Unaccompied child on Amtrak???? ~ update pg 2

[piglet too]

My DH's grandmother died and we need to go out to her wake and funeral. We would be going out there on Wednesday with the younger two. Since my oldest DS (9, b-day in July) has school, and none of us want him to miss his "fun stuff" of the last full week, he would be staying with my parents. We are talking about staying out with the in-laws for the weekend, which brings me to my question...

Have any of you let your child go on Amtrak by themselves, or would you do it? The train ride would be just under three hours and would only cost $24! He is realy excited about the idea, but I have no experiance at all with Amtrak. I am just nervous about letting him go by himself, but I probally would be just as worried about him flying by himself. Any imput at all is greatly appreciated!!!!!

 

[Beth76]

I would be very hesitant. There are no seating charts (at least when I went), you just go and sit wherever. You can wander around the train. There are people who work on the train who are around, but it's not the same as a flight attendant. Also, trains are very succeptible to breakdowns and delays. You might also want to check with Amtrak to see what their policy is on unaccompanied minors.

edited to add....if it's only $24, perhaps one of your parents could go with him.

 

[Bojangles]

I have a 9 year old and there is no way I would do it. 9 years old is way to young to take a train ride alone. I would be very surprised if Amtrak allowed it. If the train ride is only 3 hours, how long is the drive in a car? Can't your parents drive him?

 

[piglet too]

It is about a 3 hour drive, but my folks would not be able to do it. My Mom is still recovering from her week + stay in the hospital, and my Dad is not supposed to drive for long distances. I am starting to lean toward not letting him do it, it is just to scary. I think I'll ask a friend to meet us half way. I personally would just as soon come home, but DH really needs the time as he is taking the death real hard. Thanks for your imput, it really helped to reinforce that I am just to iffy on this.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

<font color=navy>My two take the Amtrak down to San Diego from Anaheim once or twice a month. I didn't let them start until they were 13 & 12, and always together. They're 16 & 15 now.

When I asked Amtrak about sending them when they were younger (their dad was insisting on it), I was told that I would have to sign a waiver for any child under 12.

Every child is different, but I would be hesitant about putting a 9 year old on Amtrak alone.

 

[Bojangles]

Originally posted by piglet too
I am starting to lean toward not letting him do it, it is just to scary. I think I'll ask a friend to meet us half way.

Good choice!

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

I agree. I know all children are different- especially depending on what area they live in.. I mean some may be used to using public transportation/etc.- while here we don't even have such a thing for even adults to use! LOL But I have a just turned 10yr old and I wouldn't let her go on the Amtrak alone. She's not super mature though.....

 

[Disneyland_emily]

Depends on the kid- My son who is 9- I would most likely let go (he has flown several times alone) as I know he has a good head about things-

One thing to think about if the train is one of the only options is to give him a cellphone so he can be in touch with you if needed- Jake has a phone that he has to take with him so if something happens (ie delay or whatnot) we are in constant contact-

If you have someone to put him on the train and someone to meet him when he gets off the train and tell him to either make sure he sits by himself or next to a family but it all comes down to the kid and what his level of "street smarts" are...


-em

 

[pw2pp]

NO WAY!
I don't even think that would be legal.
It is not like a child flying alone with lots of attention from the Flight Attendants (which I would never have done with my kids anyway) - There is NOBODY to watch your child on an Amtrak Train.
NO NO, please do NOT do it!

 

[Nutsy]

I would NOT do it. That is a long time to be on a train on your own.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Originally posted by Disneyland_emily
Depends on the kid- My son who is 9- I would most likely let go (he has flown several times alone) as I know he has a good head about things-

One thing to think about if the train is one of the only options is to give him a cellphone so he can be in touch with you if needed- Jake has a phone that he has to take with him so if something happens (ie delay or whatnot) we are in constant contact-

If you have someone to put him on the train and someone to meet him when he gets off the train and tell him to either make sure he sits by himself or next to a family but it all comes down to the kid and what his level of "street smarts" are...


-em

I agree. It really depends on the child.

I called Amtrak a few years ago to get information about this. At that time they would only allow a child to travel alone on short trips.

 

[luvdzny]

I have to agree with the other posters who said it is not a good idea. We took Amtrak from WI to TX a few years ago. We had a sleeper compartment and really enjoyed the trip. When we left the sleeper car area it was kind of scary! I would not have been comfortable traveling alone so I would never let one of my kids do it. I am sure there were a lot of nice people, but there were also a lot of "scary" looking people, and a number who had obviously had too much to drink. As others have said, there is no one to keep an eye on your child so he would really be on his own. We have relatives that live 3 hours away, when DD visits them we both drive half way and meet. It may be a bit of an inconvenience but I think it is worth it.

 

[dumboiu]

I would never even entertain the thought.

Ask yourself how you would feel if the unthinkable happened..........

 

[Breezy_Carol]

No way.

I have traveled Amtrak some and had a couple of bad trips. If a train breaks down and he has to change trains, that could be a problem. Also, there is not the supervision like flying.

I would consider letting him fly alone, but not the train.

 

[powellrj]

there is a huge difference between a train and flying. A plane "usually" doesn't make stops like a train would. It would be so easy for someone to get off and on a train, never to be seen again. If its only 3 hours could you see about a limo service?

 

[Pam]

I would not do it.

 

[gymnasticsmom68]

Never in a million years!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[gymnasticsmom68]

If you have someone to put him on the train and someone to meet him when he gets off the train and tell him to either make sure he sits by himself or next to a family but it all comes down to the kid and what his level of "street smarts" are...

FYI, just because you put him on the train and somebody else comes along and takes him off the train, doesn't mean there won't be constant stops, with new people getting on the train. Street smarts? How much street smarts does it take for a 9 year old little boy to be overpowered by a full grown man?

I seriously hope you just say no. 9 is way too young to have such independence. God forbid something horrible happened.

 

[dumboiu]

Originally posted by gymnasticsmom68
I seriously hope you just say no. 9 is way too young to have such independence. God forbid something horrible happened.

Amen!!!!

 

[Lorix2]

I wouldn't even entertain the thought, no matter the cost or situation that warranted them there.