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« on: June 08, 2022, 07:35:07 pm »
I made reservations for a trip from Fullerton, CA to Whitefish, MT about six months ago unaware of changes Amtrak has made to taking a bicycle on this route.
I was informed there wasn’t carry on service from Portland on train 28 so bike needed to be boxed. I was not aware boxed bicycles are no longer available on the Pacific Surfliner. I was told to carry it on and box it in Los Angeles (couldn’t even box it myself as the train doesn’t take them). The train from Fullerton was a little late so when I arrived in LA I was told there wasn’t time to box it and get it on the train so I carried it on again. I was told I could box it in Portland - wrong. Again told I couldn’t box it. They made an exception and let me carry it on if I signed a damage waiver (no damage). I was also told they don’t check baggage to Whitefish. Yet when I got there they had baggage service. At every station I was told something that didn’t happen at the next station. Changes made because of Covid has negatively affected their service.
Don’t get me wrong I love traveling by train and have taken many trips. Although I am not sure I will use them again. Maybe less of a hassle flying.