Lower coach seats on the Autotrain?

[JMLBrats]

I was told by the customer service person that on the lower level, there are only 12 coach seats + some bathrooms so many people prefer the lower level due to a little more privacy. We will be taking up 5 seats and right now we were able to book at the lowest fare possible so I'm hopeful that the other 7 seats may actually be free. (well I can hope can't I? ) CS was able to tell me that there were plenty of coach seats still avail on this train, but couldn't tell me if any of the other seats in our section were taken. Does anyone know how they go about booking the coach seats?
We've taken the autotrain a few times before, but w/3 younger kids, we've always done sleepers. Now that the youngest is out of diapers, I figured maybe we could do coach.
I've always been kind of paranoid about doing coach w/the kids & falling asleep-but DH & I prob won't sleep anyway-we almost never do w/the beds so what are the odds that we would in coach?
The only reason we are considering doing the AT at all is we got a really good rate and it will get us home a little bit faster than otherwise.
Any info & experiences are greatly appreciated!

 

[bdcp]

When are you going? If it's spring or fall, there will be a lot of snowbirds going one direction. Also, the lower level coach seats are also for handicapped riders as they don't have to climb stairs. Unlikely you'll be alone. There are plenty of people who prefer the lower level. I slept better in coach than on those horrible thin "mattresses" they have in the sleepers. There are lots of families in coach.

 

[JMLBrats]

When are you going? If it's spring or fall, there will be a lot of snowbirds going one direction. Also, the lower level coach seats are also for handicapped riders as they don't have to climb stairs. Unlikely you'll be alone. There are plenty of people who prefer the lower level. I slept better in coach than on those horrible thin "mattresses" they have in the sleepers. There are lots of families in coach.

No, we're going in early July. The CS person seemed to feel that the train won't get booked in coach being that it's only a couple of months away. We are taking it North only BTW.

 

[JMLBrats]

When are you going? If it's spring or fall, there will be a lot of snowbirds going one direction. Also, the lower level coach seats are also for handicapped riders as they don't have to climb stairs. Unlikely you'll be alone. There are plenty of people who prefer the lower level. I slept better in coach than on those horrible thin "mattresses" they have in the sleepers. There are lots of families in coach.

Do you prefer the lower level? Even if it's booked? just trying to figure out if it's the right choice for us.
thanks

 

[bdcp]

Do you prefer the lower level? Even if it's booked? just trying to figure out if it's the right choice for us.
thanks

We've never done the lower level. We just prefer coach over roomettes. We also have grown children so we travel in the couples/families with older children cars, but we've walked through the family cars multiple times. We've seen all ages.

 

[JMLBrats]

We've never done the lower level. We just prefer coach over roomettes. We also have grown children so we travel in the couples/families with older children cars, but we've walked through the family cars multiple times. We've seen all ages.

Do you know if they would automatically book us in a "family car"? I just got off the phone w/another CS person who said that she didn't think the kids would like the lower level-the upper has dining, lounge & windows. I didn't realize there are no windows on the lower level. But it still sounds like it might be better for actually sleeping on the lower level so I left the reservation the way it is for now. She said normally it cost more to book the lower level too, but we got it for the lowest fare so I wonder if that means that the train is really lightly booked?

 

[DC7800]

I didn't realize there are no windows on the lower level.

The windows on the lower level of the train are the same size as those on the upper level...just fewer of them since there are only twelve seats.

Keep in mind that you will still be going to the upper level - to go to the dining car or lounge car, or just to walk around. People from up there will be coming down to your section to use the restrooms (which are entirely on the lower level of the car).

Since you just bought coach tickets for the lowest fare bucket, this is a good indication that as of right now, the train is still lightly booked. That could change at any time - the train could even sell out days or weeks prior to departure, or still be only half full the day you leave. Many trains are starting to sell out for summer, and Amtrak has almost no extra equipment to supplement consists anyway. Fares rise as the train starts to fill, so if the prices remain low, you have a greater chance of a lightly populated trip.

You can always ask about remaining sleeper acomodations, at a discount if any remain unsold, upon your arrival at the departure station.

 

[bdcp]

Do you know if they would automatically book us in a "family car"? I just got off the phone w/another CS person who said that she didn't think the kids would like the lower level-the upper has dining, lounge & windows. I didn't realize there are no windows on the lower level. But it still sounds like it might be better for actually sleeping on the lower level so I left the reservation the way it is for now. She said normally it cost more to book the lower level too, but we got it for the lowest fare so I wonder if that means that the train is really lightly booked?

They put families with young children together, seniors together and couples with no children or older children (not sure age cutoff, but at least 9 or 10) in their own cars. There are windows on both levels. But the lounge and dining are on the upper level in the lounge and dining cars, not the same car. I've never seen small children in with the adults/older children cars or senior cars, except for walking through.

 

[JMLBrats]

They put families with young children together, seniors together and couples with no children or older children (not sure age cutoff, but at least 9 or 10) in their own cars. There are windows on both levels. But the lounge and dining are on the upper level in the lounge and dining cars, not the same car. I've never seen small children in with the adults/older children cars or senior cars, except for walking through.

well, since there are windows down there & they are supposed to put families together-I'm thinking that the lower level is better since it's nice to have the bathrooms right there for the kids. We're going to have to walk to the lounge/dining cars either way.

DC7800, thanks for the info-hopefully it will stay light, but whatever-as long as we have our seats!

 

[dromio42]

Does anyone know if there is more 'sway' - of a seasick nature - on the upper level?

 

[Henlady]

DH and I travel in the lower level. It is more quiet as there is no "thru" traffic thru the car. The only people are the ones assigned to your car. You cannot walk thru the lower level to any other car. On a few of our trips, the lower level was packed with every seat taken. Some trips it was DH and I and another couple. 4 people for 12 seats was great. You will have to go upstairs to the dining car and the lounge, but that is not a problem.

 

[JMLBrats]

Does anyone know if there is more 'sway' - of a seasick nature - on the upper level?

Not sure, but the last CS person I spoke to said that she thought it might be more uncomfortable on the lower level due to the fact that there's no "cushion" between the tracks and you. The times we've been on the train, I don't think it felt at all like a seasick feeling, but it is very bumpy sometimes.

 

[JMLBrats]

DH and I travel in the lower level. It is more quiet as there is no "thru" traffic thru the car. The only people are the ones assigned to your car. You cannot walk thru the lower level to any other car. On a few of our trips, the lower level was packed with every seat taken. Some trips it was DH and I and another couple. 4 people for 12 seats was great. You will have to go upstairs to the dining car and the lounge, but that is not a problem.

Must be nice when it's only you and a couple of other people. How bad is it if it's completely full? do you still prefer that level even then?

 

[Henlady]

If the lower level is filled to capacity it does feel a little more crowded, due to the fact that it is an enclosed space. There is a sliding door between the passanger compartment and the stairs/bathroom area that is usually kept shut, so it may seem a little "stuffy".

 

[LisaNJ25]

I had the lower level last year and love it. It was my family of 6 and a woman with a toddler who missed her train the day before. It was a life saver with the 9 hour delay we had. I just got home today using the regular amtrak train.