G
Guest
Guest
I think he meant a Jr/Sr who don't use the Jr/Sr suffix on their reservations.
I'm a "jr", but never use it on anything, including my birth certificate nor driver's licence.
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I'm a "jr", but never use it on anything, including my birth certificate nor driver's licence.
In that case if you have a different address, then you'll have no problem. If you have the same address, then you could well have a problem.
Well, my wife's not a Jr or Sr, so we have that to consider.
Thank you all for the info (Except that one guest guy. You get no thanks).
We decided to keep our roomette for two (and a half), and not get the coach seat. Mrs. That Guy will see how she likes it, and hang out in the lounge if need be. If it becomes an issue, I'm going to use the idea of speaking to the crew about an unoccupied seat. So thanks again for all the input. We're pretty excited to ride the rails.
Sooo... anybody know how the parking situation is at Penn Station?
Thank you all for the info (Except that one guest guy. You get no thanks).
We decided to keep our roomette for two (and a half), and not get the coach seat. Mrs. That Guy will see how she likes it, and hang out in the lounge if need be. If it becomes an issue, I'm going to use the idea of speaking to the crew about an unoccupied seat. So thanks again for all the input. We're pretty excited to ride the rails.
Sooo... anybody know how the parking situation is at Penn Station?
Ryan
Court Jester
I think that's an excellent solution and that your wife won't have many issues.
Very, very expensive!
Please try to find some other way to get to the station, be it subway, commuter train, friends driving, etc.
Very, very expensive!
Please try to find some other way to get to the station, be it subway, commuter train, friends driving, etc.
Hmmm. Not what I was hoping to hear. Obviously, of course.
I know next to nothing about that part of the world. We're from NH. We figured with the boy, and luggage, it would be easier to do it in one shot as opposed to switching trains, subway, etc. Plus, we know how he's going to behave on a 5 hour car ride. A 5 hour train from Boston is a whole 'nother matter, and we'd rather not have to share that learning curve with other (innocent) passengers.
Any ideas? Easy transfers out of Connecticut? Shuttle bus? A hotel with long term(ish) parking and shuttle would be ideal.
That Guy,
I'm not certain that they allow overnight parking, much less how much it might cost, but you could consider New Haven. They do have a big parking facility right there, and it would be a straight shot right down I-91 to the station. You can call the New Haven Parking Authority to inquire about costs and overnights at 203-946-8936.
From New Haven, you have 2 options, buy tickets for the cheaper Metro North trains and then transfer from Grand Central to Penn Station in NY. Or buy Amtrak tickets and go straight to Penn. Amtrak is also faster, since it makes fewer stops. Be sure to allow enough time for delays, peferably at least 2 hours between connecting trains.
Being that you're in a sleeper, once you get to NY Penn, you can go to the Club Acela to wait for your next train. As a sleeping class passenger you are entitled to utilize Amtrak's first class lounges in NY. These lounges are a nice quiet refuge in the often-bustling train station. They have nice plush chairs, conference rooms, computer terminals, newspapers, TV's, luggage storage, free soft drinks, juices, coffee, tea, and clean safe bathrooms. They also allow you to board your train before the rest of the masses.
The lounge in NY can be found to the far left of the NJ Transit ticket windows as you face them, when standing in the Amtrak concourse which is on the 8th Avenue side of the station. Walk past the West Gate for tracks 7 & 8 on the left side of the escalator and you will see a sign on the corner of the wall. There is a doorbell to the left of two gold doors. Ring the bell and wait for the click to open the door. Note: In NY there is no pre-boarding ahead of the regular passengers, but they usually do announce your train in the lounge before they announce it in the main station. This means if you don’t dilly-dally, you can generally be near the head of the line at the escalator.
If New Haven isn't viable, try to find a parking lot west of 9th Avenue for cheaper rates in NY. But one problem that I see is that not all lots are staffed 24/7. So even if they let you overnight, there may not be anyone to keep an eye on your car. That could be very dangerous.
Another alternative migh be to drive to Albany, where overnight parking is also permitted and board an Amtrak train from there. That's about a 2-1/2 hour ride on the train from there.
I'm not certain that they allow overnight parking, much less how much it might cost, but you could consider New Haven. They do have a big parking facility right there, and it would be a straight shot right down I-91 to the station. You can call the New Haven Parking Authority to inquire about costs and overnights at 203-946-8936.
From New Haven, you have 2 options, buy tickets for the cheaper Metro North trains and then transfer from Grand Central to Penn Station in NY. Or buy Amtrak tickets and go straight to Penn. Amtrak is also faster, since it makes fewer stops. Be sure to allow enough time for delays, peferably at least 2 hours between connecting trains.
Being that you're in a sleeper, once you get to NY Penn, you can go to the Club Acela to wait for your next train. As a sleeping class passenger you are entitled to utilize Amtrak's first class lounges in NY. These lounges are a nice quiet refuge in the often-bustling train station. They have nice plush chairs, conference rooms, computer terminals, newspapers, TV's, luggage storage, free soft drinks, juices, coffee, tea, and clean safe bathrooms. They also allow you to board your train before the rest of the masses.
The lounge in NY can be found to the far left of the NJ Transit ticket windows as you face them, when standing in the Amtrak concourse which is on the 8th Avenue side of the station. Walk past the West Gate for tracks 7 & 8 on the left side of the escalator and you will see a sign on the corner of the wall. There is a doorbell to the left of two gold doors. Ring the bell and wait for the click to open the door. Note: In NY there is no pre-boarding ahead of the regular passengers, but they usually do announce your train in the lounge before they announce it in the main station. This means if you don’t dilly-dally, you can generally be near the head of the line at the escalator.
If New Haven isn't viable, try to find a parking lot west of 9th Avenue for cheaper rates in NY. But one problem that I see is that not all lots are staffed 24/7. So even if they let you overnight, there may not be anyone to keep an eye on your car. That could be very dangerous.
Another alternative migh be to drive to Albany, where overnight parking is also permitted and board an Amtrak train from there. That's about a 2-1/2 hour ride on the train from there.
the_traveler
Engineer
I'm not sure what part of NH you're from, but is it possible for you to take a bus (either an Amtrak Thruway bus or another bus) to Boston South Station?
Ryan
Court Jester
I agree that driving to Kingston might be a very good place to leave your car for the trip.
TVRM610
Conductor
In regards to the original issue you def. Made the right choice. No need to buy a coach ticket, your wife can just sit in the lounge car! It'll be less crowded than the coaches anyways... Most of the time.
the_traveler
Engineer
If they associate an AGR number with their ticket, even if they don't use Jr and Sr on the tickets, they would not have the same AGR number!
wayman
Engineer
New Haven parking is $13 per 24hrs (measured by hours, not by calendar days -- much nicer than some lots!). You want the garage that is right next to the station, not any of the other lots you might see on the way (some of which are actually quite a bit more expensive). The garage is connected directly by walkway to the station.
I've parked there for four days once; I don't there being a maximum stay posted anywhere.
Well it's looking like New Haven. La Quinta Inn has free parking and shuttle to the station, so we'll head out the night before and stay there.
This is good because it'll be much more leisurely; no rushing to make the train. The bus would be a good idea it it were just me, but with Mrs. That Guy and little TG not so much. Plus we live up in the sticks, so we need to drive an hour just to get anywhere. Why not a couple more and eliminate the bus, minimize transfers, etc.
So now I'm wondering:
Do we get to use the 1st class lounge at Penn Station after the return trip (with Roomette), while waiting the New Haven train? This would make life a whole lot easier.
Does checked baggage get transferred automatically?
How hectic is the loading procedure at Penn Station, with all the luggage, kid, etc?
This is good because it'll be much more leisurely; no rushing to make the train. The bus would be a good idea it it were just me, but with Mrs. That Guy and little TG not so much. Plus we live up in the sticks, so we need to drive an hour just to get anywhere. Why not a couple more and eliminate the bus, minimize transfers, etc.
So now I'm wondering:
Do we get to use the 1st class lounge at Penn Station after the return trip (with Roomette), while waiting the New Haven train? This would make life a whole lot easier.
Does checked baggage get transferred automatically?
How hectic is the loading procedure at Penn Station, with all the luggage, kid, etc?
Good choice!
Yes.
Yes, but there is a big problem for you. The only train that takes checked baggage from New Haven is the overnight train #67. If you check your bags at New Haven, they won't get picked up until very late that night, and therefore they won't be on the train to Savanah with you. They'll be a day behind you, meaning that you'd have to come back to the Savanah station the next day to get your bags.
So if you really want to check your bags at New Haven, then you must do so the night you arrive at the La Quinta. That way they'd go out that night and get onto your train to Savanah the next day. Otherwise wait until NY to check your bags.
It can be a bit overwhelming for a first timer, even without the little guy. The lounge attendant will make an announcement telling you what track/gate to go to. Then the gate attendant will check you tickets before sending you down on the escalator to track level. Usually one of the conductors is near the bottom of the escalator to direct you towards the correct car.
Alternatively you can make your life easier if you ask at the desk where you check into the lounge for a Redcap. The Redcap will show up a bit earlier than the general boarding announcement in the lounge and pesonally escort you to your sleeper, not to mention carrying your bags for you. The tip to the Redcap may well be worth it to you for making life easier during the boarding process. There is no other charge than a tip, which is highly recommended but actually not a requirement.
Ryan
Court Jester
The same thing will happen on the way home, and there isn't as easy a solution. You'll get to New Haven, but your baggage won't arrive until #66 arrives early thing the next morning. The only solutions that I can see (unless you don't check any bags) is to stay in New Haven overnight and go back by the station the following morning to get your bags and head home.
amamba
Engineer
How much luggage will you have, TG? I am just wondering if maybe you want to only do carry-on luggage?
Me, not much. Mrs. TG is pretty good about that stuff, but still...
I guess we'll have to keep it to carry on size.
The tricky part will be the car seat and stroller. Then baby bag, suitcase, and our "carry on". Oh, and his suitcase.
This could be fun.
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Keep that attitude and it will be fun :lol:
Yeah it will for sure. I just figure the more I sweat the details now, the less hassle then.
I found the carry on guidelines- pretty generous. I think we can pull it off. The limits don't apply to baby gear, so we could theoretically bring more carry on than we could carry. But truth be told, despite the name I don't want to be that guy.
T
tyrod B
Guest
hi guys! both me and my wife are taking oour first rain trip and Im kind of in the same boat as " that guy"..with the possible claustrophobia but my main issue is that were taking the Dallas to Chicago texas eagle in june and are considering getting a roomette due to my being a VERY light sleeper. can you tell me about the noise level in the coach cars??
Thanks for al your help in advance
but my main issue is that were taking the Dallas to Chicago texas eagle in june and are considering getting a roomette due to my being a VERY light sleeper. can you tell me about the noise level in the coach cars??Thanks for al your help in advance
Pat Harper
Lead Service Attendant
If you have a good pair of ear plugs, you can probably get by, but I'll take a sleeper over coach seat any day! Much less foot traffic, no screaming children or bawling babies (unless you have one in the room with you).
Have a great trip!
I'm a very light sleeper, so much so that I'll wake up if an ant coughs. :lol: Earplugs do work all right, and if you do get coach seats, if you can, try to sit near the center of the car, away from the doors. If at all possible, I'd go for the sleeper and move around the train should you get claustrophobic. While it can be noisy in sleepers too, it's much less so than the coaches.
Devil's Advocate
⠀⠀⠀
Sleepers are generally quieter, but they can also have extremely disruptive guests that apparently have no clue or no concern that they're annoying anyone else. My advice is to take ear plugs. Find ones that work well with your ears well before your trip. You want them to block as much noise as possible while also being comfortable and not falling out. If anyone is making so much noise the plugs can't block it then speak up to whoever is overstepping the boundaries of common courtesy. It doesn't matter if it's an disruptive family or a couple of frat boys; nobody should be prevented from a good nights sleep just because someone else hasn't been taught how and when to use their indoor voice.
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