Acela Baggage Question

Hello from the Pacific Surfliner, currently in Anaheim, CA!

So I was booked out of San Diego on the Pacific Surfliner to the SWC to the Capitol Limited to the Acela ending in Boston. When I arrived in this morning, I asked to check bags through to DC saying that I was aware that there's no checked baggage to Boston. It caused quite the kerfuffle. In the end, they canceled my Acela trip, giving me a voucher for it, and essentially said that I would not be allowed to carry on my extra bags on Acela.

Does that sound right to anyone? I was under the impression that I could and would just have to pay extra for them. It is possible that my disability is the issue. I require assistance and the agent kept telling me I'd be solely responsible for managing my bags on the Acela. But, isn't that supposed to be a thing they help disabled people with?

So as of now, I'm not sure what I'm going to do. Any thoughts or recommendations would be welcome.

Well, Acelas have airline style bins instead of the racks as on other trains. They are pretty big, but there still isn't the same level of flexibility.

There are Red Caps at WAS and BOS that can assist you with bags, so I don't quite get the handle them yourself comment. I would have told the agent at SAN that I intended to use Red Cap services.

You might want to rebook onto a Regional, but just how much luggage are you carrying, both carry on and checked? According to the baggage policy the conductor actually has the option of charging for the excess bags or refusing them. At a certain point it becomes a safety issue.

zephyr17 said:

Well, Acelas have airline style bins instead of the racks as on other trains. They are pretty big, but there still isn't the same level of flexibility.

There are Red Caps at WAS and BOS that can assist you with bags, so I don't quite get the handle them yourself comment. I would have told the agent at SAN that I intended to use Red Cap services.

You might want to rebook onto a Regional, but just how much luggage are you carrying, both carry on and checked? According to the baggage policy the conductor actually has the option of charging for the excess bags or refusing them. At a certain point it becomes a safety issue.

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She was a bit rude, to be honest, very dismissive and unconcerned about my limitations. On top of that, I'm having a bad health day so I didn't really have the energy to get into it with anyone, so I just accepted her decisions and figured I'd sort it out later.

I checked two suitcases. One is carry on size, but the other one is big. I carried on a small suitcase, backpack, laptop bag, and my medical stuff. So I'm within limits for carry on rules right now, but WAS to BOS I'll be two bags over.

I think you're suggestion about taking a regional makes sense. It may mean I have to spend a night in a hotel in WAS, but I'm ok with that if it means I can get to Boston with all my stuff.

There's no excuse for this!
Call Customer Relations( 800-USA -RAIL )and when Julie Answers keep saying "Agent" till your connected and ask the Agent to transfer you to Customer Relations!

Might take awhile, but they should be able to help you!

As was said, Red Caps in Washington, NYP and Boston can assist you with your Bags and get you early boarding onto a Regional OR an Acela.( I've traveled on Acela several times with Excess Baggage, but it was in First Class. Since there's no Attendant on Acela Budiness Class, you do have to get help from Red Caps ).

Okay, thanks. The kicker is going to be the suitcase you carried on. That'll put you over the 2 pieces of carry on luggage limit WAS-BOS. The laptop and backpack are your two "personal items" and your medical supplies should not count against it, my CPAP doesn't.

Remember, Amtrak's carry on size limit is considerably larger than the airlines', at 28"x22"x14". My big bag is within that, though far exceeding airline carry on limits.

I am not sure what to tell you, you really are over the limits. On Amtrak, I almost always carry on my big bag and stow it in the downstairs rack (Superliners) or cubby(Viewliners) but it much too large to fit in a VIA roomette comfortably. Since my VIA trips are usually VIA/Amtrak combinations, I have a smallish duffel that I put enough clothes and toiletries to last me on VIA, and check the big bag. At my Canadian destination, I transfer everything that was in the duffel to the big bag, collapse it and stow the collapsed duffel in the big bag, too, so I am not carrying an extra piece on the no-checked-baggage Maple Leaf. My point is if you could somehow stow the bag you are carrying on in another bag at WAS, you'd be within limits.

You'll need a Red Cap, and the Red Cap can probably wangle it for you. Tip them well. But bear in mind Amtrak would be within their rights to refuse boarding or charge you, though I think the chances of success are good. However, the rule of thumb, at least for the able bodied, is if you can carry it all at once at one go, you can have it. I am aging, though still pretty able bodied, and know that I could not manage 3 pieces of luggage, a laptop bag, a backpack, and my CPAP all at once.

Finally, make sure they radio ahead for a Red Cap for you in Boston. There will be no one to help you onboard (no car attendants on Regionals) and the Red Cap will have to come on board to unload your stuff.

Bob Dylan said:

There's no excuse for this!
Call Customer Relations( 800-USA -RAIL )and when Julie Answers keep saying "Agent" till your connected and ask the Agent to transfer you to Customer Relations!

Might take awhile, but they should be able to help you!

As was said, Red Caps in Washington, NYP and Boston can assist you with your Bags and get you early boarding onto a Regional OR an Acela.( I've traveled on Acela several times with Excess Baggage, but it was in First Class. Since there's no Attendant on Acela Budiness Class, you do have to get help from Red Caps ).

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It's frustrating and exhausting. I became medically disabled two years ago and I'm now moving back to MA to get needed family support. I don't look disabled though (unless I'm using my oxygen) and some people just don't take me seriously.

I'm pretty wiped out today, but I can try calling once I'm on the SWC. If not tonight, then during the long fresh air break in Albuquerque. I imagine cell reception will be good there.

On a positive note, the Red Cap here in LA was excellent. Definitely deserved his tip. And the folks in the lounge have been helpful as well.

amydeg said:

I'm pretty wiped out today, but I can try calling once I'm on the SWC. If not tonight, then during the long fresh air break in Albuquerque. I imagine cell reception will be good there.

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Just wait until tomorrow, Customer Relations is only there during normal business hours Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. Cell service is good from at least 30 minutes before Albuquerque to about 30-40 minutes after. Somewhat past Bernalillo heading to Lamy, the tracks are on the other side of a ridge from I 25 and at least I lose cell service. I'd call as soon as you get good, consistent bars approaching Albuquerque because you want to be through both holds, one waiting for and agent, another waiting for Customer Relations and your conversation before you hit the dead zone north of Albuquerque.

zephyr17 said:

Okay, thanks. The kicker is going to be the suitcase you carried on. That'll put you over the 2 pieces of carry on luggage limit WAS-BOS. The laptop and backpack are your two "personal items" and your medical supplies should not count against it, my CPAP doesn't.

Remember, Amtrak's carry on size limit is considerably larger than the airlines', at 28"x22"x14". My big bag is within that, though far exceeding airline carry on limits.

I am not sure what to tell you, you really are over the limits. On Amtrak, I almost always carry on my big bag and stow it in the downstairs rack (Superliners) or cubby(Viewliners) but it much too large to fit in a VIA roomette comfortably. Since my VIA trips are usually VIA/Amtrak combinations, I have a smallish duffel that I put enough clothes and toiletries to last me on VIA, and check the big bag. At my Canadian destination, I transfer everything that was in the duffel to the big bag, collapse it and stow the collapsed duffel in the big bag, too, so I am not carrying an extra piece on the no-checked-baggage Maple Leaf. My point is if you could somehow stow the bag you are carrying on in another bag at WAS, you'd be within limits.

You'll need a Red Cap, and the Red Cap can probably wangle it for you. Tip them well. But bear in mind they'd be within their rights to refuse boarding, though I think the chances of success are good. However, the rule of thumb, at least for the able bodied, is if you can carry it all at once at one go, you can have it. I am aging, though still pretty able bodied, and know that I could not manage 3 pieces of luggage, a laptop bag, a backpack, and my CPAP all at once.

Finally, make sure they radio ahead for a Red Cap for you in Boston. There will be no one to help you onboard (no car attendants on Regionals) and the Red Cap will have to come on board to unload your stuff.

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I'm definitely thinking of how I might be able to consolidate, even if it means ditching some easily replaced items. It's not my favorite option, but it may come to that.

I'm also considering checking into a hotel in WAS for the night and figuring out a way to box up and ship some of it home instead. A higher end hotel might actually be able and willing to help with that.

As for tipping, I loaded up with tens before boarding, so I'm prepared!

I honestly think shipping something from a hotel in Washington may be the best option. I am sure any name brand much above a Motel 6 or Red Roof Inn would help you. Heck, it may be just an issue of putting strapping tape on one of your bags and putting a label on it.

If it fits in an airline overhead bin, it'll fit on the Acela as well as all regional and LD coaches. As for additional and/or oversized pieces on single level eastern trains, there's an area near the door in each Acela car that excess and oversized luggage can be safely stored. On regional trains, there's similar storage spaces near the restroom end of each car. I've seen everything from giant rolling suitcases to collapsed baby cribs to motobility scooters there.

As far as I know, redcaps don't count the number of pieces they bring on board with you and will certainly make boarding/boarding far easier for you. If you're riding Acela or business class on the NEC, you'll have a reserved seat aisle & letter like an airplane. NEC coach is 'open seating'. Redcaps bring their customers to the train at least 5 minutes prior to the gates being opened for boarding, so you'll have your 'pick of the litter' as far as coach seating.

bratkinson said:

If it fits in an airline overhead bin, it'll fit on the Acela as well as all regional and LD coaches. As for additional and/or oversized pieces on single level eastern trains, there's an area near the door in each Acela car that excess and oversized luggage can be safely stored. On regional trains, there's similar storage spaces near the restroom end of each car. I've seen everything from giant rolling suitcases to collapsed baby cribs to motobility scooters there.

As far as I know, redcaps don't count the number of pieces they bring on board with you and will certainly make boarding/boarding far easier for you. If you're riding Acela or business class on the NEC, you'll have a reserved seat aisle & letter like an airplane. NEC coach is 'open seating'. Redcaps bring their customers to the train at least 5 minutes prior to the gates being opened for boarding, so you'll have your 'pick of the litter' as far as coach seating.

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Yeah, I assumed Acela would have a luggage rack, but the agent was adamant that I couldn't bring the excess baggage aboard. I'm going to call customer relations tomorrow as suggested and figure out what to do.

Incidentally, the red caps in LA were awesome. They were friendly, patient, and genuinely seemed happy to be helping. If the ones in Chicago, DC, and Boston are the same, I'll be quite pleased.

Look at how much you can consolidate- no need for it to be "neat" inside the suitcases or bag. Could any of the carry-ons fit in the large suitcase? Spending a night in DC would give you also give you a chance to see how things can be consolidated before you start shipping stuff. One thought- you will want a hotel nice enough to have someone who will help you get your bags from your cab/uber to the room and vice versa.