B
ben
Guest
if one is checking bags for a family, what time should you arrive before departure in Memphis going north to Chicago?
ben
ben
Amtrak requires that bags be checked a minimum of 45 minutes before scheduled train departure so one hour should be about right!if one is checking bags for a family, what time should you arrive before departure in Memphis going north to Chicago?
ben
Sure. I've seen some pretty long lines. Even so, the 45 minute cutoff is not absolute. I checked in over an hour before departure, but we heard announcements that checked baggage was still being accepted after the standard 45 minutes.While the cutoff time is 45 minutes before departure, that does not mean you just have to be in line! The bag(s) must be in the agent's hands 45 minutes before departure!
It depends on the station staff, then I guess, so like most things Amtrak it is YMMV. At the stations I use, that 45 minutes is absolute and it is like Traveler said, that means in their hands, not standing in line.Sure. I've seen some pretty long lines. Even so, the 45 minute cutoff is not absolute. I checked in over an hour before departure, but we heard announcements that checked baggage was still being accepted after the standard 45 minutes.While the cutoff time is 45 minutes before departure, that does not mean you just have to be in line! The bag(s) must be in the agent's hands 45 minutes before departure!
I'm wondering what happens if a cutoff is missed and carrying the baggage isn't an option due to too much or it being oversized. I've helped someone checking airline luggage past the theoretical cutoff time. We were told they would try to get it on, but if it didn't make it on it would go on the next plane to the same destination.
Airlines typically slap on a late check in tag. I suppose that's meant to tell the personnel to either hurry up and get it on the plane, or if the flight number doesn't match, it's still OK.It depends on the station staff, then I guess, so like most things Amtrak it is YMMV. At the stations I use, that 45 minutes is absolute and it is like Traveler said, that means in their hands, not standing in line.Sure. I've seen some pretty long lines. Even so, the 45 minute cutoff is not absolute. I checked in over an hour before departure, but we heard announcements that checked baggage was still being accepted after the standard 45 minutes.While the cutoff time is 45 minutes before departure, that does not mean you just have to be in line! The bag(s) must be in the agent's hands 45 minutes before departure!
I'm wondering what happens if a cutoff is missed and carrying the baggage isn't an option due to too much or it being oversized. I've helped someone checking airline luggage past the theoretical cutoff time. We were told they would try to get it on, but if it didn't make it on it would go on the next plane to the same destination.
For planning purposes, I would assume the most restrictive interpretation.
And yes, if you miss the cutoff, I imagine it would most likely go on the next train. Which in many cases would mean the next day, or a couple of days later if it is the Sunset or Cardinal. So it is of somewhat less utility than the airline's next flight.
I mentioned Seattle. I thought it was busy enough. However, it's the end of the line, so it's probably only 8 trains a day where one could check in baggage.It depends on the station.
If it's a "small" station (like PVD or GJT that has only 1 train a day with checked baggage service), it may be loosened. But if it's a "big" station (like NYP or CHI that has many trains a day with checked baggage service), it may not be overlooked.
That is funny that Seattle had flexibility. Everett, which is a smaller station is very firm about the 45 minutes.I mentioned Seattle. I thought it was busy enough. However, it's the end of the line, so it's probably only 8 trains a day where one could check in baggage.It depends on the station.
If it's a "small" station (like PVD or GJT that has only 1 train a day with checked baggage service), it may be loosened. But if it's a "big" station (like NYP or CHI that has many trains a day with checked baggage service), it may not be overlooked.
I don't know if it was just something they did for the southbound CS. However, I specifically remember an announcement for last call for baggage on #11, and it was well under 45 minutes to departure.That is funny that Seattle had flexibility. Everett, which is a smaller station is very firm about the 45 minutes.I mentioned Seattle. I thought it was busy enough. However, it's the end of the line, so it's probably only 8 trains a day where one could check in baggage.
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