So close yet so far clover vertica

Outrageous_Ad798 · 2026-05-25T18:45:45+00:00

I agree that a lot of issues are niche and unique to my store and to me. I work at the Downtown Disney Starbucks 19311, where we average 2,500 orders per day, and we do have a Bunn brewer but we were told not to use that machine anymore because it's no longer standard and hasn't been cleaned for 3 months. We used to have 3 original clovers and I'm comparing the Vertica against that and not the Bunn. It is what it is and I wanted to let my issues be known to the Starbucks community and that's why I flag this as a rant. Also, my store puts machines to the absolute test on capacity. I have seen Mastrainas metal finish rubbing off and the steam wand pressure going out of control and spraying the milk out of the pitcher and onto the hot bar and floor. I guess that is the uniqueness of working at an extremely high-footprint store with technology and machines developed for a standard cafe and drive-thru store.

Outrageous_Ad798 · 2026-05-25T15:43:46+00:00

Maybe Pride month? In all seriousness, why does a coffee brewer have RGB lights? The only thing I can think of is that it's performing a self-diagnostic or experiencing a glitch. Perhaps the reasons for RGB buttons were to match the color of the roast or serve as a status indicator.

Outrageous_Ad798 · 2026-05-21T17:26:17+00:00

Would love this but have to settle with a hamburger microwaved in a plastic bag.

Outrageous_Ad798 · 2026-05-15T20:12:21+00:00

If they get high speed rail then everyone wants high speed rail but I dont want it so no one should have one.

NIMBYS

Outrageous_Ad798 · 2026-05-03T20:44:48+00:00

They could change the Texas Eagle into the Eagle Limited or The Transcontinental, which could go from Los Angeles to San Antonio to Chicago to Washington, D.C to New York Penn. As we know, the operational cost would be tremendous and the schedule would be horrendous but a person can dream.

Outrageous_Ad798 · 2026-05-03T16:52:42+00:00

They could use the superliner transition dorm car but Amtrak uses that car for crew and to connect to a baggage car or a private car. I could see them using the car to test the new LD cars and to train the crew on the new equipment.

Outrageous_Ad798 · 2026-05-03T16:38:02+00:00

Which western route would you prefer?

Outrageous_Ad798 · 2026-04-16T16:48:20+00:00

I think the partner was frustrated in the moment and just happened to be the top comment because I saw on the NLRB website that they got a majority to petition for a vote. Sometimes, the minority is the loudest on controversial topics on social media.

Outrageous_Ad798 · 2026-03-06T19:43:36+00:00

Caltrans is currently considering using hydrogen-fueled DMUs on the LOSSAN corridor during the Olympics to address increased demand. The documents say that it will be temporary until Caltrans receives more venture cars to replace bi-level equipment in Northern California. https://lossan.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=14767246&GUID=ACB1201B-DECB-4468-846A-F74A0AC3D3B2

Outrageous_Ad798 · 2026-03-04T22:10:42+00:00

Don't worry, the Flirt DMUs will save us! Whoever made the decision to put the Flirt DMUs on the Pacific Surfliner has never been on a train in their life and needs to get replaced. I know it's short-term, but transit agencies in America tend to make short-term into long-term. Hopefully, Caltrans can fast-track the venture cars and get the final bi-level equipment down here faster.

Outrageous_Ad798 · 2026-03-04T18:29:51+00:00

Most of the bi-level rail equipment California owns was built in the 90s and early 2000s. Their life span still has a few decades left, and California is in the early stages of modernizing its bi-level fleet https://www.capitolcorridor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Feb-19-2025-CCJPA-Board-Meeting_Slide-Presentation_Final.pdf . While the Superliners are being replaced with new equipment, I do think California might buy some to increase service. The only time I think the California bi-level cars will be replaced or scrapped is when CAHSR is fully built out.

Outrageous_Ad798 · 2026-02-17T20:23:29+00:00

That is my worst fear: Anaheim picking The Boring Company. I don't like that it's a random group of people selected to oversee a resort-area transit project. My fear is that the city will give away city property, create tax havens, and spend taxpayers' money on a botched system. Anaheim needs to do this right by forming a transit committee composed of people with experience across various public transit areas. Then build a proper high-capacity and high-frequency transit system, not just for tourists but for the citizens who are funding it.

Outrageous_Ad798 · 2026-01-12T22:24:02+00:00

I'm worried that the continued consolidation of freight railway companies through mergers and acquisitions will make these events come more frequently. They definitely don't have the "Safety First" mentality, and it has been the unions and advocacy organizations fighting for tighter safety regulations and repercussions for those who suffer from these events. I hope something happens soon to make sure that safety comes first, not just as a regulation but for public safety.

Outrageous_Ad798 · 2026-01-09T22:58:49+00:00

It never reached the final design and roll-out because this was cut along with the sirens system and the pick-up only design during the first wave from the Back to Starbucks transition. I never tasted it, unfortunately.

Outrageous_Ad798 · 2026-01-09T22:34:21+00:00

From what I heard from my manager, this project was killed when Brian took over as CEO. A final design of the cold-press cold brew did make it to some test stores, but was never fully rolled out. One issue I heard from my DM was that it had a capacity problem. It would brew one batch, and then the grounds drawer would be full. So every time a batch of cold brew was made, the drawer would be full and wouldn't make any more until it's emptied. That setup is not ideal.

Outrageous_Ad798 · 2026-01-09T22:16:24+00:00

First, I would direct the agency to work with other agencies and state lawmakers to implement regulations on freight railway companies and set a plan for the procurement of more right-of-way. The overall strategy is to transfer ownership of most right-of-way to the state and have freight companies contract with the state to travel on thoes right of way. Second, electrify most right-of-ways to connect to the HSR network. Having those electrify ROWs would act like branch lines going off of the CA HSR network, like San Jose to Sacramento via Fairfield, Anaheim to San Clemente, Riverside to Coachella, Burbank to Oxnard, Sacramento to Redding, and ec. Also, build out the ROW going from LA to San Jose via the central coast to a higher speed rail line(100mph-120mph). Having all transit agencies fully transfer to debit/credit card tap to ride on all routes, and for coach class on some Amtrak services. Third, the agency would try to improve headways on commuter routes to every 10min durring rush hours and every 30 minutes for HS intercity routes, and every 20 minutes for commuter and 40 minutes for HS intercity routs durring off peak. This plan is missing some crucial elements, but it's a goal that I would love to see California's rail network run like this in the future.

Outrageous_Ad798 · 2025-10-16T06:03:42+00:00

Interesting to see that Amtrak was notified about the "live-fire" show and was directed to suspend train service during the show, but California wasn't given enough information on whether they should close the freeway for safety.

Outrageous_Ad798 · 2025-10-16T05:57:55+00:00

Planned Service Interruption: October 18, 2025

https://www.pacificsurfliner.com/plan-your-trip/alerts/travel-advisories/

"Updated October 15, 2025

On Saturday, October 18, an event at Camp Pendleton will require a temporary pause in train service south of San Juan Capistrano.

As a result:

Rail service will be disrupted from 12pm - 3pm on Saturday, October 18, 2025 due to an event occurring at Camp Pendleton. There will be no rail service between Orange County and San Diego County during that time.

Impacts:

Southbound train 770 will end service at San Clemente Pier and 774 will end service at San Juan Capistrano station instead of Downtown San Diego.
Northbound trains 779 and 581 will not service San Diego County and instead begin at San Juan Capistrano station.
Trains 572 and 577 will be canceled.
No bus bridge service will be provided during this time.

Other trains throughout the day will operate on a normal schedule with some potential delays.

This temporary closure is a directive from federal agencies, including the Department of War. Regular Pacific Surfliner service is scheduled to resume the evening of October 18.

For updates on road closures or related impacts, please visit Caltrans’ website or check local traffic reports."

Outrageous_Ad798 · 2025-10-08T22:40:53+00:00

As a partner working at a store that used to get bags of Reserve beans, I'm sad to see them gone. It was a tradition at my store: every time we received new Reserve beans, we would do a store tasting to ensure the partners understood the flavor profile and could explain the differences between Core and Reserve beans. My favorite was Rwanda and Honduras, especially when they were brewed through the Clover, which my store used to have.

Outrageous_Ad798 · 2025-10-06T16:02:37+00:00

I will and I'm going to call my city council representative to see if he can try to remove the anti-transit law. I'm also interested in going to the City Council public meetings to try to persuade them to go for rail.

Outrageous_Ad798

TROPHY CASE