Amtrak travel?

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Permalink Reply by Jillian Munsell on June 7, 2012 at 8:25pm

Hi Gretta..

I have traveled on Amtrac a few times now but not as Jillian. The security is quite a bit less than at the airport, in fact, almost non-existent. You can carry on most anything, and sit where you want. The train will begin moving whether you are in your seat or not and everyone just get settled and tries to sleep.

There is both a dining car, which is very nice and they serve a fresh breakfast. They are only open during selected hours, but there is also a snack cart, with coffee and juice, etc that is open longer. Its a nice place to hang and meet others too. 

I didn't stay in the bedrooms, but I walked back to check them out (ok... sneaked) - and found them very clean and appealing.

The only concern I would have for you is in the terminal itself. Some folks kinda hang out there, beg a little and are under the influence of who knows what. I would hope you have a travel companion or at least be on high alert as to your own personal safety while waiting, like any woman would. If I was traveling alone, I might even get a can of mace to carry.

I dont mean to scare you , just be careful around the terminal. The train itself is great way to go. Have fun!

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Permalink Reply by Gretta VanDrezen on June 8, 2012 at 4:14pm

Thanks Jillian. 

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Permalink Reply by Gretta VanDrezen on November 2, 2012 at 8:59pm

Thanks Kathy. Very informative.

Gretta

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Permalink Reply by Caroline Grace on November 3, 2012 at 7:31am

Amtrak was never a problem for me, though I never got a roomette.

Back in the days, not having matching ID was always a worry even though I never had to produce it when traveling on the train in the Northeast corridor (Vermont or Boston to DC).

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Permalink Reply by Michelle Zedowsky on November 5, 2012 at 2:48pm

hi there gretta i used to travel pn amtrack many years ago to florida it was great execpt one year our train was broken down for over an hour than we had to sit in a hot rail car ok huggs

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Permalink Reply by Stacey Renea Taylor on April 11, 2013 at 2:25pm

Hey Gretta, I've ridden Amtrak en femme several times and I have had no problem. The do check ID's when you board so e ready for that but I've shown my male ID while totally en femme and the conductors have never made a comment. 

The first time I rode en femme I did just have a roomette and dressed only in there. After that I rode coach en femme and talked to other passengers and have even hung out in the lounge car.

I made a couple of videos which I have on my Youtube channel. If you have ay other questions please ask me.

Stacey :)

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Permalink Reply by BJY on April 16, 2013 at 2:00pm

Hi Gretta,

In 2007 I rode Amtrak from Seattle to Greensboro, N. Carolina for a motorcycle rally. The guys involved paid for my trip, and got me a "roomette" between Seattle and Chicago, then also from Chicago to D.C., where I rode coach to N.C. It was wonderful, but then again, I've been post-op/post-transition for years, so it was no big deal. I have no idea if anyone knew or not, but everyone was friendly and polite, and I had a delightful journey both going east and coming out west to home.

(In 2010 I made the same journey, only by myself on a motorcycle, and it was *SO* much fun! I met a ton of people, mostly on bikes, and had a ball---but I have to admit that the Amtrak ride was a lot less tiring! Plus they have a club car.....)

I'd take the train before taking a plane, any day!

Barb

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