Emergency Notification

[spot1181]

We will be taking our first Amtrak vacation Oct 20. We want to leave our itinerary with our daughter. Would we and how could we be contacted once on board? Thanks.

 

[Viewliner]

Other than a cell phone, the only other way you could contact her, would be at a service stop via payphone. Other than that, I don't know, however I'm not completely sure if there is any way. Maybe 1-800-872-7245 (Amtrak's Main Number) could somehow contact the conductor, or a station, but again I'm not completely sure.

 

[Amfleet]

Some trains have railphone service in the lounge, but it's really expensive.

 

[Viewliner]

Chances are, unless you're on a Corridor Train, Auto Train, Coast Starlight, or one of the other exceptions to the rule the railfone won't even apply.

 

[Viewliner]

Also, again with the railfone you can only contact her.

 

[spot1181]

No, I wanted to know how SHE could get in touch with us. I guess we would have to wait until we reached our hotel in Seattle or checked in with a phonecard somewere along the way? Thanks.

 

[Amfleet]

You may want to invest in a cell phone.

 

[AlanB]

Spot,

I'm not aware of any provisions that Amtrak has which would allow her to contact you on the train. I suppose that in the case of a dire emergency Amtrak might be able to contact the conductor, but I've also never heard of such an incident occuring.

Beyond the suggestions above, there really isn't any way to facilitate this. Amtrak is not alone in this area, she wouldn't be able to easily contact you on a bus or a plane.

I'd look into a cellphone if you can. Short of that, you might want to get a beeper.

 

[Viewliner]

Yes a cell phone is your best bet. If you don't want to sign a one/two year deal, then you could get a prepaid, each card gives you x amount of minutes for 1-2 months.