"Early Boarding" question

[nora_roan]

I will be taking my first train trip on Tuesday (from Maryland to Iowa) and have a question regarding early boarding in the Chicago metropolitan lounge. I will be traveling on the Capitol Limited, then boarding the Southwest Chief after a layover in Chicago. I will have a roomette on both trains and understand that this allows me access to the metropolitan lounge. I have also heard that they board "sleeper" passengers earlier than others. I assume it will be announced in the lounge, but I am hard of hearing and there's a good chance I'll not hear it if there is a lot of noise. Anyone have any tips on this or maybe how long before departure I should kinda perk my ears up to catch an announcement? Also how does the early boarding work? Are we escorted by someone? I know this sounds nuts, but I'm 38 and have never even been in an airport before so comparisons with one will do me no good. I'm a "homebody" really, don't travel much. So I could use any and all advice about the Metropolitain lounge...I'm so nervous about it!

Thanks!

 

[nora_roan]

PS: Do I board the trains from the metropolitan lounge or do I leave the lounge and board with other passengers who were not in the lounge? I have no idea what to do...my luck I'll get lost.

 

[railiner]

I suggest that you explain to the Metropolitan Lounge attendant of your hearing difficulty, and ask for their advice as to pre-boarding arrangement.

Hope that you have a pleasant trip.....

 

[nora_roan]

I suggest that you explain to the Metropolitan Lounge attendant of your hearing difficulty, and ask for their advice as to pre-boarding arrangement.Hope that you have a pleasant trip.....

Good idea, thanks!

 

[shelzp]

They will walk you to the sleepers as a group directly from the lounge and you won't be with the coach riders. The easy thing about leaving from Chicago is that since it is where the SWC originates you'll know what time to be ready to go. I would ask an Amtrak employee for a heads up. Plus you will most likely have some communication with other passengers and you can follow right along with them. The lounge will have a lot of sleeper passengers waiting for the SWC right with you! You won't be lonely.

 

[nora_roan]

Thanks for the advice, I really appreciate it! I will speak to an Amtrak employee and give them a heads up about my hearing issues...

 

[AmtrakBlue]

For future trips look into the discount on the rail price portion of tickets if you're deaf/HoH? You have to use the disability link to book it.

When you check into the lounge they will give you a paper with what time to be back to the lounge.

If you use the luggage room the attendant may tell you what time to come back for your luggage.

There may be other trains leaving around the same time so be careful not to go out with the wrong group (I had a similar problem at an airport where the gate area served two gates & there were no communication signs).

 

[Lakeshore]

We just took the SWC out of Chicago a few weeks ago. It is scheduled to leave at 3 PM, but about 30-45 minutes before that they will call for boarding. An attendant or the conductor will be at the back door of the lounge and everyone just lines up and follows him/her out to the train.

 

[VentureForth]

Though my wife accuses me of being hard of hearing (it's probably selective anyway), I generally hear pretty darn good. I have missed calls for trains in the Metropolitan Lounge for some reason or another. Just get an idea what time they will be lining up. They will take you on a bit of what we call around here the "Kindergarten Walk". Basically, line up single file and follow the leader.

Someone else correct me if I'm wrong, but the kindergarten walks leave the Metro loung from the BACK rather than the main entrance to the lounge. I was watching for the K/W to leave out the front and about missed them as they left out the back.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Hearing loss can be gradual and the one losing the hearing may not even notice. I'd get your hearing tested, just in case. The sooner the better as your brain will adjust to the lost hearing and it may take longer to "regain" the hearing if you do find you need hearing aids. And if you're hearing is fine, then you'll have documented proof to show your wife.

 

[AKA]

I will be taking my first train trip on Tuesday (from Maryland to Iowa) and have a question regarding early boarding in the Chicago metropolitan lounge. I will be traveling on the Capitol Limited, then boarding the Southwest Chief after a layover in Chicago. I will have a roomette on both trains and understand that this allows me access to the metropolitan lounge. I have also heard that they board "sleeper" passengers earlier than others. I assume it will be announced in the lounge, but I am hard of hearing and there's a good chance I'll not hear it if there is a lot of noise. Anyone have any tips on this or maybe how long before departure I should kinda perk my ears up to catch an announcement? Also how does the early boarding work? Are we escorted by someone? I know this sounds nuts, but I'm 38 and have never even been in an airport before so comparisons with one will do me no good. I'm a "homebody" really, don't travel much. So I could use any and all advice about the Metropolitain lounge...I'm so nervous about it!
Thanks!

I am sure that a lounge attendant will help you out .If you have questions just go to the desk and ask. Make a friend in the lounge. That should help. You will know your train time from your ticket. Just keep an eye out for some action around that time. The conductor should be taking tickets just before boarding also.

Dont worry and have a good trip.

 

[VentureForth]

I would say look for some action 30 minutes prior to departure time at a hub like CHI.