AutoTrain - Priority Vehicle Offloading available starting April 29

[DET63]

I know they've been piloting this (at no charge to the lucky receivers) and it seems like it has worked out well to this point. There will now be four sets of vehicle IDs, Pxx, AVPxx, xxx, and AVxxx.

How many people will stumble onto AU looking for porn, thanks to this post?

 

[battalion51]

What I don't understand however is why Amtrak continues to state that SUV's must be there 1 hour earlier than cars. That policy used to make sense when SUV's had to be loaded into special 2 level car carriers, while the cars were loaded in the general and more numerous 3 level car carriers. Now all the carriers are two levels, so it really doesn't matter what type of vehicle one has or when one shows up, as long as one is there by 3 PM. Yet Amtrak continues to state in multiple places that SUV's & Van's must be there by 2 PM or risk not going on that day's train.

If I had to venture a guess I would be willing to say it has something to do with staggering arrivals. The well informed will get there in plenty of time to get their vehicle checked in, and be on the train when it is available for boarding at 2:30. However, there will be some folks that push the envelope and try to hit 3:00 on the dot. If they can minimize the number of people that do it, so there is just one cut of carriers left to be tied on to around 3:10-3:15 that's advantageous for all parties involved. I'd be shocked if someone in an SUV was turned away at 2:45, but you never know...

How many people will stumble onto AU looking for porn, thanks to this post?

LOL!

 

[ScottRu]

We arrived at Lorton on April 2nd. Having been in Florida and 'off-line' for a month or so, I was surprised to see "Priority #1," "Priority #2," etc. roll off the train.

There are some downsides to this new program. For one thing, this being a Tuesday, the only place you are going is into a monstrous traffic jam on #95 North. So what's the hurry.

For another, it did not generate much goodwill among those passengers who didn't fork over another $50.

And finally, at least half of those "priority" cars just sat there - the owners were very late getting to them. Us "common folk" were getting our cars before some of the priority folks even went to their vehicles.

The woman at the desk said that if this experiment goes well, they will begin selling more priority tickets. So soon there will be waiting even among the priority people. And finally, she said they are also considering having different levels of priority - $100 gets you off in the first 10 cars, $75 gets you off in the first 20, $50 gets you off in the first 50, for example. (I made up those numbers.)

We'll see how it goes. Waiting for the car is just part of the AT experience - it's like fishing. You never know when you are going to get a bite. Though if more and more priority tickets are sold, you will know that your car will be a long time before appearing.

 

[Ryan]

the only place you are going is into a monstrous traffic jam on #95 North. So what's the hurry.

Not everyone heads north on 95 after leaving the Auto Train - I'm sure there is a healthy amount of folks loving in/around Richmond/Tidewater that take the train.

And finally, she said they are also considering having different levels of priority - $100 gets you off in the first 10 cars, $75 gets you off in the first 20, $50 gets you off in the first 50, for example. (I made up those numbers.)

This sounds like a great plan - the more revenue the better.

 

[Allypet]

I just booked it for my trip. In the past I have waited over an hour for my car, all the while trying to occupy 6 other people. To me its worth the 50.00 just to be on the road an hour early and be able to jump into the pool. And besides I booked my trip months ago and got the lowest bucket, so I can spend some of my savings.

 

[Aaron]

...For another, it did not generate much goodwill among those passengers who didn't fork over another $50.

And finally, at least half of those "priority" cars just sat there - the owners were very late getting to them. Us "common folk" were getting our cars before some of the priority folks even went to their vehicles.

...

As far as I know, paid service doesn't start until April 29, and they're just testing the logistics with random passengers right now, which means two things: 1. Nobody forked over anything, and 2. There seems to be a chance that those cars were waiting because the owners didn't know they were getting priority service, or if they did, didn't care much since they hadn't paid anything for it.

 

[battalion51]

The lack of goodwill will probably disappear in time. The airport analogy comes back to mind. The Diamond, Platinum, Gold, and Silver Elites get on the plane first, even though they may be sitting right next to you. They have paid significant amounts of money for the privilege, at least with the Amtrak system anyone can pay for this privilege.

 

[benjibear]

My point is if one was so concerned about time, you would probably just drive. Taking the train isn't getting you there any faster. The train is advertised as taking 17 hours 30 minutes. Add an hour in the beginning and an hour to wait for your car, you are at almost 20 hours. It only takes about 12 hours to drive between those points plus a couple hours for stops and you can still beat the autotrain by several hours. I have known several people that have taken the AT once and swore they would never take it again because it takes too long.

 

[Ryan]

Sure, if you're willing to drive all night.

Of course if you do that, you've got to nap the day before and you're pretty much worthless the day after, so you've completely blown 2 full days.

Take the Auto train and you can have a reasonable half day before you depart and you arrive in FL rested and ready for a full day.

 

[battalion51]

I think what gives AT the edge over driving is that for solo drivers or situations with only two drivers you can take advantage of running overnight without being fatigued or anything along those lines. Most folks would typically spend the night somewhere and those hours are "wasted" with zero speed. Even at an average speed of 42.75 MPH (accounting for arriving 1.5 hours early, waiting an hour after arrival, and on time arrival) that's not a bad clip compared to stopping for gas, meals, etc.

 

[OBS]

The latest Amtrak Ink provides an update on this program. From April 29 thru June 11, 1228 passengers purchased this amenity, generating $61,300 in revenue.

Not bad...

 

[SarahZ]

I'll be interested to see the numbers after spring break next year. We're heading down the first week of March.

 

[afigg]

The latest Amtrak Ink provides an update on this program. From April 29 thru June 11, 1228 passengers purchased this amenity, generating $61,300 in revenue.
Not bad...

I overlooked that piece of info in the July 2013 Amtrak Ink when it was posted in early July. That works out to 14 priority off-loadings or $700 per train. Since late April to June are not the busiest months for the AT, it is reasonable to expect that they should be able to at least maintain an average of 14 priority off-loadings over the course of a year. Nice extra revenue stream for the AT.

 

[Nathanael]

About the only other item I could come up with that would have a similar effect is priority boarding at stations like South Station, New York Penn, Washington Union, and Chicago Union. But that would probably be $5-$10/head, but you have a much larger potential audience that would take advantage.

Honestly, priority boarding shouldn't be physically possible at those stations because everyone should be boarding through multiple train doors simultaneously. The kindergarten walk is much derided, and with good reason.
(Contrast the queue of autos for Auto Train, where having them come out in single file is probably unavoidable.)

 

[Genus]

As a young girl, I always wanted to ride the A/T. Going in a week for the first time & I'm so excited!

I don't understand why anyone would be so impatient with offloading after having spent 17 hours on the train, but to each his own. I'm sure we could/will probably spend that extra $100 on something else since the parks are expensive!

Lastly, I don't get why people care how much revenue Amtrak will make on this. Doing my own math is enough for me, not about to attempt doing Amtrak's.

 

[neroden]

Lastly, I don't get why people care how much revenue Amtrak will make on this. Doing my own math is enough for me, not about to attempt doing Amtrak's.

Amtrak is always starved for federal funding. As a result, any extra revenue Amtrak makes can go right back into IMPROVING TRAIN SERVICE, which we all want. And some of us like doing math.

 

[I always rode the Southern]

As a young girl, I always wanted to ride the A/T. Going in a week for the first time & I'm so excited!

I don't understand why anyone would be so impatient with offloading after having spent 17 hours on the train, but to each his own. I'm sure we could/will probably spend that extra $100 on something else since the parks are expensive!

Lastly, I don't get why people care how much revenue Amtrak will make on this. Doing my own math is enough for me, not about to attempt doing Amtrak's.

We ride the AT all the time and I would never use priority boarding for myself. However, for a Christmas visit we have made reservations for our Son, Daughter-in-law and granddaughter (our first grandchild who will be 8 mos. old then) . This will be first train trip for the girls and the first LD trip that my son will take since he was 5.

Because of the age of the baby, and we can't wait to see them, don't want them having to sit waiting in the crowded terminal any longer than necessary. So priority off loading is, well, a priority!

 

[Ryan]

It doesn't take a genius to figure out that different people have different priorities. h34r:

 

[crescent2]

Lastly, I don't get why people care how much revenue Amtrak will make on this. Doing my own math is enough for me, not about to attempt doing Amtrak's.

Amtrak is always starved for federal funding. As a result, any extra revenue Amtrak makes can go right back into IMPROVING TRAIN SERVICE, which we all want. And some of us like doing math.

Genus, you have stumbled into a den of "Amtrakians"! (including me) Many posters here are very concerned with, and very knowledgeable about, how Amtrak works, how it is funded, where its problems lie, etc.

That said, you have also found a very helpful forum for any questions you may have about actually traveling on Amtrak. (That's what I enjoy most about it; I've traveled on very few of its trains so far.) Welcome and enjoy!

 

[ronkstevens]

For some people there is a big difference between riding on a train, looking as scenery, being productive in some fashion, etc. and doing nothing except standing around and waiting for your vehicle number to be called for a time period that could be up to two hours.

 

[battalion51]

To me it's the beauty of being an optional service. If it's something that matters to you that much, Amtrak is more than willing to take your money in exchange for that service. It's really no different than going in coach versus going in a sleeper. If you just need transportation, go coach. But if you want a flat place to lay your head, a bit of privacy, and maybe hot shower spend a couple of bucks on the sleeper.

 

[seat38a]

If someone at Amtrak headquarters is listening, I have a couple of other similar ideas that can increase Amtrak's revenue-

1) Priority seating in Sightseer Lounge on California Zephyr out of Denver for the Rockies crossing. Get the best views, for $5 per passenger only!

2) Priority dinner seating. Makes sure all your favorite entrees are still available and hot. Again, only $5 per passenger!

3) Priority behavior - For only $5 per passengers per day, the onboard staff including coach/sleeper attendant, dining car attendant and conductor will not give you rude grumpy responses... wait, that's a bit too much to ask for!

Number 3, I always tip the attendant even on the Surfliner business class. Let me tell you, the mood and attitude how the attendant treats me changes big time. Even the normally grumpy ones treat me with a smile when they see me. Amtrak does not charge for this but you can sure slip them a few bucks and things change big time.

 

[seat38a]

Fee's I'd like to see and gladly pay.

- Guaranteed two seats together.

- Guaranteed empty seat next to you.

- Reserve the conference table 4 seaters.

- More lounges (San Diego!!) Offer same day access passes like airlines.

The four items above are items that are important to me as a twice a week business traveler who takes the train.