As some of you know, or don't know, I recently got a job (Hooray!) working for Amtrak as a Service Attendant/Train Attendant. This double-barreled job description means I am expected to do two different functions: serving food on dining cars (Service Attendant) and working as a coach attendant in coach cars (Train Attendant). I'm still in training (no pun) but I like it already. I have been to Reno once and Bakersfield twice.
My first trip was on the California Zephyr, which runs from San Francisco (actually, Emeryville) to Chicago. I was only aboard to Reno, where most of the passengers were getting off anyway. I worked as a coach attendant, getting people pillows, keeping track of where people were, and (my favorite) telling them where to get off. It's a great opportunity to help people, and I enjoyed it very much. The next day I worked from Reno back to the Oakland Base, this time helping serve lunch in the dining car, and then helping out as a coach attendant.
It's great staying overnight in Reno. While there is no activity in the Ramada, where they put us up, it is only a block or three from all the action, and the rooms are very nice. I went to a casino where I played craps for the first time. I figured I could afford to lose $25, so that was my limit. I played, but my coworkers, who were with me, got tired, so I cashed out and went home--$2.50 richer. Wow!
Bakersfield is another thing entirely--and a lot more dangerous to my pocketbook. I went down, and got a ride with a co-worker to the Super-Eight Motel (Amtrak's choice), which, believe me, is no Ramada. It is not for nothing that the destination designation for Bakersfield is "BFD." The only things to do in the area are fast food places and a Barnes and Noble around the corner. I ended up dropping $54.00 on books.
I leave for another jaunt to Reno tomorrow. I think I'll have fun. Starting February I will probably be working the "Fun Trains" going to Reno on the weekends, which means that I will be footloose all day Saturday in Reno. I think I'll be able to hold on to my money--unless, of course, there's a good bookstore in the area. If there is, I'll just hide out in the casino--at least there I've got a chance...
Copyright © 1998, 2003 Paul C. Pinkosh
Revised --May 6, 2003
URL: http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Station/1178
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