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When we travel, there are times when we need assistance with our luggage or getting to or from the train, and that’s where the Amtrak Red Caps come in handy. These services are available at selected Amtrak stations to aid passengers in moving their luggage and ensuring that they get to their train on time.

You are in the right place if you want to learn more about what stations offer this service!

Who are Amtrak Red Caps & how do they help?

Amtrak Red Caps are dedicated employees who assist passengers with boarding, disembarking, and navigating stations. They help move luggage and guide travelers to waiting areas, including lounges, which is especially useful for those with mobility issues.

This service is particularly beneficial for those who need extra time or assistance. Red Caps can help check bags and guide key locations like restrooms, food, and bars. When it’s time to depart, they guide you to your next train or bus.

Remember, Red Caps are there to assist, not to serve as personal drivers around the station.

How much does it cost to use Red Cap Services?

The Red Caps service is free for those who need it. While the service is free, you can give them tips, but they are not mandatory.

How to identify Amtrak Red Caps at stations

As you can guess, these hard workers wear red caps or hats, a tradition that predates Amtrak. They may also don red shirts with blue pants, making them easy to spot, and always carry Amtrak badges for identification.

Red Caps are often trainside as trains arrive or near the lounge or waiting area when it’s time to depart. Their “home base” is usually near baggage areas or lounges; you can identify their presence by their electric carts. This can vary from station to station.

Ask a lounge agent or other Amtrak staff to connect you with a Red Cap if you need assistance. Watch for them as you walk through the station to stay out of their way!

You are ready for your trip, but are your bags?

Before you leave home, review Amtrak’s baggage policy to ensure your bags meet the weight and size requirements and do not exceed the allotted number per passenger.

It is also important to ensure your luggage is in good condition, with secure handles and functioning wheels.

Each passenger is allowed one personal item and two carry-ons. Personal items must be under 25 pounds, and all other luggage must be under 50 pounds.

If checked baggage service is available, you can check in two bags or more for a fee.

If you check and carry on the maximum allowed, you could take up to 250 pounds of luggage. This rule is for safety, so familiarize yourself with Amtrak’s baggage services.

Red Caps can assist with checking bags, but remember that not all destinations offer checked baggage services. Verify this before your trip if you plan to check bags.

You may need to wait for Red Caps.

You must be patient if you want help from Red Caps. Moving passengers takes time, so there might be a wait as they make multiple trips between the train and the lounge. Sometimes, a late train may arrive while your train is boarding, requiring Red Caps to assist with simultaneously de-boarding and boarding.

Remember, Red Caps serve all passengers, not just you. You might share the ride with others you don’t know.

Additionally, you don’t need to use the service both ways. For example, in Chicago, you can walk to the lounge from the Hiawatha and then use a Red Cap to get to the Cardinal.

Are Red Caps only for sleepers, business class, and first-class passengers?

Amtrak Red Caps can assist all passengers at stations; however, their methods of helping coach passengers vary depending on the station. For coach passengers, it’s advisable to look for signage or inquire with station staff to locate the designated area where Red Caps can assist you.

Some stations may have specific waiting areas for passengers requiring assistance.

If you’re traveling in a sleeper car, you’ll typically receive priority assistance due to priority boarding privileges.

If you’re onboard the train, inform the conductor as you approach your destination if you’ll need Red Cap assistance upon arrival. Early notification can be effective on routes like the Hiawatha, where conductors travel with passengers throughout the journey. However, on longer routes with multiple conductor changes, such as the Capitol Limited, it’s best to inform the conductor closer to your arrival station to ensure your request is communicated effectively.

Some smaller stations offer a similar service.

Please be aware that some staffed train stations may offer a service similar to Red Caps but may not have dedicated staff due to limited staffing and equipment availability. The level of service provided can vary. The station staff not only assists passengers but also checks bags.

The station staff may take you to a spot where your train car will pick you up; from there, the onboard staff will help you onto the train.

Please be patient, as the station staff may also be involved in handling baggage services, which could result in a brief wait before assistance is available. While this process typically takes little time, it may include using wheeled chairs or other devices instead of dedicated carts, which may not be available at all staffed stations.

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Amtrak Red Caps wrap-up

Red Caps are helpful individuals who assist passengers on and off trains. In stations like Los Angeles, they may even escort you to connecting buses for your next adventure. In cities like Chicago and others, they provide valuable assistance in navigating the station and ensuring you reach your destination.

Because I am able-bodied, I do not use Red Caps often. However, I did accept their assistance in Los Angeles when space allowed because the kind driver insisted. Another time, I used their help with my niece, making her train journey much more effortless.

Even though I don’t regularly require assistance, I’m always willing to give my spot to someone who does. Red Caps work diligently, but delays can occur, given the volume of passengers and their limited numbers. They might assist passengers getting off your train while helping others board.