That's not really what I'm interested in when trying to enjoy/share a meal.
Much of the social problems in the Zephyr's dining car are created by Amtrak. I'm not sure if it was this way pre-covid, but presently only sleeper car passengers have dining car access. It could be another form of skimpflation. But the current experience on that train is highly segregated coach vs. sleeper car passengers. This selects for a specific demographic in the dining car.
The socializing is much healthier and more diverse in the lounge car where all passengers have access, and you get to choose where you sit and have freedom to move around at will.
What goes on in the dining car today is a complete shit show.
(I rode the Zephyr between IL and CA four times this year, twice in coach and twice in a sleeper (two round trips))
Much of the social problems in the Zephyr's dining car are created by Amtrak. I'm not sure if it was this way pre-covid, but presently only sleeper car passengers have dining car access. It could be another form of skimpflation. But the current experience on that train is highly segregated coach vs. sleeper car passengers. This selects for a specific demographic in the dining car.
The socializing is much healthier and more diverse in the lounge car where all passengers have access, and you get to choose where you sit and have freedom to move around at will.
What goes on in the dining car today is a complete shit show.
(I rode the Zephyr between IL and CA four times this year, twice in coach and twice in a sleeper (two round trips))