Tomorrow evening I'll be heading out on the Sunset Limited to Orlando with my 4 year old son. I'm sure I'll need to bring a picture ID for myself. Does anyone know if I'll need a picture ID for a minor child??
Posted by denmarks (Member # 2748) on :
The following is from the Amtrak web site.
Important Information About Amtrak Passenger Security Measures
Effective immediately, Amtrak is implementing several new security measures for the benefit of our guests. Consequently, guests will be required to produce valid photo identification when purchasing tickets or checking baggage. All guests, 18 years or older, should be sure to carry a driver's license, passport or other photo identification when making a purchase.
Valid ("in-force" or "current") photo identification includes the following:
* State-issued photo driver's license * State-issued photo ID for non-drivers, or if ID does not carry a photo, it must identify the presenter by physical characteristics * Passport * Federal, state or county government issued employee photo ID * University, college or high school photo ID.
Effective January 16, 2002, guests boarding at any staffed station between Washington and Boston are required to purchase a ticket prior to boarding the train. Conductors will not sell tickets on board any train between Washington and Boston to customers boarding at stations whose ticket office is open at time of train departure. Photo identification is required in order to purchase tickets from conductors on board trains in other areas of the country outside the Washington-Boston corridor, as well as for guests boarding at unstaffed stations between Washington and Boston.
Posted by CoastStarlight99 (Member # 2734) on :
No, not for a four year old!
I am 13 an I remember my brother was 17 once and they thought he was like 20 so it was good he brought his student ID for he could verify the right price for a CHILD..
Anton
Posted by jmarch (Member # 2953) on :
Well, we made it back from our trip on the Sunset Limited. It was interesting. We left New Orleans pretty late- like 5 am instead of 10:30 pm and then ran into a lot of freight traffic along the way. We were so late that they terminated the line at Sanford and those of us with destinations to Winter Park and Orlando were put on ground transportation. So---- we finally caught a bus on to Orlando and got to the hotel around 4:15 am, slept till around 12 noon, and went back to the station for the return trip (the whole trip was mainly to take my son on a train ride). We made it in to New Orleans on time this morning and drove back home. Fun trip though. thinking we might do a trip to Chicago next time.
[This message has been edited by jmarch (edited 01-02-2004).]
[This message has been edited by jmarch (edited 01-03-2004).]
Posted by UncleBuck44 (Member # 2049) on :
Jmarch I highly suggest it a trip to Chicago. The City of New Orleans route is quite interesting. Not to mention Chicago being the best city in the US.
Posted by dilly (Member # 1427) on :
That was a pretty intense trip for a four year-old. The Sunset has always been one of the most "problematic" routes -- for reasons generally beyond Amtrak's control.
But you've experienced Amtrak at its less-than-best and actually enjoyed it. So it sounds like you're hooked. Chances are, your next adventure will go much more smoothly.
As mentioned previously, the City of New Orleans can take you to Chicago (or even Memphis). And the Crescent will take you to Atlanta, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and New York.
Since both trains originate in New Orleans, they're far more likely to depart on time.
Posted by dnsommer (Member # 2825) on :
Are there any serviceable alternate routes for the Sunset Limited between New Orleans and Florida?
Dave
Posted by Kairho (Member # 1567) on :
In Florida there's the alternate between Jacksonville and Lakeland (and thence up to Orlando) which the Palmetto takes. I live along it and they have run the Sunset along the route a couple of times (notably when the AutoTrain derailed last year).
Posted by Geoff Mayo (Member # 153) on :
I know of one that went from Jacksonville to Mobile, turned right at or soon after Mobile, headed northwards to join the Crescent's route, and thence southwest to New Orleans. A bridge was out as I remember. A pilot is needed in such cases, as Amtrak engineers wouldn't have the route knowledge.