New York ClubAcela

[printman2000]

Done a bunch of searches on this but have been unfruitful in getting a good query.

Does the NY ClubAcela have a baggage check? If so, is it attended or just a place to drop them?

Also, we will be departing on a NE Regional, will boarding calls be made in the lounge? Will we be given boarding priority even thought we are coach? (we are sleepr on the CL same day).

 

[Shanghai]

Club Acela in NYC has a baggage storage area but it is not a checked baggare area. I personally feel it is secure for normal baggage. Many people take their carry on things with them to their seats.

Boarding announcements are often announced prior to the general boarding announcements in the room, but not always. I don't think it matters if you are traveling coach or business class. If you depart NYP in a sleeper, often a Red Cap will accompany you to the train in advance of the general population. However, if you are in the main terminal area, an Amtrak employee will examine your boarding documents before you take the escalator down to the platform. In this case, you will likely be at the head of the line to board.

It is possible to board from the mezzaine area if you are familiar with the station.

I hope this helps.

 

[Cho Cho Charlie]

Does the NY ClubAcela have a baggage check? If so, is it attended or just a place to drop them?

Honestly, I find the baggage self-store area in the NY ClubAcela to make me feel uncomfortable about putting my luggage in there, even when I am personally staying in the Club. It is located just inside the entrance to the Club, but before the reception desk. And the area is behind a wall, making your luggage and anyone in the area, to be out of view from anyone.

Just being paranoid, I feel that someone could just grab any one's luggage, and walk immediately out of the door unchallenged, especially during busy times.

 

[printman2000]

So how will boarding happen for me? Will they call our train and escort us to the platform? Keep in mind we are coach on a regional, not sleeper.

Or should we go somewhere else before boarding?

 

[AlanB]

They'll announce what track/gate your train will be on and you'll walk out and get in line at that gate.

Doesn't matter if you in coach, BC, FC, or a sleeper, that's how they do all trains out of NYP. Years ago they used to escort sleeping car passengers to the train bypassing the gate, but not anymore.

 

[Grandma B]

They'll announce what track/gate your train will be on and you'll walk out and get in line at that gate.
Doesn't matter if you in coach, BC, FC, or a sleeper, that's how they do all trains out of NYP. Years ago they used to escort sleeping car passengers to the train bypassing the gate, but not anymore.

Alan, two years ago we were escorted with our carry on luggage by a redcap after waiting in the NY ClubAcela. At that time we walked past all the passengers waiting in line. Are you saying that has changed now? Why would they do away with that little amenity for those who pay the higher rate for sleeping accommodations.

 

[AlanB]

They'll announce what track/gate your train will be on and you'll walk out and get in line at that gate.
Doesn't matter if you in coach, BC, FC, or a sleeper, that's how they do all trains out of NYP. Years ago they used to escort sleeping car passengers to the train bypassing the gate, but not anymore.

Alan, two years ago we were escorted with our carry on luggage by a redcap after waiting in the NY ClubAcela. At that time we walked past all the passengers waiting in line. Are you saying that has changed now? Why would they do away with that little amenity for those who pay the higher rate for sleeping accommodations.

Did you specifically request a redcap?

Because I haven't seen them escort passengers to a train in years, unless you either already had a redcap or asked for one at the front desk.

They did away with it because the Redcaps didn't want to do it, since they didn't get tipped.

 

[Chatter163]

I have not seen that type of service, unless someone asked for a redcap escort, in nearly ten years. Every time I use Club Acela, you end up boarding with the masses. You might zip to the gate and be among the first, but maybe not.

 

[printman2000]

So how far before departure do they announce the gate?

Does the announcement come before the gate is opened or at the same time?

Is there any way to tell what gate before they announce it (info board)?

 

[Konrad]

I gave up on finding my way around NYP years ago, it must be one of the least user friendly stations in the world (and I've been around the world and rode a lot of trains).

My advice would be to blow a few bucks on a redcap and be escorted to your seat - usually by routes not available to the general public.

 

[AlanB]

So how far before departure do they announce the gate?
Does the announcement come before the gate is opened or at the same time?

Is there any way to tell what gate before they announce it (info board)?

At NYP in the main waiting area they typically announce tracks 10 minutes before the departure of the train. Normally if they're on the ball, the lounge will announce the track about 5 minutes before they put it up on the boards outside. So if you don't delay, you can be at the head of the line.

If you're outside the lounge, the gate opens usually in conjunction with the announcement or within a minute or so. Again, if the lounge attendant is on the ball and you didn't waste time, then you'll generally find that the gate is still closed (read the escalator is still running up, instead of down) when you get out there.

Inside the lounge, no, unless you can manage to sweet talk one of the attendants or you hear a redcap's radio call. Outside of the lounge, if your train is one that originated in Boston, then you can check the arrivals monitor to find out what track the train will be on. They'll post the track there at least 10 minutes before they post it on the departures board.

One word of warning though, sometimes there can be a last minute track change for an arriving train, so be careful if you use that trick.

 

[AlanB]

I gave up on finding my way around NYP years ago, it must be one of the least user friendly stations in the world (and I've been around the world and rode a lot of trains).

Actually it's really not all that hard. Two levels, NJT/Amtrak and LIRR. Lower level has 3 corridors for boarding, upper technically only one. NJT is sort of half on the upper/half lower, but then they don't cover all the tracks anyhow.

 

[Green Maned Lion]

I gave up on finding my way around NYP years ago, it must be one of the least user friendly stations in the world (and I've been around the world and rode a lot of trains).

Actually it's really not all that hard. Two levels, NJT/Amtrak and LIRR. Lower level has 3 corridors for boarding, upper technically only one. NJT is sort of half on the upper/half lower, but then they don't cover all the tracks anyhow.

Agree with Alan. Once you've explored the station for a while you'll figure it out. And then you'll be able to be places before your fellow passengers are.

 

[Konrad]

I'll stick with tossing 5 bucks at the redcap - a personal guide and early boarding is worth it.

And 5 greenbacks is about 8 little aussie bleeders!

 

[Tony]

Doesn't matter if you in coach, BC, FC, or a sleeper, that's how they do all trains out of NYP. Years ago they used to escort sleeping car passengers to the train bypassing the gate, but not anymore.

I've only been out of NYP, from their Club, once. It was for BC, and actually, we were allowed to cut/bypass the line. I just showed one of the Amtrak gate keepers controlling the line our BC tickets, and they let us out of line, and we headed straight to the BC car.

Now, I did that simply because I was use to doing that in Washington, but then again, at Washington the gate keeper actually makes an announcement that BC (and handicapped, etc) passengers should cut the line. They made no such announcement at NYP (or if they didn't, I didn't hear it).

 

[National Limited]

Yes, I have cut the line at NYP and was always warmly greeted by the attendant checking tickets at the top of the escalator and allowed to cut in front of the other passengers. There is an announcement made in the Club Acela but from my experience it is made at the same time that the track number is posted on the departure board. By the time I got to the gate there was always a line already. It's too bad that at Amtrak's busiest station that there isn't the same easy access to the tracks from the Club Acela and an escort as there is at PHL and WAS. With remodeling would it even be possible to have direct access to the tracks or would the Club Acela have to be moved to another location?

 

[AlanB]

With remodeling would it even be possible to have direct access to the tracks or would the Club Acela have to be moved to another location?

If they moved the CA to where the current waiting room are, you could provide semi-direct access to the tracks. But otherwise, no there is no other easy way to do it. And if you moved the current seated waiting areas out for the Club Acela, then the problem becomes where do you put the current waiting areas?

By the way Philly just sends you down on the elevater, they don't normally escort you down to the tracks, unless you consider escorting you to the elevator as down to the tracks.

 

[Grandma B]

They'll announce what track/gate your train will be on and you'll walk out and get in line at that gate.
Doesn't matter if you in coach, BC, FC, or a sleeper, that's how they do all trains out of NYP. Years ago they used to escort sleeping car passengers to the train bypassing the gate, but not anymore.

Alan, two years ago we were escorted with our carry on luggage by a redcap after waiting in the NY ClubAcela. At that time we walked past all the passengers waiting in line. Are you saying that has changed now? Why would they do away with that little amenity for those who pay the higher rate for sleeping accommodations.

Did you specifically request a redcap?

Because I haven't seen them escort passengers to a train in years, unless you either already had a redcap or asked for one at the front desk.

They did away with it because the Redcaps didn't want to do it, since they didn't get tipped.

Alan, when we arrived at the ClubAcela (2007) with our carryon luggage, we asked the woman at the desk if there was anyone to help us with it and she replied yes. We didn't specifically ask for a redcap. Several other passengers also had their small luggage taken down to the train. Of course, everyone tipped him. Do you know if they allow non ticketed family members down on the platform to help with luggage?

 

[AlanB]

Alan, when we arrived at the ClubAcela (2007) with our carryon luggage, we asked the woman at the desk if there was anyone to help us with it and she replied yes. We didn't specifically ask for a redcap. Several other passengers also had their small luggage taken down to the train. Of course, everyone tipped him. Do you know if they allow non ticketed family members down on the platform to help with luggage?

So then even though you didn't specifically ask for a redcap, you answer to that question got you a redcap. That's why you were escorted to the train. Had you said no, then you would have been in the regular cattle call at the gate.

As for your question, it depends. Get a nice person at the gate and they'll let you do that. Get a not so nice person, and they'll say no.

 

[Grandma B]

Alan, when we arrived at the ClubAcela (2007) with our carryon luggage, we asked the woman at the desk if there was anyone to help us with it and she replied yes. We didn't specifically ask for a redcap. Several other passengers also had their small luggage taken down to the train. Of course, everyone tipped him. Do you know if they allow non ticketed family members down on the platform to help with luggage?

So then even though you didn't specifically ask for a redcap, you answer to that question got you a redcap. That's why you were escorted to the train. Had you said no, then you would have been in the regular cattle call at the gate.

As for your question, it depends. Get a nice person at the gate and they'll let you do that. Get a not so nice person, and they'll say no.

Thanks Alan for your reply. My husband keeps telling me, if we check all our baggage, then we only have ourselves to board the train. He just might be right!

 

[Shanghai]

If you know your way around Penn Station, you can avoid the big lines and you can help people get on the train while not traveling.

In late April, I helped my wife get on the regional as she was going to RVM in business class. While was in the car with my wife,

my daughter came aboard as she was returning to NYP on another train. We both left in plenty of time before departure.

I have been escourted from Club Acela to the train on a few occasions. It's quite simple if you depart from tracks 5 or 6 and easy

from 7 or 8. If the escalator is moving up, you can go to the east gate stairs and get directly to the platform from the other tracks.

I'm often in a sleeper when I depart, so getting on the train quickly is not too important. On regional trains, most people are in a hurry to

get a seat on the quiet car. All Amtrak trains departing NYP are reserved, so everyone should get a seat.

 

[printman2000]

We will be on Northeast Regional 141 departing at 9:35am.

If anyone has any specific recommendations for us to get best boarding results, I would appreciate them. Keep in mind I have never been to NYP.

Thanks!