Pet Hamster?

[the_traveler]

What do you call "reasonable weather"? Parts of Texas and Florida get below freezing. Overnight tonight (1/23), Houston and San Antonio are expecting icy conditions with temps below 32°! And what is the max elevation you would allow?

On a 30 hour trip, who is to walk the animal? Or is the train crew expected to do that? As we hear so many times, a flight is only 3-5 hours, not 2-3 DAYS like on a train.

And no, there are no "climate controlled baggage space", except where people sit.

 

[the_traveler]

Last summer I was on the EB and a woman who had been in the handicapped room with her service dog jumped off the train in St. Paul and both she and the dog ran to her parked convertible. She threw the top down and they sped off. It was like something out of a movie.

Don't forget that if all other rooms are sold and it's within 2 weeks, the H-Room is available for sale to anyone - handicap or not.

 

[MikefromCrete]

Last summer I was on the EB and a woman who had been in the handicapped room with her service dog jumped off the train in St. Paul and both she and the dog ran to her parked convertible. She threw the top down and they sped off. It was like something out of a movie.

Don't forget that if all other rooms are sold and it's within 2 weeks, the H-Room is available for sale to anyone - handicap or not.

But the woman had a "service dog" on board, so something's fishy.

 

[SarahZ]

Ever hear of a seizure dog?

 

[roomette]

Ever hear of a seizure dog?

Yes! I even ate one! It was from a cart in Times Square, NYC. I had mine with mustard and onions.

 

[June the Coach Rider]

Last summer I was on the EB and a woman who had been in the handicapped room with her service dog jumped off the train in St. Paul and both she and the dog ran to her parked convertible. She threw the top down and they sped off. It was like something out of a movie.

Don't forget that if all other rooms are sold and it's within 2 weeks, the H-Room is available for sale to anyone - handicap or not.

But the woman had a "service dog" on board, so something's fishy.

As I said before, a service dog is also good for seizures as SarahZ said and for PTSD and other mental illnesses.

 

[mjaynes288]

A person who has disabling seizures would not be able to get a drivers license. Service dogs can be trained for many invisible disabilities that do not impact running or driving ability. The first one I can think of is a hearing dog. Then there are service dogs for mental illness, diabetes, severe allergies, migraines, etc. You cannot judge whether someone is disabled by watching them for a few minutes.

The one time I got a sleeper I booked the H-room so my large service dog had somewhere to sleep. I could not imagine him fitting on the floor of a roomette when the bed was set up. Never having been in a roomette with the bed down I could be wrong. What are the dimensions of the floor space when the bed is made?

 

[greatcats]

The amount of floor space in a roomette with the bed down is very tiny. Enough space for a Chihuahua or maybe a Dachsund. Forget that Iidea. How about a service cat? My two boost my morale!

 

[zephyr17]

A person who has disabling seizures would not be able to get a drivers license. Service dogs can be trained for many invisible disabilities that do not impact running or driving ability. The first one I can think of is a hearing dog. Then there are service dogs for mental illness, diabetes, severe allergies, migraines, etc. You cannot judge whether someone is disabled by watching them for a few minutes.

The one time I got a sleeper I booked the H-room so my large service dog had somewhere to sleep. I could not imagine him fitting on the floor of a roomette when the bed was set up. Never having been in a roomette with the bed down I could be wrong. What are the dimensions of the floor space when the bed is made?

Like 5" x 24"

 

[Devil's Advocate]

This is one of the more convoluted threads I've read recently. People breaking rules. People complaining about laws that don't exist. People insulted by fake service animals. People praising zero tolerance conductors. People praising high tolerance conductors. People debating one of the least significant misspellings this side of inflammable. People dropping inappropriate innuendo on unsuspecting readers. And so on. I have no idea where this thread will go from here, but congratulations to the OP so far. You really got people talking.

Whenever people bring up transporting pets on Amtrak at least one person always brings up allergies. Which is a fair point to make in my view. That being said I find it odd how people with allergies have become so protected from everyone else over the years. If being around pets is going to make you miserable or threaten your life then maybe you should be the one avoiding others when out in public instead of expecting everyone else to avoid you.

I'm not sure widespread protection is a responsible reaction to what I see as a relatively rare condition. If we decide to let allergies dictate what everyone else is allowed to do then where exactly would it stop? For instance, what would prevent Amtrak from claiming that a peanut butter sandwich or a granola bar or a bag of trail mix might kill someone with a severe allergic reaction and is thus banned from being brought aboard? If they covered every possible allergy then we'd be down to water bottles and not much else.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Last summer I was on the EB and a woman who had been in the handicapped room with her service dog jumped off the train in St. Paul and both she and the dog ran to her parked convertible. She threw the top down and they sped off. It was like something out of a movie.

There are legitimate service dogs for mobile people. One such type is a hearing dog for HoH/Deaf. I probably qualify for one but do not wish, at this time, to have a dog to care for.

 

[user 1215]

I don't know the OP's age, but as a college student, a rental car is generally out of the question until you are are around 25 years old. I know the transit options are limited. But to answer the OP's OP, you're better off finding a car to ride in. You can sneak in your hammy, but if you get caught you may be in a lot worse shape. As for Amtrak's rules, I'm sure they are tight for a reason. And I'm sure if they gave an inch, someone would try to take over the train with a Great Dane in their lap. Or maybe Melvin the giraffe.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S3 using the Android Amtrak Forums mobile app

 

[ehbowen]

Whereas I generally agree with 7deuceman on how to treat guests/newbies/visitors/etc., I also agree that to encourage breaking the rules is generally not OK.

What if... say... I wanted some promotional photos to put on a new album cover? I know it's illegal to trespass, but how can I do it without being caught?

You call the media or public relations contact for your nearest railroad or railroad museum and ask if it is possible to arrange a photo shoot. They may very well refuse if you intend to portray some illegal or dangerous act, such as lying down across the tracks. However, if you can come to an agreement on what you wish to photograph, they will make all necessary arrangements with dispatchers and will have an employee come to your location with a radio so that you can take your pictures in perfect safety, and then verify that the tracks are clear for operation when you have finished.

 

[IowaGirl]

Yes! I even ate one! It was from a cart in Times Square, NYC. I had mine with mustard and onions.

OK - that one is tied for the "best laugh" with Hamtrak

Whenever people bring up transporting pets on Amtrak at least one person always brings up allergies. Which is a fair point to make in my view. That being said I find it odd how people with allergies have become so protected from everyone else over the years. If being around pets is going to make you miserable or threaten your life then maybe you should be the one avoiding others when out in public instead of expecting everyone else to avoid you.

How does a person with allergies deal with sitting next to someone who has a pet in their home and has all the allergens on them when they get on the train?

 

[the_traveler]

How does a person with allergies deal with sitting next to someone who has a pet in their home and has all the allergens on them when they get on the train?

The bolded words answer the question. The allergens may in fact be on them, but the cause of the allergens is not on (or with) them!

 

[Expert]

How about a service cat? My two boost my morale!

The Service Animal regulations/definitions were changed a little while ago.

Any animal who's primary purpose is companionship or comfort, is specifically excluded from being legally considered a Service Animal.

To be considered a Service Animal, the animal is required to have been trained by a recognized Service Animal training facility. For example, if you have a Service Dog to help with seeing (or your lack thereof), you need to be able to show it was trained by, for example, Guiding Eyes, and not simply by your neighbor's kid.

I think that new training requirement basically ends anyone who flagrantly claims they have a Service Cat or Service Hamster.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

How about a service cat? My two boost my morale!

The Service Animal regulations/definitions were changed a little while ago.

Any animal who's primary purpose is companionship or comfort, is specifically excluded from being legally considered a Service Animal.

To be considered a Service Animal, the animal is required to have been trained by a recognized Service Animal training facility. For example, if you have a Service Dog to help with seeing (or your lack thereof), you need to be able to show it was trained by, for example, Guiding Eyes, and not simply by your neighbor's kid.

I think that new training requirement basically ends anyone who flagrantly claims they have a Service Cat or Service Hamster.

And I'm sure greatcats was joshing.

 

[greatcats]

That is correct! I don't want a litter box in my roomette either! We are enjoying companionship and comfort this morning, after pestering me at 5 am for their breakfast!

 

[fairviewroad]

If they covered every possible allergy then we'd be down to water bottles and not much else.

Stainless steel water bottles only, please. I'm allergic to plastic.

 

[me_little_me]

If they covered every possible allergy then we'd be down to water bottles and not much else.

Stainless steel water bottles only, please. I'm allergic to plastic.

Even stainless steel can rust. Make that aluminum.

Uh, aluminum can leach, make that glass.

Uh, glass breaks, make that wood.

Uh, wood rots, make that hide.

Uh, hide offends PETA, make that vegetable.

Anyone want a carrot water bottle?

 

[fairviewroad]

Anyone want a carrot water bottle?

Yes, it will be perfect. After I'm done drinking I'll feed the bottle to my hamster!

 

[user 1215]

That thar was funny. Don't care who you are.

 

[Ryan]

Last summer I was on the EB and a woman who had been in the handicapped room with her service dog jumped off the train in St. Paul and both she and the dog ran to her parked convertible. She threw the top down and they sped off. It was like something out of a movie.

Don't forget that if all other rooms are sold and it's within 2 weeks, the H-Room is available for sale to anyone - handicap or not.

But the woman had a "service dog" on board, so something's fishy.

As I said before, a service dog is also good for seizures as SarahZ said and for PTSD and other mental illnesses.

The H room is reserved for people with MOBILITY impairments (unless booked within 14 days as noted upthread). Someone that has needs the accommodations of the H-room isn't going to be able to jump off the train and run anywhere. From Amtrak (bold theirs, red text mine):

Who May Reserve Accessible Room Accommodations

Up until 14 days prior to the departure of each train from its origin city, reservations for accessible bedrooms may be made only for passengers with a disability.

Passengers booking an accessible bedroom accommodation will be required to certify that they require one or more of the accessible features of the accessible room accommodation in order to book and receive the discount. Passengers are not required to indicate the type of disability they have but only that they require the accessible features due to a disability. Conductors on trains with accessible room accommodations will provide a self-certification form to be completed by the passenger.

It's possible that the passenger didn't need the accommodations of the H-room, booked it correctly within the 14 day window, and also had a legit need for a service animal for another disability. But that's a lot of "if's".

 

[June the Coach Rider]

Last summer I was on the EB and a woman who had been in the handicapped room with her service dog jumped off the train in St. Paul and both she and the dog ran to her parked convertible. She threw the top down and they sped off. It was like something out of a movie.

Don't forget that if all other rooms are sold and it's within 2 weeks, the H-Room is available for sale to anyone - handicap or not.

But the woman had a "service dog" on board, so something's fishy.

As I said before, a service dog is also good for seizures as SarahZ said and for PTSD and other mental illnesses.

The H room is reserved for people with MOBILITY impairments (unless booked within 14 days as noted upthread). Someone that has needs the accommodations of the H-room isn't going to be able to jump off the train and run anywhere. From Amtrak (bold theirs, red text mine):

Who May Reserve Accessible Room Accommodations

Up until 14 days prior to the departure of each train from its origin city, reservations for accessible bedrooms may be made only for passengers with a disability.

Passengers booking an accessible bedroom accommodation will be required to certify that they require one or more of the accessible features of the accessible room accommodation in order to book and receive the discount. Passengers are not required to indicate the type of disability they have but only that they require the accessible features due to a disability. Conductors on trains with accessible room accommodations will provide a self-certification form to be completed by the passenger.

It's possible that the passenger didn't need the accommodations of the H-room, booked it correctly within the 14 day window, and also had a legit need for a service animal for another disability. But that's a lot of "if's".

Do you know first hand what "one or more of the accessible features" of the accessible room are that they use? Plus I know it has happened to me when I am in the lower level coach, they come and ask if anyone wants to upgrade to the H-room. So I would not be surprised if they got their ticket within the 14 days and the h-room was available they got it legitimately.

 

[the_traveler]

One of the "accessible features" is the inability to reach other rooms due to mobility issues. I use a walker and it is impossible to use an open walker to reach any other room in a Viewliner. And could not certainly use the walker to reach the upper level of a Superliner.