New Amtrak baggage policy: sensible, but should be less rigid

Amtrak’s new systemwide checked and carry-on baggage policy goes into effect today. It marks the first time in the company’s history that passengers will be charged for carry-on baggage — but only if it exceeds the maximum quantity and size allowed, which remain quite generous, especially compared to airlines. 

The new policy adds financial penalty and steps up enforcement of pre-existing guidelines that limited passengers’ total carry-on baggage weight to 150 pounds, distributed between two larger bags weighing up to 50 pounds each, and two smaller bags weighing up to 25 pounds each. Contrast this with airlines, which (in accordance with federal regulations) only permit each passenger one carry-on suitcase that is within the carry-on size limits, and one “personal item” (a purse, briefcase, laptop bag, shoulder bag, small backpack, etc.). Amtrak’s carry-on size limits are more generous than airlines, allowing passengers to carry on most types of large suitcases that would have to be checked on flights, and even on most intercity bus carriers.

The company tells Slate that the new policy gives conductors and station agents clear instructions on how to handle passengers with “too many bags.” Amtrak says this enforcement solves two problems: bags that take up precious space on increasingly crowded trains, and crew members having to lift excessively heavy bags. The fees and limits will only impact a very small minority of passengers.

Starting today, passengers who attempt to board Amtrak trains carrying bags whose number and weight exceeds these limits will be asked, by the station agent or the conductor, to pay a fee of $20.00 per bag that exceeds the limit, with up to two bags per passenger allowed to exceed the limit with payment of the fee. If a passenger refuses to pay the fee or has more than six bags or more than two bags that weigh over 50 pounds each, he or she will be denied boarding (if caught at the station) or perhaps put off at the next station (if caught by the conductor on-board).

Amtrak’s checked baggage rules remain the same: each passenger is allowed to check up to two bags that are 50 pounds or less free of charge, with fees applying to items in excess of the weight limit or in addition to two (but no more than four). But this only helps passengers for whom checked baggage is an option — only about a third of Amtrak’s stations offer checked baggage, and even where a station is equipped to handle checked baggage, not all trains serving that station may be so equipped.

Like many changes that appear to restrict travelers’ freedom, the new rules have been met with opposition from some groups of loyal train riders. Some have wondered how conductors will be able to inspect, or even weigh, carry-on bags at brief stops at unstaffed stations. A few types of passengers have been mentioned who could be adversely impacted by the new rules:

• Passengers boarding or detraining at stations where checked baggage service is not an option, who will be somewhat more limited in what they can bring
• Boy Scouts traveling to the Philmont Scout Ranch near Raton, NM (and other similar groups), who bring a lot of gear and usually stow it in the little-used lower-level baggage compartment of a Superliner coach. (Perhaps an exemption will be made for groups like that.)
• Skiers, golfers, musicians and others who bring oversized items (skis, golf bags, instruments, etc.)
• Owners of folding bicycles who carry them (folded) onto trains where carry-on bicycles otherwise are not allowed.

Others, though, think the railroad is being sensible. One Facebook commenter said “If you’re carrying on more than four bags or carrying bags heavier than 50 pounds, you don't need Amtrak; you need a moving company.” 

One friend mentioned that he thought the new policy also included a prohibition on plastic garbage bags full of clothes as carry-ons, but I have not seen evidence that this is the case. That some may find fellow passengers carrying garbage bags unsightly should not be a reason to ban them or charge fees for them, so long as they fall within the weight and quantity limits.

There is certainly a need to protect the interests of passengers who find the luggage racks overcrowded, and of employees who should not have to handle an excessive number or weight of carry-ons. But perhaps Amtrak management would have been wise to give conductors and station agents more discretion to bend the rules when they feel it prudent to do so. Because when it comes to baggage, one size hardly ever fits all.

Postscript: Wither the Autumn Express? In the past two years, come the first weekend in November, Amtrak has operated a special rare-mileage excursion, both times out of Philadelphia. These have been wildly popular and have sold out within an hour of going on sale. I was fortunate enough to travel on both and enjoyed seeing parts of the Mid-Atlantic that aren’t normally visible by train, and being able to socialize with fellow railfans on board. 

Amtrak operated the Autumn Express in response to a mandate tucked into the Passenger Rail Investment & Improvement Act of 2008 that it operate at least two special excursion trains each year. So what about this year? No special excursion has been announced, that I am aware of —unless the Denver-Winter Park Ski Trains that Amtrak operated March 14 & 15 counted as fulfilling the mandate (a distinct possibility). If any readers have information that I have not been made privy to, feel free to share in the comments.