How good is Amtrak about transfering luggage

[Casinocim]

Oh my goodness, suck a dilema here.

I had decided to check my large bag, DEN-NOL. But...after reading the weather forecasts, looks like thunderstorms in the areas the CZ will be traveling. I thinking late train.

My question...

If the CZ is late in to Chicago, as in I have just enough time to make it to the CONO train, would my checked bag get transferred then? Or would it be put on the next CONO train the next day?

 

[ArchBishop]

Don't know the answer to your question, but years ago I was traveling from Topeka, KS to Orlando FL, our train was about 3.5 hours late getting to Topeka. When we arrived the station agent told me not to check my bags because there would not be enough time to get the bags to my next train in Chicago. Sure enough, when we got to Chicago, we walked in the direction of the station but there were signs pointing to the next train which had been held waiting for the SW Chief. We never saw the inside of Union Station in Chicago. We (family of 5) were just barely on the train when it pulled out, I think we were the last of the SWC folks they were waiting on. When we arrived in Philadelphia, there was enough time to check the bags the rest of the way. On the return trip, we checked bags in Orlando and they got off in Topeka.

The bad part of this story is that I don't think Topeka has a station agent anymore, and I know you can't check baggage out of Topeka.

Since you are getting on in DEN, I would check with the staff there and see how late the train is.

 

[rusty spike]

Oh my goodness, suck a dilema here.

I had decided to check my large bag, DEN-NOL. But...after reading the weather forecasts, looks like thunderstorms in the areas the CZ will be traveling. I thinking late train.

My question...

If the CZ is late in to Chicago, as in I have just enough time to make it to the CONO train, would my checked bag get transferred then? Or would it be put on the next CONO train the next day?

The answer to your first question is "probably not", I have been told anything less than an hour & a half between arrival/departure is not enough, at least in LAX. Maybe they move faster in CHI. Checking the past 7 days "status report", #6 has arrived as late as 7:28 PM. As scheduled you should have plenty of time but a train can be 4-5 hours late.

The answer to your 2nd question is "probably yes". Amtrak is reputed to be very good at getting your luggage caught up to you.

 

[Trainmans daughter]

A couple of summers ago, we were on a very late CZ and worried about making the connection to the CL. But the CL was held for 30 minutes for all the connecting passengers. We literally ran from the CZ to the CL. The attendants shoved us all in, the doors closed, and the train rolled out. When we got to WAS, we went to baggage claim and there was our luggage waiting for us! Bless the CHI baggage handlers!

 

[the_traveler]

I can't really answer your question, but I don't think you will have a problem. I have never had a problem with checked bags. At least (unlike airports) it won't be put on a train to Rio, Moscow or Sydney!

 

[Casinocim]

Thanks everyone!

I am at the station now...Decided to check the bag. hopefully it will travel the whole way with me, if not I will get it sometime. I still can't believe how I debated over it.

Happy the Denver station has wifi!

 

[E Runs]

Welp, the train Casinocim is on is currently 3+ hours behind. This baggage transfer could go down to the wire.

 

[Grandpa D]

It's 4:22 late leaving Naperville. With no further delays it should arrive CHI at 7:12 pm. That make the transfer tight but doable. I've done the TE to the Hiawatha, with checked luggage, with a half hour between trains.

 

[the_traveler]

#6 arrived CHI at 6:38 pm. With a scheduled departure over 1 hour away, there should be no trouble for either passengers or baggage!

 

[Casinocim]

I made it and so did my luggage!. Lounging here in New Orleans.

We started out late in Denver and later hit a deer someone said. I know at some point I thought I might miss my connection in Chicago.

The CZ was late and the CONO was late getting to New Orleans also. Thought the passengers were going to take over the CONO early this morning! We stopped and then no power, which seemed like hours. I really didn't care that we were late, just happy to be there. It was fun when they passed out the snack packets and water today.

After two nights in coach, very tired. Looking forward to cruise.

Thanks everyone!

 

[battalion51]

The thing that a lot of folks don't realize about the very manual luggage process Amtrak has is that people are sometimes smarter than computers. Most Conductors will organize their baggage car (especially going into a major terminal like CHI, NYP, or WAS) with their transfers all grouped together. When they hit the platform at that location they'll usually have those "hot" transfers ready to be handed off first so they can make their connection. The only time I've ever had an issue with a bag not making a connection was from the CZ to the San Francisco bus connection, and I knew it was coming because I didn't see the driver load any checked bags. But the agent in San Fran was great, got my bag put on the next bus across the Bay, and I did get compensation from Amtrak for the foul up.

 

[Casinocim]

Oh my goodness, suck a dilema here.

I had decided to check my large bag, DEN-NOL. But...after reading the weather forecasts, looks like thunderstorms in the areas the CZ will be traveling. I thinking late train.

My question...

If the CZ is late in to Chicago, as in I have just enough time to make it to the CONO train, would my checked bag get transferred then? Or would it be put on the next CONO train the next day?

I went back to find this post to see if there were any more replies.

Embarrassed when I read my first sentence! :blush: :giggle:

I'm sure you all know I meant such a dilema.