I'm finally diving in with a post......
On a recent Empire Builder trip two events raised questions:
I had a lower roomette and overheard events going on. It is my understanding the Family Bedroom is for two adults and two children. A couple boarded who had reserved the Family Bedroom. Another adult couple traveling with them paid coach tickets and intended to occupy the space with the other couple. I heard the conductor talking outside with them stating it used to be allowed, but is not now. After more talk, he relented. I learned later from the car attendant they showed something they printed off the Web. Then there was another problem. The couple reserving the room stated the other couple are entitled to meals. The diner supervisor came down for a con fab with them and also gave in. So both couples spent the night in the FBR. Any ideas on how they got around the rules? (Lucky us down there, They left the door open and engaged in laughter and risqué jokes for hours while downing beer. I finally complained to the attendant who had them shut there door after he got sass from them).
Although I know Amtrak is going to crack down on carry-on luggage in October, apparently they are turning a blind eye in the meantime. A woman boarded at Minot with 3 suitcases, 3 fair sized boxes, a few sacks and assorted loose items making the attendant wonder where he was going to store it all. If a pax doesn't have money to pay the penalty under the new rules will they be denied boarding?
As a side note under the new rules it seems to penalize those traveling to unmanned or closed stations. Instead of being able to check baggage, it is considered part of their limitations to bring on board and are subject to extra payment. Logically, it would seem those traveling to a closed or unmanned stationed should have extra allowance for carry-on.
On a recent Empire Builder trip two events raised questions:
I had a lower roomette and overheard events going on. It is my understanding the Family Bedroom is for two adults and two children. A couple boarded who had reserved the Family Bedroom. Another adult couple traveling with them paid coach tickets and intended to occupy the space with the other couple. I heard the conductor talking outside with them stating it used to be allowed, but is not now. After more talk, he relented. I learned later from the car attendant they showed something they printed off the Web. Then there was another problem. The couple reserving the room stated the other couple are entitled to meals. The diner supervisor came down for a con fab with them and also gave in. So both couples spent the night in the FBR. Any ideas on how they got around the rules? (Lucky us down there, They left the door open and engaged in laughter and risqué jokes for hours while downing beer. I finally complained to the attendant who had them shut there door after he got sass from them).
Although I know Amtrak is going to crack down on carry-on luggage in October, apparently they are turning a blind eye in the meantime. A woman boarded at Minot with 3 suitcases, 3 fair sized boxes, a few sacks and assorted loose items making the attendant wonder where he was going to store it all. If a pax doesn't have money to pay the penalty under the new rules will they be denied boarding?
As a side note under the new rules it seems to penalize those traveling to unmanned or closed stations. Instead of being able to check baggage, it is considered part of their limitations to bring on board and are subject to extra payment. Logically, it would seem those traveling to a closed or unmanned stationed should have extra allowance for carry-on.