Coach passengers in sleeping car rooms?

[PVD]

good point, I never considered the AT might be different..

 

[MARC Rider]

Does this mean that we can't have a Silver Streak scenario where the Gene Wilder character invites the Jill Clayburgh character into his compartment for a night of, ahem, "fun"? (Of course, she might have been a fellow sleeper passenger, so maybe it was OK, I don't remember the details of the movie.)

 

[gwolfdog]

Can you put a Wheelchair in a Bedroom on the Auto Train? Last time we used a WC Roomette. Put adult kids in a smaller Roomette. Wish I had checked out Bedroom.

 

[Mailliw]

Does this mean that we can't have a Silver Streak scenario where the Gene Wilder character invites the Jill Clayburgh character into his compartment for a night of, ahem, "fun"? (Of course, she might have been a fellow sleeper passenger, so maybe it was OK, I don't remember the details of the movie.)

She was in the adjacent compartment and they just had the portor open the partition in between to make a suite

 

[pennyk]

Can you put a Wheelchair in a Bedroom on the Auto Train? Last time we used a WC Roomette. Put adult kids in a smaller Roomette. Wish I had checked out Bedroom.

Bedrooms on the Auto Train are Superliner bedrooms and a wheelchair will not fit. There is an "H" room in each sleeper car (I believe), which will accommdate a wheelchair.

 

[gwolfdog]

Bedrooms on the Auto Train are Superliner bedrooms and a wheelchair will not fit. There is an "H" room in each sleeper car (I believe), which will accommdate a wheelchair.

Thanks, I must of been in H room. Bunk style bed and a toilet and sink. WC took up most of room, but for an overnight OK

 

[Joseph5CP]

My wife and I are taking our two young sons, ages 4 and 1, to New Orleans from our home in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. We wanted to have a roomette available for diaper-changing and naps but certainly didn't need to two rooms, as its just a day-trip. Therefore, we purchased two Coach tickets and two tickets which are linked to a roomette. From the above, it seems that my wife and one-year-old who (randomly) we booked as Coach seats are not going to be permitted to use the roomette??? Thanks

 

[20th Century Rider]

My wife and I are taking our two young sons, ages 4 and 1, to New Orleans from our home in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. We wanted to have a roomette available for diaper-changing and naps but certainly didn't need to two rooms, as its just a day-trip. Therefore, we purchased two Coach tickets and two tickets which are linked to a roomette. From the above, it seems that my wife and one-year-old who (randomly) we booked as Coach seats are not going to be permitted to use the roomette??? Thanks

Call Amtrak and have the agent note this in your reservation. Technically two adults and two infants sitting on the lap may be allowed but of course having two passenger seats and the roomette will provide you with the best 'space' option. RE the meal... you should be able to get two meals for you and bring along the appropriate foods for your young children. Informing the station mgr at NOL to talk with the conductor may also smooth your way. Have a nice trip!

 

[pennyk]

My wife and I are taking our two young sons, ages 4 and 1, to New Orleans from our home in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. We wanted to have a roomette available for diaper-changing and naps but certainly didn't need to two rooms, as its just a day-trip. Therefore, we purchased two Coach tickets and two tickets which are linked to a roomette. From the above, it seems that my wife and one-year-old who (randomly) we booked as Coach seats are not going to be permitted to use the roomette??? Thanks

I do not think the two coach passengers will be permitted to use the roomette unless you are able to change the reservation. I would call Amtrak and hope to speak to an experienced agent. You may be able to book all 4 of you into a room since the 4th is under 2 and the 3rd is a child and the room is for daytime use only. @Ryan seems to know the rules for maximum passengers in a room.

 

[Ryan]

You rang????

That's a tough one for the reason you mention - ordinarily 4 ticketed in the room is a no-go (unless it's 4 kids, which sounds like a real treat). But since the infant is an infant, that might be permissible? Your advice to call and hope for a good agent is sound.

While I'm usually particular about the rules, and "coach passengers aren't entitled to sleeping car access", I'd be inclined to hope for an understanding train crew that allowed you all to do what you need with a minimum of hassle provided you're not disturbing others.

For completeness, here are the tables of allowable/not-allowable room occupancy:

 

[PVD]

Under 2 years old might not be ticketed and may not count

 

[20th Century Rider]

Check this out... it may bring down your costs even more...

https://www.amtrak.com/privateroomsale?intcmp=wsp_hp-hero_link_private-room-sale_frame1

 

[Devil's Advocate]

My wife and I are taking our two young sons, ages 4 and 1, to New Orleans from our home in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. We wanted to have a roomette available for diaper-changing and naps but certainly didn't need to two rooms, as its just a day-trip. Therefore, we purchased two Coach tickets and two tickets which are linked to a roomette. From the above, it seems that my wife and one-year-old who (randomly) we booked as Coach seats are not going to be permitted to use the roomette??? Thanks

Amtrak policy does not normally allow four people to share a Roomette and two coach seats. This happened to me when we tried to book two compartments but only one Roomette was left on the train we needed. Even if you get the booking desk to say it is okay that may not mean much to the on-board staff. My advice would be to explain it as needing privacy for your kids rather than for shared napping and such (even if that's how you use it).

 

[20th Century Rider]

Amtrak policy does not normally allow four people to share a Roomette and two coach seats. This happened to me when we tried to book two compartments but only one Roomette was left on the train we needed. Even if you get the booking desk to say it is okay that may not mean much to the on-board staff. My advice would be to explain it as needing privacy for your kids rather than for shared napping and such (even if that's how you use it).

Here again is the issue of clarity and consistency with Amtrak policy. That is why this should be checked out with an experienced agent who can make notes on the reservation to validate any permissions.

BTW: If the agent says it is not ok according to specific policy... then plan accordingly. The issue seems to be 'use of the room by different members of a small party exchanging places with the passenger seats.' And all four of you gathering in the single roomette could be questionable. It would be nice if the four of you could come together in a lounge area but that may be situation specific.

 

[20th Century Rider]

I did pose that question to the conductor before going with someone at their invitation to visit with them in their bedroom... the conductor told me it was ok to visit during the day.

Again... the policy for visiting another's passenger's accommodation during the day is not really clear but what the conductor told me on the above occasion seemed to make good sense when it's just a couple and a single visiting passenger from another part of the train.

 

[jis]

I did pose that question to the conductor before going with someone at their invitation to visit with them in their bedroom... the conductor told me it was ok to visit during the day.

Again... the policy for visiting another's passenger's accommodation during the day is not really clear but what the conductor told me on the above occasion seemed to make good sense when it's just a couple and a single visiting passenger from another part of the train.

I think once a Conductor is notified and they OK it, it should be fine. But just doing it without notifying any train personnel would seem to be verboten.

 

[20th Century Rider]

I think once a Conductor is notified and they OK it, it should be fine. But just doing it without notifying any train personnel would seem to be verboten.

Yes... I agree!

 

[denmarks]

I don't see why Amtrak has to be so strict if you wanted to escort a coach passenger to the sleeper. Maybe they just want to see what it is like. Would a sleeper passenger be able to sit next to someone in coach if there was an empty seat? I guess the only common meeting place would be the observation car.

 

[Joe from PA]

I would rather not have coach passengers "looking in". They should be escorted by a sleeping car attendant if roomettes are empty (which is zero on the 3/19 Star).

 

[Skyline]

A slightly different twist on the same general topic . . .

Pax A is solo in a roomette (or bedroom). Pax B is solo in a coach seat. A and B connect in the lounge car, decide to hook up, and A invites B to join him or her in the sleeping compartment he or she paid for. What business is it of Amtrak's or anyone to "police" this situation? Both have paid their appropriate fares.

 

[jis]

A slightly different twist on the same general topic . . .

Pax A is solo in a roomette (or bedroom). Pax B is solo in a coach seat. A and B connect in the lounge car, decide to hook up, and A invites B to join him or her in the sleeping compartment he or she paid for. What business is it of Amtrak's or anyone to "police" this situation? Both have paid their appropriate fares.

It is pretty simple. A passenger holding a Coach ticket cannot just move to Sleeper without making a change in the ticket - recall the "Open Sleeper Ticket" discussion? That is the current rule. One could ask the Conductor and if they say it is OK then it is OK. But it is not OK just doing it without notifying the train crew, just because the fares happen to come out the same.

Incidentally, a gentle reminder, the site rules do restrict discussion of ways to break Amtrak rules BTW.

 

[UserNameRequired]

... My advice would be to explain it as needing privacy for your kids rather than for shared napping and such (even if that's how you use it).

I don't have experience with the 4 in one room policies, but my idea would be to claim your children are ill behaved, prone to motion sickness with projectile vomiting, won't sit still even at night, loud screamers, list out other negative behaviors, etc. and if they are required to ride in coach with no supervision they will cause mayhem, noise, and complaints from all the other coach passengers.

 

[20th Century Rider]

The same can be said regarding another parallel situation... many 'fancy' 1st class airline suites have an adjacent seat in the compartment allowing for dining with a companion... however... that other person must also be in the 1st class section. RE: Amtrak doesn't allow another passenger to upgrade their accommodation at the invitation of another passenger.

Most transportation requires appropriate payment for traveling in a specific class of service... and that also applies to traveling in a lower class of service. This happened to me when on the CS and I wanted to view the ocean side. I asked the attendant if I could sit in business class on the ocean side because my room accommodation was on the opposite side. He declined my request and said Amtrak can't have people changing their accommodations and just moving around the train. Even if the SSL is completely full.

That brings up another issue that may be considered on topic... I've frequently seen an individual move up from coach seating and occupying a complete table in the SSL by spreading their luggage to all the surrounding chairs and on the table... and remaining there throughout the trip. This is against policy... not only to hog surrounding seats, but to remain there for more than a few hours. Whenever this is reported to any of the staff they tell the person to go back to their coach seat.

 

[20th Century Rider]

I don't have experience with the 4 in one room policies, but my idea would be to claim your children are ill behaved, prone to motion sickness with projectile vomiting, won't sit still even at night, loud screamers, list out other negative behaviors, etc. and if they are required to ride in coach with no supervision they will cause mayhem, noise, and complaints from all the other coach passengers.

Uncontrolled kids remain the responsibility of the adult / guardian... and does not permit that upgrade. This would certainly be disturbing to others in the sleeper car... Kids are expected to remain with the adult and appropriately supervised and behaved while on the train.

 

[jis]

Uncontrolled kids remain the responsibility of the adult / guardian... and does not permit that upgrade. This would certainly be disturbing to others in the sleeper car... Kids are expected to remain with the adult and appropriately supervised and behaved while on the train.

That is exactly what I was thinking. The proposed argument would appear to be a strong one for not traveling at all.