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My daughter is heading back to Atlanta from Philadelphia this weekend, via the Crescent - Coach.
She has never traveled via a passenger train and I'm thinking of footing the upgrade to a roomette.
Does anyone know what the latest coach ridership has been like? And, if I spring for the sleeper upgrade, would it be better to do it at the station or on-board?
Need a fast answer if possible.
Thanks,
Joe
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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As of a few moments ago, the website shows Roomettes available on #19 PHL to ATL on Nov 15, 16, & 17.
If you are prepared to "pop" and wish to have her even think of an overnight train ever again, the sooner you choose to upgrade her to Roomette, the better.
wayne72145 Member # 4503
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On October 22 from Washington to New Orleans there were very few people in Coach and the Sleepers. Train #19 has a Roomette for $252 and I dont believe it gets more reasonable than that.
City of Miami Member # 2922
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About 2 weeks ago I was on NB Crescent #20. The coaches were full north of Charlotte; we were assigned seats. It was only a fluke that I got a vacant seat next to me, but it was still a pretty miserable night, from 2:00 am to 7:30 am in Charlottesville where I got off.
notelvis Member # 3071
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If you have the means, I'd do the upgrade and I'd do it before boarding. If you wait the space may not be available.
If you're not a member of Amtrak Guest Rewards, I'd enroll in that program while you're at it so you can begin recouping your investment by working towards free future rail travel.
Urdahere Member # 8938
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Thanks for all the advice. I did spring for the upgrade for a roomette. It was a great move and she much appreciated it.
My wife and I made the round trip to from Philly to Atlanta a month ago in a roomette. During that trip there was all kinds of help. When the daughter went down the stairs, there wasn't much help to advise her to the sleepers. She ended up in the coach section and had to haul her luggage all the way to the sleeper. A bit frustrating, but she made it and had a great trip.
Hope she is hooked on using the train after this.
Thanks again.
Joe
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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Well at least Mr. Urdahere, your daughter had exposure to the conditions under which the other half travels - and likely at Phila, the train was not yet full.
After that exposure, and seeing her Roomette, I think she was holding thought that her Father is "not all that bad of a guy".
amtraxmaniac Member # 2251
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Good move. Not everyone is 'rough it in coach-glutton for punishment' like me. But anyone who likewise would moneywise have only a choice between the hound pound and Amtrak Coach, Amtrak coach would seem like a no brainer. I would go sleeper if I made about 10G more a year. No offense to the middle class who demand the finer things in life. If Amtrak marketted itself more as not just a convenient way to travel, but a STYLISH one as well, Amtrak would find a new, more affluent clientelle. Too many people I know currently view Amtrak unfairly as a Greyhound on rails. Many don't even know Amtrak has sleepers.
RR4me Member # 6052
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Amtraxmaniac, I agree with you on the marketing concept. But I do think a few upgrades are necessary to actually make it stylish!
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