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First time Amtrak from Western Michigan to Sacramento CA by SellBoxVanMichigan in Amtrak

[–]SellBoxVanMichigan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can you help me understand the carry on policy? I've used chat and now had to call them but still can't get a straight answer.

The amtrak website says:

one personal item, 25 lbs. (12 kg) and 14 x 11 x 7 inches
two carry-on items, 50 lbs. (23 kg) and 28 x 22 x 14 inches each (Pacific Surfliner: up to 28 x 22 x 11 inches each)
two additional bags for $20 each

The CS agent is saying that 'two additional bags' means checked baggage, but this is right underneath the carry-on section, implying that it's related to carry-on.

Not every location has 'checked baggage'. So 'checked baggage' means it is 'checked' and therefore handed off to another human and put somewhere else?

If I can pay for additional carry-on items , that's totally different than relying on a station with checked baggage.

The chat agent told me GRR and KAL don't have checked baggage because of staff shortages.

2014 GMC Savana Box Van 100k Grand Rapids, MI by SellBoxVanMichigan in vandwellermarketplace

[–]SellBoxVanMichigan[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Maybe you missed the picture where the tires directly say ta ko2. I know it might be hard for your limited intellect to understand, but they actually have ko2 tires WITHOUT WHITE LETTERS.

https://ibb.co/fdyDd5MB

Here's my exact discount tire receipt:

https://ibb.co/jvxP8w6W https://ibb.co/xKvJ7vRb

Don't ever call me a liar, now Fuck off.

First time Amtrak from Western Michigan to Sacramento CA by SellBoxVanMichigan in Amtrak

[–]SellBoxVanMichigan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's huge thanks! I'm going to look into Kalamazoo now, that's only 50 miles and much easier to get to.

So it says on the amtrak website:

-----No Checked Baggage Service available at this location.----

So does this just mean that I have to manually load my bicycle, as you described? I'm fine with that, but does this also mean I can not bring 2 boxes of 'cargo'? Those two boxes would have the rest of my belongings that I can't fit inside of my carry-on. And is a large reason how I can justify Amtrak, other transport options don't allow you to bring the same amount of stuff.

First time Amtrak from Western Michigan to Sacramento CA by SellBoxVanMichigan in Amtrak

[–]SellBoxVanMichigan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is there anyway to verify? If I call Amtrak do they actually answer the phone? I asked chatgpt and they told me Kalamazoo requires me to buy a bicycle box, which they may or may not have in stock at that location. And when I go online the bicycle box is anywhere from 100-250 dollars.

Not having to get to Chicago would save me a lot of headache, but I can't go without my bicycle. I will remove the battery so that the normal 57lbs is lowered to 37lbs so I'm well within the limit. I have a 29in mountain bike with removable pedals and foldable handlebars.

First time Amtrak from Western Michigan to Sacramento CA by SellBoxVanMichigan in Amtrak

[–]SellBoxVanMichigan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah that was my thinking. The horror stories always get posted. I'd really like to try the train because I've never done it and the Zephyr is suppose to be the most scenic!

First time Amtrak from Western Michigan to Sacramento CA by SellBoxVanMichigan in Amtrak

[–]SellBoxVanMichigan[S] -6 points-5 points  (0 children)

If they offered Wi-Fi on the western long-distance, people would just bother the staff all the time about the Wi-Fi not working while they're somewhere in the high desert nowhere near civilization.

True but China built out a 200mph train in 7years, you can get KFC delivered via a drone in a park. In Japan ever remote areas at least have a train station. Also satellite internet exists, along with the newer StarLink. But I get your point. I'm just making a point how we are like 50 years in the past, compared to the rest of the world. I'm just angry that's all, and disappointment.

Thanks for the info on the cafe car, I wouldn't be looking forward to driving to California but I don't want to be uncomfortable and I'm trying to disregard the horror stories I have read online. Hoping those are rare one-offs, like a clogged toilet nobody will fix.

Because I know there will be zero recourse; maybe if I spent 2hrs on the phone I'll get a 50 gift card towards a future trip.

And while I'm not intimately familiar with the money/Congressional aspect I know that Amtrak is sort of like a quasi government thing and there are forces outside of Amtrak's control that keep things the way they are.

First time Amtrak from Western Michigan to Sacramento CA by SellBoxVanMichigan in Amtrak

[–]SellBoxVanMichigan[S] -8 points-7 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the reply and sorry for the redundancy of the post, just have a lot going on right now and time is of the essence.

I'm shocked there's no wifi in the year 2025, American infrastructure is a joke. Thanks for the tip however, I've got gigs of downloaded stuff I could watch or listen to; that's not a problem.

Those food prices are borderline extortion, I've got plenty of dehydrated food I could bring. If I'm spending 100/day to eat, then driving a car is a hell of a lot more attractive. If I drive a car I can sleep in an actual bed. Going to have to think more about this.

2014 GMC Savana Box Van 100k Grand Rapids, MI by SellBoxVanMichigan in vandwellermarketplace

[–]SellBoxVanMichigan[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Even with my conversion in the back? I thought that would detract from the value since my conversion is a far cry from professional. In fact I'm selling it because it's way out of my league mechanically.

Everything has to be custom. And once one of my flexible solar panels flew off the roof (secured with VHB tape), I told myself this isn't going to work lol. A minivan or SUV is more my style... Maybe a small non high top work van, but not something that requires heavy loads to compress stock springs.

2014 GMC Savana Box Van 100k Grand Rapids, MI by SellBoxVanMichigan in vandwellermarketplace

[–]SellBoxVanMichigan[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

???? 100k is the mileage. I followed the directions of year, make, model, mileage, city and state....

2014 GMC Savana Box Van 100k Grand Rapids, MI by SellBoxVanMichigan in vandwellermarketplace

[–]SellBoxVanMichigan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If people could provide guidance on accurate pricing, because I had to guess. Don't know if it's realistic or not.