Amtrak Autotrain prohibiting smoking

[Cleocat]

I don't know how many of you here on the Dis use it and smoke or not. DW and I are scheduled in Sept. to go down using the A.T.. I recieved a v.m. today letting me know that as of June 1 2013 they prohibiting smoking while onboard. Now I'm not a smoker and don't want to create a war on the boards between smokers and non-smokers. DW is a smoker however I don't mind eithier way but we started using the service when we knew about the smoking because it is less stressful than flying for us. I just wonder how it will effect their passenger manifests, I know using it the last 3 years now that was one of the attractions for many was you could smoke, hell it is like a 16 hour journey. I'm sure that's like telling a teenager no Facebook for 16 hours it is difficult. Just looking to get see if anyothers travel using it and if they smoke will they change how they travel. Just in case others have not traveled it smokers had their own lounge to use. They were not allowed to smoke anywhere they liked.
Like I told my DW now is a great time to try to start quitting also along for the many other reasons.
Also I will not be bated into a debate with others about it. I've said what I wanted to and will not say anymore just read others comments.

 

[MouseketeerMMC]

I will feel sorry for passengers and the crew! Imagine the nicotine withdrawal on these long trips for smokers with no outlet! lol

 

[Mrs.Malone]

Not a smoker but I'm interested to see how
smokers would manage this. I was on a 14+
hour flight recently and not once but twice at around
hour 12, someone
was caught smoking in the lavatory.

 

[3smithboys]

Hi Cleocat, we got the same email and vm about the smoking because we are also taking the autotrain in July... I just wanted to ask you about your autotrain experience in the past, if you don't mind sharing... we've never taken it before. We are not getting a sleeping compartment, just going down regular.

 

[mrsklamc]

Pardon my ignorance...there are no stops on this train at all?

 

[DVC-Don]

.

 

[ccgirl]

Pardon my ignorance...there are no stops on this train at all?

I got the same email. There are stops and 2 of the stops no passengers get on but they will let smokers get off to smoke. However, one of them is at 11:45pm.

 

[MouseketeerMMC]

not once but twice at around hour 12, someone was caught smoking in the lavatory.

That was not the only thing going on in the lavatory!

 

[bdcp]

I got the same email. There are stops and 2 of the stops no passengers get on but they will let smokers get off to smoke. However, one of them is at 11:45pm.

There are no stops for passengers to board or deboard the train between Lorton and Sanford. There is ONE stop around midnight in Florence, SC for refueling and crew change, that's all, not two. At that stop, they will allow passengers to get off for a bit, but it's no more than 20-30 min and depending on how late they are running, might be for less.

 

[bdcp]

Hi Cleocat, we got the same email and vm about the smoking because we are also taking the autotrain in July... I just wanted to ask you about your autotrain experience in the past, if you don't mind sharing... we've never taken it before. We are not getting a sleeping compartment, just going down regular.

I'm not Cleocat, but we have taken the AT 4 times and will be again in Nov. WE've done coach, roomette and bedroom. Bedroom is favorite, bu tmore expensive. Check out the auto train thread on the transportation board. Lots of very good info.

 

[trip]

I fell sorry for smokers who thought they would be able to smoke. But, I am surprised that smoking was still allowed this long. Most bars/restaurants/hotels/planes haven't allowed smoking for quite awhile. I'd hate to have to work in a smoky closed-in area.

 

[Mrs.Malone]

That was not the only thing going on in the lavatory!

No doubt. Which is among the many reasons I avoid getting seats near the lav
on long haul flights.

 

[bdcp]

I fell sorry for smokers who thought they would be able to smoke. But, I am surprised that smoking was still allowed this long. Most bars/restaurants/hotels/planes haven't allowed smoking for quite awhile.

Smoking was only allowed in the lower level of the lounge car, nowhere else, but it did drift upstairs. Now, we can all use the lower level since the lounge cars can get very crowded.

 

[3smithboys]

I'm not Cleocat, but we have taken the AT 4 times and will be again in Nov. WE've done coach, roomette and bedroom. Bedroom is favorite, bu tmore expensive. Check out the auto train thread on the transportation board. Lots of very good info.

Oh, thanks! I had no idea there was a thread about the autotrain! Excellent!

 

[mrsklamc]

I have another question. I just went to their site and put in my sister's family (3 adults and 5 kids) and got a ridiculously low price....does this include their car? I don't see anywhere to put it in?

 

[FlightlessDuck]

So....wait, before June 1, they hadn't prohibit smoking? Seriously?

I wonder if it was relegated to specific cars or something.

 

[Handbag Lady]

I am a former smoker and there is no way I would have been able to go that long without smoking back then. Even with gum and a patch!

I don't think there will be a lot of flack, though, since many places are banning smoking. Even most of our beaches here are now non-smoking.

I would be pleased that the train people let you know in advance so you can make other plans if needed.

 

[MouseketeerMMC]

So....wait, before June 1, they hadn't prohibit smoking? Seriously?

I wonder if it was relegated to specific cars or something.

I thought that too, but after I reread the post it was stated that their was a designated car just for smokers.

 

[mnrose]

I was on a 15 hour flight once (it was actually 19.5 hours, but we had a one hour stop for refueling), and everyone survived. I have no problem with rules prohibiting smoking in or on any public accomodation.

 

[Piglets Mommy]

I have another question. I just went to their site and put in my sister's family (3 adults and 5 kids) and got a ridiculously low price....does this include their car? I don't see anywhere to put it in?

I had to add my car seperately (and you have to select what size vehicle you have too) I just priced it for my Nov. trip and it was $175 each way just for the car. For my family of 4, I got a total of $1121 in coach seats and over $1700 for a bedroom. Definately cheaper for us to fly. For a larger family, it may be more reasonable, as it did give me a discount on the kids.