All about the Autotrain

[lindap1]

I went on the Amtrak website to see if there were any discounts and I saw that starting this summer smoking is no longer allowed anywhere on the train.

Here is the message:
Auto Train: No Smoking Policy Begins Aboard Auto Train

Effective June 1, 2013
To provide a healthier environment on the train for passengers and employees, smoking will not be permitted aboard the Auto Train effective June 1, 2013. Smoking will be prohibited in all areas of the train including the Lounge car, Food Service car and Coach and Sleeping cars.

This policy also prohibits the use of medical marijuana and electronic smoking devices such as electronic cigarettes aboard the train. Contact Amtrak for more information on the Smoking Policy.

Smoking Stop at Florence, SC
Passengers will be permitted to get off the train and smoke in Florence, SC, when the train stops for servicing. Florence is not an Auto Train station stop, so passengers aboard Trains 52 and 53 cannot board or detrain at this location. The scheduled smoking stop times at Florence are listed below:
- Northbound Train 52: From approximately 12:30 am until 12:45 am.
- Southbound Train 53: From approximately 11:45 pm until 11:59 pm. Passengers should remain in the immediate area of the train, ready to reboard immediately upon hearing the sound of the locomotive horn and/or verbal boarding calls from members of the train crew. Smoking stops may be shortened or eliminated entirely if the train is operating late.

 

[Marshay]

I went on the Amtrak website to see if there were any discounts and I saw that starting this summer smoking is no longer allowed anywhere on the train.

Here is the message:
Auto Train: No Smoking Policy Begins Aboard Auto Train

Effective June 1, 2013
To provide a healthier environment on the train for passengers and employees, smoking will not be permitted aboard the Auto Train effective June 1, 2013. Smoking will be prohibited in all areas of the train including the Lounge car, Food Service car and Coach and Sleeping cars.

This policy also prohibits the use of medical marijuana and electronic smoking devices such as electronic cigarettes aboard the train. Contact Amtrak for more information on the Smoking Policy.

Smoking Stop at Florence, SC
Passengers will be permitted to get off the train and smoke in Florence, SC, when the train stops for servicing. Florence is not an Auto Train station stop, so passengers aboard Trains 52 and 53 cannot board or detrain at this location. The scheduled smoking stop times at Florence are listed below:
- Northbound Train 52: From approximately 12:30 am until 12:45 am.
- Southbound Train 53: From approximately 11:45 pm until 11:59 pm. Passengers should remain in the immediate area of the train, ready to reboard immediately upon hearing the sound of the locomotive horn and/or verbal boarding calls from members of the train crew. Smoking stops may be shortened or eliminated entirely if the train is operating late.

Thanks for posting the announcement. I reported this in January but then hadn't heard anything since. Glad to hear it is becoming official.

 

[NJRRK]

That's going to be really hard for most smokers. The smoking in the closed in area of the lounge car never bothered me, our my family.
But, that's the way the world is going now.

 

[lindap1]

I'm surprised with all the smoking laws now that it was even allowed in the first place

 

[Shazaam624]

My family DH, DS 4 and DS2 are taking the autotrain for the first time 3/29. We are heading down Friday morning from PA (outside Philly). How bad do you think traffic will be? Any tips for first timer with 2 little ones is appreciated! Soooo excited!

 

[chartle]

My family DH, DS 4 and DS2 are taking the autotrain for the first time 3/29. We are heading down Friday morning from PA (outside Philly). How bad do you think traffic will be? Any tips for first timer with 2 little ones is appreciated! Soooo excited!

We planed to be there at 1:30 and we left from the other side of the state.

We brought a lunch and as we were eating we could see a huge line or cars form.

 

[kandb]

My family did coach seats once. Needless to say, once was enough. It felt like the night was 20 hours long. People kept opening the door between the cars and it would bang shut. I am NOT a light sleeper and I don't think I slept at all. My husband and 3 children did not sleep either. We felt horrible in the morning. The other 3 times we did the sleeper and that is OK.

 

[Marshay]

My family did coach seats once. Needless to say, once was enough. It felt like the night was 20 hours long. People kept opening the door between the cars and it would bang shut. I am NOT a light sleeper and I don't think I slept at all. My husband and 3 children did not sleep either. We felt horrible in the morning. The other 3 times we did the sleeper and that is OK.

I agree with you. We did coach once as well and now always get a bedroom. It just works for us. Also, hearing other people snoring just grosses me out! My kids however, slept fine in coach.

 

[vacationer1954]

We just booked our next trip, for next February. I noticed prices are a little higher than this past year: about $1500 for the trip (bedrooms) instead of $1300.

 

[lindap1]

We never did coach when we went in 2011. We did have them reserved but hubby decided when we got to the station to upgrade to deluxe bedroom $$$$$$$. Very expensive to upgrade there...$600 one way and needless to say we were sold on a bedroom. Did the same coming back from DL and I can't imagine trying to sleep in coach with people moving around and talking We'll be going in November this year in a family bedroom and got it fo 247 each way. I was in one in 2011 when my dd and I visited a family and their daughter that we had met at the station. More room than a deluxe! Can't wait to go again this year!

 

[Marshay]

We never did coach when we went in 2011. We did have them reserved but hubby decided when we got to the station to upgrade to deluxe bedroom $$$$$$$. Very expensive to upgrade there...$600 one way and needless to say we were sold on a bedroom. Did the same coming back from DL and I can't imagine trying to sleep in coach with people moving around and talking We'll be going in November this year in a family bedroom and got it fo 247 each way. I was in one in 2011 when my dd and I visited a family and their daughter that we had met at the station. More room than a deluxe! Can't wait to go again this year!

We are going late Nov to early Dec. can't wait! Already found another Disser returning same day Dec 7 as us, so it will be my first AutoTrain DISmeet! Or is that you? (-:

 

[kittylady1972]

We have done bedrooms and coach and I must admit coach was not that bad at all. The key for us was being in the lower level. It was almost like having our own room to ourselves and the kids had extra space on the floor plus we had some extra seats. I think we could easily manage it again. Our next Autotrain trip will probably be Thanksgiving 2014.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using DISBoards

 

[Sadie22]

I got an email and a cell phone call from Amtrak today, telling me that smoking will not be allowed on the AutoTrain by the date of our trip. They're making sure they get the message out.

 

[Marshay]

I got an email and a cell phone call from Amtrak today, telling me that smoking will not be allowed on the AutoTrain by the date of our trip. They're making sure they get the message out.

Thanks for the update. I'm surprised they didn't tell people sooner ... I booked months ago for my Nov trip and haven't seen a thing ....no email, phone call or FB status (unless I missed it).

 

[jlhill4444]

I received a two phone calls and emails also for our June trip. They are allowing smokers to take a smoking break when they stop late at night though. I for one am greatful. I have a son with asthma and smoke really sets him off.

 

[Disneyholic]

I wish the no smoking was taking effect sooner. We will be on the train in April. I'm glad I have a sleeper so we don't have to go to the club car. We have enough room to stretch out & we take the laptop & DVDs.

 

[Marshay]

I just got our emails and phone calls yesterday re: the no smoking.

I am curious how the break will go at Florence and how loud the announcement and horn will be...

Please report back.

 

[lindap1]

I just got our emails and phone calls yesterday re: the no smoking.

I am curious how the break will go at Florence and how loud the announcement and horn will be...

Please report back.

I was wondering the same thing Hopefully it doesn't wake us up or I might just be a little upset

I got two phone calls yesterday and an email about the no smoking

 

[bdcp]

I just got our emails and phone calls yesterday re: the no smoking.

I am curious how the break will go at Florence and how loud the announcement and horn will be...

Please report back.

I always wake up when we pull into Florence anyway. DH got two emails and two phone calls on his cell also since we're booked round trip in Nov. I'm glad they did this. It frees up the lower lounge level for all to use. We all know how full the lounge car can be upstairs.

 

[nono]

May it all go better than our last time on the southbound AutoTrain in Florence. We were awake and watched (and felt!) one of the dudes in a 3/4 ton truck slam into the side of the train.... It was and and all at the same time.