AferVentus
Train Attendant
Hi all,
We were scheduled to leave WFH on train 8 out of WFH Jan 1. When the train got in, Amtrak said that the train wasn't running and BNSF shut down the tracks - they would attempt to find some alternative transportation by 11 am. We had to get back for school and work and that sort of thing, and leaving on Monday (according to the next available train from the agent I spoke to) was not an option for us. They said no alternative transportation was available and that we were welcome to camp out in the depot until the next train would leave.
We found out a 2:15 flight was leaving Missoula, so we took Jim's taxi all the way there and had just barely enough time to get on the flight and were out approx $2200. The station attendant said we could leave our bags and they would go on the next available train. Well, we should (hopefully) get our bags tomorrow in MSP. Our travel agent said to send in our tickets to her and we would get them refunded. As for compensation for what happened, the travel agent said to contact Amtrak. We talked to them today, and they were very pleasant, but said that she could not give a voucher since we did not take the train. Is this true? They said in order to be considered for compensation for the taxi or flight, we would need to write to Amtrak. Has anyone had luck with this? We are supposed to include copies of our receipts for the Taxi and airfare in the letter, in addition to our case number. What have others gotten from Amtrak in a situation like this? Can we even even expect anything other than a ticket refund?
Needless to say, a couple family members have nearly sworn off Amtrak for good. I can't see them taking Amtrak again if they don't do something about this. (However, I know I will be back - this was out of their control, but Amtrak did nothing for us other than "allowing" us to stay at the depot until the next available train would depart...)
Thanks in advance for your comments!
We were scheduled to leave WFH on train 8 out of WFH Jan 1. When the train got in, Amtrak said that the train wasn't running and BNSF shut down the tracks - they would attempt to find some alternative transportation by 11 am. We had to get back for school and work and that sort of thing, and leaving on Monday (according to the next available train from the agent I spoke to) was not an option for us. They said no alternative transportation was available and that we were welcome to camp out in the depot until the next train would leave.
We found out a 2:15 flight was leaving Missoula, so we took Jim's taxi all the way there and had just barely enough time to get on the flight and were out approx $2200. The station attendant said we could leave our bags and they would go on the next available train. Well, we should (hopefully) get our bags tomorrow in MSP. Our travel agent said to send in our tickets to her and we would get them refunded. As for compensation for what happened, the travel agent said to contact Amtrak. We talked to them today, and they were very pleasant, but said that she could not give a voucher since we did not take the train. Is this true? They said in order to be considered for compensation for the taxi or flight, we would need to write to Amtrak. Has anyone had luck with this? We are supposed to include copies of our receipts for the Taxi and airfare in the letter, in addition to our case number. What have others gotten from Amtrak in a situation like this? Can we even even expect anything other than a ticket refund?
Needless to say, a couple family members have nearly sworn off Amtrak for good. I can't see them taking Amtrak again if they don't do something about this. (However, I know I will be back - this was out of their control, but Amtrak did nothing for us other than "allowing" us to stay at the depot until the next available train would depart...)
Thanks in advance for your comments!