Checking luggage at one station getting on at the other?

I have an idea for next years trip and just what to see if this will work.

The plan is to fly out to Spokane and do a loop with my bicycle east of Spokane. Return to Spokane. The train in Spokane leaves pretty late at night so I am thinking of flying to Seattle plus I wouldn't mind seeing the Cascades again or taking a ride through the gorge from Portland on the EB.

The trick comes to what to do with the bicycle as I would like to stop in Whitefish. Taking it on the plane with me might be problematic since packing a bicycle for a plane can be much more complex then packing for the train.

My question. Can I check my bike in Spokane to arrive on the train with me to Whitefish? I know I can send it as freight but trying to avoid the freight charge since I will be a first class ticketed passenger from Seattle. Or Maybe the freight charge to Whitefish from Spokane isn't anything to worry about? Also trying to avoid boxing the bike but I am guessing that will be required no matter what I do since I really need to hand the baggage handlers my bike and they don't take it to the train for you.

I've heard of people doing that, but it might have been a station reasonably close to the boarding station where the was baggage service, but no baggage service at the boarding station.

The other issue would be a matter of how early you're allowed to check in. It's been my understanding that the practical limit is maybe 24 hours before the scheduled time to depart, although you're throwing a wrinkle in it.

I have attempted to do this and I do not recommend it. In January, my dad and I were taking #98 home from Delray Beach to NYP. My sister (and mom) were flying home, and were planning on taking her massive suitcase (which contained about half of all her belongings) on the flight with her. Since it would technically have been "oversized baggage," Spirit likely would have charged them about $50 at the gate, in addition to the $45 fee we had payed in advance to check it. Because of this, we looked into checking the bag through the train, but unfortunately, Delray Beach doesn't offer checked baggage service. To find out if we had any other options, we called USA-RAIL, and they told us that we could check the bag through West Palm Beach for free. To verify this, we called USA-RAIL two more times, and each agent said the same thing, it would be free and end up on our train. So we decided to abandon the $45 we'd already payed Spirit to check the bag, and do it through Amtrak for free. So we drove the 45 minutes or so to the West Palm Beach station, and the station agent wonderfully told us that it wasn't allowed, and we would have to pay $91 to ship it via Amtrak Express. We explained that three different Amtrak phone agents had told us it was allowed at no cost, but she said that was incorrect information and that if she would get fired if she did it. After a good half hour of trying to resolve it, we gave up and spent the $91. This was pretty infuriating, and it's one of the main reasons why I'm so skeptical of any information I get from an Amtrak agent.

spinnaker said:

My question. Can I check my bike in Spokane to arrive on the train with me to Whitefish? I know I can send it as freight but trying to avoid the freight charge since I will be a first class ticketed passenger from Seattle. Or Maybe the freight charge to Whitefish from Spokane isn't anything to worry about?

Click to expand...

We were first class passengers ticketed from Delray Beach, and we tried to check the bag through a station only a few miles from our ticketed departure station, yet we still had to pay the "freight charge." I would not try this unless you're willing to pay the Amtrak Express charge, in the event that things don't go to plan. Have fun!

The Agent was WRONG, many of us have checked bags @ Stations other than where we board. All you need is a Valid ticket for the Train to where you will claim your bag(s).(In some instances,the Checked luggage even goes on different Trains/Routes than the passenger, ie you ride a Regional on tbe NEC and your bags are carried on #66/#67)

Contact Customer Relations and ask about a refund if it wasn't too long ago.

Could you store your bike at the Spokane station, then pick it up when you get there? The $20 roll up charge is the same no matter where you get on, and comes with storage privileges, at least at connecting stations (like you did in Chicago?). I don't know how it works in Spokane -- never been on the EB -- but since they have to put the two trains together, there should be enough time to collect your bike. It might be a little nerve wracking, but maybe not as much as packing it for an airline flight .

TiBike said:

Could you store your bike at the Spokane station, then pick it up when you get there? The $20 roll up charge is the same no matter where you get on, and comes with storage privileges, at least at connecting stations (like you did in Chicago?). I don't know how it works in Spokane -- never been on the EB -- but since they have to put the two trains together, there should be enough time to collect your bike. It might be a little nerve wracking, but maybe not as much as packing it for an airline flight .

Click to expand...

The problem with that idea is the train arrives at 12:40. Last time I was asleep. I would sure hate to sleep though Spokane. Then what do I do?

If I could find a room in Glacier, where I don't need to book a year in advance, I wonder if should simplify this whole thing and just ride in Glacier. Something I have been wanting to do. They close the road to cars till the road is cleared of snow.

Bob Dylan said:

The Agent was WRONG, many of us have checked bags @ Stations other than where we board. All you need is a Valid ticket for the Train to where you will claim your bag(s).(In some instances,the Checked luggage even goes on different Trains/Routes than the passenger, ie you ride a Regional on tbe NEC and your bags are carried on #66/#67)

Contact Customer Relations and ask about a refund if it wasn't too long ago.

Click to expand...

How long do you have to get to your "other" station, after checking the bags?

Riding on closed roads in Glacier sounds like heaven, except for the bit about snow . But if you can handle it, dude, go for it!

spinnaker said:

TiBike said:

Could you store your bike at the Spokane station, then pick it up when you get there? The $20 roll up charge is the same no matter where you get on, and comes with storage privileges, at least at connecting stations (like you did in Chicago?). I don't know how it works in Spokane -- never been on the EB -- but since they have to put the two trains together, there should be enough time to collect your bike. It might be a little nerve wracking, but maybe not as much as packing it for an airline flight .

Click to expand...

The problem with that idea is the train arrives at 12:40. Last time I was asleep. I would sure hate to sleep though Spokane. Then what do I do?

If I could find a room in Glacier, where I don't need to book a year in advance, I wonder if should simplify this whole thing and just ride in Glacier. Something I have been wanting to do. They close the road to cars till the road is cleared of snow.

Click to expand...

The Izaak Walton Inn in Essex is open year-round, and I know they have access to a good network of cross-country ski trails in the winter. I can't say for sure, but I imagine they'd make dandy bike trails in the fall or late spring. You might call them and ask. I stayed there with my Dad for three nights in 2011 and was glad I did.

Bob Dylan said:

The Agent was WRONG, many of us have checked bags @ Stations other than where we board. All you need is a Valid ticket for the Train to where you will claim your bag(s).(In some instances,the Checked luggage even goes on different Trains/Routes than the passenger, ie you ride a Regional on tbe NEC and your bags are carried on #66/#67)

Contact Customer Relations and ask about a refund if it wasn't too long ago.

Click to expand...

I have checked bags to Baltimore from Boston using a Boston-Washington ticket. Usually I'm taking 67 to DC and I go straight to the office. Then I return to Baltimore in the evening, and my baggage is waiting fo me.

The last couple of time I've done this, I spent the night in Boston and took the Acela home to Baltimore the next say. The bags went out on 67 the night before and were waiting for me when I arrived.

TiBike said:

Riding on closed roads in Glacier sounds like heaven, except for the bit about snow

. But if you can handle it, dude, go for it!

Click to expand...

You ride to the snow. Roads are clear till the pack. Cars can't do that because there is no place to turn around. It is actually reasonably warm. Just so much snow that it takes forever to melt. The roads might not ever be clear if they left it up to nature. Youtube snow clearing on Road to the Sun sometime. Those guys and gals are worth every penny they are paid an then some.

The problem is timing. They might not have much cleared at all when you go or they might get the whole road opened in which case it is open to traffic.

cpotisch said:

I have attempted to do this and I do not recommend it. In January, my dad and I were taking #98 home from Delray Beach to NYP. My sister (and mom) were flying home, and were planning on taking her massive suitcase (which contained about half of all her belongings) on the flight with her. Since it would technically have been "oversized baggage," Spirit likely would have charged them about $50 at the gate, in addition to the $45 fee we had payed in advance to check it. Because of this, we looked into checking the bag through the train, but unfortunately, Delray Beach doesn't offer checked baggage service. To find out if we had any other options, we called USA-RAIL, and they told us that we could check the bag through West Palm Beach for free. To verify this, we called USA-RAIL two more times, and each agent said the same thing, it would be free and end up on our train. So we decided to abandon the $45 we'd already payed Spirit to check the bag, and do it through Amtrak for free. So we drove the 45 minutes or so to the West Palm Beach station, and the station agent wonderfully told us that it wasn't allowed, and we would have to pay $91 to ship it via Amtrak Express. We explained that three different Amtrak phone agents had told us it was allowed at no cost, but she said that was incorrect information and that if she would get fired if she did it. After a good half hour of trying to resolve it, we gave up and spent the $91. This was pretty infuriating, and it's one of the main reasons why I'm so skeptical of any information I get from an Amtrak agent.

spinnaker said:

My question. Can I check my bike in Spokane to arrive on the train with me to Whitefish? I know I can send it as freight but trying to avoid the freight charge since I will be a first class ticketed passenger from Seattle. Or Maybe the freight charge to Whitefish from Spokane isn't anything to worry about?

Click to expand...

We were first class passengers ticketed from Delray Beach, and we tried to check the bag through a station only a few miles from our ticketed departure station, yet we still had to pay the "freight charge." I would not try this unless you're willing to pay the Amtrak Express charge, in the event that things don't go to plan. Have fun!

Click to expand...

I would have immediately called and talked to an agent while standing by the local agent. If they then told you what the other online agents said, I would tell the person that the local agent just called him/her a liar and you needed to talk to a supervisor immediately as you were at the station with the local agent accusing the online agents of lying.

MARC Rider said:

Bob Dylan said:

The Agent was WRONG, many of us have checked bags @ Stations other than where we board. All you need is a Valid ticket for the Train to where you will claim your bag(s).(In some instances,the Checked luggage even goes on different Trains/Routes than the passenger, ie you ride a Regional on tbe NEC and your bags are carried on #66/#67)

Contact Customer Relations and ask about a refund if it wasn't too long ago.

Click to expand...

I have checked bags to Baltimore from Boston using a Boston-Washington ticket. Usually I'm taking 67 to DC and I go straight to the office. Then I return to Baltimore in the evening, and my baggage is waiting fo me.

The last couple of time I've done this, I spent the night in Boston and took the Acela home to Baltimore the next say. The bags went out on 67 the night before and were waiting for me when I arrived.

Click to expand...

That would be ideal. Did you need to pay for storage?

me_little_me said:

cpotisch said:

I have attempted to do this and I do not recommend it. In January, my dad and I were taking #98 home from Delray Beach to NYP. My sister (and mom) were flying home, and were planning on taking her massive suitcase (which contained about half of all her belongings) on the flight with her. Since it would technically have been "oversized baggage," Spirit likely would have charged them about $50 at the gate, in addition to the $45 fee we had payed in advance to check it. Because of this, we looked into checking the bag through the train, but unfortunately, Delray Beach doesn't offer checked baggage service. To find out if we had any other options, we called USA-RAIL, and they told us that we could check the bag through West Palm Beach for free. To verify this, we called USA-RAIL two more times, and each agent said the same thing, it would be free and end up on our train. So we decided to abandon the $45 we'd already payed Spirit to check the bag, and do it through Amtrak for free. So we drove the 45 minutes or so to the West Palm Beach station, and the station agent wonderfully told us that it wasn't allowed, and we would have to pay $91 to ship it via Amtrak Express. We explained that three different Amtrak phone agents had told us it was allowed at no cost, but she said that was incorrect information and that if she would get fired if she did it. After a good half hour of trying to resolve it, we gave up and spent the $91. This was pretty infuriating, and it's one of the main reasons why I'm so skeptical of any information I get from an Amtrak agent.

spinnaker said:

My question. Can I check my bike in Spokane to arrive on the train with me to Whitefish? I know I can send it as freight but trying to avoid the freight charge since I will be a first class ticketed passenger from Seattle. Or Maybe the freight charge to Whitefish from Spokane isn't anything to worry about?

Click to expand...

We were first class passengers ticketed from Delray Beach, and we tried to check the bag through a station only a few miles from our ticketed departure station, yet we still had to pay the "freight charge." I would not try this unless you're willing to pay the Amtrak Express charge, in the event that things don't go to plan. Have fun!

Click to expand...

I would have immediately called and talked to an agent while standing by the local agent. If they then told you what the other online agents said, I would tell the person that the local agent just called him/her a liar and you needed to talk to a supervisor immediately as you were at the station with the local agent accusing the online agents of lying.

Click to expand...

Maybe we should have, but at that point we didn't really want to call Amtrak, wait multiple minutes for an agent to pick up, hope that they gave us the same answer as everyone else (otherwise we'd really seem like idiots or liars), etc. In addition, the station agent took forever and we had to make it to a dinner reservation, so eventually we just decided to cut our losses and pay the fee.

What's the window of opportunity, usually? I'm imagining a Rocky Mountain version of hundreds of surfers camping out for a few weeks, waiting for the big waves at Mavericks .

spinnaker said:

TiBike said:

Riding on closed roads in Glacier sounds like heaven, except for the bit about snow

. But if you can handle it, dude, go for it!

Click to expand...

You ride to the snow. Roads are clear till the pack. Cars can't do that because there is no place to turn around. It is actually reasonably warm. Just so much snow that it takes forever to melt. The roads might not ever be clear if they left it up to nature. Youtube snow clearing on Road to the Sun sometime. Those guys and gals are worth every penny they are paid an then some.

The problem is timing. They might not have much cleared at all when you go or they might get the whole road opened in which case it is open to traffic.

Click to expand...

spinnaker said:

MARC Rider said:

Bob Dylan said:

The Agent was WRONG, many of us have checked bags @ Stations other than where we board. All you need is a Valid ticket for the Train to where you will claim your bag(s).(In some instances,the Checked luggage even goes on different Trains/Routes than the passenger, ie you ride a Regional on tbe NEC and your bags are carried on #66/#67)

Contact Customer Relations and ask about a refund if it wasn't too long ago.

Click to expand...

I have checked bags to Baltimore from Boston using a Boston-Washington ticket. Usually I'm taking 67 to DC and I go straight to the office. Then I return to Baltimore in the evening, and my baggage is waiting fo me.
The last couple of time I've done this, I spent the night in Boston and took the Acela home to Baltimore the next say. The bags went out on 67 the night before and were waiting for me when I arrived.

Click to expand...

That would be ideal. Did you need to pay for storage?

Click to expand...

There is no charge for storing checked bags at the destination as long as they are claimed within either 24 or 48 hours of arrival at the destination (I forgot which). I have done it at least twice in the past. Once I was travelling from Tampa to New York so checked the bag straight there but traveled via 92 to Washington, 66 to Boston, 449 to Albany/Rensselaer, and finally 64 to New York in order to travel on a few new trains. The other time I checked a bag from Glenwood Springs to Seattle via Sacramento but spent a night in San Francisco in between so arrived the day after the bag.

TiBike said:

What's the window of opportunity, usually? I'm imagining a Rocky Mountain version of hundreds of surfers camping out for a few weeks, waiting for the big waves at Mavericks

.

Click to expand...

It is really hard to say. Usually mid June is the sweet spot. Go too early and not much of the road is clear. Go to late and the whole road is open.

As far as I know they don't have a set date when the road will open. I have heard it has been closed well into July certain years.

Yellowstone does a similar thing for similar reasons. I have seen people riding with huge banks odf snow on either side of them. But I bet the animals aren't real active that time of year and the whole reason to go to Yellowstone.

I am too old to camp out for mor than a day or two. If I do this I'll get a room. Maybe in Whitefish for a day or two then ride to West Glacier. I know someone that knows someone that owns a motel in Whitefish so maybe I can get an inside track on rooms at both locations.

spinnaker said:

MARC Rider said:

Bob Dylan said:

The Agent was WRONG, many of us have checked bags @ Stations other than where we board. All you need is a Valid ticket for the Train to where you will claim your bag(s).(In some instances,the Checked luggage even goes on different Trains/Routes than the passenger, ie you ride a Regional on tbe NEC and your bags are carried on #66/#67)

Contact Customer Relations and ask about a refund if it wasn't too long ago.

Click to expand...

I have checked bags to Baltimore from Boston using a Boston-Washington ticket. Usually I'm taking 67 to DC and I go straight to the office. Then I return to Baltimore in the evening, and my baggage is waiting fo me.

The last couple of time I've done this, I spent the night in Boston and took the Acela home to Baltimore the next say. The bags went out on 67 the night before and were waiting for me when I arrived.

Click to expand...

That would be ideal. Did you need to pay for storage?

Click to expand...

No.

brianpmcdonnell17 said:

spinnaker said:

MARC Rider said:

Bob Dylan said:

The Agent was WRONG, many of us have checked bags @ Stations other than where we board. All you need is a Valid ticket for the Train to where you will claim your bag(s).(In some instances,the Checked luggage even goes on different Trains/Routes than the passenger, ie you ride a Regional on tbe NEC and your bags are carried on #66/#67)

Contact Customer Relations and ask about a refund if it wasn't too long ago.

Click to expand...

I have checked bags to Baltimore from Boston using a Boston-Washington ticket. Usually I'm taking 67 to DC and I go straight to the office. Then I return to Baltimore in the evening, and my baggage is waiting fo me.
The last couple of time I've done this, I spent the night in Boston and took the Acela home to Baltimore the next say. The bags went out on 67 the night before and were waiting for me when I arrived.

Click to expand...

That would be ideal. Did you need to pay for storage?

Click to expand...

There is no charge for storing checked bags at the destination as long as they are claimed within either 24 or 48 hours of arrival at the destination (I forgot which). I have done it at least twice in the past. Once I was travelling from Tampa to New York so checked the bag straight there but traveled via 92 to Washington, 66 to Boston, 449 to Albany/Rensselaer, and finally 64 to New York in order to travel on a few new trains. The other time I checked a bag from Glenwood Springs to Seattle via Sacramento but spent a night in San Francisco in between so arrived the day after the bag.

Click to expand...

I checked a bag from Baltimore to Lamy one winter (including a pair of skis, which cost an extra $10, at Baltimore, at least). I checked three days before the trip because there were service disruptions due to a snowstorm, and I was planning to spend the night I Chicago. I think they sent the bags via the Cardinal, even though I was traveling on the Capitol Limited. They obviously have to use a different train between Baltimore and Washington if they don't use the Cardinal, because the connecting Regional has no baggage service. Because of the unusual circumstances, they made me recheck my bag through to Lamy when I got to Chicago, That's when I discovered the underground baggage complex beneath the Chicago Union Station concourse. i rode home from Denver, and checked my bags through to Baltimore, even though I was spending a night in Chicago. No problem at all.

TiBike said:

What's the window of opportunity, usually? I'm imagining a Rocky Mountain version of hundreds of surfers camping out for a few weeks, waiting for the big waves at Mavericks

.

Click to expand...

April 26, 2014-May 1, 2014: Through a broker service, we found a deal on a 2-bedroom condo at Whitefish Mountain ski resort; a full week was less than the normal in-season cost for a single night. We took it, and booked the Sunset Limited from Houston to L.A., Coast Starlight all the way to Seattle, and Empire Builder from Seattle to Whitefish as an AGR redemption (Ah, the good old days!). As my dad was recovering from hip replacement surgery at the time, we qualified for the H-room.

Whitefish and environs was deserted. No crowds, no traffic, no waiting. When we did stop in to an open store or restaurant, we were welcomed. We drove out to Glacier NP one day and visited the Lake McDonald area at the west entrance; again, no traffic, no crowds. Very little was open but there was a gift shop and snack bar run by the Izaak Walton Inn which was welcoming guests and doing good business. There was no in-park lodging available, but a couple of the independent places outside the gate may have been open and, as I said above, the Izaak Walton itself is open year-round in Essex mid-way between the east and west Glacier entrances. If you had camping gear, I believe the campsites were available and you would have had no competition. The weather was mild; the snow had melted at Whitefish Mountain at the resort and lodge elevation but the snow line was an easy hike from our condo...even for my 82-year-old Dad.

We had rented a car through Hertz which was delivered to the train station and waiting for us when we arrived at oh-dark-thirty; we used it extensively for the week and then turned it in at the airport when we left to fly home from Kalispell via Seattle. All in all an excellent little vacation for the two of us.

So I think that the late April time frame would be ideal for your purposes. You can check the weather and the snowpack on the Going-to-the-Sun road on the park website. Have a great trip!

Dad on the pier at Lake McDonald in Glacier NP:



Having lunch at the Izaak Walton Inn:



The view from our condo's balcony: