Originally Posted by
YVR Cockroach
AmTrak at Seattle require coach pax to check in to get a BP. Makes the coach line go faster when the boarding gates open, I guess, over pax taking out tckets, fnding tix on cell phones an having to scan to get pass the door.
New one (in March) was that someone in a room or roomette had to be in the room when the conductor comes around shortly after departure from originating station to scan tickets again to confirm occupancy, otherwise the rooms may be old for UGs (their announcement).
Yes, I've taken Amtrak from Seattle. If you go along with the "make-work" requirement, then check-in is required. But Amtrak's own internal employee rulebook says that if the train is about to leave, then this isn't required.
If you get on at the next station, it isn't required. Or if you find a way to just board the train, it isn't required. It's just make-work. If you don't go along with it, there are no consequences. It's ridiculous.
Amtrak check-in applies only in some situations at some stations. And it only applies to passengers who don't refuse. Ridiculous.
As far as I know, European railroads don't require check-in (other than stamping your ticket before boarding, in France, and the like, if my 1980s and 1990s recollections are still valid).