Is there a way to buy a one day pass to the metro lounge?

[IllinoisMommy]

I'm taking my kids up to Michigan to visit family and as you all know there are no sleepers on the Michigan lines. (I wish they were ) I hate the whole coach animal herd stampede to board a train. Is there anyway to buy a one day pass? Or is my only option to buy points through AGR and buy a 5 pack of one-day passes? I don't travel enough to earn points quick enough. Bleh.

 

[the_traveler]

Amtrak or AGR does not offer a one day pass - except as noted in those 5 packs.

Your only other options are either arrive or depart via a sleeper, be a Select or Select+ member of AGR or try to obtain a pass from someone who has an extra pass.

 

[AlanB]

One thing to consider is that being in the lounge still isn't going to help you avoid the cattle call. For Michigan trains, they don't board directly from the lounge to the train. They just make an announcement for you to go back out to the regular waiting area and join the line.

Best way to avoid the line is to get a RedCap and give them a tip. Also, usually, they will make a special announcement for those with small children to come to the head of the line. If you indeed have one or more, that can help too.

 

[Illinois Mommy]

Best way to avoid the line is to get a RedCap and give them a tip. Also, usually, they will make a special announcement for those with small children to come to the head of the line. If you indeed have one or more, that can help too.

If you have a red cap do they pre-board you? Or how does that work?

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

Best way to avoid the line is to get a RedCap and give them a tip. Also, usually, they will make a special announcement for those with small children to come to the head of the line. If you indeed have one or more, that can help too.

If you have a red cap do they pre-board you? Or how does that work?

They will help you with your baggage, to find your train, and to help you with your children. Basically a "general helper" or "Station Attendant". Notice that this is a tip service. Least $3.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Best way to avoid the line is to get a RedCap and give them a tip. Also, usually, they will make a special announcement for those with small children to come to the head of the line. If you indeed have one or more, that can help too.

If you have a red cap do they pre-board you? Or how does that work?

I think they generally will pre-board you.

** Don't let what I say below deter you from using red caps or letting them know you have small children (and therefore get to go to the front of the line).

I was near the front of a line for a regional in WAS recently and the young woman who was first in line was not happy seeing others "get ahead of her".

The people she was not happy with were:

People who used the Red Caps

People with young children

Elderly

And, oh dear, our gate was next to Club Acela, so she could see people coming out of there ahead of us.

I tried to expain to her that none of them were butting in line and that it was Amtrak policy to allow these people to pre-board. That did not appear to appease her. I felt like saying "just wait till you have kids, have a handicap, are elderly" and see how you feel if you were not allowed to move to the front of the line or pre-board.

My sister, who is 72, and I could have easily gotten "in front of the line", but neither of us felt the need to.

Apparently she thought all these people (I would say it was no more than a 1/2 a car full) were going to get the best seats as I saw her running to the train when we were finally allowed on the platform.

 

[Bob Dylan]

As the saying goes: "Too bad youth is wasted on the young!" Everyone is in such a hurry now-a-days, what ever happened to "stop and smell the roses!" And of course, most people now-a-days seem to have not been taught manners and have a real anger problem with others that they preceive as "getting over!". Bet that young woman will be the first one to complain if, as was said,she has children(sounds like she wouldnt be a very good cantidate for Motherhood!), grows up to be old or becomes infirm! Bet shes not much fun to work with, ride on a Train or God forbid date! <_< Other Socities pride themselves on honoring the aged, the handicapped and the children, we seem to be lacking in all these areas!

 

[the_traveler]

what ever happened to "stop and smell the roses!"

I never saw any roses on the platforms at the stations!

And yes, the Red Caps will get you to the train before the crowds. Most times in NYP or WAS, the Red Cap has me out to the platform before the train arrives (if it is not starting there)!

 

[MiRider]

Illinois Mommy....

What train are you taking?

I'm very familiar with the Pere Marquette if you have any questions.

Members thully and Sorcha are very familiar with the Wolverine.

As everyone has said, you'll still have to board from the general boarding area and they do call seniors, disabled, and families with small children to board first, so you'll avoid the stampede (I've never seen one on the Pere Marquette).

Don't be shy, talk to one of the people in the boarding area and they'll tell you what to do and what time they'll begin pre-boarding - it won't be more than 30 minutes in advance, probably closer to 15 or 20.

At that point, you and the kiddos can walk around the station, go to the food court, or wait in the waiting area until that time.

As others said, the Metropolitan Lounge isn't going to be of any benefit for a train without sleepers.

Union Station is not scary or dangerous, the worst thing is the panhandlers but there aren't many of them.

Not making eye contact with strangers, but being aware of your surroundings is the best defense but it's in no way scary - really.

Have a fun trip!

 

[AmtrakBlue]

what ever happened to "stop and smell the roses!"

I never saw any roses on the platforms at the stations!

Well, I'll see what I can do about getting on the platform to meet you on Saturday.

 

[Devil's Advocate]

As the saying goes: "Too bad youth is wasted on the young!" Everyone is in such a hurry now-a-days, what ever happened to "stop and smell the roses!"

I think that ended when we got jobs and joined the workforce. Do any of you retired folks remember working for a living or has it already been too long since then? :lol:

Bet that young woman will be the first one to complain if, as was said,she has children grows up to be old or becomes infirm! .

Maybe there should be a Godwin style law about manufactured irony? ^_^

Bet shes not much fun to work with, ride on a Train or God forbid date! <_< Other Socities pride themselves on honoring the aged, the handicapped and the children, we seem to be lacking in all these areas!

I pride myself on being equally disrespectful toward every group. :hi:

 

[Illinois Mommy]

I'm taking the Wolverine - 352. Would it be worthwhile to upgrade to business class to give the kids more room, or would I earn the glares of childless adults if we sat in business class? My 4 year old is super excited. She loves the train.

Illinois Mommy....

What train are you taking?

I'm very familiar with the Pere Marquette if you have any questions.

Members thully and Sorcha are very familiar with the Wolverine.

As everyone has said, you'll still have to board from the general boarding area and they do call seniors, disabled, and families with small children to board first, so you'll avoid the stampede (I've never seen one on the Pere Marquette).

Don't be shy, talk to one of the people in the boarding area and they'll tell you what to do and what time they'll begin pre-boarding - it won't be more than 30 minutes in advance, probably closer to 15 or 20.

At that point, you and the kiddos can walk around the station, go to the food court, or wait in the waiting area until that time.

As others said, the Metropolitan Lounge isn't going to be of any benefit for a train without sleepers.

Union Station is not scary or dangerous, the worst thing is the panhandlers but there aren't many of them.

Not making eye contact with strangers, but being aware of your surroundings is the best defense but it's in no way scary - really.

Have a fun trip!

 

[tubaia]

** Don't let what I say below deter you from using red caps or letting them know you have small children (and therefore get to go to the front of the line).

I was near the front of a line for a regional in WAS recently and the young woman who was first in line was not happy seeing others "get ahead of her".

The people she was not happy with were:

People who used the Red Caps

People with young children

Elderly

And, oh dear, our gate was next to Club Acela, so she could see people coming out of there ahead of us.

I tried to expain to her that none of them were butting in line and that it was Amtrak policy to allow these people to pre-board. That did not appear to appease her. I felt like saying "just wait till you have kids, have a handicap, are elderly" and see how you feel if you were not allowed to move to the front of the line or pre-board.

My sister, who is 72, and I could have easily gotten "in front of the line", but neither of us felt the need to.

Apparently she thought all these people (I would say it was no more than a 1/2 a car full) were going to get the best seats as I saw her running to the train when we were finally allowed on the platform.

Last fall, we went through CHI and boarded the CL toward WAS. There was a huge crowd waiting to board. I knew there were plenty of seats, so I wasn't too worried, but I thought it was kind of humorous that by the time they finished pre-boarding, there were only a few of us left to go. I think 80-90% were seniors and/or needed assistance. I was starting to think it was a casino trip. :lol:

 

[benjibear]

Not sure what happened to my post here.

 

[Devil's Advocate]

Single-entry lounge passes are quite common for domestic airlines. Some folks use such passes for the purpose of trying out the lounge before buying an annual pass. Single entry passes can also be used as a dispute resolution tool whereby the value of the pass is eventually refunded if and when the passenger is able to prove that the airline staff were at fault for denying free access. Is there some reason why Amtrak chose not to offer this sort of option? For that matter, do they even offer a paid annual membership?

Not sure what happened to my post here.

Tell me about it. I had to purchase a day pass just to post in this thread. :angry2:

 

[ColdRain&Snow]

Regarding those healthy, completely able-bodied passengers who are not struggling with their luggage nor have kids but still beckon the assistance of a Redcap for the primary purpose of beating others to the train...I am just curious:

When an able-bodied person uses a Redcap for the sole purpose of "buying" their way to the platform early, how are they making absolutely sure that they're not displacing another passenger with special needs who genuinely does need a Redcap and early boarding preference?

I've never understood the justification of using a Redcap solely for the purpose of buying your way to the train early when you clearly don't need any special assistance. What am I missing here folks?

 

[AlanB]

Regarding those healthy, completely able-bodied passengers who are not struggling with their luggage nor have kids but still beckon the assistance of a Redcap for the primary purpose of beating others to the train...I am just curious:

When an able-bodied person uses a Redcap for the sole purpose of "buying" their way to the platform early, how are they making absolutely sure that they're not displacing another passenger with special needs who genuinely does need a Redcap and early boarding preference?

I've never understood the justification of using a Redcap solely for the purpose of buying your way to the train early when you clearly don't need any special assistance. What am I missing here folks?

There are generally more than enough Redcaps to take care of all who want/need help. And it's rare that a redcap takes just 1 person/party out to a train. Usually they have several people with them each trip.

Just yesterday I used a Redcap in Boston simply to get out to my Acela early and get my pick of seats. I didn't even have any luggage for him to carry. Now I will grant that it was a Redcap that knows me and has taken me out more than once to trains in Boston. But he had no problems with walking me out, heck, he didn't even walk me to my car, just past the gate and then I slipped him a tip and he turned around since he was carrying nothing and went back into the station.

Maybe 5 minutes later I saw him pushing his cart with some luggage on it taking someone else who had asked for his help out to the train. In the past, I've seen some Redcaps in Boston make 3 trips to the same train if it is warranted.

So if someone goes without help, then it's because they didn't ask for help or they got there way too late.

 

[MiRider]

Regarding those healthy, completely able-bodied passengers who are not struggling with their luggage nor have kids but still beckon the assistance of a Redcap for the primary purpose of beating others to the train...I am just curious:

When an able-bodied person uses a Redcap for the sole purpose of "buying" their way to the platform early, how are they making absolutely sure that they're not displacing another passenger with special needs who genuinely does need a Redcap and early boarding preference?

I've never understood the justification of using a Redcap solely for the purpose of buying your way to the train early when you clearly don't need any special assistance. What am I missing here folks?

There are generally more than enough Redcaps to take care of all who want/need help. And it's rare that a redcap takes just 1 person/party out to a train. Usually they have several people with them each trip.

Just yesterday I used a Redcap in Boston simply to get out to my Acela early and get my pick of seats. I didn't even have any luggage for him to carry. Now I will grant that it was a Redcap that knows me and has taken me out more than once to trains in Boston. But he had no problems with walking me out, heck, he didn't even walk me to my car, just past the gate and then I slipped him a tip and he turned around since he was carrying nothing and went back into the station.

Maybe 5 minutes later I saw him pushing his cart with some luggage on it taking someone else who had asked for his help out to the train. In the past, I've seen some Redcaps in Boston make 3 trips to the same train if it is warranted.

So if someone goes without help, then it's because they didn't ask for help or they got there way too late.

Like Alan, I use Redcaps whenever I have the chance, which is always in Chicago.

If you want to call that 'buying my way to the platform' well then, so be it, besides... I can always use the help.

They're never short of Redcaps and, as Alan said....

if someone goes without help, then it's because they didn't ask for help or they got there way too late.

 

[ColdRain&Snow]

Regarding those healthy, completely able-bodied passengers who are not struggling with their luggage nor have kids but still beckon the assistance of a Redcap for the primary purpose of beating others to the train...I am just curious:

When an able-bodied person uses a Redcap for the sole purpose of "buying" their way to the platform early, how are they making absolutely sure that they're not displacing another passenger with special needs who genuinely does need a Redcap and early boarding preference?

I've never understood the justification of using a Redcap solely for the purpose of buying your way to the train early when you clearly don't need any special assistance. What am I missing here folks?

There are generally more than enough Redcaps to take care of all who want/need help. And it's rare that a redcap takes just 1 person/party out to a train. Usually they have several people with them each trip.

Just yesterday I used a Redcap in Boston simply to get out to my Acela early and get my pick of seats. I didn't even have any luggage for him to carry. Now I will grant that it was a Redcap that knows me and has taken me out more than once to trains in Boston. But he had no problems with walking me out, heck, he didn't even walk me to my car, just past the gate and then I slipped him a tip and he turned around since he was carrying nothing and went back into the station.

Maybe 5 minutes later I saw him pushing his cart with some luggage on it taking someone else who had asked for his help out to the train. In the past, I've seen some Redcaps in Boston make 3 trips to the same train if it is warranted.

So if someone goes without help, then it's because they didn't ask for help or they got there way too late.

I would hesitate to look at this through the perspective of the Redcap himself since he's going to shuttle as many people as he can to make the most possible money. What's good for him isn't necessarily what's good for pax with special needs.

But running with your example...

You as an able-body are taken down to the train either first or with the first group. Sitting upstairs in Boston CA is a frail elderly woman with many bags, waiting for the Redcap to return. She may or may not even be part of the second group. Let's say that I and another able-body were queued next, meaning she would be brought down in the third group. By this time, it's possible and even likely that general boarding has started from the CA. So, by the point this woman is boarded with the Redcap, the cabin is already bustling with people and bags.

So your argument seems to be that the situation is OK because the Redcap did eventually get her to the train. But this is a person who truly did need preboarding because she has heavy bags, moves slowly, and requires special handling as a frail senior citizen. I personally would feel rotten about myself if I sat in my seat and watched this all go down, knowing that I was boarded 10-15 minutes before her. It's not far fetched -- I saw something similar happen yesterday while waiting to board #8 in Seattle.

 

[johnny.menhennet]

I do not think that a business class seat is necessary for you or your daughter. The seats are very big and will feel massive to a 4-year old, and she will be so overwhelmed with the 110 mph running and the scenery and asking questions as a curious 4-year old should that she will not feel like running around or spreading out much, and neither will you. Regardless of whether you decide to upgrade or not, I do not think a day pass would be worth purchasing no matter what. I do not imagine you spending multiple hours in the lounge, enough to justify a purchase, because you are not entitled to priority boarding from the lounge for Michigan trains and there are not many amenities.

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

Don't go for the upgrade. The Wolverine does no have the best BC. You are better off staying in Coach. Boarding in CHI is not that hard, just do what you have to do and nothing more.

 

[AlanB]

I would hesitate to look at this through the perspective of the Redcap himself since he's going to shuttle as many people as he can to make the most possible money. What's good for him isn't necessarily what's good for pax with special needs.

But running with your example...

You as an able-body are taken down to the train either first or with the first group. Sitting upstairs in Boston CA is a frail elderly woman with many bags, waiting for the Redcap to return. She may or may not even be part of the second group. Let's say that I and another able-body were queued next, meaning she would be brought down in the third group. By this time, it's possible and even likely that general boarding has started from the CA. So, by the point this woman is boarded with the Redcap, the cabin is already bustling with people and bags.

So your argument seems to be that the situation is OK because the Redcap did eventually get her to the train. But this is a person who truly did need preboarding because she has heavy bags, moves slowly, and requires special handling as a frail senior citizen. I personally would feel rotten about myself if I sat in my seat and watched this all go down, knowing that I was boarded 10-15 minutes before her. It's not far fetched -- I saw something similar happen yesterday while waiting to board #8 in Seattle.

If indeed there is a "frail, elderly women with many bags" sitting in the CA who is not taken out with the first group that each redcap takes to the train, then it is because she did NOT ask for help! It's really that simple. Especially in your example of Boston's CA. Boston's CA simply isn't that big or that busy.

That frail women would have to walk right past the Redcaps on her way to the lounge, not to mention climbing the steps with all of her bags. If she does get to the elevator, well then she needs an Amtrak person to key the elevator to get to the lounge. Nine out of ten times, that "Amtrak" person will be a Redcap. Then upon checkin, the attendant would ask her if she wants a Redcap. At 51, I'm still quite able bodied, and even I get asked every time I check in if I would like a Redcap. So again, if she's left sitting in the lounge, then there are only two possibilities. Either she didn't ask for help or the Redcap forgot her. And they're pretty good about not leaving people behind, especially in Boston where there simply isn't a large crowd.

Additionally, on more than one occasion I've been taken to my train in the company of many others. Sometimes as many as 7 or 8 people, not all of whom where even in the lounge. Each Redcap doesn't take just one person at a time, unless they only have 1 person who requested help. And there are typically at least 2 or 3 Redcaps on duty, each with their own group of passengers.

Once at Penn, I requested a Redcap which I don't normally do for myself. But my mom was with me and we decided with our luggage that it would be easier. Mom's 78 now, but at the time I think she was 75. Our Redcap took 4 other people with us, one of whom was in a wheel chair. I actually carried/rolled 2 of our bags, because his hand truck was full. He pushed the wheel chair with one hand and pulled his hand truck with the other. A second Redcap also worked that same train.

In NY & DC, again most agents will ask if they think that the person might require assistance and anyone can simply ask if they want one, without regard to ability.

In Philly, again the only way to the lounge is to climb stairs or get a Redcap to key the elevator for you.

In Chicago, prior to the general boarding announcement for any train, they make a pre-boarding announcement for anyone wishing Redcap service to come to the front desk about 5 minutes before they make the general announcement and take people out the back door.

As to your Seattle example, without knowing the details and when that person arrived and asked for help, there is little to debate. Could it happen on a rare occasion? I suppose that with the right combination of mistakes or a Redcap being out sick, sure. But in general, no one is getting left behind who wanted help because some able bodied person asked for a Redcap.

 

[Eric S]

Don't go for the upgrade. The Wolverine does no have the best BC. You are better off staying in Coach. Boarding in CHI is not that hard, just do what you have to do and nothing more.

What is the best BC?

 

[ColdRain&Snow]

I would hesitate to look at this through the perspective of the Redcap himself since he's going to shuttle as many people as he can to make the most possible money. What's good for him isn't necessarily what's good for pax with special needs.

But running with your example...

You as an able-body are taken down to the train either first or with the first group. Sitting upstairs in Boston CA is a frail elderly woman with many bags, waiting for the Redcap to return. She may or may not even be part of the second group. Let's say that I and another able-body were queued next, meaning she would be brought down in the third group. By this time, it's possible and even likely that general boarding has started from the CA. So, by the point this woman is boarded with the Redcap, the cabin is already bustling with people and bags.

So your argument seems to be that the situation is OK because the Redcap did eventually get her to the train. But this is a person who truly did need preboarding because she has heavy bags, moves slowly, and requires special handling as a frail senior citizen. I personally would feel rotten about myself if I sat in my seat and watched this all go down, knowing that I was boarded 10-15 minutes before her. It's not far fetched -- I saw something similar happen yesterday while waiting to board #8 in Seattle.

If indeed there is a "frail, elderly women with many bags" sitting in the CA who is not taken out with the first group that each redcap takes to the train, then it is because she did NOT ask for help! It's really that simple. Especially in your example of Boston's CA. Boston's CA simply isn't that big or that busy.

That frail women would have to walk right past the Redcaps on her way to the lounge, not to mention climbing the steps with all of her bags. If she does get to the elevator, well then she needs an Amtrak person to key the elevator to get to the lounge. Nine out of ten times, that "Amtrak" person will be a Redcap. Then upon checkin, the attendant would ask her if she wants a Redcap. At 51, I'm still quite able bodied, and even I get asked every time I check in if I would like a Redcap. So again, if she's left sitting in the lounge, then there are only two possibilities. Either she didn't ask for help or the Redcap forgot her. And they're pretty good about not leaving people behind, especially in Boston where there simply isn't a large crowd.

Additionally, on more than one occasion I've been taken to my train in the company of many others. Sometimes as many as 7 or 8 people, not all of whom where even in the lounge. Each Redcap doesn't take just one person at a time, unless they only have 1 person who requested help. And there are typically at least 2 or 3 Redcaps on duty, each with their own group of passengers.

Once at Penn, I requested a Redcap which I don't normally do for myself. But my mom was with me and we decided with our luggage that it would be easier. Mom's 78 now, but at the time I think she was 75. Our Redcap took 4 other people with us, one of whom was in a wheel chair. I actually carried/rolled 2 of our bags, because his hand truck was full. He pushed the wheel chair with one hand and pulled his hand truck with the other. A second Redcap also worked that same train.

In NY & DC, again most agents will ask if they think that the person might require assistance and anyone can simply ask if they want one, without regard to ability.

In Philly, again the only way to the lounge is to climb stairs or get a Redcap to key the elevator for you.

In Chicago, prior to the general boarding announcement for any train, they make a pre-boarding announcement for anyone wishing Redcap service to come to the front desk about 5 minutes before they make the general announcement and take people out the back door.

As to your Seattle example, without knowing the details and when that person arrived and asked for help, there is little to debate. Could it happen on a rare occasion? I suppose that with the right combination of mistakes or a Redcap being out sick, sure. But in general, no one is getting left behind who wanted help because some able bodied person asked for a Redcap.

All of this might be OK if we knew for sure that Redcaps are consistently serving those with true needs FIRST. What I saw last night failed this standard miserably.

In a post from last year, you wrote:

"And for the record, I've grabbed a Red Cap once even without luggage to get me out there early. Yes, I still slipped him a couple of bucks for the favor, even though he did nothing more than escort me out to the train."

What I am trying to figure out is how you're able to rule out that the "favor" you're asking of the Redcap isn't displacing somebody else with special needs? Sure, that person may get help eventually under your argument above, but shouldn't they be served before anyone else? Before you? How are you ensuring that this is faithfully happening each time? When I look at the description of Redcaps on amtrak.com, I see several references to their function of helping passengers with their luggage. What I don't see is any mention of their function as a shortcut-for-hire -- or as you put it, a favor -- to confer preferential early boarding privileges upon pax with neither luggage nor special needs.

How isn't your use of the Redcaps in this way a contravention of the spirit of their purpose?

 

[Alice]

I would hesitate to look at this through the perspective of the Redcap himself since he's going to shuttle as many people as he can to make the most possible money. What's good for him isn't necessarily what's good for pax with special needs.

But running with your example...

You as an able-body are taken down to the train either first or with the first group. Sitting upstairs in Boston CA is a frail elderly woman with many bags, waiting for the Redcap to return. She may or may not even be part of the second group. Let's say that I and another able-body were queued next, meaning she would be brought down in the third group. By this time, it's possible and even likely that general boarding has started from the CA. So, by the point this woman is boarded with the Redcap, the cabin is already bustling with people and bags.

So your argument seems to be that the situation is OK because the Redcap did eventually get her to the train. But this is a person who truly did need preboarding because she has heavy bags, moves slowly, and requires special handling as a frail senior citizen. I personally would feel rotten about myself if I sat in my seat and watched this all go down, knowing that I was boarded 10-15 minutes before her. It's not far fetched -- I saw something similar happen yesterday while waiting to board #8 in Seattle.

If indeed there is a "frail, elderly women with many bags" sitting in the CA who is not taken out with the first group that each redcap takes to the train, then it is because she did NOT ask for help! It's really that simple. Especially in your example of Boston's CA. Boston's CA simply isn't that big or that busy.

That frail women would have to walk right past the Redcaps on her way to the lounge, not to mention climbing the steps with all of her bags. If she does get to the elevator, well then she needs an Amtrak person to key the elevator to get to the lounge. Nine out of ten times, that "Amtrak" person will be a Redcap. Then upon checkin, the attendant would ask her if she wants a Redcap. At 51, I'm still quite able bodied, and even I get asked every time I check in if I would like a Redcap. So again, if she's left sitting in the lounge, then there are only two possibilities. Either she didn't ask for help or the Redcap forgot her. And they're pretty good about not leaving people behind, especially in Boston where there simply isn't a large crowd.

Additionally, on more than one occasion I've been taken to my train in the company of many others. Sometimes as many as 7 or 8 people, not all of whom where even in the lounge. Each Redcap doesn't take just one person at a time, unless they only have 1 person who requested help. And there are typically at least 2 or 3 Redcaps on duty, each with their own group of passengers.

Once at Penn, I requested a Redcap which I don't normally do for myself. But my mom was with me and we decided with our luggage that it would be easier. Mom's 78 now, but at the time I think she was 75. Our Redcap took 4 other people with us, one of whom was in a wheel chair. I actually carried/rolled 2 of our bags, because his hand truck was full. He pushed the wheel chair with one hand and pulled his hand truck with the other. A second Redcap also worked that same train.

In NY & DC, again most agents will ask if they think that the person might require assistance and anyone can simply ask if they want one, without regard to ability.

In Philly, again the only way to the lounge is to climb stairs or get a Redcap to key the elevator for you.

In Chicago, prior to the general boarding announcement for any train, they make a pre-boarding announcement for anyone wishing Redcap service to come to the front desk about 5 minutes before they make the general announcement and take people out the back door.

As to your Seattle example, without knowing the details and when that person arrived and asked for help, there is little to debate. Could it happen on a rare occasion? I suppose that with the right combination of mistakes or a Redcap being out sick, sure. But in general, no one is getting left behind who wanted help because some able bodied person asked for a Redcap.

All of this might be OK if we knew for sure that Redcaps are consistently serving those with true needs FIRST. What I saw last night failed this standard miserably.

In a post from last year, you wrote:

"And for the record, I've grabbed a Red Cap once even without luggage to get me out there early. Yes, I still slipped him a couple of bucks for the favor, even though he did nothing more than escort me out to the train."

What I am trying to figure out is how you're able to rule out that the "favor" you're asking of the Redcap isn't displacing somebody else with special needs? Sure, that person may get help eventually under your argument above, but shouldn't they be served before anyone else? Before you? How are you ensuring that this is faithfully happening each time? When I look at the description of Redcaps on amtrak.com, I see several references to their function of helping passengers with their luggage. What I don't see is any mention of their function as a shortcut-for-hire -- or as you put it, a favor -- to confer preferential early boarding privileges upon pax with neither luggage nor special needs.

How isn't your use of the Redcaps in this way a contravention of the spirit of their purpose?

I've only used a red cap a few times, and I use a wheelchair fulltime. From what I could tell, the red caps do not take people out first-come-first-served even if they are making several trips. They tell me and others, "Wait here and I'll be back to get you." Even if 100 percent of the people on a train were using a red cap, I think they'd work it out so people who needed certain things, like seats together or lower level or space for luggage or help finding the right train or whatever, would get them. I wouldn't be surprised to find that red caps load a car more efficiently than cattle call or kindergarten walk, as to both passengers and luggage.