Red Cap Tips

[jmbgeg]

There have been lots of threads about tips to sleeping car attendants. How about Red Cap tips?

Assume the scope of service is to carry the passenger and bags from the train to the cab stand at LAUS or CUS, without or without a stop at baggage claim. I also use Red Caps from the Traxx lounge to the sleepers at LAUS. Red Cap service is a big part of a relaxing trip for me.

I have been tipping $10-20, usually at the higher end if the route is quick and not circuitous. Comments?

 

[Rail Freak]

At LAX & CUZ, I've been tipping $5 for me & 1 bag.

 

[bobnabq]

I Googled your question and found this on

www.Tipguide.org

 

Tipping on Amtrak

• Red caps, or porters: $1 per bag

---------------------------------------------------------

If he/she were giving me a ride to my next train, I'd think a minimum of $5.

 

[jmbgeg]

I Googled your question and found this on

www.Tipguide.org

 

Tipping on Amtrak

• Red caps, or porters: $1 per bag

---------------------------------------------------------

If he/she were giving me a ride to my next train, I'd think a minimum of $5.

google lives in a fantasy world. a $2-3 tip for a long ride from the train to a cab stand is laughable. Your suggestion of a $5 minimum is credible.

 

[Tumbleweed]

We always tipped $5.00....they seemed happy with that....

 

[Rail Freak]

I tip from train to Met or A Lounge , not cab stand! However in LAX there's hardly any difference between the Trax Lounge & the Cabs!

 

[jmbgeg]

I tip from train to Met or A Lounge , not cab stand! However in LAX there's hardly any difference between the Trax Lounge & the Cabs!

It is a long way from the LAUS and CUS trainside to the cab stand. :lol:

 

[Shanghai]

I tip $5.00 for me and usually one bag.

I like to board before the crush.

 

[Devil's Advocate]

I understand that the real value of the redcaps is that you can use them to bypass Amtrak's cattle call system. In that situation are you required to hand them some luggage to carry or can you just have them escort you past the cattle gates in exchange for $5 or whatever?

 

[amamba]

I have had redcaps escort me to the train without them carrying a bag of mine. I generally tip them $2-$5. It is a VERY short walk from the club acela to the platform in BOS.

 

[JimG]

I've always tipped $5.00 for my wife and I and 2/3 bags.

 

[J-1 3235]

I usually use a Redcap when departing BOS or NYP. One or two bags, $5 tip and my thanks, too. They always seem pleased

Can not speak to CHI, although considering the walk to the 4820 sleeper, I may look into it

Mike

 

[jmbgeg]

I usually use a Redcap when departing BOS or NYP. One or two bags, $5 tip and my thanks, too. They always seem pleased

Can not speak to CHI, although considering the walk to the 4820 sleeper, I may look into it

Mike

Replies to date indicate I may be too generous.

 

[ColdRain&Snow]

I understand that the real value of the redcaps is that you can use them to bypass Amtrak's cattle call system.

The effectiveness of this boarding strategy gets overstated by some here. This past weekend in a packed King Street station, Door 2 was opened before the Redcap had even returned from her first trip out to the train. Unless you happen to be one of the first parties to be taken out by the Redcap - and really these first trips should be reserved for our elders and any people with special needs - you may actually be putting yourself at a disadvantage by insisting upon the use of a Redcap. This was definitely the case at Seattle this weekend. In Los Angeles as a sleeping car passenger, you can bypass Redcaps altogether and beat everyone out to the train by simply walking out to the platform and waiting for your train to back in to the station. I'm sure there are cases, especially on the east coast, where use of a Redcap may always confer a boarding advantage, but it is not a universal truth as some posters have intimated in their advice.

 

[amamba]

I understand that the real value of the redcaps is that you can use them to bypass Amtrak's cattle call system.

The effectiveness of this boarding strategy gets overstated by some here. This past weekend in a packed King Street station, Door 2 was opened before the Redcap had even returned from her first trip out to the train. Unless you happen to be one of the first parties to be taken out by the Redcap - and really these first trips should be reserved for our elders and any people with special needs - you may actually be putting yourself at a disadvantage by insisting upon the use of a Redcap. This was definitely the case at Seattle this weekend. In Los Angeles as a sleeping car passenger, you can bypass Redcaps altogether and beat everyone out to the train by simply walking out to the platform and waiting for your train to back in to the station. I'm sure there are cases, especially on the east coast, where use of a Redcap may always confer a boarding advantage, but it is not a universal truth as some posters have intimated in their advice.

I don't really see the point in using a redcap for a boarding advantage when in a sleeper. The space is reserved for you, so it shouldn't matter if you are the first person to board or the last person to board. I find the redcap advantage to be particularly amazing when boarding in NYP. Sometimes we make it to the platform before the acela even arrives. Othertimes we get there after the train has arrived but before the masses have made it down the escalator. Also there is generally a boarding advantage at BOS for the acela as well.

 

[jmbgeg]

I understand that the real value of the redcaps is that you can use them to bypass Amtrak's cattle call system.

The effectiveness of this boarding strategy gets overstated by some here. This past weekend in a packed King Street station, Door 2 was opened before the Redcap had even returned from her first trip out to the train. Unless you happen to be one of the first parties to be taken out by the Redcap - and really these first trips should be reserved for our elders and any people with special needs - you may actually be putting yourself at a disadvantage by insisting upon the use of a Redcap. This was definitely the case at Seattle this weekend. In Los Angeles as a sleeping car passenger, you can bypass Redcaps altogether and beat everyone out to the train by simply walking out to the platform and waiting for your train to back in to the station. I'm sure there are cases, especially on the east coast, where use of a Redcap may always confer a boarding advantage, but it is not a universal truth as some posters have intimated in their advice.

For me, the boarding advantage has to do with luggage handling; not early access to the room.

Likewise, Red Cap assistance on detraining means quicker, easier passage to the cabs. That is material to me.

 

[ColdRain&Snow]

I understand that the real value of the redcaps is that you can use them to bypass Amtrak's cattle call system.

The effectiveness of this boarding strategy gets overstated by some here. This past weekend in a packed King Street station, Door 2 was opened before the Redcap had even returned from her first trip out to the train. Unless you happen to be one of the first parties to be taken out by the Redcap - and really these first trips should be reserved for our elders and any people with special needs - you may actually be putting yourself at a disadvantage by insisting upon the use of a Redcap. This was definitely the case at Seattle this weekend. In Los Angeles as a sleeping car passenger, you can bypass Redcaps altogether and beat everyone out to the train by simply walking out to the platform and waiting for your train to back in to the station. I'm sure there are cases, especially on the east coast, where use of a Redcap may always confer a boarding advantage, but it is not a universal truth as some posters have intimated in their advice.

I don't really see the point in using a redcap for a boarding advantage when in a sleeper. The space is reserved for you, so it shouldn't matter if you are the first person to board or the last person to board.

The problem with your assertion surfaces when you're traveling in a roomette with luggage on a packed train which is very much the norm during this time of year. For probably the fourth time in the past 12 months, I observed the lower luggage rack fill up completely in our sleeper long before everyone had boarded this last Friday. By Tacoma, the train's first stop, luggage was being placed in the center hallway by the doors. By being the first person to board my sleeper, I was assured that my bag would be securely placed on the rack rather than worrying about its exposure sloshing around the floor somewhere in the middle of the car. So depending on the circumstances, I respectfully disagree with you that boarding order doesn't matter.

 

[amamba]

I understand that the real value of the redcaps is that you can use them to bypass Amtrak's cattle call system.

The effectiveness of this boarding strategy gets overstated by some here. This past weekend in a packed King Street station, Door 2 was opened before the Redcap had even returned from her first trip out to the train. Unless you happen to be one of the first parties to be taken out by the Redcap - and really these first trips should be reserved for our elders and any people with special needs - you may actually be putting yourself at a disadvantage by insisting upon the use of a Redcap. This was definitely the case at Seattle this weekend. In Los Angeles as a sleeping car passenger, you can bypass Redcaps altogether and beat everyone out to the train by simply walking out to the platform and waiting for your train to back in to the station. I'm sure there are cases, especially on the east coast, where use of a Redcap may always confer a boarding advantage, but it is not a universal truth as some posters have intimated in their advice.

I don't really see the point in using a redcap for a boarding advantage when in a sleeper. The space is reserved for you, so it shouldn't matter if you are the first person to board or the last person to board.

The problem with your assertion surfaces when you're traveling in a roomette with luggage on a packed train which is very much the norm during this time of year. For probably the fourth time in the past 12 months, I observed the lower luggage rack fill up completely in our sleeper long before everyone had boarded this last Friday. By Tacoma, the train's first stop, luggage was being placed in the center hallway by the doors. By being the first person to board my sleeper, I was assured that my bag would be securely placed on the rack rather than worrying about its exposure sloshing around the floor somewhere in the middle of the car. So depending on the circumstances, I respectfully disagree with you that boarding order doesn't matter.

That is a very valid point that did not occur to me, as I have never traveled in a roomette on a crowded train and never have so much luggage that I cannot carry it myself. It's like the anxiety I get when I travel via plane - I want to make sure I board early so I can fit my stuff in the overhead. I hate gate checking my stuff and refuse to check baggage while flying because it takes too long to retrieve it and there is the chance of it getting lost. Thank you for clarifying your position.

 

[jmbgeg]

I understand that the real value of the redcaps is that you can use them to bypass Amtrak's cattle call system.

The effectiveness of this boarding strategy gets overstated by some here. This past weekend in a packed King Street station, Door 2 was opened before the Redcap had even returned from her first trip out to the train. Unless you happen to be one of the first parties to be taken out by the Redcap - and really these first trips should be reserved for our elders and any people with special needs - you may actually be putting yourself at a disadvantage by insisting upon the use of a Redcap. This was definitely the case at Seattle this weekend. In Los Angeles as a sleeping car passenger, you can bypass Redcaps altogether and beat everyone out to the train by simply walking out to the platform and waiting for your train to back in to the station. I'm sure there are cases, especially on the east coast, where use of a Redcap may always confer a boarding advantage, but it is not a universal truth as some posters have intimated in their advice.

I don't really see the point in using a redcap for a boarding advantage when in a sleeper. The space is reserved for you, so it shouldn't matter if you are the first person to board or the last person to board.

The problem with your assertion surfaces when you're traveling in a roomette with luggage on a packed train which is very much the norm during this time of year. For probably the fourth time in the past 12 months, I observed the lower luggage rack fill up completely in our sleeper long before everyone had boarded this last Friday. By Tacoma, the train's first stop, luggage was being placed in the center hallway by the doors. By being the first person to board my sleeper, I was assured that my bag would be securely placed on the rack rather than worrying about its exposure sloshing around the floor somewhere in the middle of the car. So depending on the circumstances, I respectfully disagree with you that boarding order doesn't matter.

Excellent point. I never put more than two pices in the luggage rack and neither are oversized. I see some placing luggage in the rack that are enormous.

 

[ColdRain&Snow]

That is a very valid point that did not occur to me, as I have never traveled in a roomette on a crowded train and never have so much luggage that I cannot carry it myself. It's like the anxiety I get when I travel via plane - I want to make sure I board early so I can fit my stuff in the overhead. I hate gate checking my stuff and refuse to check baggage while flying because it takes too long to retrieve it and there is the chance of it getting lost. Thank you for clarifying your position.

It's definitely a niche problem, but after running into it enough times, I have adjusted my strategy to avoid it whenever possible. And since I don't use Redcaps for lack of need and fear of displacing those who truly require special assistance, I have just focused on developing efficient boarding strategies instead.

 

[AlanB]

I understand that the real value of the redcaps is that you can use them to bypass Amtrak's cattle call system. In that situation are you required to hand them some luggage to carry or can you just have them escort you past the cattle gates in exchange for $5 or whatever?

I, like Amamba, have tipped a redcap in Boston to get me out to an Acela even though I had no luggage. On the other hand most of the Recaps in Boston know me on sight as I always use them in Boston because of the goofy boarding procedures in Boston. So he knew that I would be good for a tip.

But they actually aren't supposed to refuse any request from a passenger for help in boarding a train, even if that passenger clearly doesn't need help. And technically, they do get paid to do that no matter what. This is not to say that they don't appreciate the tips and they're far more likely to help you in the future if you do tip fairly.

 

[Railroad Bill]

Our first and only experience with a Redcap at the train was on our first trip into Chicago on the CL. We had taken two bags with us on the sleeper and when we went downstairs to retrieve them out of the luggage bin, the attendant had already put them on the platform and the Redcap was loading them on his cart. :wacko:

We really had planned to just wheel them into the station but the Redcap said "I have your bags and will take them inside" He took off down the platform with a cart load of people's bags and two elderly passengers onboard and off he went. :help:

We quickly tried to follow him since we had no idea where our bags would end up and we didnt have any claim checks either

When we hurredly made it to the entrance to the Metro Lounge, there was the Redcap passing out people's luggage to anyone who happened to come by. We saw our two bags and grabbed them. Wasnt sure whether he deserved a tip for that move or not as we were a bit shook up over seeing our bags take off from our possession without an o.k.

Now we keep an eye on those bags when we get off the train :lol: We recommend people with disabilities or heavy bags to take advantage of the RedCap service but this was a real interesting situation.

 

[bobnabq]

We always tipped $5.00....they seemed happy with that....

 

I intend to take a small stack of $5 bills on my trip and share the joy.

December will be my first real vacation in 15 years and I've saved up for it.

I'm not going to be penny wise and pound foolish.

 

 

[Devil's Advocate]

I understand that the real value of the redcaps is that you can use them to bypass Amtrak's cattle call system. In that situation are you required to hand them some luggage to carry or can you just have them escort you past the cattle gates in exchange for $5 or whatever?

I, like Amamba, have tipped a redcap in Boston to get me out to an Acela even though I had no luggage. On the other hand most of the Recaps in Boston know me on sight as I always use them in Boston because of the goofy boarding procedures in Boston. So he knew that I would be good for a tip. But they actually aren't supposed to refuse any request from a passenger for help in boarding a train, even if that passenger clearly doesn't need help. And technically, they do get paid to do that no matter what. This is not to say that they don't appreciate the tips and they're far more likely to help you in the future if you do tip fairly.

Tipping etiquette is well instilled in my philosophy so it's no problem from that angle. The odd thing is that I found Boston to be much easier to understand and navigate than, say, New York's god awful Penn Station. I guess we're just destined to disagree on just about everything. :lol:

 

[AlanB]

I understand that the real value of the redcaps is that you can use them to bypass Amtrak's cattle call system. In that situation are you required to hand them some luggage to carry or can you just have them escort you past the cattle gates in exchange for $5 or whatever?

I, like Amamba, have tipped a redcap in Boston to get me out to an Acela even though I had no luggage. On the other hand most of the Recaps in Boston know me on sight as I always use them in Boston because of the goofy boarding procedures in Boston. So he knew that I would be good for a tip. But they actually aren't supposed to refuse any request from a passenger for help in boarding a train, even if that passenger clearly doesn't need help. And technically, they do get paid to do that no matter what. This is not to say that they don't appreciate the tips and they're far more likely to help you in the future if you do tip fairly.

Tipping etiquette is well instilled in my philosophy so it's no problem from that angle. The odd thing is that I found Boston to be much easier to understand and navigate than, say, New York's god awful Penn Station. I guess we're just destined to disagree on just about everything. :lol:

Please, I wasn't trying to suggest that you wouldn't tip, just pointing out that technically the Redcaps are supposed to provide service no matter what.

As for my problems with Boston, I agree with you 100% that Boston is very easy to understand & navigate. My problem with Boston is the lines at the gate/end of the platform. Boston keeps changing its rules about how & when those in the CA lounge can board the trains. So rather than worrying about what rule is in effect today and possibly getting stuck standing in a line, I always get a Redcap in Boston.

In Boston they've gone from not blocking access to the trains to: blocking access, but escorting people in the CA to the train; to just sending people down without an escort; to not allowing any pre-boarding; to generally allowing people with FC tickets to walk to the head of the line to pre-board. And I say "generally" since it still sometimes seems to depend on whether the gate attendant is having a good day or a bad day.

So like I said, I just avoid the hassle and get a Redcap as that guarantees no hassles at the gate.

As for NY, yes, it can be a very confusing station for first time visitors. But as a regular I know my way around and therefore can avoid the lines without help from a Redcap. But for a first timer looking to avoid the lines in NYP, I'd still recommend a Redcap.