NYP - Downstairs Boarding Stopped
May 9, 2015, 1:16 pm
#46
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,620
My Wife was in NYC heading to DC and said that she boarded her Acela to DC from the lower level without any issue, nobody was present to stop her or the other pax who boarded from the Lower Level.
I have done it twice and neither time was an AMTRAK employee on the Lower Level doing any sort of checking. In fact once I ran into an AMTRAK Police Officer in the elevator and he asked where I was going, I replied Washington and he wished me a safe trip and said I was smart to avoid the scrum on the main level.
I have done it twice and neither time was an AMTRAK employee on the Lower Level doing any sort of checking. In fact once I ran into an AMTRAK Police Officer in the elevator and he asked where I was going, I replied Washington and he wished me a safe trip and said I was smart to avoid the scrum on the main level.
May 9, 2015, 1:19 pm
#47
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSY (finally); previously NYC, BOS, AUH
Programs: AA EXP, 6MM; BA GLD
Posts: 17,249
My Wife was in NYC heading to DC and said that she boarded her Acela to DC from the lower level without any issue, nobody was present to stop her or the other pax who boarded from the Lower Level.
I have done it twice and neither time was an AMTRAK employee on the Lower Level doing any sort of checking. In fact once I ran into an AMTRAK Police Officer in the elevator and he asked where I was going, I replied Washington and he wished me a safe trip and said I was smart to avoid the scrum on the main level.
I have done it twice and neither time was an AMTRAK employee on the Lower Level doing any sort of checking. In fact once I ran into an AMTRAK Police Officer in the elevator and he asked where I was going, I replied Washington and he wished me a safe trip and said I was smart to avoid the scrum on the main level.
May 13, 2015, 6:49 am
#48
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,098
Interesting. I saw the door closed the other day, and so went back upstairs. I'll try the door next time it's closed.
May 30, 2015, 11:54 am
#50
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: Delta PM, HHonors Gold; SPG Gold
Posts: 254
I took the NE Regional down to DC on Thursday, and similarly was able to board downstairs without an issue. Didn't see anyone (police or otherwise) preventing or watching.
May 30, 2015, 11:55 am
#51
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: Delta PM, HHonors Gold; SPG Gold
Posts: 254
Jun 13, 2015, 12:57 pm
#54
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 236
Jun 13, 2015, 1:09 pm
#55
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,098
Jun 15, 2015, 7:03 pm
#56
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: PSC
Programs: Hilton Diamond/IHG Platinum/DL Plutononium
Posts: 1,728
On the 8th Ave Side there is an elevator on the upper level that brings you right to the track 7/8 platform I believe. If you need to access the other tracks you have to do 2 elevators, first the "master" elevator on 7/8 and then a 2nd elevator to your respective track (That only runs from the lower level to the track level). There are also the NJ Transit concourse elevators.
Jul 13, 2015, 9:55 am
#58
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Platinum, AA Plat Pro, Bonvoy Lifetime Platinum, JetBlue Mosaic 3, Amtrak Select
Posts: 966
About a month ago on a 10am departure there were police blocking an entrance. First time I've ever seen that.
These days, I find it much easier to just get a red cap at the ClubAcela and have them bring you to the front of the line. The 3-5 dollar tip is well worth it to ensure getting a single seat in FC at NYP.
These days, I find it much easier to just get a red cap at the ClubAcela and have them bring you to the front of the line. The 3-5 dollar tip is well worth it to ensure getting a single seat in FC at NYP.
Jul 21, 2015, 12:45 pm
#59
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: UA 1K, DL Diamond, Hyatt Plat, AA Plat, SPG Plat/Lifetime Plat, Amex Plat / PRG, DClub
Posts: 308
Police block the entrance when there is a VIP on board (or will be on board...eg, Biden at Wilmington station if you're going southbound). They want everyone to go through the main line and be subject to the random security checks.
Jul 21, 2015, 5:53 pm
#60
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: PSC
Programs: Hilton Diamond/IHG Platinum/DL Plutononium
Posts: 1,728
The crazy thing that they will never be able to prevent is one of the crazies getting on at one of the stations only 20 minutes outside of NYP (as nearly every trains stops at Newark, NJ, Yonkers, NY, Croton Harmon, NY, New Rochelle, NY or Stamford, CT). It really is the biggest form of security theater ever...