COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Pandemic: Amtrak-related Discussion

[user 15597]

Just cancelled our trip on the Auto Train at the end of May. Have been making that trip to and from Florida for years. My husband and I are healthy--in our 70's & 80's--but just didn't want to gamble with our lives. Cancellation was a snap. Part was paid with points, spoke with only one person and transaction was finished in 3 minutes. Placed the call at 7:39 AM. Speaking of gambling with our lives--we're driving north instead.

 

[Samsbigtrip]

And now that President Trump has just announced ban on travel from Europe minus UK to the US for a month ....

I'm due to fly from London to Seattle in May and then take the Empire Builder to Chicago. I booked online it in December.
Two things:
1) I haven't yet heard from Amtrak.
2) I'm wondering how long it will be before flights from the UK will also be banned.
3) I haven't cancelled anything yet because I am optimistic.
4) I have also booked a trip to Italy in September, about which I am not so optimistic, but I have paid only for the flights with BA and I know I will get either a refund or a credit.

However we feel about our travel plans being disrupted, we should not forget those who have died, and the loss to their friends and families.

 

[Samsbigtrip]

NY State may most likely have 2000 or more cases by the time you get there, mostly concentrated around New York City.

My trip from London involves 6 flights (the first into Seattle), 45 hours on the Empire Builder, 4 hotels, 2 coaches, several taxis, an AirBNB staying with friends in Norfolk and in Greenwich CT and a tour of the empty Metropolitan Museum in NY.

Bad timing?

 

[BLNT]

That was my experience as well, with a trip coming up next week. I was floored by how quickly I got through to an agent (less than a minute hold time), and then again when transferred to guest rewards. Even though my entire trip was paid for by points, the phone call took about 3 minutes, every point was refunded, and the points were back in my account within 10.

I had expected upwards of an hour hold time, and figured my chances of reaching an agent who had never heard of the temporary change waiver was about 50/50. This was surprisingly efficient, friendly service by Amtrak.

I wonder what kind of cancellation level there has been. I just looked at our AT trip a couple weeks out from now and there's more sleeper availability (not lower price though...), and all of a sudden there are multiple priority offloading spots available that haven't been there for months!

 

[jis]

I'm due to fly from London to Seattle in May and then take the Empire Builder to Chicago. I booked online it in December.
Two things:
1) I haven't yet heard from Amtrak.
2) I'm wondering how long it will be before flights from the UK will also be banned.
3) I haven't cancelled anything yet because I am optimistic.
4) I have also booked a trip to Italy in September, about which I am not so optimistic, but I have paid only for the flights with BA and I know I will get either a refund or a credit.

However we feel about our travel plans being disrupted, we should not forget those who have died, and the loss to their friends and families.

Flights have not been banned. Travel to US by certain large classes of people has been banned. This will lead to massive flights suspension since there is no point in flying empty planes around. It is similar to what was done about travel from China and the result of that in flight cancellations can be used as a guide for what might happen.

Given Amtrak's message yesterday about unspecified imminent reductions in service and furloughing of possibly a significant chunk of employees, we won't know how services will be curtailed until Amtrak comes around to announce them.

All indications at present are things will get much much worse over the next month or two before they start turning better. But with these things one never knows until it actually comes to pass.

 

[Qapla]

with these things one never knows until it actually comes to pass.

That's why we are waiting a little before cancelling our trip in July ...

 

[Devil's Advocate]

can't read this story without paying $$$ to the Chicago Tribune

It's only 99¢ for the first three months and $2 per week thereafter, which seems perfectly reasonable to me. We really need to let go of this free lunch mentality when it comes to accessing the news.

This will lead to massive flights suspension since there is no point in flying empty planes around.

Looks like we can finally say goodbye to the so-called ghost flights that have been flying empty (or nearly so) for weeks as a means of maintaining restricted slot access. Slot forfeiture rules have finally been suspended, which is good news for the airlines and the environment, but bad news for affected employees who are likely to be furloughed en mass.

 

[jis]

Looks like we can finally say goodbye to the so-called ghost flights that have been flying empty (or nearly so) for weeks as a means of maintaining restricted slot access. Slot forfeiture rules have finally been suspended, which is good news for the airlines and the environment, but bad news for affected employees who are likely to be furloughed en mass.

For those that are unfamiliar with "ghost flights" and why they exist...

https://www.fastcompany.com/9047615...s-now-we-need-to-rethink-the-future-of-flying

 

[Qapla]

t's only 99¢ for the first three months and $2 per week thereafter, which seems perfectly reasonable to me. We really need to let go of this free lunch mentality when it comes to accessing the news.

If I had to pay that much for all the various news outlets I visit it would cost me a monthly payment or par with my electric bill ... I'll stick to those that are free.



Now, back to the original topic .... how many trains may be curtailed in some way we have yet to see

 

[AmtrakBlue]

If I had to pay that much for all the various news outlets I visit it would cost me a monthly payment or par with my electric bill ... I'll stick to those that are free.

Before the internet, would you have subscribed to “all the various news outlets”?

 

[tricia]

If I had to pay that much for all the various news outlets I visit it would cost me a monthly payment or par with my electric bill ... I'll stick to those that are free.

Or perhaps choose a few that are reliable and worth it to you? If we want reporters to put time in to tracking down information and presenting it to us, someone's gotta pay them.

 

[Qapla]

Before the internet, would you have subscribed to “all the various news outlets”?

Since my wife works for a newspaper ... I would not need to

However, before the Internet I got my news from TV and Radio ...both by means of free broadcast over antenna .... not paid cable - cable in my area is a fairly new thing

 

[Rasputin]

I got a message this morning that my conference on April 2 and 3 has been cancelled. That did not involve Amtrak travel.

I am scheduled to attend a conference mid-May which does involve Amtrak travel. I haven't heard anything about that conference yet. Most of the cancellations I have seen so far involve things scheduled in March or April.

 

[Metra Electric Rider]

Swedish evening paper, Aftonbladet, has an article (unfortunately behind a pay wall which I am not paying for - see I'm staying on topic) saying that planes are safer than trains or buses (should that be busses?) during our little pandademic.

 

[TinCan782]

As for the "pay wall" news sites: clear your cookies and the number of views starts over.

 

[Metra Electric Rider]

The one in Sweden requires a subscription to view, period, no matter what.

 

[pennyk]

I just called Amtrak to cancel 4 upcoming reservations for the end of March. I spoke to a very competent AGR agent. Since I am Select Executive, I use the "special" number whether my reservation is using points or cash. I will receive a full refund on my credit card for 3 (sleepers and BC) of the 4 reservations and a full refund on a voucher for my 4th reservation (which was a Saver fare on the Acela).

 

[pennyk]

So have you made any changes to your own plans? I know you love trains as much as I do, probably more.

I went ahead and canceled. I really wanted to go on this trip, but I really really really knew I should not. I canceled today so I do not have to stress over or dwell on it any more.

 

[MikeM]

I'm really struggling myself on this one... I had a trip at the end of this month to Chicago and the meeting I was attending has been cancelled due to virus concerns. Part of me would just love to take the trip for no particular reason and relax, then fly back home; but I'd feel really stupid if I did a throw away trip and ended up sick. Yikes.

 

[tim49424]

I went ahead and canceled. I really wanted to go on this trip, but I really really really knew I should not. I canceled today so I do not have to stress over or dwell on it any more.

I have a trip to Kansas City in early May, Penny, and I’m struggling with that same inner debate. I’ve not cancelled yet but I’m quite certain that eventually I will unless Amtrak and/or Major League Baseball beat me to the punch. I really hate that scenario but I’d rather be safe than sorry!

 

[DonNewcomb]

The virus' impact seems to be strongly correlated to age and immune system. Children (those pestilential little vectors of contagion) can carry the virus with seemingly few symptoms. Young adults have described their symptoms as being like a case of jet lag. As the victims get older it's a high fever and dry cough. For the aged and immune compromised it can be deadly. Of course, everything is on a bell curve and you can find results all over the map.

 

[SarahZ]

Part of me would just love to take the trip for no particular reason and relax, then fly back home; but I'd feel really stupid if I did a throw away trip and ended up sick. Yikes.

This is where I am. I don’t want to become sick while away from home, but more than that, I want to be a good human.

I would feel terribly guilty if I were a carrier and passed it on to those at high risk. It doesn’t make sense for me to be as passionate as I am about vaccines and then turn around and ignore all of the recommendations to stay home, away from crowds. I’d feel horribly selfish and hypocritical.

Additionally, while my asthma is not chronic and rarely requires medication, I haven’t seen enough research/evidence to suggest that this wouldn’t knock me for a loop. I know how my body handles bronchitis and pneumonia (no hospitalization required), but why risk it?

 

[Bob Dylan]

I have a trip to Kansas City in early May, Penny, and I’m struggling with that same inner debate. I’ve not cancelled yet but I’m quite certain that eventually I will unless Amtrak and/or Major League Baseball beat me to the punch. I really hate that scenario but I’d rather be safe than sorry!

I'd wait and see what happens with the Pandemic at least till the middle of April Tim.

You can call and Cancel right now with No Penalities, buy who knows about May???

 

[tim49424]

I'd wait and see what happens with the Pandemic at least till the middle of April Tim.

You can call and Cancel right now with No Penalities, buy who knows about May???

The policy is if you make your reservation before April 30, they will refund with no penalties, Jim. That being said, your timeline suggestion is spot on, I'm not going to make any rash decisions currently. Anyway, who knows what's going to happen in a month's time?

 

[west point]

The worry that you become a carrier is real. If I was even indirectly exposed would probably not get around those who are immune compromised.