Checking in luggage procedures

So first time train trip in less than 2 weeks going from Southern California to Cincinati Ohio. I will be going from Orange County to LA union station, switching to the SWC to take it to Chicago, switching there to th Cardinal to Ohio.

I was thinking of baggage, and since I will be traveling coach, I am trying to travel smart.

I would like to check my main two big bags in at the beginning of the trip and pick them up at the end in Cinci.

I have travelled via airplane, so am comfortable with checking in my bags on the airline and picking them up at the baggage claim carousel or on my plane ramp as I get off the plane.

How does it all work with the train? Where do you check your bags at? (Gate/desk/ramp)? Where do you pick it up at? (Baggage claim area, door of the train, or elsewhere)?

How reliable is Amtrak on transferring your bags between trains when you check your bags in with your first train? I actually have had very good luck with this issue with connecting flights, only needing to have my bags delivered to my house a couple of time when they ended up on later flights.

I figure to only carry two carryons, one for personal toiletry items, a single change of clothing, and my various electronics, maybe some refreshments.

Am I being reasonable for a multi day trip like this?

Thanks

When checking bags, most times you check them in at the ticket window. (There may be exceptions - like in NYC you check them in at the luggage room.) To retrieve them, different stations do it differently. Some are right off the luggage cart, some are at the counter, some areat the luggage room. I've never been to CIN so I do not know how it's done there. But most importantly, KEEP YOUR CLAIM CHECK!

You will need it to retrieve your bags. Amtrak compares the number on the bag and claim check before you leave.

Enjoy your trip!

Not all stations or Pacific Surfliners provide checked baggage service. Assuming you are departing from a station and on a Pacific Surfliner that provides checked baggage service, you will check it at the ticket window, all the way through to Cincinnati. For example Fullerton is an "old fashion" former Santa Fe station with a ticket window and baggage scale. They will weigh your bags (50 lb limit) and give you a claim check. Amtrak does require a claim check to claim your bags.

When claiming your baggage at larger stations like L.A. there are airport-like turntables. At small stations like Flagstaff, AZ, it is claimed right off the baggage cart. I'm not familiar with Cincinnati.

On connections, I just went through LA on Monday with a very late arriiving SWC connecting to the Coast Starlight to Portland. There was a 15 minute window between trains. Our bags were transferred at LA and arrived with us in Portland. So if you make your CHI connection, there is a good chance your baggage will. In my experience Amtrak has a good reputation gets the baggage to your final destination with you.

Your plan sounds very reasonable to me. Have a great trip!

the_traveler said:

(There may be exceptions - like in NYC you check them in at the luggage room.)

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PHL, Philly's 30th Street Station, works that way too.

dragonlady said:

I figure to only carry two carryons, one for personal toiletry items, a single change of clothing, and my various electronics, maybe some refreshments.

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You will not have access to your checked luggage at any time if you check them all the way to CIN.

Thanks everyone for the information and encouragement. I know this will be an adventure. I had not expected to be able to access the checked bags during the trip, one reason for the small change in cloths, as I really don't want to be one of those stinky people only half way through the trip.

I heard a change of spare shirt/under wears/etc clothing in a ziplock is the way to go since I will be able to do a sink wash, and then place the stinky old cloths into my ziplock.

I don't want to carry too much, though I did hear that with your selected seat you can leave your pile there while wondering the train for food/restroom/views.

At LAX and SEA they do weigh your luggage when you check it...had to remove a couple of items to get the bag under 50 pounds!

All checked bags at all stations are weighed. There's a 50 pound limit per bag, and it is not cumulative. If you have 2 bags where 1 weights 60 pounds and the other 27 pounds, you have 2 choices. Either transfer some items between bags or leave the 60 pound bag, as it will not be accepted until it is below the limit. (There are no "excess weight" charges like on airlines.)

On the Chief the cars have a large luggage section on the lower level.

amtkstn said:

On the Chief the cars have a large luggage section on the lower level.

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As do all Superliners

the_traveler said:

All checked bags at all stations are weighed. There's a 50 pound limit per bag, and it is not cumulative. If you have 2 bags where 1 weights 60 pounds and the other 27 pounds, you have 2 choices. Either transfer some items between bags or leave the 60 pound bag, as it will not be accepted until it is below the limit. (There are no "excess weight" charges like on airlines.)

Click to expand...

Really?? I wonder why the airlines allow to be paid more for a overweight bag and Amtrak just says no?? Weight is more critical on a airline then in a baggage car. Unless it is more of a concern for Amtrak workers getting hurt moving the luggage??

Bruce-SSR

Silver Star rider said:

the_traveler said:

All checked bags at all stations are weighed. There's a 50 pound limit per bag, and it is not cumulative. If you have 2 bags where 1 weights 60 pounds and the other 27 pounds, you have 2 choices. Either transfer some items between bags or leave the 60 pound bag, as it will not be accepted until it is below the limit. (There are no "excess weight" charges like on airlines.)

Click to expand...

Really?? I wonder why the airlines allow to be paid more for a overweight bag and Amtrak just says no?? Weight is more critical on a airline then in a baggage car. Unless it is more of a concern for Amtrak workers getting hurt moving the luggage??

Bruce-SSR

Click to expand...

Yes, Amtrak's policy is for the employees who have to lift the bags.

I once had a bag weigh 51 pounds... The agent at SEA made me take something out to get it below 50. Same trip same bag and EMY didn't care that it was 51 and IIRC when I checked my bag on VIA Rail it weighed something like 55 and they waived the extra weight fee cause their was a problem with our reservation.

VIA Rail in both Montreal and Toronto was very picky about bag weight. I guess it must depend on who is checking you in.

This was in Jasper. Although it was in 2007 and it's possible that fee doesn't exist anymore.

AmtrakBlue said:

Silver Star rider said:

the_traveler said:

All checked bags at all stations are weighed. There's a 50 pound limit per bag, and it is not cumulative. If you have 2 bags where 1 weights 60 pounds and the other 27 pounds, you have 2 choices. Either transfer some items between bags or leave the 60 pound bag, as it will not be accepted until it is below the limit. (There are no "excess weight" charges like on airlines.)

Click to expand...

Really?? I wonder why the airlines allow to be paid more for a overweight bag and Amtrak just says no?? Weight is more critical on a airline then in a baggage car. Unless it is more of a concern for Amtrak workers getting hurt moving the luggage??

Bruce-SSR

Click to expand...

Yes, Amtrak's policy is for the employees who have to lift the bags.

Click to expand...

For the benefit of baggage handlers, my 49 pound bag was tagged "Heavy" on the Coast Starlight last week and again yesterday. Had to remove a pound or so before it got checked.

FrensicPic said:

AmtrakBlue said:

Silver Star rider said:

the_traveler said:

All checked bags at all stations are weighed. There's a 50 pound limit per bag, and it is not cumulative. If you have 2 bags where 1 weights 60 pounds and the other 27 pounds, you have 2 choices. Either transfer some items between bags or leave the 60 pound bag, as it will not be accepted until it is below the limit. (There are no "excess weight" charges like on airlines.)

Click to expand...

Really?? I wonder why the airlines allow to be paid more for a overweight bag and Amtrak just says no?? Weight is more critical on a airline then in a baggage car. Unless it is more of a concern for Amtrak workers getting hurt moving the luggage??

Bruce-SSR

Click to expand...

Yes, Amtrak's policy is for the employees who have to lift the bags.

Click to expand...

For the benefit of baggage handlers, my 49 pound bag was tagged "Heavy" on the Coast Starlight last week and again yesterday. Had to remove a pound or so before it got checked.

Click to expand...

We took a trunk with us to WDW when our kids were 5 and 1-1/2 (diapers, etc that we didn't want to have to buy on property). When it came off the plane in MCO it was marked HEAVY or something similar.
Edit: Oops, trains on the brain - wrong airport code - corrected thanks to Dave.

Like I mentioned, I go solo in a roomette, my other seat is for my luggage. Offloading at Orlando, the train SCA warns the attendant on the platform... its heavy

Bruce-SSR

AmtrakBlue said:

FrensicPic said:

AmtrakBlue said:

Silver Star rider said:

the_traveler said:

All checked bags at all stations are weighed. There's a 50 pound limit per bag, and it is not cumulative. If you have 2 bags where 1 weights 60 pounds and the other 27 pounds, you have 2 choices. Either transfer some items between bags or leave the 60 pound bag, as it will not be accepted until it is below the limit. (There are no "excess weight" charges like on airlines.)

Click to expand...

Really?? I wonder why the airlines allow to be paid more for a overweight bag and Amtrak just says no?? Weight is more critical on a airline then in a baggage car. Unless it is more of a concern for Amtrak workers getting hurt moving the luggage??

Bruce-SSR

Click to expand...

Yes, Amtrak's policy is for the employees who have to lift the bags.

Click to expand...

For the benefit of baggage handlers, my 49 pound bag was tagged "Heavy" on the Coast Starlight last week and again yesterday. Had to remove a pound or so before it got checked.

Click to expand...

We took a trunk with us to WDW when our kids were 5 and 1-1/2 (diapers, etc that we didn't want to have to buy on property). When it came off the plane in ORL it was marked HEAVY or something similar.

Click to expand...

Yeah it said "Heavy, S**t filled Diapers".

AmtrakBlue said:

When it came off the plane in ORL it was marked HEAVY or something similar.

Click to expand...

You got off a plane at ORL? :huh: I never saw a plane on the tracks at ORL! Most planes land at the airport - MCO!

the_traveler said:

AmtrakBlue said:

When it came off the plane in ORL it was marked HEAVY or something similar.

Click to expand...

You got off a plane at ORL? :huh: I never saw a plane on the tracks at ORL! Most planes land at the airport - MCO!

Click to expand...

Fixed. In my defense, not that I need to defend myself, I probably used ORL more for an abbreviation for Orlando than for the airport code. Brain is still sleepy from a lot of late nights (theater work).

San Juan Capistrano does not have baggage service.