper compartment and I have a couple of questions.
1) The sleeper compartment has two electrical outlets. Is the power safe for electronics, i.e. a small netbook, a tablet, or a phone charger?
2) Tipping the attendant(s). I know the crew changes in Florence. Do I tip both sets of attendants, i.e. the evening and morning attendants? When do I tip, and what is a normal tip? Also what about in tipping in the dining car?
Thanks for your guidance to this train newbie.
1) Yes, it should be. Just to be sure, you should invest in a surge protector -- but you probably should do that anywhere you don't have assured house power.
Frequency may deviate, but the days most appliances rely on it for precise speed are long over.
2) Be kind, and reward good service if you get it. I don't 'hold' with the tipping schedule 'caringly provided' in each room of a place like the Pines in the Catskills, in a society where men boast bout how much they paid, retail, to estblish how 'big' they are. I just don't know the going rate for car service tht's 'ordinary' -- use your normal waiter rate in the diner, say 20-25% for the guys actually doing work, less for stewards etc. -- and the cook will probably apprreciate a little something along with a kind word about his food.
That's just my take, YMMV.
drewmcdaniel We’re taking the Auto Train later this month. We’ve got a sleeper compartment and I have a couple of questions. 1) The sleeper compartment has two electrical outlets. Is the power safe for electronics, i.e. a small netbook, a tablet, or a phone charger? 2) Tipping the attendant(s). I know the crew changes in Florence. Do I tip both sets of attendants, i.e. the evening and morning attendants? When do I tip, and what is a normal tip? Also what about in tipping in the dining car? Thanks for your guidance to this train newbie.
Only the train Operating Crew changes at Florence. The service crew opeates the complete trip. Porters, cooks, waiters etc. run through from Lorton to Sanford.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
When you get back tell us about your trip.
drewmcdaniel We’re taking the Auto Train later this month. We’ve got a sleeper compartment and I have a couple of questions. 1) The sleeper compartment has two electrical outlets. Is the power safe for electronics, i.e. a small netbook, a tablet, or a phone charger?
Yes, I have used it to charge my phone without problems as well as charge my laptop. On some trips they will cut power to the train and restore it. They do so on the Texas Eagle when they add a car or remove a car from the train at St. Louis. It didn't seem to surge and I left my laptop plugged in. My guess is the HEP unit has the surge protection built in being a generator and that the regular train equipment like in the kitchen is on the same circuit. You can do the same with your house for $200 at the fusebox with a whole house surge protector and save yourself a lot of money with those $100 a pop power strips.
2) Tipping the attendant(s). I know the crew changes in Florence. Do I tip both sets of attendants, i.e. the evening and morning attendants? When do I tip, and what is a normal tip? Also what about in tipping in the dining car? Thanks for your guidance to this train newbie.
If it was me, I wouldn't worry about the crew shift and I would pay the attendant as I left the train at the final stop.. Up to you. If the attendant that leaves the train makes a lot of ruckus on the PA about leaving the train and a new guy taking over.......obviously he is hinting. I do $10 a night for sleeping car attendents and 20% in the diner cash......even if I am on a voucher.
Seriously making up your bed is about all the attendant does and it's not that much trouble as the bed is already pre-made. He/She just flops it on the seats after converting them to a bed. Then in the morning he puts it back in place again in the upper bunk. Only other job is keeping the lavatory clean and ensuring you have a safe trip.
CMStPnP Seriously making up your bed is about all the attendant does and it's not that much trouble as the bed is already pre-made. He/She just flops it on the seats after converting them to a bed. Then in the morning he puts it back in place again in the upper bunk. Only other job is keeping the lavatory clean and ensuring you have a safe trip.
Seriously making up your bed is about all the attendant does and it's not that much trouble as the bed is already pre-made.
And just who do you think 'pre-makes' the beds?
Yes, Balt, you have a good question to be answered by someone who has never traveled in a sleeper--I do not doubt that you, as well as many others who have traveled thus, know that the berths are made up by the attendant whose passengers slept in the berths. Many a time I have watched the attendant remake the berth I slept in.
On my last trip, I had a roomette from Chicago to Salt Lake City, and I had to lie down several times during the day. The seat did not want to move as it was supposed to move, and I had to call for the attendant's service each time--and he did not object at all to helping me thus. The attendants also will bring you things you need, as well as making the berths down for the night, and putting them back up in the morning. Perhaps, I have had more industrious attendants than some other travelers have had?
Johnny
DeggestyPerhaps, I have had more industrious attendants than some other travelers have had?
Johnny,
I doubt that the sleeping car attendants you have had are any more industrious than any others. I don't have a lot of experience in sleeping cars but to the extent that I have the attendant was always there ready to do anything I asked without question.
John
John, once in a great while, I have had an attendant who could not be found except when he apparently felt he really should be in evidence. The last such one looked after the sleeper on the Cardinal a few years ago when my wife and I rode from Chicago to Washington. And, I have had a few who would stop by, if the door was open, to ask if I or we needed anything.
I have only rarely traveled in sleeping cards but I do have my rare experiences. For me personally finding an attendant if I needed one was never a problem.
Thanks to everypne for for the useful information. Will let everyone know how the trip went later this month.
Drew,
Enjoy your vacation.
The only crew members who change at Florence are the two conductors and the head-end crew in the engine (none of whom you would tip). All of the passenger attendants remain for the full run (they live in Northern Virginia, work the southbound run, rest a few hours, and work the northbound run.) So, you only tip once. For me, when riding in a private compartment I tip $20 for good service. I also leave a couple of dollars on the table at dinnertime. I normally don't tip for the continental breakfast. (The tips in the dining cars are pooled amongst the staff).
As for the power outlet, it should be safe for electronics. I've never heard of anyone "frying" their electronics because they used the outlet.
For more tips on riding the Auto Train, I suggest you visit the unofficial but highly informative Auto Train Riders Guide that you will find on the "On-Track-On-Line" website.
My wife and I use the Auto Train on a regular basis and always use the delux cabin. We have never had bad attendant service. The electrical outlets are fine for electronic(s) use. We've used them for CD, DVD, cell phones and laptops. If for some reason you can't use the dinning car they will bring your dinner / breakfast to you.
We typically tip the car attendant $10 at the end of the run be it Sanford or Lorton. The dinner wait staff usually gets $6 and $4 for breakfast.
Hope you have a good trip.
P.S. If the train is late it's usually CSX that's the problem.
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