r/Amtrak is for anything Amtrak related. -The Silver Star which offers service between New York and Florida. I should probably log off and back on. Cookie Notice Oh, I guess the page I'm on still says that. Yes all food and water bowls must be placed on the floor. We recommend that you accept assistance from only uniformed Red Cap agents. Passwords are case sensitive, should be at least 10 characters long and should include 1 uppercase and 1 lowercase alpha character, 1 number and 1 special character. (23 kg) and needs to be 28 x 22 x 14 inches in size. Self-serve trainside checked baggage service is available to and from the following stations only: Charleston, WV; Cincinnati, OH; Columbus, WI; Crawfordsville, IN; Dyer, IN; Hammond, LA; Lafayette, IN; Meridian, MS; Mount Pleasant, IA; Rensselaer, IN; Texarkana, AR; Tuscaloosa, AL; Winona, MN. } Afew hourscharacteristically behind schedule, Amtraks Southwest Chief rolls into Albuquerque, New Mexico, at the small station that it shares with the Greyhound bus service on the edge of downtown. Before you arrive at the station, make sure your baggage is packed appropriately in suitable containers. Free Red Cap assistance service is offered at these major stations: Customers holding tickets for Amtrak travel may store their items in Parcel Check service when available for $10 per item for 24 hours. It was very easy and convenient this way, and made it quicker for our many on/off the train in the various cities we visited. Harboring the false idea that security was lax, Richard McKenzie boarded the Southwest Chief in Flagstaff, Arizona, with 3 1/2 kilograms of cocaine in his luggage in 2008. } If checked baggage is available, you can check two bags through to your final . And then, on a separate occasion, she witnessed the border patrol disturbing the sleep on Amtrak customers on a train that stayed within the United States: Travelling westbound on Lake Shore Limited in 2012, I recall being woken up by either Border Patrol or a State Trooper and asked for ID in Syracuse, N.Y. around 1 AM. Earn points toward reward travel, upgrades and more. The courts have ruled this is also legal functioning like a helpful tip sheet on whom to question. display: block; The other is tasked with getting people to talk and open their bags. What do I need to do when I arrive at the station? You must be capable of self-administering any medications you bring with you. Oops, that answer wasn't quite right. Theyve targeted carry-on baggage such as backpacks as well as typical checked baggage items. Arutinova stepped between the men and said Perry then grabbed her by the arm and shook her so hard that her head struck the wall several times, not letting go until she screamed. Amtrak's unique travel experience for families, individuals and groups, Tickets & fares, accessible travel service, security & ID requirements, Boarding information, station lounges, baggage & station services, Seating & sleeping, baggage info, train amenities, food & dining, Amtrak travel deals, promotions and other partner offers, Savings for Kids, Seniors, Military, Groups and More, Train vacation packages throughout North America, USA Rail passes, monthly passes and multi-ride tickets, Earn points toward Amtrak reward travel, upgrades and more, Discover member benefits, ways to earn or redeem points and more, Explore ways to earn points that can quickly add up to great rewards, Get even more benefits with an Amtrak Guest Rewards credit card. _ @ " $ # ,). Fortunately, items like blankets, pillows, and medical devices are not part of the two-bag limit. Amtrak - Train Tickets, Prices, Schedule | Wanderu For more information, please see our Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Boxes may be purchased at staffed stations to aid in repacking. What are you gonna do about it, asshole? Perry allegedly responded. You may bring your own food and beverages onboard for consumption at your seat or private Sleeping Car accommodations. This next reader was told that he raised suspicion as the result of a characteristic I share: While traveling on Amtrak from Chicago to Toronto the train was boarded by U.S. Customs agents who proceeded to take me and my luggage off of the train to a small shed where everything was searched. Each passenger may bring two personal items, 25 lbs. Caligirl55038 2 yr. ago. Amtrak and Drugs : r/Amtrak - Reddit display: block; # $ % & ' ( ) * + , - . Federal health regulations prohibit Amtrak personnel from handling your food, heating it in our ovens, or storing it in our refrigerators. Where will my animal sit during the train ride? The ACLU of New Mexico that year helped the couple file a lawsuit against the United States government, Perry, and two other cops. Even in Union Terminal in Chicago the security was not really that tight. Does Amtrak do bag searches or scans like TSA? - Quora Plus the quiet calmed my nerves. Mine happened in Arizona (don't remember exactly where), but I was finally told (when I tried to repeatedly ask why I was being harassed) that I "matched a description" of a drug dealer. Don't bring weed on Amtrak : r/Amtrak - Reddit She later admitted that she was transporting the drugs in exchange for $2,500. Please enter a password. } Unsuitable containers like plastic containers, woven fabric zipper bags, trash bags, containers that let sharp/pointed items protrude, containers that cannot . I was told that if I didn't cooperate and let them search me, they would arrest me and take me off the train. Up to 50 lbs. Most of the passengers have no idea that DEA agents also often come aboard. For most of the 52 hour train ride those bags were unattended and out of sight, but largely available to all the passengers. He argues that these raids do nothing to stop the flow of illegal drugs. The Intercept is an independent nonprofit news outlet. After a while, I found a huge garment bag with wheels on it! Its legal for Perry to search people without probable cause, a warrant, or a dog because travelers supposedly realize that they have the right to decline to submit to his searches. He asked where my bags were and I told him I had one with me and two more on the lower level (I was in an upper level coach seat). After a 15 minute search, I was told to go back on the train. Archery equipment. The Albuquerque Federal Courthouse building on March 18, 2019. privacy policy. By signing in to your account you acknowledge you have read and agree to the updated terms and conditions, including the binding arbitration agreement. Are there any restrictions on what type of food my animal can have on the train? The Southwest Chiefmakes a daily 25-minute maintenance stop in Albuquerque in both directions. privacy policy. display: block; We each brought a small bag with necessities into the roomette, and stored our larger cases on the luggage rack on the lower level of the sleeper car. Do your bags get searched on Amtrak? - Wisdom-Advices Up to 50 lbs. The man was allegedly trying to smuggle crystal meth in size 18 shoes for someone he knew only as Big Pun. They found him guilty. The train waited during this time. Your password must be at least 8 characters long, include at least 1 alpha character, and include at least 1 number or special character (- ? -The Empire Builder which offers service between Chicago and the Pacific Northwest. He and other witnesses recalled him being the only black person in his coach car. The agent flips through the mans luggage with tactical speed. Baggage. / : ; < = > ? . Special Menus & Special Dietary Requirements. So if you need help with your baggage or somewhere to store it while you explore your stops, Amtrak offers baggage assistance and temporary bag storage at many stations. There area lot of people traveling on the train with something they dont want the government knowing about, McKenzie said in an interview with The Intercept, and law enforcement all along the route are aware of this fact as well. But prior defendants in Albuquerque had tried similar arguments, and the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals had determined in 2004 that it wasnt illegal for law enforcement to access Amtrak passenger records because they werent the sole basis of arrests; the consensual encounters were. And in Galesburg, Illinois, population 32,193, officers from the Galesburg Police Department and the Knox County Sheriffs Department have reportedly seized 191 pounds of cannabis from Amtrak passengers over a period of six years, in addition to some harder drugs. Passwords are case sensitive. Although I have far more readers on the Acela corridor than anywhere else on the Amtrak system, and although that corridor serves the most passengers by a wide margin, I have yet to receive a story of anyone being harassed by the DEA on that route. You may bring aboard your own private stock of alcoholic beverages subject to the following limitations: If you anticipate requiring medication en route, please carry it with you aboard your train. They alerted the Department of Justices Office of Inspector General, which determined in an investigation that the payments were wasting substantial government funds, according to a heavily redacted copy of the OIG report obtained by The Intercept via a Freedom of Information Act request. The Amtrak Police Department is now periodically conducting random screening of Amtrak passengers and their carry-on baggage at Chicago Union Station. Let's try a different question. He asked to see my ticket, where I was headed and why. When retrieving your luggage, hand the claim check to the Amtrak crew member to receive your luggage. Its that the money is presumed to be guilty.. Enter a valid Guest Rewards number or email address. When arriving at a station with trainside checked baggage service, the train crew will let you know where you can claim your luggage. For more information, please see our My checked bags arrived at KFS the night on #11 before I arrived in the morning, and was stored until #14 that I was on arrived. I am traveling with a service animal. Theres so much random information and Im wondering what the actual deal is, Scan this QR code to download the app now. Let's try a different question. How Long Does It Take To Kill A Tree With Copper Nails, Ireland Government Masters, MBA & PHD Scholarship, Jobs for Caregivers In the USA with Visa Sponsorship, PEO International Peace Scholarship To Study In USA And Canada 2023, 6 Steps To Quickly Secure Scholarships For College, Top 10 Mistakes People Make With Insurance, 2023 MasterCard Fully Funded African Scholarship at University of California, Berkeley USA, Government of Ireland Masters Scholarships 2023 + MBA Entrance Scholarships at Ryerson University, Canada 2023, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. Please enter a password. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. The U.S. government later sued to keep what they said was nearly $70,000 that Beth had been carrying. He still remembers how his mind was blown by the views of Native American reservations on the way from Arizona to New Mexico, and how he couldnt help chiming in when he overheard some kids in the dining car complain to their grandmother that they were bored. It was filled with nothing but bundles of cash wrapped in tissue paper. The common theme is the harassment of innocent people without probable cause to think that they are doing anything illegal. At Chicagos Union Station, the final destination for the eastbound Southwest Chief and a hub for other long distance lines, a Chicago interdiction task force group, made of DEA agents and officers from the Chicago and Amtrak police departments, are routinely on the hunt for what they call drug proceed couriers, or in other words, people carrying large sums of cash. That was the kind of work he did for a living. Rivers said it was all the money he had, that he had gotten it from his mother, and that he was using it to film a music video. Significantly fewer people have access to your bags on Amtrak than at an airport. and75 linear inches*, Oversized Baggage(76-100 linear inches*) National Railroad Passenger Corporation, https://www.amtrak.com/content/amtrak/en-us/onboard/baggage-policy/checked-baggage. Passengers traveling with infants under the age of two may bring an additional infant item onboard (stroller, diaper bag, etc. Im left with the impression that Perry is unwilling to make a bust if someone is recording him. You may take your animal to any Amtrak personnel and they will assist you. (Travelers cant decline a search once a drug dog makes a positive hit, however.). They're more concerned with bombs than drugs; but I'm not going to say that they won't stop someone for drugs. I can't honestly say I felt intimidated but I also recognize that it could have gone down very differently for someone who is not used to dealing with such situations, or someone having a different profileor indeed someone who legitimately forgot their ID at home. Pets are allowed onboard select trains with the purchase of a ticket. The train leaves every day in both directions, passing through the same rural route once crossed by traders in the 1800s. DEA agents routinely target Amtrak passengers for searches I quit using Amtrak due to a 4 a.m. search and robbery of $300 in cash (thank god for travelers checks) by cops in Buffalo. Sometimes there will be police with drug/bomb-sniffing dogs in the larger stations, but there's no screening or any real restrictions on what you can bring, regardless of if it's a carry-on or a checked bag. How does checked baggage work on Amtrak? Luggage: To check or not to check | Amtrak Unlimited Discussion Forum Quick Answer: Does Amtrak Use Drug Dogs - BikeHike All baggage handled by Red Cap is protected by a claim check. Does the DEA or ICE get on there? You may not consume private stock alcoholic beverages in any public areas. The complete baggage policy is available on . What if they want to search my bags on Amtrak? As it happened, I did not actually have any ID on me, except for a local government employee ID issued by a New York State authority. Special Agent Perry quickly found bundles of cash in Riverss bag totaling $16,000. Hes currently serving 262 months in New Jersey. (23 kg) and 28 x 22 x 14 inches each, onboard. Oversized Baggage (76-100 linear inches*) $20 each. @ [ \ ] ^ _ ` < | > ~. I've never had my bag checked on Amtrak, and they only do that at places where they have Amtrak police permanently stationed, like in New York and Chicago. To see if a particular station offers checked baggage passengers can use the Amtrak Station Information tool on the Amtrak website. The app and train indicate if you can check bags on your journey. Earn points toward reward travel, upgrades and more. In theory, they. If checked baggage is available, you can check two bags through to your final destination free of charge. Let's try a different question. I took an Amtrak train to Chicago for Spring Awakening and security was basically non-existent at my starting destination. He asked to search my backpack and I consented. The carry-on and checked baggage policies on Amtrak Thruway Services of the 7000 . } The rest of my luggage generally sits in the luggage rack on the lower level. I then stated that I thought it was unfair that I had been singled out. More problematically, Perry has been captured on surveillance footage boarding empty Greyhound buses and pulling bags out of the checked luggage bin. Three years later, in February 2018, a woman called Beth boarded the Southwest Chief in Chicago, heading west. An Amtrak Police Department canine in Chicago named Gander has detected the smell of narcotics on luggage that turned out to be carrying anywhere from a modest $20,040 to a whopping $830,000, according to asset forfeiture suits filed by the U.S. government within the past year and a half. Are there any other restrictions for bringing a service animal on Amtrak? .dpctv64507a6913a7b { He flashes a smile and a badge. . For those who missed the earlier stories: The DEA is mentioned again in what follows, though other stories concern different law-enforcement organizations. Powered_by_JetA 2 yr. ago. and are less likely to be found in the smaller stations or on board . Enter a valid Guest Rewards number or email address. Thats how we roll. Would it be best to check the bags at Anaheim for Seattle? Please enter a valid station, city, or address. Where can I take my animal to relieve itself? .dpctv64507a6913a7b { I've read that there is some luggage space on the Superliner coming out of LAX, but I am wondering how available it is. Your password must be at least 8 characters long, include at least 1 alpha character, and include at least 1 number or special character (- ? It is not, Amtrak insists, in response to any . Amtrak does offer checked baggage services on some routes and some stations, but you must check their website to make sure that the stations you're using provide checked baggage services. } Free ID tags are available at all of our stations. This is also my first time traveling with Amtrak, I went with a . By signing in to your account you acknowledge you have read and agree to the updated terms and conditions, including the binding arbitration agreement. terms and conditions We are getting a roomette, and I understand that they're pretty small. They've targeted carry-on baggage such as backpacks as well as typical checked baggage items. In 2008, a drug defendant accused Perry of perjury, prompting the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals to release an opinion stating that judges were troubled by the allegations and noting inconsistencies in Perrys account of how he linked a suitcase with drugs to the suspect in question. Sometimes, in rare cases, the checked bags will not be on the same train as you. Oops, that answer wasn't quite right. Your animal will need to stay on the floor at your feet in front of your seat or in your lap. However, you can only consume food and beverages purchased in Dining and Lounge Cars in those cars. She was returning home to California after a business trip; what type of business, she doesnt want to say. Enter the email address or member number associated with your account. Before you arrive at the station, make sure your baggage is packed appropriately in suitable containers. An email with password reset instructions is on the way. That answer wasnt correct either. terms and conditions -The Silver Meteor which offers service between New York and Florida. Every ride counts as an Amtrak Guest Rewards member. Aug 28, 2018. ! " If you have been singled out by law enforcement on an Amtrak excursion, please contact Gullberg, Box & LLC to ensure that your rights are properly represented. I learned to pack it all in that plus my briefcase. does amtrak check for weed? or do dogs come onto the train? Personal food and beverages are allowed in the upper level of Superliner Sightseer Lounges. I am traveling with a service animal. Amtrak does not have any security screening procedure of pretty much any kind. Passengers tell stories of being awakened on a stop and being searched right there at their . ), which does not count toward the carry-on baggage or personal item limit. Special Menus & Special Dietary Requirements. 311 E Main St #210, All rights reserved. When Perry approaches, its hard for passengers to say no. Perry iswhite and looks like hes in his fifties. Passwords are case sensitive. The pleasant trip ended at approximately 12:30 p.m. on July 7, 2008, when DEA Special Agent Mark Hyland and Stephen Surprenant de Garcia, an officer assigned to the DEAs local interdiction task force, approached McKenzie as he smoked a cigarette in Albuquerque. display: block; Boarding An Amtrak Train: What You Need To Know - TWK - Travels with Kev David Streiff, head of security for all of Greyhound North America, said in a June 2018 email to DEA Special Agent Jeff Armijo that he was respectfully rescinding the DEAs access to the Albuquerque station, effectively immediately. Greyhound declined to comment about the email or what has happened since. Passwords are case sensitive, should be at least 10 characters long and should include 1 uppercase and 1 lowercase alpha character, 1 number and 1 special character. Thank you, sir, I appreciate it, have a good trip, Perry tells the young man after he concludes the search, walking away empty-handed. (The Lake Shore Limited does not cross international borders.) If checked baggage is available, each passenger can check two bags free of charge to their final destination. @ [ \ ] ^ _ ` < | > ~. Amtraks Southwest Chiefis the third-longest passenger rail line in the United States, taking about 327,000 people between Chicago and Los Angeles in 2018. I think, technically, I was supposed to carry some form of government issued ID while travelling onboard Amtrak but my government-issued employee ID had served as an acceptable form of ID for that purpose. They were just so bent on making their narrative fit that.. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. When I encounterPerry on the Southwest Chief in mid-March, he moves slowly along the coach car, interviewing a few of the passengers returning to their seats. The ride is peaceful, with no Wi-Fi to pass the time, the security seemingly nonexistent. A $20 excess baggage fee will be charged for each carry-on and personal item above the quantity and size limits. The Amtrak employee received an unknown monetary reward based on the information they sent over. Law enforcements job would be much, much easier if they didnt have to comport with any constitutional restrictions and could simply arrest people at will, he said. They were simply taking his money. Passwords are case sensitive, should be at least 10 characters long and should include 1 uppercase and 1 lowercase alpha character, 1 number and 1 special character. -Certain items are not allowed to be checked as baggage including:AmmunitionAnimals (except service animals)ExplosivesFlammable liquids or solidsGunsHazardous materialsIllegal drugsJewelryMoneyPassports and other documentsPrecious metalsPerishable itemsSporting goodsToolsWeaponsAmtrak stations that offer checked baggage service vary by route. Basically, I beat Republicans for a living. Where will my animal sit during the train ride? When passengers reboard, they seem oblivious to his presence. A spokesperson for Greyhound, Crystal Booker, said in an email that the actions of the referenced anonymous source do not reflect the companys policy and were done outside of the companys knowledge.. Consider what the world of media would look like without The Intercept. Amtrak does not require a printed ticket for boarding. Baggage Policy | Amtrak (Beth is a pseudonym; The Intercept agreed to withhold the womans real name because she was not criminally charged.). And now it is a regular feature of train travel in the United States of America. You dont care, he says. Special Agent Perry sometimes tells the people he searches that hes at the station for security purposes, but the line between protecting travelers andintimidating them has been the subject of debate at this station. That was it. Do not pack your medication in checked baggage, or leave it packed in your car on the Auto Train, as you will not have access to your checked bags or vehicle during your journey. does amtrak search your bags - databaseen Especially troubling to him is research showing that police, when acting on hunches rather than hard evidence, are more likely to let subconscious racial bias creep into their work. Regardless of whether you check your bags bring them onboard with you, I would recommend you keep everything you'll be using onboard with you in a smaller bag that you'll keep in your room. You live on site. We will send password reset instructions. Maybe thats a coincidence. After a little dialogue, I think the agent decided I was not suspicious and simply moved along. I could pack 3 suits & 5 white shirts along with underwear, etc in that garment bag! Its a legal loophole of sorts, commonly used by DEA agents working mass transit to get around the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution, which protects people from unreasonable searches. A maximum of two excess bags are permitted per passenger. We work hard, and were prepared for court. Thats when two plainclothes agents come aboard the train on a rainy day in March 2019. The agents told me it was because I was from California! When I read your article I was shocked because I went through a series of incidents. I appreciate your input. When McKenzies case went before a jury in 2011, they could only rule on whether he was carrying a mixture containing a minimum of 500 grams of cocaine with intent to distribute. Every ride counts as an Amtrak Guest Rewards member. The initiative is part of an ongoing commitment by Amtrak to improve safety and security at stations and on trains across its national network. A service animal is a dog that has been individually trained to perform tasks or do work to assist a person with a disability. He loved selling illegal drugs negotiating, talking to people, the art of the deal, as he described it. Whenever I had to travel with a larger-than-carry-on suitcase, I'd ship the business stuff a day or two earlier via UPS. Refusing a search protects you if you end up in court. Thats why we win. Amtrak is pretty good with checked luggage (better than the airlines) and it's one less thing to concern yourself with on board. If they do, you may check two bags for free, and up to two additional ones for $20 each. Boxes and bags are available for purchase at select stations to help transport some of the items you wish to take with you checked baggage. Cookie Notice Cops patrolling train stations are typically using a tactic that law enforcement calls the cold consent encounter, so named because they approach people cold, on thin evidence they are drug couriers, and passengers consent to the searches, at least according to the officers versions of events. When I took the train from Chicago(IL) to K-Falls(OR) early this year, I took the California Zephyr #5 then the Coast Starlight #14 via transfer at Sacramento(CA), but my checked bags were loaded on the Empire Builder #8/28 then the Coast Starlight #11 via Portland(OR). First time riding the rails | Amtrak Unlimited Discussion Forum Checked baggage is not offered on all trains and stations, so please check with Amtrak to see if checked baggage is available throughout your journey. Bows, arrows and other archery supplies are allowed in checked baggage when transported in a suitable hard case container. When you are a staffer its more than clothes. Most people step off to stretch their legs or have a cigarette during the layover, the longest smoke break in the entire trip. A $20 excess baggage fee will be charged for each carry-on and personal item above the quantity and size limits. By clicking Join, you acknowledge you have read and agree to the program terms, including the binding arbitration agreement, in the Because he told me he was an officer, the young passenger in Albuquerque later said, explaining why he agreed to the search.
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