Ryan
Court Jester
Gaff Tape FTW.
do you drag all your valuables to the dining car or leave them in the
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But GG-1 says we shouldn't use duct tape!Masking tape not duct tape?You're banned from Amtrak trains!
GG-1 is just trying to drum up business for his profession. :giggle:
But, yeah, Gaff tape leaves less residue than duct tape.
gwschenk
Train Attendant
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2013
- Messages
- 83
Took my fiance on her very first long distance train ride last February on the Southwest Chief. When we got on board in LA her very first thought was about keeping the baggage safe from thieves. I told her not to worry, it's a train! She was just being paranoid.
We pulled into Albuquerque and got off to walk around town. When we got back to the train, she noticed our luggage had been moved, and she thought opened as well. We get to the roomette and everything is OK. I go downstairs and talk to the attendant Gabe, outside. A fellow in our car had been arrested smuggling cocaine and the police had searched the luggage. That evening at dinner a fellow, also in our car, told us he'd been frisked by the police at Albuquerque during the bust and his room searched.
We pulled into Trinidad at got off for fresh air, to see a fellow escorted from the train and arrested for smoking on the train.
My girl will probably never ride a train again.
We pulled into Albuquerque and got off to walk around town. When we got back to the train, she noticed our luggage had been moved, and she thought opened as well. We get to the roomette and everything is OK. I go downstairs and talk to the attendant Gabe, outside. A fellow in our car had been arrested smuggling cocaine and the police had searched the luggage. That evening at dinner a fellow, also in our car, told us he'd been frisked by the police at Albuquerque during the bust and his room searched.
We pulled into Trinidad at got off for fresh air, to see a fellow escorted from the train and arrested for smoking on the train.
My girl will probably never ride a train again.
S
Sandy
Guest
I was planning on using a laptop backpack for everything valuable (no purse). It's not huge but it's large. Can I take it into the diner with me? I can put it at my feet, same as I would have put my purse.
Green Maned Lion
Engineer
A valid point I suppose. I paid $99 for my Garmin Nuvi, IIRC. But if they steal it, first of all it's used, and second of all it's stolen. That means they aren't going to get top dollar for it.Maybe not in your case, obviously, but keep in mind I mostly handle claims in the Detroit area. Additionally, Garmin Nuvis retail for around $150-$160.
So, it's not a rule of thumb. I was just citing an example of why I don't leave laptop cords in plain view. Seems pretty pointless to hide the laptop if you're going to leave a trail of bread crumbs. That's all I meant.
Don't take it too literally, guys. It was an analogy, that's all.
That being said, I don't live in Detroit, and I rarely park in dangerous areas.
There is usually no room in the diner for briefcases, large purses or any sort of luggage - whether it is stowed under the seat or at one's side. The seats are tiny and if my memory serves, Amtrak has a policy whereby a passenger should not bring such items to the diner. However, I am sure that one could bring a camera and/or cell phone but not much more.
I like to ride in coach when I travel without my better half. I put all valuables in my lockable Halliburton briefcase and stow it in the overhead with a bike lock fastened from the case to the overhead support bulkhead. Never had a problem with any theft.
On my last trip from SFO to Chicago, an expensive gaming device was stolen from a passenger a few rows from my seat. There is always a security requirement with valuables or anything that you don't want to lose on the trip.
For the passenger who wishes to have security for luggage in the Roomettes for example; securing all valuables in a locked suitcase with a bike lock tethered to a seat railing or other surface would work. I have done this while travelling on the Viewliner, stowing money and other valuables in (her) carry-on bag and literally chained to the security bar on the Roomette's overhead, when we leave the Roomette to walkabout the train.
In order to travel safely, some people put only essentials - camera, wallet and cell phone/cell phone charger and perhaps medicines, in a slender fanny pack - and strap it to the waist during the trip. Such packs can be found online. Everything else, including your personal food and beverages should be considered to be put in a secured carry-on bag.
Other than that, enjoy the trip and beautiful countryside!
I like to ride in coach when I travel without my better half. I put all valuables in my lockable Halliburton briefcase and stow it in the overhead with a bike lock fastened from the case to the overhead support bulkhead. Never had a problem with any theft.
On my last trip from SFO to Chicago, an expensive gaming device was stolen from a passenger a few rows from my seat. There is always a security requirement with valuables or anything that you don't want to lose on the trip.
For the passenger who wishes to have security for luggage in the Roomettes for example; securing all valuables in a locked suitcase with a bike lock tethered to a seat railing or other surface would work. I have done this while travelling on the Viewliner, stowing money and other valuables in (her) carry-on bag and literally chained to the security bar on the Roomette's overhead, when we leave the Roomette to walkabout the train.
In order to travel safely, some people put only essentials - camera, wallet and cell phone/cell phone charger and perhaps medicines, in a slender fanny pack - and strap it to the waist during the trip. Such packs can be found online. Everything else, including your personal food and beverages should be considered to be put in a secured carry-on bag.
Other than that, enjoy the trip and beautiful countryside!
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Shortline
Conductor
I leave it all in the room. Always have. Only time I've ever been ripped off was on a DB train to Frankfurt in a shared compartment.
I use a small fanny pack.
- Joined
- May 26, 2012
- Messages
- 356
I was on the Cardinal in April and the room attendant insisted that people remove their valuables from the room while she was in it. She said she had been accused of going through someone's purse and followed that protocol ever since. I feel comfortable leaving my things in the room but after reading this thread I think it's a great idea to lock your stuff in a suitcase while away. I carry my phone and wallet in a pocket and maybe have a kindle along so not much to lose in the first place.
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NW cannonball
Conductor
I leave the 3-year-old netbook and the hundred-to-thousands dollar cameras in the room in my bag or in coach in the overhead in my bag - always closed and under some dirty socks.
Smartphones and laptops with identifying personal or corporate (or secret government or personal details of other people) information and/or passwords had better be encrypted and deserve more care. Carry like cash, never out of your sight. There's plenty room in the diner, cafe, or lounge seats to put a moderate-size laptop between your calves and the bench-front. Only done 2-3 LD trips/year last 35 years, no problem.
If there's personally identifying information - like account numbers, SSN, medical records, corporate or government classified anything - the value of the phone or laptop is insignificant - it's the value of the data that counts. Hoping most thieves of such data mostly fly, at least long-distance. (Nobody's heard of an expense-account spy taking an AMTRAK LD train -- yet)
Anyhow, nobody ever stole anything from me on AMTRAK in the about 80 trips I've done. A bit worried once or twice.
Smartphones and laptops with identifying personal or corporate (or secret government or personal details of other people) information and/or passwords had better be encrypted and deserve more care. Carry like cash, never out of your sight. There's plenty room in the diner, cafe, or lounge seats to put a moderate-size laptop between your calves and the bench-front. Only done 2-3 LD trips/year last 35 years, no problem.
If there's personally identifying information - like account numbers, SSN, medical records, corporate or government classified anything - the value of the phone or laptop is insignificant - it's the value of the data that counts. Hoping most thieves of such data mostly fly, at least long-distance. (Nobody's heard of an expense-account spy taking an AMTRAK LD train -- yet)
Anyhow, nobody ever stole anything from me on AMTRAK in the about 80 trips I've done. A bit worried once or twice.
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TraneMan
Conductor
We've left our stuff in the room, and I have a good hiding spot for it as well. Never had an issue.
-Sent from my iPad using Amtrak Forum App.
-Sent from my iPad using Amtrak Forum App.
leemell
Conductor
That's gaffer's tape, named for the gaffer (chef lighting guy) on a movie set. I have always evaluated what I take with me to keep it to the smallest amount that I am comfortable with. E.g. I try to use only one charging transformer with adapters that fit everything I'm taking. Last time I had a RAZR phone, an ICOM scanning receiver (2.5"X2.75"X.5") a Nikon Coolpix with 32GB good for more than 4000 high resolution pics and a 4 year old ASUS netbook. I have since gotten a high end Lenovo 7" tablet with 32 GB to replace the Nikon and the ASUS. I use a medium sized sling-bag from REI. I always take the bag wherever we go and that includes the dining car. Never had a problem with it in the dining car. Fits right between my legs.
BTW, that is all of value I take.
BTW, that is all of value I take.
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Shawn Ryu
Conductor
I once left my laptop on the trey at my seat while traveling aboard Empire Builder, to get some food.
Did that for two days straight, nothing got stolen
Did that for two days straight, nothing got stolen
When I've had a roomette, I've never taken my valuables with me (unless I wanted them, like the camera) and I travel with a laptop, camera, MP3 player, and scanner. I just hide them, under a pillow, or in the closet. I also draw the curtain.
I've been riding passenger trains since before there was Amtrak, and have ridden probably over 100,000 miles on Amtrak and I have never had a problem.
Besides, there really isn't all that much room at the dining car tables, and if I put something on the floor, I am very likely to forget it. Just take ordinary precautions so they not obviously visible to someone passing by and enjoy the trip.
I've been riding passenger trains since before there was Amtrak, and have ridden probably over 100,000 miles on Amtrak and I have never had a problem.
Besides, there really isn't all that much room at the dining car tables, and if I put something on the floor, I am very likely to forget it. Just take ordinary precautions so they not obviously visible to someone passing by and enjoy the trip.
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