Auto Train Question

[John V]

When boarding the auto train ( i have never been on it before) i was wondering if there is a security hassle such as at airports (with x rays and metal detectors before boarding)- one reason I want to take it , not only to avoid on rental car fees, is to avoid the hassle of all the airport security.

 

[Ryan]

No hassle whatsoever.

When you arrive, you get out of your car and walk into the waiting area (carrying your overnight bag and anything you want handy on the train). When boarding time comes, everyone walks out the door and onto the train.

 

[Hanno]

When boarding the auto train ( i have never been on it before) i was wondering if there is a security hassle such as at airports (with x rays and metal detectors before boarding)- one reason I want to take it , not only to avoid on rental car fees, is to avoid the hassle of all the airport security.

There is no hassle. I agree with you in that this is one of the many benefits of taking the Auto Train. In fact we will be taking it on Monday (March 16) north to Lorton. I would suspect that once you start taking the Auto Train it will become habit forming. It has for me!

 

[AlanB]

Well the agent usually does want to see a photo ID for each adult in your party when you check in, but otherwise there is no hassle. You will also most likely see a worker video taping your car, but that's not a security thing, that's a "you're not going to sue me for damage to your car that you arrived with damage already done" thing.

But beyond that, no. As the other's have mentioned there are no metal detectors, no luggage searches, or any other typical airport security hassles.

 

[Hanno]

When boarding the auto train ( i have never been on it before) i was wondering if there is a security hassle such as at airports (with x rays and metal detectors before boarding)- one reason I want to take it , not only to avoid on rental car fees, is to avoid the hassle of all the airport security.

There is no hassle. I agree with you in that this is one of the many benefits of taking the Auto Train. In fact we will be taking it on Monday (March 16) north to Lorton. I would suspect that once you start taking the Auto Train it will become habit forming. It has for me!

We just arrived home today after taking the Auto Train north. It was a hassle free trip, left on time (actually a bit early) and arrived a half hour early. Excellent meal service and a good SA. Met some nice people. All went well.

Regarding security I saw one thing today that I never saw before. When we were in Lorton waiting for our cars to unload an Amtrak Policeman with a dog went up and down each aisle. I assume it was a bomb sniffing dog but did not ask.

Our car was off the train early and we left so I did not see if there was any other related security events!

 

[bobw999]

When boarding the auto train ( i have never been on it before) i was wondering if there is a security hassle such as at airports (with x rays and metal detectors before boarding)- one reason I want to take it , not only to avoid on rental car fees, is to avoid the hassle of all the airport security.

There is no hassle. I agree with you in that this is one of the many benefits of taking the Auto Train. In fact we will be taking it on Monday (March 16) north to Lorton. I would suspect that once you start taking the Auto Train it will become habit forming. It has for me!

We just arrived home today after taking the Auto Train north. It was a hassle free trip, left on time (actually a bit early) and arrived a half hour early. Excellent meal service and a good SA. Met some nice people. All went well.

Regarding security I saw one thing today that I never saw before. When we were in Lorton waiting for our cars to unload an Amtrak Policeman with a dog went up and down each aisle. I assume it was a bomb sniffing dog but did not ask.

Our car was off the train early and we left so I did not see if there was any other related security events!

It might have been a drug sniffing dog. I saw those at the West Palm Beach station a few years ago.

 

[sky12065]

When boarding the auto train ( i have never been on it before) i was wondering if there is a security hassle such as at airports (with x rays and metal detectors before boarding)- one reason I want to take it , not only to avoid on rental car fees, is to avoid the hassle of all the airport security.

There is no hassle. I agree with you in that this is one of the many benefits of taking the Auto Train. In fact we will be taking it on Monday (March 16) north to Lorton. I would suspect that once you start taking the Auto Train it will become habit forming. It has for me!

We just arrived home today after taking the Auto Train north. It was a hassle free trip, left on time (actually a bit early) and arrived a half hour early. Excellent meal service and a good SA. Met some nice people. All went well.

Regarding security I saw one thing today that I never saw before. When we were in Lorton waiting for our cars to unload an Amtrak Policeman with a dog went up and down each aisle. I assume it was a bomb sniffing dog but did not ask.

Our car was off the train early and we left so I did not see if there was any other related security events!

It might have been a drug sniffing dog. I saw those at the West Palm Beach station a few years ago.

Drug sniffing dogs have been used for years. We had one come through our sleeper car on a random check back in 1998. It was on the SWC and IIRC it was in Albuquerque.