by marquisofmississauga
Firstly, I'm somewhat concerned about the above postings in relation to poor staff attitudes. While I am certainly no apologist for VIA when things aren't up to par, I have to say I've been lucky in that the vast majority of staff I've encountered in the last 20 years have been very polite. There are a few grouches I remember well from the Canadian and the Ocean, but they have retired - not a minute too soon - or in the case of younger people, they have found a job they like better. Service issues have centred around Activity Coordinators on the Canadian or Learning Coordinators on the Ocean not having any interest in their jobs - and there are very few with that attitude. I don't for a minute doubt what anyone says about their experiences, so it must be the luck of the draw.
Regarding bilingualism, there are some occasions on the off-peak Chaleur and Ocean when most of the former and many of the passengers on the latter are Francophones. Although English is willingly spoken by the crew, announcements are sometimes made only in French. I was travelling with a group of friends on the Chaleur about a year ago when we encountered some serious problems. At the Grand Riveiere station, which was as far as we were going by train, and later at Campbellton, announcements were made in French. I know enough French that the words "autobus" and "pas de voiture lits" strike fear in the heart of any train travel fan. For the benefit of my friends who understand less French than I do, I have had to ask for announcements to be repeated in English. I don't think this is a problem during the peak season when there are many tourists aboard.
The requirement of bilingual on-board staff has caused problems in Winnipeg, the principal crew centre for the Canadian. There have been times when insufficient bilingual staff can be hired for the peak-consist season (which is about six months long) so the trains sometimes run understaffed. VIA will not back down on this requirement, so I am told by a service manager friend of mine. So three summers ago there was a severe shortage and one dining car steward - one of the finest VIA employees - took early retirement in disgust because he could not provide a first-class experience in his diner.
Regarding the dome lights, I made enquiries of my SM friend about the official policy in answer to this question on another forum. The dome lights in coach class Skyline cars are to be left on, but off in first class Skyline and Park cars. My friend told me of employees (who were trying to be nice to passengers who made enquiries) being disciplined for turning off coach lights in the Skyline dome when outrages have occurred. I will leave it to your imagination on what was involved, but I have been told of several incidents involving alcohol, drugs and, if I may be permitted a quaint old expression, "pleasures of the flesh."
I have noticed a lot of cosmetic refurbishing on the Budd equipment. Most of the sleepers I have been in or walked through have had new carpeting and in many cases new upholstery and wallpaper in the rooms.
Regarding bilingualism, there are some occasions on the off-peak Chaleur and Ocean when most of the former and many of the passengers on the latter are Francophones. Although English is willingly spoken by the crew, announcements are sometimes made only in French. I was travelling with a group of friends on the Chaleur about a year ago when we encountered some serious problems. At the Grand Riveiere station, which was as far as we were going by train, and later at Campbellton, announcements were made in French. I know enough French that the words "autobus" and "pas de voiture lits" strike fear in the heart of any train travel fan. For the benefit of my friends who understand less French than I do, I have had to ask for announcements to be repeated in English. I don't think this is a problem during the peak season when there are many tourists aboard.
The requirement of bilingual on-board staff has caused problems in Winnipeg, the principal crew centre for the Canadian. There have been times when insufficient bilingual staff can be hired for the peak-consist season (which is about six months long) so the trains sometimes run understaffed. VIA will not back down on this requirement, so I am told by a service manager friend of mine. So three summers ago there was a severe shortage and one dining car steward - one of the finest VIA employees - took early retirement in disgust because he could not provide a first-class experience in his diner.
Regarding the dome lights, I made enquiries of my SM friend about the official policy in answer to this question on another forum. The dome lights in coach class Skyline cars are to be left on, but off in first class Skyline and Park cars. My friend told me of employees (who were trying to be nice to passengers who made enquiries) being disciplined for turning off coach lights in the Skyline dome when outrages have occurred. I will leave it to your imagination on what was involved, but I have been told of several incidents involving alcohol, drugs and, if I may be permitted a quaint old expression, "pleasures of the flesh."
I have noticed a lot of cosmetic refurbishing on the Budd equipment. Most of the sleepers I have been in or walked through have had new carpeting and in many cases new upholstery and wallpaper in the rooms.