Sneaking a pet rat onto a LD train?

[johnny.menhennet]

Okay, I'm going to actually answer the question asked.

You can probably easily sneak a pet rat into your room, if it is in your bag and no one can see it. In no way, am I encouraging you to do so. I'm just saying it can probably be done. I've heard of worse things happening.

+ 1. While not advocating it, I think it could theoretically be possible. From what I've heard here, it seems like your pet can be kept in a cage without either smell or noise. I don't see that big of an issue here. Certainly the people claiming that you will be tracked down by your IP address are just ridiculous, as Amtrak wouldn't really give a rat's *** (partly pun intended) about someone who is unsure of a "crime" he has yet to commit. I am sympathetic to your problem, and if you have to leave your pet behind, I'm sorry for you and your boys.

 

[The Davy Crockett]

For the record, Mrs. Crockett never sneaks me aboard. Oh, wait...

Chill people.

 

[me_little_me]

Wow - this is both the funniest and saddest thread I've ever read here. Just my 2c worth.

Rats! You took the words right out of my mouse!

 

[afigg]

+ 1. While not advocating it, I think it could theoretically be possible. From what I've heard here, it seems like your pet can be kept in a cage without either smell or noise. I don't see that big of an issue here. Certainly the people claiming that you will be tracked down by your IP address are just ridiculous, as Amtrak wouldn't really give a rat's *** (partly pun intended) about someone who is unsure of a "crime" he has yet to commit. I am sympathetic to your problem, and if you have to leave your pet behind, I'm sorry for you and your boys.

+2. It is not as if the guest poster was looking to smuggle his pet black mamba snake on board. One pet rat is not going to be an actual threat to anyone. Ok, it could bite someone. It is up to the OP to decide whether he wants to take the risk of bringing his pet rat on the trip and getting put off the train somewhere - or having his pet rat confiscated. Some here need to calm down a wee bit about what was, AFAIT, an honest question.

Amtrak has a flat policy of no pets, I suspect, mainly just to keep it simple. They have to allow service dogs by law. The baggage cars are not climate controlled and what do they do if a dog in a container in the baggage car gets loose and escapes from the train on a 1-2 day trip? But once they start allowing exceptions for cats, small dogs or animals in carry-on containers, people will push the boundaries with bigger dogs or exotic but more dangerous pets. Then a Congressman, hearing complaints from people with dogs just above the weight or size limits, inserts a rider into the appropriations bill that Amtrak has to provide checked baggage service for large dogs, direwolves, and armed pets with guns. (Just joking!). A simple flat No to pets on board keeps it simple.

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

I think it's rude for people to express thier dislike or hate for certain animals, or anything else, when that has nothing to do with the question posed. All responses should have been to the adviseabiliity of whether a pet, no matter what kind of pet, should be snuck onto the train since.there is a no pet policy.

I think you misunderstood me. I hate the act people "sneaking" rats onto a train, not the rat itself. So basically, I do not think the OP should even try to do it, because I do not like "sneaky" business. I was not expressing my hate for rats, and I think my answer does relate to the question, because I wanted the OP to know that he should not attempt "sneaky" business, which is exactly what he was asking about.

 

[George Harris]

Ever heard the expression, "No harm, No foul"? I think that applies to this situation.

If the critter can be kept odor free for the duration of the trip, then I would be inclined to attempt it for the sake of the kids.

There are worse times of the year to risk being booted off a train. The person did not say which route. If the Sunset, maybe that should be re-thought. There is an aweful lot of empty space along that route, probably more than any other, and being out in the desert is not good for you or the rat.

And for those that are about to get me for giving bad examples to my kids, forget it. My baby is past 30 and I recently had a conversation in which I told him I would not lie in a situation where telling the truth could be rather expensive. However, I know and have been a couple of times in situations where I felt like doing what was right and what was legal were mutually exclusive. My point there is, do what is right for the situation even if you know it is illegal.

I will now head for the bomb shelter.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

I think it's rude for people to express thier dislike or hate for certain animals, or anything else, when that has nothing to do with the question posed. All responses should have been to the adviseabiliity of whether a pet, no matter what kind of pet, should be snuck onto the train since.there is a no pet policy.

I think you misunderstood me. I hate the act people "sneaking" rats onto a train, not the rat itself. So basically, I do not think the OP should even try to do it, because I do not like "sneaky" business. I was not expressing my hate for rats, and I think my answer does relate to the question, because I wanted the OP to know that he should not attempt "sneaky" business, which is exactly what he was asking about.

And you misunderstood me. I was not directing my comments at anyone specific. Nor was it exclusive to this thread.

 

[johnny.menhennet]

As with George Harris, I say go for it for the sake of the kids. I know how much these pets mean, even if they're small. I have 4 guinea pigs at my mom;s house, and it would kill me to not be able to bring them with me if I had to move. Especially if your portion is just 1 overnight, it would probably be worth it.

 

[amamba]

Meh, I would probably suggest that sneaking the rat in this situation might not be so bad. But, there are definitely consequences to this which have been explained to the OP.

 

[OlympianHiawatha]

While it sounds like you have hopefully found a good home for your Rat, I would otherwise take her to a reputable pet shop with the stipulation they find a good home for her that does not involve the innards of a Python or large Monitor. At your new home, the kids can then have the fun of picking a new Rat, hopefully a baby. Please do not risk your trip or peace of mind by smuggling her along.

 

[George Harris]

While it sounds like you have hopefully found a good home for your Rat, I would otherwise take her to a reputable pet shop with the stipulation they find a good home for her that does not involve the innards of a Python or large Monitor. At your new home, the kids can then have the fun of picking a new Rat, hopefully a baby. Please do not risk your trip or peace of mind by smuggling her along.

That is exactly what we did with four guinea pigs when my job moved me overseas. My mother got the two dogs, which was a very good thing as one was a natural guard dog that met all visitors to her door.

 

[gatelouse]

Easy--freeze, transport, thaw. Problem solved.

Of course I'm kidding. But seriously, if folks want to react with hysteria, please get the facts dead-on straight. I find it hard to believe that sneaking a pet onboard a train is "illegal"--i.e. a violation of law. Rather, it's a violation of Amtrak's policy. That's a big difference to me when I weigh risks.

Just because Amtrak is a quasi-government entity doesn't mean that you're automatically afoul of the law if you violate a company policy.

 

[reefgeek]

I'm sorry, I have to say it.

Amrat.

 

[Gingee]

So how are you going to get your pet to your destination?

 

[SarahZ]

Meh, I would probably suggest that sneaking the rat in this situation might not be so bad. But, there are definitely consequences to this which have been explained to the OP.

I'm in this camp.

Also, anyone who would actually track the OP's IP address to report them to Amtrak officials has way too much free time.

 

[A.J.]

is anyone else surprised the person is moving and doing so by train? I have a potential move coming up in a year's time (not a short distance) and it honestly wouldn't occur to me to do any of it by train. moreover, I have pets that i would want/need to take with me and i would drive them in my car. most people, i would think, have more than just themselves and a rat to move. I may be naive, but it certainly seems an odd way to do it.

 

[Donctor]

is anyone else surprised the person is moving and doing so by train? I have a potential move coming up in a year's time (not a short distance) and it honestly wouldn't occur to me to do any of it by train. moreover, I have pets that i would want/need to take with me and i would drive them in my car. most people, i would think, have more than just themselves and a rat to move. I may be naive, but it certainly seems an odd way to do it.

Amtrak is how I move.

And to the OP, please bring the rat on the train.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Back in 1967, my family "moved" via train. My dad and one sister were already living in the distination city having moved earlier in the year due to his job transfer (and my sister getting a like transfer to be able to stay with the family). Since I was just a kid, I don't remember many details, but would assume my dad flew down to drive the car back or maybe they got rid of it and bought a new one once we moved. At the time (pre-Amtrak), we were allowed to take our dog and cat with us in a sleeper car.

Now here is a reason NOT to allow pets onboard, or at least dogs. Our dog went for a walk during a stop and got out of his collar/muzzle and my mom was told she needed to catch him within a short time or he'd be left behind. Luckily she did get him to come and was able to get him back onto the train before it left.

As to others moving by train. Not everyone owns a car, so a train, plane, or bus makes perfect sense. And if you're moving, you probably have a lot more luggage than you'd care to pay for on a plane, so the train makes more sense.

 

[A.J.]

thanks for the interesting insights! I guess I am just accustomed to people doing it themselves, ie renting a uhaul, etc. must be nice!

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

I think it's rude for people to express thier dislike or hate for certain animals, or anything else, when that has nothing to do with the question posed. All responses should have been to the adviseabiliity of whether a pet, no matter what kind of pet, should be snuck onto the train since.there is a no pet policy.

I think you misunderstood me. I hate the act people "sneaking" rats onto a train, not the rat itself. So basically, I do not think the OP should even try to do it, because I do not like "sneaky" business. I was not expressing my hate for rats, and I think my answer does relate to the question, because I wanted the OP to know that he should not attempt "sneaky" business, which is exactly what he was asking about.

And you misunderstood me. I was not directing my comments at anyone specific. Nor was it exclusive to this thread.

All right, that makes sense.

BTW, I move by train, too.

 

[Devil's Advocate]

Meh, I would probably suggest that sneaking the rat in this situation might not be so bad. But, there are definitely consequences to this which have been explained to the OP.

I'm in this camp. Also, anyone who would actually track the OP's IP address to report them to Amtrak officials has way too much free time.

You'd better be careful or our resident snitch might report you as an accomplice! :lol:

 

[Steve4031]

One thing that has not been considered is how this would affect the rat. It is an animal. It might or might not be uncomfortable or scared during the trip.

 

[afigg]

is anyone else surprised the person is moving and doing so by train? I have a potential move coming up in a year's time (not a short distance) and it honestly wouldn't occur to me to do any of it by train. moreover, I have pets that i would want/need to take with me and i would drive them in my car. most people, i would think, have more than just themselves and a rat to move. I may be naive, but it certainly seems an odd way to do it.

The original poster may be young and does not have a car yet. Or does not plan to take the car with him because he (I assume the OP is a he) is moving to a city where he won't need a car. If young, he may not not accumulated the cra..., um, stuff, we all do as the years go by. Or the car is being shipped with the rest of the stuff by a moving company. His problem is how does he take his pet rat with him for the cross-country move when Amtrak has a no pets period policy? I don't know what the airlines or Greyhound policies are about pet rats.

 

[The Davy Crockett]

One thing that has not been considered is how this would affect the rat. It is an animal. It might or might not be uncomfortable or scared during the trip.

If it was me:

I'd be darn careful about even opening its cage, let alone letting it out. Freaked out, scared animals can disappear in an instant into places where you'll never find them... until that certain smell starts up in a few days or so.... :huh: :excl:

And I wouldn't worry about any 'online' rats. :giggle:

 

[AmtrakBlue]

thanks for the interesting insights! I guess I am just accustomed to people doing it themselves, ie renting a uhaul, etc. must be nice!

Well, Uncle Dupie did pay for ours back in the good old days when corporations did that kind of thing.