Amtrak's policy for sitting in a 4 seater

[drevil0208]

I was just wondering if Amtrak has a policy whereby 1 or 2 people are not allowed to occupy a 4 seater arrangement? I'm specifically wondering about Acela Express, Northeast Regional and The Adirondack?

I know VIA has signs on 4 seaters saying "Reserved for groups of 3 or 4". I'm not sure if Amtrak has the same policy.

My son and I are travelling together and would like to both have window seats...

 

[Railroad Bill]

Not sure if it is official Amtrak policy but if a family of four is trying to find a seat together, the right thing to do would be to find a two seater.

 

[Guest]

I was just wondering if Amtrak has a policy whereby 1 or 2 people are not allowed to occupy a 4 seater arrangement? I'm specifically wondering about Acela Express, Northeast Regional and The Adirondack?

I know VIA has signs on 4 seaters saying "Reserved for groups of 3 or 4". I'm not sure if Amtrak has the same policy.

My son and I are travelling together and would like to both have window seats...

If 1 or 2 sit in a 4 seater they must lets others sit in the unoccupied seats. Some crews will put up signs saying reserved for groups of three or more. That is a guideline. On crowded trains you definitly will be sharing. You won't be 1 or 2 in the 4 seat arrangement. If you try to hog a 4 seater some crew are diligent about seating others there. Possibly seating companions you wont be thrilled with. On Acela Express the 4 seaters have a table. They are very popular for working at. You would probably be sharing those for sure..

 

[jis]

Also depends on what service you're talking about. On the North East Corridor, it is free for all. you just grab any seat that you can find most of the time. If the train is relatively less loaded then they will try to save 4 seaters for groups. Off the corridor conductors/coach attendants try to save 4 seaters for families.

 

[Peter KG6LSE]

ON the cascades its VERY light loaded . . Ill often take a table seat to use my laptop on . there small lounge is not as large as most of the other rolling stock in the amtrak system...

If some one wants to join in. I have no problem.

MODS move the stuff below if you think it needs a new thread

as a bone to pick about the cascades I often get a handicapped discount so II can get a seat to keep my legs straight (WAY less pain)..

The ignorant staff( conductors ) on the train are very picky in what car you sit in .

as I go from EUG to PDX and back . I am all was asked to go to cars 9 and 8.they are not handicapped seats they are all normal. I would not mind BUT ...

you would think with the scanners( Iphones ) they would see some kinda icon that says HEY this guy is ment to sit behind the cafe on the coach side.

As some know with the cascades some days you need to get a seat check from the person at the counter IN the station.... So the person there is the weak link. handing me a seat tag for the rear when I paid and asked for with a DMV hang tag a accessible seat .

SO what I have done from now on is just get the normal coach and I just sit in that 4way seat( with or with out the table and help my self to what is needed for leg room . as NO time have i seen a full train that needed to take the seat across from mine .

If and when that time comes Ill deal with it then.

call me selfish but I am a bitter person with when I see how stupid some systems are as

this so far Only happens on the cascades . the LDs I have been on did not have this issue and thats VERY frustrating.

perhaps I need to give a call to PDX and wake them up ! .

ya know a simple solution is to DO THERE JOB!

EDIT: made a call and am waiting for a call back from guest relations .

/rant/

 

[Oreius]

On the Keystone Service, 4-seaters are almost always a free-for-all. I've ridden a few times (most recently yesterday on Train 663) in a 4-seater and had it all to myself from NYP to Elizabethtown. Now, I don't hog all 4 seats; I've just been lucky that I've never had to share a 4-seater with anyone. The only problem with the Keystones is that half the seats will face backwards and half will face forwards due to the push-pull configuration. I ALWAYS get a seat facing forward, because I get nauseated riding backwards. Before yesterday, I never asked the conductor which direction out of NYP we will be traveling. Even though I got the answer I needed yesterday, I still sat in the 4-seater because my car was maybe only 1/3 full leaving Penn Station. But I'm sure it is a different story during the rush-hour periods on weekdays. But, on the weekends, you shouldn't have any problem sitting in a 4-seater, especially if there's two of you. My dad and I rode a typical weekday Keystone a few years ago, and the conductor actually suggested we sit there for more room. So, it really depends on how full they expect the train.

 

[BCL]

I've seen a 4 seat area on Capitol Corridor completely taken up by one person with jackets and bags.

 

[amamba]

On the NEC it is first come, first serve in all of the seats. On SOME of the trains sometimes a conductor will put a sign saying "reserved for parties of three or more" on to the four seaters.

 

[BCL]

The way I've seen other passengers act, they do stake two or more seats just for themselves without any apology or shame. Quite a few use the opposing seat as a footrest. I've seen conductors tell passengers to take their feet off, but never clothes or bags, even though they make announcements.