NYP - Downstairs Boarding Stopped
Sep 17, 2015, 11:25 pm
#61
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Suburban NYC
Posts: 76
On Wednesday 9/16, I tried to board southbound #173 (Regional, so presumably no VIP on board?) from the lower level (Track 12). Amtrak police officer stationed at the top of the stairs told my co-worker and me that we couldn't board that way because "they" were doing bag checks. I head upstairs and for what it's worth, there was no bag check.
I wonder: random occurrence or new protocol?
I wonder: random occurrence or new protocol?
Sep 18, 2015, 9:56 am
#62
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,098
On Wednesday 9/16, I tried to board southbound #173 (Regional, so presumably no VIP on board?) from the lower level (Track 12). Amtrak police officer stationed at the top of the stairs told my co-worker and me that we couldn't board that way because "they" were doing bag checks. I head upstairs and for what it's worth, there was no bag check.
I wonder: random occurrence or new protocol?
I wonder: random occurrence or new protocol?
Sep 18, 2015, 12:17 pm
#64
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,098
I don't see how one thing would have anything to do with the other, since there are numerous stations on the NEC that don't have any mechanism for controlling access to the platforms.
Sep 24, 2015, 3:02 pm
#66
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: NYC, MD, LA
Programs: Delta-DM, United, Hilton-DM, SPG-PLTM
Posts: 462
Never been stopped using the mezzanine entrance.
Although once I was running late and the top gate had no one in line, but my ticket was on my phone. which was somewhere at the bottom of my bag.
the "gate agen" said I had to show my ticket or he couldn't let me down the escalator.
I turned to walk away and he asked where I was going. I said I'd just board from downstairs.
He said I couldn't, that it was "illegal to do so"
to which I responded I did it all the time, to which he responded he'd call the police if I tried it.
Not knowing what the outcome would be if in fact the police were called - Amtrak or otherwise I dug through my bag, found my phone and was able to pull up the ticket, all with about 30 seconds to spare as the doors closed as I got on.
On another note, I'm traveling tomorrow and with the Pope in town wondering what the situation will be for a 4:40 train.....
Although once I was running late and the top gate had no one in line, but my ticket was on my phone. which was somewhere at the bottom of my bag.
the "gate agen" said I had to show my ticket or he couldn't let me down the escalator.
I turned to walk away and he asked where I was going. I said I'd just board from downstairs.
He said I couldn't, that it was "illegal to do so"
to which I responded I did it all the time, to which he responded he'd call the police if I tried it.
Not knowing what the outcome would be if in fact the police were called - Amtrak or otherwise I dug through my bag, found my phone and was able to pull up the ticket, all with about 30 seconds to spare as the doors closed as I got on.
On another note, I'm traveling tomorrow and with the Pope in town wondering what the situation will be for a 4:40 train.....
Sep 30, 2015, 12:01 pm
#71
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: NYC, MD, LA
Programs: Delta-DM, United, Hilton-DM, SPG-PLTM
Posts: 462
Yes no problems last week, actually Penn/MSG was crazy outside, but I found inside to be more empty than normal.
Now I'm curious about tomorrow - October 1st. I just recieved an email from Amtrak regarding my trip tomorrow - notifiying me of the new baggage allowance rules.
Will we be able to board from downstairs tomorrow - or future dates while they are trying to enforce baggage fees?
I hate the thought of trying to board upstairs with the masses all filtering to the one escalator.
Time will tell.
Now I'm curious about tomorrow - October 1st. I just recieved an email from Amtrak regarding my trip tomorrow - notifiying me of the new baggage allowance rules.
Will we be able to board from downstairs tomorrow - or future dates while they are trying to enforce baggage fees?
I hate the thought of trying to board upstairs with the masses all filtering to the one escalator.
Time will tell.
Sep 30, 2015, 3:01 pm
#72
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,098
Yes no problems last week, actually Penn/MSG was crazy outside, but I found inside to be more empty than normal.
Now I'm curious about tomorrow - October 1st. I just recieved an email from Amtrak regarding my trip tomorrow - notifiying me of the new baggage allowance rules.
Will we be able to board from downstairs tomorrow - or future dates while they are trying to enforce baggage fees?
I hate the thought of trying to board upstairs with the masses all filtering to the one escalator.
Time will tell.
Now I'm curious about tomorrow - October 1st. I just recieved an email from Amtrak regarding my trip tomorrow - notifiying me of the new baggage allowance rules.
Will we be able to board from downstairs tomorrow - or future dates while they are trying to enforce baggage fees?
I hate the thought of trying to board upstairs with the masses all filtering to the one escalator.
Time will tell.
Oct 5, 2015, 2:45 pm
#73
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: SIN
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold, Delta Diamond MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 19
I came through on Friday (10/2) and this afternoon (10/5) and it was business as usual boarding downstairs. I didn't look too closely but I didn't see any scales anywhere in the station other than in the baggage area on the main level.