baggage handling questions (transfers & lockers)

[wayman]

Two separate but related questions:

1) My parents will be taking the Sept 18th Crescent (Lynchburg to WAS), Capitol Ltd (WAS overnight to CHI), and Sept 19th California Zephyr (to Grand Junction). (I'll be joining them in Washington.) They'll probably have two bags to check, and they've never checked bags on Amtrak before (neither have I). How well do baggage transfers work at WAS and CHI? With airlines, these things go wrong so frequently that my parents and I never check bags anymore. Is Amtrak generally quite reliable here, or is this chance-y?

(We're friends with the stationmaster at LYH and know he's completely reliable as far as getting the baggage checked and loaded, so assume for this question that the bags are tagged and loaded competently. But there's also the question of making sure they get off the train at GJT, of course. I've got no idea what that station's like except that the timetable says they have baggage service... well, and that they're apparently able to handle fugitive campaign donors )

2) I'll be taking the Sept 27th Southwest Chief (Lamy to CHI), with one small suitcase and a backpack, both carry-on. I'll have just over a day in Chicago (15:20 to 17:45) before taking the Sept 28th Cardinal (CHI to PHL). HI-Chicago is booked on the 28th But I found another excellent affordable place, the All Rise Gallery in Wicker Park which is a short ride out the Blue Line from the Loop. I'll probably just take both bags with me to my lodging--it's not too far--but just so I know my options... are there luggage lockers in Chicago Union Station? A quick Google search yields several answers that there are but they're hard-to-find, often full, expensive, and require a thumbprint for "security"; but all of those pages were from 2002 or before. Can anyone here verify that this essentially still the situation there?

(This second question was much more pertinent when I thought I'd have to stay at the Chicago International Hostel, an hour up the Red Line near Loyola's campus (not a problem getting my luggage there and back, physically, but timewise it would have been awful if I wanted to spend the morning of the 29th in the Loop but had to take a two-hour round-trip to Loyola to retrieve my suitcase before the Cardinal!). But then I found All Rise Gallery, which is far less of a schlep and still quite affordable at $55/night! Still, I'm curious about the station facilities.)

... and yes, this all relates to the same trip, about which I hope to post travelogues and photos during and after. It's my first Amtrak trip west of Chicago/New Orleans. I'm excited!

 

[Guest]

Amtrak is generally much better than airlines with baggage due to that fact that they are handling much less luggage than the airlines. I recently took Amtrak from Boston to Seattle (with a transfer in Albany and Chicago) with two bags and two bicycles and had no problems at all. Good luck!

 

[nr272]

(The above poster is me... forgot to log in). When I was at the Chicago station I did see lockers in one of the waiting lounges but I did not use them. I can't answer all your questions aout the lockers, but it did look like they were recently installed.

 

[AlanB]

As other's have already mentioned, Amtrak is pretty reliable regarding checked bags. That's not to say that things don't go wrong occasionally, but Amtrak's track record is much better than that of the airlines.

As for lockers in CUS, there are lockers within the baggage claim room. They aren't exactly cheap, but not horrible either. Back in 2005 one did not need a finger print to use them. You just either used a credit card or cash to pay for the use of the locker. I believe that they frown on leaving things in there overnight, but there are rates for that.

One other thing to consider though, assuming that you are in a sleeper, is that you can leave your bags in the Metropolitan Lounge for free (other than a small tip to the redcap) on the day of departure, while you go riding elsewhere prior to departure.

 

[PRR 60]

As other's have already mentioned, Amtrak is pretty reliable regarding checked bags. That's not to say that things don't go wrong occasionally, but Amtrak's track record is much better than that of the airlines.

Not to be a pain, but how do we know Amtrak's record is much better that the airlines? Does Amtrak publish mishandled and lost baggage statistics? I am not trying to be nasty, but the airlines through DOT report baggage handling statistics each month. Amtrak, as far as I know, does not. The monthly performance report makes no mention of baggage handing.

For the record, in July the airline data was 7.93 baggage mishandling reports for every 1000 passengers. If you assume maybe half of the passengers only have carry-on, the rate is more like 16 per 1000. Do we know that Amtrak does better than that, or are we simply assuming that to be the case?

 

[had8ley]

As other's have already mentioned, Amtrak is pretty reliable regarding checked bags. That's not to say that things don't go wrong occasionally, but Amtrak's track record is much better than that of the airlines.

Not to be a pain, but how do we know Amtrak's record is much better that the airlines? Does Amtrak publish mishandled and lost baggage statistics? I am not trying to be nasty, but the airlines through DOT report baggage handling statistics each month. Amtrak, as far as I know, does not. The monthly performance report makes no mention of baggage handing.

For the record, in July the airline data was 7.93 baggage mishandling reports for every 1000 passengers. If you assume maybe half of the passengers only have carry-on, the rate is more like 16 per 1000. Do we know that Amtrak does better than that, or are we simply assuming that to be the case?

I don't have any numbers to back me up but I have never been at a station where someone is foaming at the mouth over their lost luggage. I feel sorry for the people in the long lines at the airport terminal baggage handling rooms moaning over where their baggage may be.. In as much as some stations only put one or two bags on board and I've seen almost totally empty baggage cars on LD trains. It should be simple to figure that there is not much baggage to mishandle or lose. Also, when a LD train terminates it would make sense that the entire baggage car be cleared out. I'm not saying it doesn't happen but the odds are way more in favor of Amtrak compared to the airlines. Maybe George has some facts or figures to add.

 

[AmtrakWPK]

Well, while we may not have "official" data, we certainly have a fairly robust anecdotal data collection here, and we seem to hear pretty much the same report over and over, that many of us have had baggage misdirection problems with airlines, vs. few if any problems with Amtrak. I would make the same report, personally. That's not a report done after collection of data by random sampling under a valid research plan and then processed using established statistical data processing, but if it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and looks like a duck...........

I would also think that the possibility of my ending up at my destination in WPK with my baggage ending up in Rio de Janeiro, while traveling on Amtrak, would be exceedingly small. Otherwise, take me there too!!

 

[wayman]

One other thing to consider though, assuming that you are in a sleeper, is that you can leave your bags in the Metropolitan Lounge for free (other than a small tip to the redcap) on the day of departure, while you go riding elsewhere prior to departure.

I'm travelling coach (unless I can work an upgrade at low-bucket on the train).

Question on the Metropolitan Lounges: is access to these areas available only to sleeping car passengers whose train is departing from the station, or also to sleeping car passengers arriving at the station (and connecting, with several-hour layover, to a departing train for which they only have coach tickets)? That's the case for my parents, who have a roomette on the Capitol Ltd but not on the CA Zephyr--would they be able to use the Metropolitan Lounge in CHI during their layover?

 

[AlanB]

One other thing to consider though, assuming that you are in a sleeper, is that you can leave your bags in the Metropolitan Lounge for free (other than a small tip to the redcap) on the day of departure, while you go riding elsewhere prior to departure.

I'm travelling coach (unless I can work an upgrade at low-bucket on the train).

Question on the Metropolitan Lounges: is access to these areas available only to sleeping car passengers whose train is departing from the station, or also to sleeping car passengers arriving at the station (and connecting, with several-hour layover, to a departing train for which they only have coach tickets)? That's the case for my parents, who have a roomette on the Capitol Ltd but not on the CA Zephyr--would they be able to use the Metropolitan Lounge in CHI during their layover?

Yes, if it is a same day connection, then they are entitled to use the lounge for their layover even though they are departing in coach. They'll have to show both the ticket stubs from the Capitol to prove that they had a sleeper and the tickets for the continuing trip on the CZ.

And of course they can use the Club Acela Lounge in DC, since they are departing there in a sleeper.

Do you need directions on where to find the lounges?

 

[had8ley]

Well, while we may not have "official" data, we certainly have a fairly robust anecdotal data collection here, and we seem to hear pretty much the same report over and over, that many of us have had baggage misdirection problems with airlines, vs. few if any problems with Amtrak. I would make the same report, personally. That's not a report done after collection of data by random sampling under a valid research plan and then processed using established statistical data processing, but if it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and looks like a duck...........I would also think that the possibility of my ending up at my destination in WPK with my baggage ending up in Rio de Janeiro, while traveling on Amtrak, would be exceedingly small. Otherwise, take me there too!!

I'll take an order of that duck also please.

 

[wayman]

Do you need directions on where to find the lounges?

That'd be helpful, thanks!

(Yes, they'll also have a six-hour layover in WAS between Crescent #20 and the Capitol Ltd, so they'll probably be happy to make use of the lounges at both WAS and CHI. Thank goodness there's such nice shopping at WAS, and Capitol City Brewing Co across the street And we may have time for a walk to Greektown or into the Loop for an early lunch in CHI, so leaving their carry-on in the CHI lounge will be very helpful for them.)

One more question... I'd originally planned on taking a Regional Service from PHL to WAS, but then I remembered that the Carolinian is the perfect morning train to take and it also has a baggage car. So I could check a bag in PHL through to GJT... but my PHL-WAS leg is on one reservation, and my WAS-CHI-GJT is on a second reservation. Is that an issue for my bag getting transferred at WAS? Then again, it might just be easier to take it as "Carryonolinian" (it's a small roller-suitcase) and check it when I get to WAS (so it's easier to walk around Chicago for a couple hours). I'm going to be rushed getting out of the house that morning as it is, and probably wouldn't get to 30th St far enough in advance to check a bag anyway. But I'm curious if that would work, now that I'm booked on a train where it's a possibility.

This forum is such an awesome knowledge-base. I'm glad I found y'all a few weeks before this trip!

 

[AlanB]

Do you need directions on where to find the lounges?

That'd be helpful, thanks!

(Yes, they'll also have a six-hour layover in WAS between Crescent #20 and the Capitol Ltd, so they'll probably be happy to make use of the lounges at both WAS and CHI. Thank goodness there's such nice shopping at WAS, and Capitol City Brewing Co across the street And we may have time for a walk to Greektown or into the Loop for an early lunch in CHI, so leaving their carry-on in the CHI lounge will be very helpful for them.)

In DC the Club Acela Lounge is located behind the information kiosk, which is in the center of the waiting areas between gates D & E. There are two large wooden doors there, ring the bell to the right of the door and the attendant will let you in. Show your tickets and you’re in. They will escort you to your train when it’s time.

In Chicago the lounge is called the "Metropolitan Lounge". It is located on the lower level of Union Station, which is also the track level. If you are standing in front of the Amtrak ticket windows, then the Amtrak waiting area is to your left. When you enter the main Amtrak waiting area through a sliding glass door, just walk forward and slightly to the left. There should be another sliding glass door along with a sign, unless they've changed the entrance in the last few months. Again, just show your tickets and relax.

They'll also give you a card that contains the time that you need to return to the lounge by, in order to board the train and not miss it. If you do leave the lounge, take this card with you as it is also your pass for reentering the lounge. Just wave it at the attendants as you walk in and one will usually look up and acknowledge you and the card. Note the Chicago lounge can be very busy and it sometimes can be hard to get a seat, but you still get the free stuff and priority boarding.

Note: They will make you leave your carry-on bags in the luggage room inside the lounge, you cannot take them to your seat due to the crowded nature of the lounge. There is a redcap manning this room who will give you a claim check for your bags, such that you can claim them shortly before you board the train. One nice advantage of this is the fact that you can park your carryon bags here, while you wander around Chicago and do lunch, assuming that your trains arrive on time.

One more question... I'd originally planned on taking a Regional Service from PHL to WAS, but then I remembered that the Carolinian is the perfect morning train to take and it also has a baggage car. So I could check a bag in PHL through to GJT... but my PHL-WAS leg is on one reservation, and my WAS-CHI-GJT is on a second reservation. Is that an issue for my bag getting transferred at WAS? Then again, it might just be easier to take it as "Carryonolinian" (it's a small roller-suitcase) and check it when I get to WAS (so it's easier to walk around Chicago for a couple hours). I'm going to be rushed getting out of the house that morning as it is, and probably wouldn't get to 30th St far enough in advance to check a bag anyway. But I'm curious if that would work, now that I'm booked on a train where it's a possibility.

It would work, although you'd have to show both sets of tickets to the redcap at the baggage checkin. But there is no reaons that they can't check the bags all the way through if you want and have the time just because you have two reservations.

You can also just consider giving your bag to your parents and having them park in the lounge along with their carry-on's, assuming that they aren't already each toting two carry-on's.

 

[AmtrakWPK]

I'll take an order of that duck also please.

I figured somebody would call a fowl on that one.You must have been Peking.

 

[Jim in Michigan]

As other's have already mentioned, Amtrak is pretty reliable regarding checked bags. That's not to say that things don't go wrong occasionally, but Amtrak's track record is much better than that of the airlines.
As for lockers in CUS, there are lockers within the baggage claim room. They aren't exactly cheap, but not horrible either. Back in 2005 one did not need a finger print to use them. You just either used a credit card or cash to pay for the use of the locker. I believe that they frown on leaving things in there overnight, but there are rates for that.

One other thing to consider though, assuming that you are in a sleeper, is that you can leave your bags in the Metropolitan Lounge for free (other than a small tip to the redcap) on the day of departure, while you go riding elsewhere prior to departure.

This past April I used the lockers in CUS and they did have the thumb print security and they were a pain to use. We couldn't get ours to open and had to run down an attendant to open it for us. It also prints out a code on a piece of paper you will need as well. And I thought they were VERY expensive. Something like $2-$2.50 an hour.

 

[opaque]

Depends on what value your time spent without them is worth, especially if your hotel won't let you keep them before you can check in.

I'll be getting into Chicago at 8.40am so wil probably be availing myself of lockers (can't check with the hotel if they'll take them yet as it's not confirmed yet)

I'm pretty sure I paid £5 ($10) for mayber 4 hours at a luggage store in Edinburgh a couple of years ago and it was well worth it.

 

[AlanB]

Depends on what value your time spent without them is worth, especially if your hotel won't let you keep them before you can check in.I'll be getting into Chicago at 8.40am so wil probably be availing myself of lockers (can't check with the hotel if they'll take them yet as it's not confirmed yet)

I'm pretty sure I paid £5 ($10) for mayber 4 hours at a luggage store in Edinburgh a couple of years ago and it was well worth it.

While I wouldn't want to guarantee that every hotel would hold your bags, most hotels within the major chains do provide for their guests the ability to hold bags either prior to check-in or after check-out.

 

[opaque]

Well I don't think my Chicago hotels one in a chain but thats a good point if I have to change my plans to another hotel.

Thanks for your description of the DC lounge

 

[opaque]

Just found this thread on a Fodor's forum that talks about lockers. $9 for small, $12 for large cases for a day sounds pretty good to me!

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect....mp;tid=34998902

 

[RailBirder]

Anyone know the SIZE of the storage lockers at Chicago Union Station? I would like to take my larger bag (12x19x30), but if it's too big for a storage locker, maybe I should use my medium bag (11x18x26)? Any thoughts, ideas? I've tried calling numbers for Union station without any luck.

Thanks,

Mark

 

[AlanB]

Anyone know the SIZE of the storage lockers at Chicago Union Station? I would like to take my larger bag (12x19x30), but if it's too big for a storage locker, maybe I should use my medium bag (11x18x26)? Any thoughts, ideas? I've tried calling numbers for Union station without any luck.
Thanks,

Mark

They have lockers of varrying sizes. When I was last there a few years ago on an OTOL fest and used one, I was able to put my bag 14 inches wide, stands 23 inches tall, and is 7 inches thick along with a few other peoples bags inside of one of the larger lockers.

 

[frj1983]

I'm not sure when you're coming in Railbirder,

But be aware of the fact that those lockers fill in quickly as the day progresses!

 

[RailBirder]

OK, thanks for the tips. My plan is to store my bags about 8:00am in a locker on Sunday after I check out of my hotel. Ride "The Gathering" trains on Sunday, arriving at CUS at approx. 5:09pm. Get my bag, walk to the CTA orange line @ the Quincy/Wells station by 5:36pm to arrive at Midway approx 6:08pm for my 7:15pm flight out. I figured if I left my bags at the hotel, and went back to get them after the train rides, I would be cutting it too close to make my flight.

 

[AKA]

Larger lockers should hold a large bag and then some no problem. My wife and I use them all the time when in Chicago on day trips. We always take an emergency bag just in case . Bag also holds a small blanket and pillows. We leave in the middle of the night and in the summer the coach can get frosty. As far as cost. To each his own. Worth it for us.