What time should I be at Tampa? What time do they start boarding? Is it like Kissimmee?
- Thread starter Oreius
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I would get to Tampa well before 5:27, if the train is running on time. There are usually many passengers boarding in coach and they line up shortly before 92 arrives in Tampa. It takes a while to off load the passengers whose destination is Tampa. As soon as those passengers are detrained, boarding will start. If you are checking luggage, you will need to be at the station ealier than you would need to be if not checking luggage.
Sorry I did not provide you with a definitive answer, which is "it depends when the train arrives."
Sorry I did not provide you with a definitive answer, which is "it depends when the train arrives."
Thank you for the helpful tip. I’m not checking luggage, but I will try to arrive about an hour before departure.
Made it to Tampa Station at around 4:10. Train is running about 35 minutes late...
Enjoy your trip. Are you in a sleeper?
Yes.
If you see an SCA named Bianca (usually the 10 car), tell her Penny says hello and that I may see her on Monday. She is fabulous. I hope you are lucky enough to have her as your attendant.
I just so happen to be in Car 9210. I’ll pass the word if I have this particular attendant.
I forgot to ask earlier. Am I still allowed access to the Philadelphia Club Acela? I know I’m not on the Meteor this time, but I still am in a sleeper...
Thanks. As long as you have a sleeper ticket you are permitted access to Club Acelas and Metropolitan Lounges. The one in Philadelphia may have been re-branded as a Metropolitan Lounge.
PaulM
Engineer
The answer to the question "What time should I be at the station?" involves
Sleeper vs. coach: technically this doesn't matter. However if you are in coach, you may or may not want to arrive earlier to jockey for a prime seat. No need to worry about this if you are in a sleeper.
Checked baggage: the rule is 45 minutes before departure. AU conventional wisdom is unclear weather this is scheduled or actual departure. But no one seems to have reported an agent holding to the scheduled departure when the train is significantly late.
The estimated arrival time: always check train status.
Your risk tolerance. Some plan for traffic jams, flat tire, late connecting transportation, etc. Other don't.
Bottom line: you need to get to a train door before its is closed for departure. Or the gate if it is one of those stations that close the gate prior to departure (e.g. 5 minutes in Chicago).
Sleeper vs. coach: technically this doesn't matter. However if you are in coach, you may or may not want to arrive earlier to jockey for a prime seat. No need to worry about this if you are in a sleeper.
Checked baggage: the rule is 45 minutes before departure. AU conventional wisdom is unclear weather this is scheduled or actual departure. But no one seems to have reported an agent holding to the scheduled departure when the train is significantly late.
The estimated arrival time: always check train status.
Your risk tolerance. Some plan for traffic jams, flat tire, late connecting transportation, etc. Other don't.
Bottom line: you need to get to a train door before its is closed for departure. Or the gate if it is one of those stations that close the gate prior to departure (e.g. 5 minutes in Chicago).
I told Bianca you said hi, and she was impressed. She said you haven’t been on a long trip with her in a while.
