Unaccompanied minor policy flexibility

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May 27, 2017
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I am travelling from Newark,NJ to Northampton,MA on the #54 Vermonter this summer. I will be travelling to attend a summer course at an university. I am currently 15 years old, being born in March,2002. I will have an adult dropping me at Newark. The only problem is that I don't know if someone will be able to pick me up at Northampton. I can provide some sort of university issued letter if it will help.

Under these circumstances, will I be able to travel alone?

Thanks, :)
 
IMHO, you need to get something in writing from Amtrak to show the folks at Newark - especially the conductor of that train - you have permission from Amtrak to travel unaccompanied.
 
IMHO, you need to get something in writing from Amtrak to show the folks at Newark - especially the conductor of that train - you have permission from Amtrak to travel unaccompanied.
And he may need a letter from the university to show Amtrak in order to get that letter, don't you think?
 
IMHO, you need to get something in writing from Amtrak to show the folks at Newark - especially the conductor of that train - you have permission from Amtrak to travel unaccompanied.
And he may need a letter from the university to show Amtrak in order to get that letter, don't you think?
Yes. I suspect any letter from the university - all by itself - won't get him on the train. I think only Amtrak can waive any of the provisions of Amtrak written policy: not the university; certainly nobody on this forum.
 
Make sure to bring an ID and you should be fine, as long as you book a standard adult ticket. ID is rarely checked, especially on minors. If you have an ID without your date of birth and act responsible while onboard there is nothing they can really do. I travelled on the Crescent, Carolinian, Silver Star, and Autumn Express alone all before the age of 16. In addition, the train experience is far superior as an adult. When I travelled as a minor, they just had me sit in the cafe car and I wasn't even free to walk around the train.
 
The fundamental issue is that Northampton MA is not a staffed station. The unaccompanied minor policy (ages 13-15) requires staffed stations at both ends. That's a deal killer for traveling legitimately under the policy.

If you look 16 or older, you might be able to fake it and not be questioned. (I could not have pulled that off. When I was 15, I looked about 12). However, if you get questioned and they somehow figure out you are only 15, you will be taken off the train at the next staffed station and someone will have to come pick you up, wherever that might be. That would really mess up the trip. I'm not sure it would be worth the risk.
 
Make sure to bring an ID and you should be fine, as long as you book a standard adult ticket. ID is rarely checked, especially on minors. If you have an ID without your date of birth and act responsible while onboard there is nothing they can really do.
They absolutely can and will remove you from the train if they care to check.

Are you volunteering to go and pick this kid up when he gets found out and put off the train?

No?

Then maybe don't encourage him to break the rules. Good for you for getting away with it. That doesn't mean that you should encourage others to do the same.
 
Make sure to bring an ID and you should be fine, as long as you book a standard adult ticket. ID is rarely checked, especially on minors. If you have an ID without your date of birth and act responsible while onboard there is nothing they can really do.
They absolutely can and will remove you from the train if they care to check.
Are you volunteering to go and pick this kid up when he gets found out and put off the train?

No?

Then maybe don't encourage him to break the rules. Good for you for getting away with it. That doesn't mean that you should encourage others to do the same.
From the Amtrak website: "Please note that unaccompanied children 16 - 17 must also produce valid photo ID when purchasing tickets, obtaining travel documents and checking baggage". It appears that as long as the OP comes to the station with a ticket already ready and does not check baggage, he would not even need an ID. Also, a school ID would function as an acceptable ID if he did need one for some reason and many school IDs do not show a date of birth. Therefore, I do not see how the train staff could prove he is only 15. Are they really going to remove him from the train based on a suspicion? It doesn't matter to me whether he does this or not, but unless I am missing something the risk appears to be very little. I am simply trying to help someone else by suggesting and idea that worked well for me and I feel could do the same for him.
 
I am travelling from Newark,NJ to Northampton,MA on the #54 Vermonter this summer. I will be travelling to attend a summer course at an university. I am currently 15 years old, being born in March,2002. I will have an adult dropping me at Newark. The only problem is that I don't know if someone will be able to pick me up at Northampton. I can provide some sort of university issued letter if it will help.

Under these circumstances, will I be able to travel alone?



Thanks, :)
You can't travel alone at age 15 to Northampton. You should contact that school. In the past they had an adult accompanying students under the age from Newark to the school.
 
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Make sure to bring an ID and you should be fine, as long as you book a standard adult ticket. ID is rarely checked, especially on minors. If you have an ID without your date of birth and act responsible while onboard there is nothing they can really do.
They absolutely can and will remove you from the train if they care to check.
Are you volunteering to go and pick this kid up when he gets found out and put off the train?

No?

Then maybe don't encourage him to break the rules. Good for you for getting away with it. That doesn't mean that you should encourage others to do the same.
From the Amtrak website: "Please note that unaccompanied children 16 - 17 must also produce valid photo ID when purchasing tickets, obtaining travel documents and checking baggage". It appears that as long as the OP comes to the station with a ticket already ready and does not check baggage, he would not even need an ID. Also, a school ID would function as an acceptable ID if he did need one for some reason and many school IDs do not show a date of birth. Therefore, I do not see how the train staff could prove he is only 15. Are they really going to remove him from the train based on a suspicion? It doesn't matter to me whether he does this or not, but unless I am missing something the risk appears to be very little. I am simply trying to help someone else by suggesting and idea that worked well for me and I feel could do the same for him.
You are giving bad advice. They very well could detrain him at a staffed station. Suppose the student got past the staffed stations and was discovered. They would have to make sure an adult picked up. If no adult showed they would have to call the local police. There are several crew changes. One or all may be diligent. Also students boarding at Newark for that school in the summer is a known issue. I happen to know a lot about it. After a few were discovered and could not make the trip the school was providing an escort for those under age students. I don't know if they still do but the student should inquire.
 
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As was stated, not compliant with Amtrak's unaccompanied minor policy. They would need both stations to be staffed and I believe the name of the adult picking up needs to be given on the release form when checking in at the origin station. On top of that, not all staffed stations will do this, although I suspect it's probably the smaller staffed stations where they simply don't have enough personnel.

https://www.amtrak.com/unaccompanied-minors-policy
 
He is going to an unstaffed station, so he can't travel Amtrak without an adult. Of course, if he looks older for his age, doesn't check in, just boards, hands his ticket to the Conductor, it is highly unlikely he would be asked for his ID. Most school ID do not state DOB so he is proving Identity with photo ID, but not age. Again, it is highly unlikely, he would be challenged, but there is always the risk.
 
unless I am missing something the risk appears to be very little

One thing you aren't considering, though: the consequences. Sure, the risk may be slight, but the consequences could be great.

He is heading to a college course held over the summer. If his travel ends up as a royal snafu, he may not arrive on time. I'm not sure what the penalty would be, but I've known of programs where you lose your place if you miss orientation and/or the first day of class.

IF that's the case, then it's really not worth the risk, especially if the course is non-refundable.
 
unless I am missing something the risk appears to be very little
One thing you aren't considering, though: the consequences. Sure, the risk may be slight, but the consequences could be great.

He is heading to a college course held over the summer. If his travel ends up as a royal snafu, he may not arrive on time. I'm not sure what the penalty would be, but I've known of programs where you lose your place if you miss orientation and/or the first day of class.

IF that's the case, then it's really not worth the risk, especially if the course is non-refundable.
You are right; only the OP knows his circumstances and can judge whether it is worth it. The destination is too small to have air service, and busses usually have stricter unaccompanied minor policies than trains. That leaves Amtrak and driving. The OP is too young to drive alone, but if someone is willing to drive him that may be the best option. However, that may not be reasonable or possible. In that case, he either risks taking the train or does not travel at all. Unless the event is a huge financial burden on the family, I would not suggest giving it up based on the slight chance the OP is not allowed on the train. If there is a driver available, the OP could also travel on the train and have the driver bring him to the station; if he is not accepted aboard the train it would almost certainly happen prior to departing NYP, so the driver could bring him the rest of the way if it is necessary. Again, only the OP can make the final decision; we can just assist him by providing facts and our personal experiences.
 
Make sure to bring an ID and you should be fine, as long as you book a standard adult ticket. ID is rarely checked, especially on minors. If you have an ID without your date of birth and act responsible while onboard there is nothing they can really do. I travelled on the Crescent, Carolinian, Silver Star, and Autumn Express alone all before the age of 16. In addition, the train experience is far superior as an adult. When I travelled as a minor, they just had me sit in the cafe car and I wasn't even free to walk around the train.
Please do not supply a suggestion such as this. Have you any idea what sort of thing could happen to an unaccompanied minor we don't know about?

And once you're on the train (breaking the minor policy) there's nothing you can do? Is that why I've had two of my trains met by Amtrak police to have minors without paperwork taken off? One just last week, in fact. And excuse my language, but the parents were real **** bags trying to take full advantage of Amtrak. ..They bought the 15 year old a senior fare.

But anyway, it was how old they looked that caught the crew's eye, not the fare paid. Please do not try to be "smart" and work your way around the system, or else you may find yourself in a REAL bad situation.
 
Now that I got the rant out of the way... If you can get a ride with an adult to the Port Authority, there is in fact a direct bus to Northampton that would be able to take you as an unaccompanied minor. However, on the random date I picked (Wednesday, June 7th), the only direct bus departs NYC at 5:30am, and arrives at 10:15am. The return is a more pleasant 11:10am departure, arriving back in to NYC at 3:45pm. The charge for a minor is $15/way.

Unfortunately, I suggest you have your parents check in to this method instead of chancing it by train.
 
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Now that I got the rant out of the way... If you can get a ride with an adult to the Port Authority, there is in fact a direct bus to Northampton that would be able to take you as an unaccompanied minor. However, on the random date I picked (Wednesday, June 7th), the only direct bus departs NYC at 5:30am, and arrives at 10:15am. The return is a more pleasant 11:10am departure, arriving back in to NYC at 3:45pm. The charge for a minor is $15/way.

Unfortunately, I suggest you have your parents check in to this method instead of chancing it by train.
Oh! Could I know which bus company is it ? Because as far as I know only Peter Pan serves this area and they have a stricter policy than Amtrak!
 
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Now that I got the rant out of the way... If you can get a ride with an adult to the Port Authority, there is in fact a direct bus to Northampton that would be able to take you as an unaccompanied minor. However, on the random date I picked (Wednesday, June 7th), the only direct bus departs NYC at 5:30am, and arrives at 10:15am. The return is a more pleasant 11:10am departure, arriving back in to NYC at 3:45pm. The charge for a minor is $15/way.

Unfortunately, I suggest you have your parents check in to this method instead of chancing it by train.
Oh! Could I know which bus company is it ? Because as far as I know only Peter Pan serves this area and they have a stricter policy than Amtrak!
I think it is Peter Pan. Google Maps says that Greyhound operates that schedule, but the Greyhound website says that their Northampton station is really a Peter Pan station and I can't find any schedule available for them. I could find Newark to Northampton on Greyhound, but that requires transfers and I think part of it is on Peter Pan buses, which is why Greyhound doesn't list them from NYC.

The only problem seems to be that unaccompanied minors can only travel direct between 7 AM to 8 PM, so a 5:30 AM start time won't work. And if were within those parameters, you'd need to pay full fare, but at the departing station, and a $17 unaccompanied minor fee on top of that.

It's only about 3 hours by driving. Can you get a ride?

I guess another way would be to fly. United and United Express fly direct Newark-Hartford, but the unaccompanied minor fee is $150 each way. I tried a random round-trip in June and it was over $800 including the unaccompanied minor fee both ways. And you'd still be pretty far away from Northampton and still need someone to pick you up with ID.

Did you think of maybe going to Springfield instead? The only problem is that you would need someone to meet you there.
 
Make sure to bring an ID and you should be fine, as long as you book a standard adult ticket. ID is rarely checked, especially on minors. If you have an ID without your date of birth and act responsible while onboard there is nothing they can really do. I travelled on the Crescent, Carolinian, Silver Star, and Autumn Express alone all before the age of 16. In addition, the train experience is far superior as an adult. When I travelled as a minor, they just had me sit in the cafe car and I wasn't even free to walk around the train.
But anyway, it was how old they looked that caught the crew's eye, not the fare paid. Please do not try to be "smart" and work your way around the system, or else you may find yourself in a REAL bad situation.
When crew have been on the job a year or so they can recognize a minor.
 
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Thanks for all the suggestions!

I've changed my plans now to go to Springfield.

I'm now waiting on the university to see if they can provide anyone at Springfield.

BTW can literally ANYONE with a valid ID pick me up ?, provided that my parent gives their info beforehand.
 
Make sure to bring an ID and you should be fine, as long as you book a standard adult ticket. ID is rarely checked, especially on minors. If you have an ID without your date of birth and act responsible while onboard there is nothing they can really do. I travelled on the Crescent, Carolinian, Silver Star, and Autumn Express alone all before the age of 16. In addition, the train experience is far superior as an adult. When I travelled as a minor, they just had me sit in the cafe car and I wasn't even free to walk around the train.
Please do not supply a suggestion such as this. Have you any idea what sort of thing could happen to an unaccompanied minor we don't know about?

And once you're on the train (breaking the minor policy) there's nothing you can do? Is that why I've had two of my trains met by Amtrak police to have minors without paperwork taken off? One just last week, in fact. And excuse my language, but the parents were real **** bags trying to take full advantage of Amtrak. ..They bought the 15 year old a senior fare.

But anyway, it was how old they looked that caught the crew's eye, not the fare paid. Please do not try to be "smart" and work your way around the system, or else you may find yourself in a REAL bad situation.
I apologize if I have offended you in any way; I havs a lot of respect for Amtrak employees. The way I viewed it was as a victimless offense; I rode the train to my destination and Amtrak received the revenue. The case you mentioned with a senior fare being paid was essentially robbing Amtrak of revenue, so I view in that a far harsher light. I'm just curious though: how were the employees able to prove that the passenger was only 15? Looks can raise suspicions but I know many people who are under 16 who could pass to be 17 or 18. I would think the last thing Amtrak would want to do is remove a legal passenger from the train. Either way, it really is unfortunate that younger people cannot ride the train alone while they may be able to fly or ride a bus. This is getting into a far broader issue, but I feel our society is far too overprotective of minors and in some cases the population in general, largely because of the looming threat of a lawsuit.

Thanks for all the suggestions!

I've changed my plans now to go to Springfield.

I'm now waiting on the university to see if they can provide anyone at Springfield.

BTW can literally ANYONE with a valid ID pick me up ?, provided that my parent gives their info beforehand.
In your case that is probably the best solution. You are not allowed to transfer as an unaccompanied minor so cannot ride a Shuttle, but there may be a second option (a direct Northeast Regional) in additon to the Vermonter that fits within the required hours. As long as the person picking you up is at least 18 and has approval from your parents it should not be a problem; if I remember correctly your parents may have to fill out the information of the person picking you up when dropping you off.
 
Have you any idea what sort of thing could happen to an unaccompanied minor we don't know about?
Yeah, in fact we've read all about it right here on this very forum...
http://discuss.amtraktrains.com/index.php?/topic/47264-amtrak-throws-15-year-old-from-the-train/
What's your point? The conductor didn't follow protocol. She should have been turned in to the local PD to await an adult to pick them up.

You know very well what I meant, DA, cut the game.
 
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