Originally Posted by
bocastephen
Does Amtrak transmit the ticket scan to UA in real time? The two scenarios I can imagine are:
1. UA doesn't get the ticket scan at the expected time from Amtrak (meaning the intended train wasn't taken) and cancels the remainder of the itinerary
2. UA doesn't receive the ticket scan in enough time (boarding the train too close to EWR), and either receives it out of order for the segments flown, or cancels the flights before departure because it was never received
No, they do not; they receive the "coupon lifted" transaction in Shares roughly 1.5 hours after the train departs PHL. That equates to roughly 30 minutes after the train arrives at EWR. Given that UA's system imposes a very lengthy MCT for EWR rail-to-plane connections (90 minutes?), there is no danger that the "coupon lifted" message will not come through before the flight departs EWR.
Note that Amtrak's system may assume someone is a no-show if you do not have your ticket scanned within a particular time after the train leaves PHL. It's very possible that this won't happen before the train arrives at Metropark, but it's a risk to not board in PHL and have your ticket scanned and lifted upon departure there.