photobug56 wrote: ↑Sun Sep 19, 2021 1:45 am
Union, no at MCDE. But rent, super high. But I'm thinking that the way the Cafe works, well ,doesn't work. Most of the space in the car goes to the waiting line. And I never saw more than one person behind the counter, which just doesn't work. And as I've noted, if you are going to use frozen food and nuke it, at least get some decent frozen food. And maybe hot AIR fryers for a few things (I get that a deep fryer wouldn't work well).
The attitude I saw - we're paid by the hour, we could care less what we slop out and how long it takes. But in this discussion we've heard of Cafe car staff who do care. What makes the difference?
What makes the difference?? Training?? Nope we all received the same training. I will bet my 20 something year old manual is very similar to today's LSA manual. Its all about the attitude of the person behind the counter. If you take the example of the LSA I spoke of with the checked paper liners, napkins and such into each carry out box he doesn't have to do it. He does it because it is an effort to make your food look more appealing. Something a little extra to make you feel special.
Now we will go to the opposite side of the spectrum. First of two examples, this person is no longer with the company. Early morning train car is set up and "open" however he was no where to be found. Why, because he was always asleep. When he was awake far more time was spent reading comic books and acting bothered when someone came to the counter than actually selling product. We later found out he was also in business for himself.
Two of the biggest rules on Amtrak don't "F" with the money!! Don't "F" with the women!! He managed to accomplish both.
Second example, I don't know whatever happened to this LSA. I was working a protect job and got on the train in UCA heading back to ALB. Took a seat with the conductors and noticed everybody that went to the cafe was coming back empty handed. Weird, so I asked the conductor whats going on who by the way is also a former LSA. He said go check it out.
There she sat at a table looking very unprofessional with fuzzy pink slippers on her feet. Yes that is correct fuzzy pink slippers. Tucked my ID into my pocket asked for a cup of coffee was told IM ON BREAK. Ok when will you re open? AFTER ALBANY. That folks is about an hour and 20 min away. Went back sat down shook my head. He look at me and said its been that way since SYR. That on good day 2hours and 30 min.
He called her boss and informed her of such. She didn't care, in that situation you could close the car. BUT the song and dance you may have to go through may not be worth it. There are no replacement LSA along the route you have what you have. So you can see its all about the quality of the person just like anywhere else...