Red Caps At NYP

[Beaneysue]

I will be traveling to NYC with heavy luggage and will be in need of a Red Cap to take me to the taxi. The last time I made this trip the conductor called ahead from the train to get me one, but he never showed up and I was stuck downstairs on the platform for quite sometime. I might add that there was also a handicapped person waiting too. With much difficulty I finally managed to get upstairs, but it took quite some maneuvering. So in the event this happens to me on my next trip, is there a phone down on the platform where I descend to call the Red Cap station or is there a phone number that I can call from my cell phone just before I arrive at the station?

Thank you,

Beaneysue

 

[Grandma B]

I will be traveling to NYC with heavy luggage and will be in need of a Red Cap to take me to the taxi. The last time I made this trip the conductor called ahead from the train to get me one, but he never showed up and I was stuck downstairs on the platform for quite sometime. I might add that there was also a handicapped person waiting too. With much difficulty I finally managed to get upstairs, but it took quite some maneuvering. So in the event this happens to me on my next trip, is there a phone down on the platform where I descend to call the Red Cap station or is there a phone number that I can call from my cell phone just before I arrive at the station?
Thank you,

Beaneysue

We ran into the same problem arriving back to NYP. Our sleeper attendant tried to find us a Red Cap and there were none in sight. Being seniors, we too, had to deal with getting our suitcases to the upper level. We never saw any phone on the platform to use to summon a Red Cap. Good luck

 

[AlanB]

I will be traveling to NYC with heavy luggage and will be in need of a Red Cap to take me to the taxi. The last time I made this trip the conductor called ahead from the train to get me one, but he never showed up and I was stuck downstairs on the platform for quite sometime. I might add that there was also a handicapped person waiting too. With much difficulty I finally managed to get upstairs, but it took quite some maneuvering. So in the event this happens to me on my next trip, is there a phone down on the platform where I descend to call the Red Cap station or is there a phone number that I can call from my cell phone just before I arrive at the station?
Thank you,

Beaneysue

We ran into the same problem arriving back to NYP. Our sleeper attendant tried to find us a Red Cap and there were none in sight. Being seniors, we too, had to deal with getting our suitcases to the upper level. We never saw any phone on the platform to use to summon a Red Cap. Good luck

I'm not sure that there are any phones on the platform level, other than perhaps emergency phones and I certainly wouldn't recommend using one of those. Beyond that, there is no number that I'm aware of that you can call to get ahold of a redcap.

The normal procedure is to make the conductor aware of the fact that you need a redcap, and then hope that he calls it in, and that a redcap actually responds. The redcaps usually do try to meet arriving trains, especially the long distance trains and Acela Express trains. Of course part of the problem can also be that there are simply too many people needing help from a redcap, and too many trains arriving and departing at the same time.

If you don't get a redcap and don't see one on the platform, then my suggestion is to find an Amtrak person with a radio who can call for one, or leave one person on the platform with the luggage, while the other comes upstairs to find one. If you don't see one just running around, then assuming that you were in first class (sleeper), go to the Club Acela and ask them to call one. If you aren't arriving in First Class, then go to customer service, which is to the right of the ticket windows and ask them to call one for you.

 

[Beaneysue]

Thank you all for you replies and suggestions. I will be leaving tomorrow afternoon from Boston and hoping it doesn't snow to complicate matters. I am going to call customer service tomorrow morning and see if they can arrange something for me. I will let you know what happens.

Francesca

 

[guest]

All you need to do is call the 800 number and speak to an agent; tell them you need a redcap as a Special Service Request, and it will be on the manifest, for both the onboard crew and the station services people. But speaking of "heavy luggage", make sure it doesn't weigh more than 50 pounds!! The redcaps carry pocket scales, and if your luggage exceeds that weight (it's all standard procedure for both Amtrak and airlines), you will NOT be helped with your bag(s)! You might also consider checking your bag.

 

[AlanB]

You might also consider checking your bag.

There is no checked baggage service between Boston and NY, other than the overnight train. Doing that would require an extra trip back to Penn Station the next day to pick up the bags that were checked.

 

[Bill Haithcoat]

My experience involves a wheelchair in addition to redcap so it might be a little different.

I took my handicapped mother from Atlanta to New York about 16 or 17 years ago.(it was still heritage equipment)

We requested a redcap and wheelchair at the time we made the reservation, thus the request was built in. Then, on board, the conductor checked for us at least twice that morning heading toward NYC, being sure the redcaps would meet us at the train.

There were two of them right at the car door, ready and waiting . No problem at all. They wheeled her straight to the front of the line for the cabs. The civilians in line were smiling and gracious to us, did not resent mother and me going first.

The sleeping car attendant also knew from our reservations that we needed meals served in our room. It was a delightful trip, lots of cooperation. This was mother's one and only trip to Big Apple and she loved everyhting about it.

But the amount of luggage was very average, so, that, in itself, was not an issue. It was mother's physical condition that was of concern , so of course we needed help with what little luggage we had.