View Full Version : Missed my train :(
Timinator
03-21-2017, 12:58
Was halfway to train station leaving for gainesville when I realized the departure time on my ticket was 4 hours earlier than it was when I purchased the ticket. I missed the train and the entire $160 ticket value was forfeited and now I have to wait another day and another $200 to leave. I am sad :(
4eyedbuzzard
03-21-2017, 13:02
Well, that is taking "start slow" beyond its intent. But just put it behind you and move on. It's now a "sunk cost", and you can't let it effect the present or future.
johnnybgood
03-21-2017, 13:07
Not a good start. Can't you go to the ticket window and ask for an exchange or is that what you're saying ? A higher fee for a later train.
Timinator
03-21-2017, 13:12
I called amtrak and they called some other people and they just said there was nothing they can do. The whole ticket was forfeited.
4eyedbuzzard
03-21-2017, 13:20
Yes, it sucks. So you're starting out $200 over budget. Realistically, if that is going to break your hike, you very likely wouldn't make it anyway. Doo doo happens. Gear breaks, illness occurs, trains are missed. Many obstacles on a hike cost money to overcome. Don't dwell on it.
Whiskey_Richard
03-21-2017, 13:21
I don't think I'd let that go. If they changed the time by four hours without warning I'd be talking to someone in charge to get my next ticket comped.
It would be a hassle though so if you got the money to burn you could let it go. Or give me the info and I'll see if I can find the right person at Amtrak to fix it.
If they changed the time by four hours without warning
i doubt they changed it without warning......
amtrak would have called or emailed and would have asked for an alternative departure time...
at least thats what they have done for me....
Anybody in the class of 2017 leaving denver colorado mid April to Springer
Mountain
i doubt they changed it without warning......
amtrak would have called or emailed and would have asked for an alternative departure time...
at least thats what they have done for me.... I agree with this. I mean I think it stinks to lose your money like that, but I would of been checking the departure times right up to a few hours before I was due to leave.
I agree with this. I mean I think it stinks to lose your money like that, but I would of been checking the departure times right up to a few hours before I was due to leave. However I will add that this was an easy thing to have happen, and if they did change it at the last minute then that was wrong.
Timinator
03-21-2017, 14:20
The only email I received was one where it said there was something wrong with my reservation and that I should call them. This was hours after I missed the train when I was already in the car headed to the train station. I tried fighting them but it didn't work and it's probably not worth it. I'll just dish out the extra dough and leave tomorrow morning. It does suck though because I was all excited and mentally prepared to leave now :(
Whiskey_Richard
03-21-2017, 14:25
If that's how it went down I don't think you talked to the right person. I'd be asking to speak to a supervisor until they made it right, but maybe that's just me.
johnnybgood
03-21-2017, 14:33
The only email I received was one where it said there was something wrong with my reservation and that I should call them. :(
Meaning...you didn't make the train or there was an issue with the true departure time stamped on your ticket ? If I were you call a relative that might be able to follow up on your behalf to get to the bottom of this. If it was their screw up then you should receive a money voucher for the mistake. If it was your mistake, apparently the e-stub reservation system doesn't reimburse you if you missed the train.
Forget about this for now and don't let it affect the rest of your trip. Like I said, have a family member talk to an Amtrak representative and have them clarify what went wrong, if anything did.
llittle_llama
03-21-2017, 16:08
I agree, something can be done about this. If I wasn't leaving in a few days (holy crap, LESS THAN A WEEK!!!) I would ask for the info and take care of it for you.
Slo-go'en
03-21-2017, 16:47
Trains always leave the originating station on time. They run the same schedule every day. Weather issues, accidents or other track issues can delay the departure of the train, but it would never leave earlier then the scheduled time. This sounds like operator error to me, not paying attention to the times.
If Timinator missed the train, they might have sent the email asking where the heck was he? They would know they were short a passenger once they went through all the cars and scanned tickets.
A few years back, I got a free stay in Chicago and $25 for meals when my train from Glacier to Boston was 3 hours late getting to Chicago so we missed the connecting train to Boston.
This sounds like operator error to me, not paying attention to the times.
thats the way im seeing it.....
i think theres more to this story than the initial post........
Tennessee Viking
03-21-2017, 16:56
OP
Look up your original ticket purchase and your check in ticket times.
Lone Wolf
03-21-2017, 17:04
i've taken AMTRAK 10 times from NYC to Gainesville, Ga. it always left on time, never early
HooKooDooKu
03-21-2017, 17:10
Was halfway to train station leaving for gainesville when I realized the departure time on my ticket was 4 hours earlier than it was when I purchased the ticket. I missed the train and the entire $160 ticket value was forfeited and now I have to wait another day and another $200 to leave. I am sad :(
Apparently you purchased a 'Saver Fare' where the entire amount of the purchase is forfeited and cannnot be applied toward future travel if not canceled before the scheduled departure (i.e. a "no show").
That is the policy Amtrak is applying here.
What I can not find is ANY sort of policy about what is Amtrak's responsibility when a scheduled departure time is changed.
If you still want to attempt to get a refund, you will need to try to discover what is Amtrak's policy about changes in departure time, and I think you'll have to call Amtrak to find out what that is, because ANY internet search that includes the word "change" in it links you to web pages telling you have to make changes to your ticket, NOT what Amtrak does when they are the one making changes.
ScareBear
03-21-2017, 18:15
Was halfway to train station leaving for gainesville when I realized the departure time on my ticket was 4 hours earlier than it was when I purchased the ticket. I missed the train and the entire $160 ticket value was forfeited and now I have to wait another day and another $200 to leave. I am sad :(
Not quite sure how you did this? The Crescent leaves Penn Station for Gainesville at 1415. Every day. Once a day. There is no other train...
Not sure how you thought it departed at 1815? I don't think it ever departed at 1815...
rocketsocks
03-21-2017, 18:19
That blows, I bet you won't do that again!
HooKooDooKu
03-21-2017, 18:36
...I realized the departure time on my ticket was 4 hours earlier...
That sounds like the problem right there...
While there is no way for us to know exactly what happened, it sounds like you purchased your ticket and never looked at what you purchased (i.e. you never reviewed the ticket)... at least not until Amtrak seems to have tried to contact you after you were a no-show.
If the correct departure time was on your ticket, then it sounds like you're SOL.
ScareBear
03-21-2017, 19:08
Wait...I think I see how this happened...OP put in his preferred departure time....the website put him on the Crescent...OP thought it left at his preferred time...OP never realized there is only one train to Gainseville a day and that it ALWAYS departs at 1415, and has for some time...I pulled up the 2/2016 Amtrak schedule and 1415 was the Crescent's departure time then...sorry for OP...
I shared the OP's concern and apprehension regarding Amtrak. I'd booked a ride on the Capital Express from Rockville MD to Pittsburgh. For me and my bicycle. It gets into Pittsburgh at around midnight. I'd also booked a hotel room in Pittsburgh, so it was train fare plus hotel at stake.
Problem is, I wasn't 100% certain I was at the right station and the right platform until the moment the train came by. I got there plenty early. But there wasn't a single sign indicating that it was an actual Amtrak station, or that my specific train was due to arrive at Platform Whatever. There wasn't a single human (other than fellow travelers) who could direct me. Not a single Amtrak official to be found. Nerve-wracking. It all turned out OK, but it was the most nervous hour or two of that whole trip. The ride itself was wonderful. OK, maybe a bit slow overall, but relaxing, comfortable and lots of good views. Conductors on the train were courteous and helpful. 10X better than economy class on any airline.
Timinator
03-21-2017, 20:21
I figured it out. What happened was I was going to order a ticket from Hartford CT to Gainesville since I am in CT right now which departed shortly after 12PM. I noticed that it required me to take an hour long bus ride from Hartford to the New Haven amtrak station before sending off to NY so I cut out the middle man and booked a ticket from new haven instead but I must have been so distracted by the price savings of doing that that I didn't notice it was not actually on the same schedule as the one originating from Hartford. It's weird because daily trips from Hartford to Gainseville always go through New Haven first but there are no trips originating from New Haven on that same route that line up time-wise with the Hartford originating one.
I figured it out. What happened was I was going to order a ticket from Hartford CT to Gainesville since I am in CT right now which departed shortly after 12PM. I noticed that it required me to take an hour long bus ride from Hartford to the New Haven amtrak station before sending off to NY so I cut out the middle man and booked a ticket from new haven instead but I must have been so distracted by the price savings of doing that that I didn't notice it was not actually on the same schedule as the one originating from Hartford. It's weird because daily trips from Hartford to Gainseville always go through New Haven first but there are no trips originating from New Haven on that same route that line up time-wise with the Hartford originating one.
Dude. Fuhgettaboutit.
This is a no brainer. Subtract the $200 extra train ticket from the price of the obscenely expensive ZPacks tent. Spend the change on a perfectly useable tent from Henry Shires at TarpTent or any other reputable cottage tent maker. Back on budget. Full weather protection. Away you go.
You're welcome!
Wayne
rocketsocks
03-21-2017, 20:35
I figured it out. What happened was I was going to order a ticket from Hartford CT to Gainesville since I am in CT right now which departed shortly after 12PM. I noticed that it required me to take an hour long bus ride from Hartford to the New Haven amtrak station before sending off to NY so I cut out the middle man and booked a ticket from new haven instead but I must have been so distracted by the price savings of doing that that I didn't notice it was not actually on the same schedule as the one originating from Hartford. It's weird because daily trips from Hartford to Gainseville always go through New Haven first but there are no trips originating from New Haven on that same route that line up time-wise with the Hartford originating one.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JEilPR1PXko
Timinator
03-21-2017, 20:44
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JEilPR1PXko
Lol perfect
Dude. Fuhgettaboutit.
This is a no brainer. Subtract the $200 extra train ticket from the price of the obscenely expensive ZPacks tent. Spend the change on a perfectly useable tent from Henry Shires at TarpTent or any other reputable cottage tent maker. Back on budget. Full weather protection. Away you go.
You're welcome!
Wayne Just stay away from Bearpaw Wilderness Designs:):https://whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php/123922-My-absolute-nightmare-experience-with-John-Stultz-and-bearpaw-wilderness-designs!
Just stay away from Bearpaw Wilderness Designs:):https://whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php/123922-My-absolute-nightmare-experience-with-John-Stultz-and-bearpaw-wilderness-designs!
I did stipulate reputable. On my very short list, Henry is reputable.
Wayne
Just stay away from Bearpaw Wilderness Designs:):https://whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php/123922-My-absolute-nightmare-experience-with-John-Stultz-and-bearpaw-wilderness-designs!
I did stipulate reputable. On my very short list, Henry is reputable. :cool:
Wayne
johnnybgood
03-21-2017, 21:18
I figured it out. What happened was I was going to order a ticket from Hartford CT to Gainesville since I am in CT right now which departed shortly after 12PM. I noticed that it required me to take an hour long bus ride from Hartford to the New Haven amtrak station before sending off to NY so I cut out the middle man and booked a ticket from new haven instead but I must have been so distracted by the price savings of doing that that I didn't notice it was not actually on the same schedule as the one originating from Hartford. It's weird because daily trips from Hartford to Gainseville always go through New Haven first but there are no trips originating from New Haven on that same route that line up time-wise with the Hartford originating one.
Make up the difference in 3 less town stays in Hostels, 6 less restaurant meals, or eating Ramen Noodles every day till you get to Maine.:D
Traffic Jam
03-21-2017, 21:27
I figured it out. What happened was I was going to order a ticket from Hartford CT to Gainesville since I am in CT right now which departed shortly after 12PM. I noticed that it required me to take an hour long bus ride from Hartford to the New Haven amtrak station before sending off to NY so I cut out the middle man and booked a ticket from new haven instead but I must have been so distracted by the price savings of doing that that I didn't notice it was not actually on the same schedule as the one originating from Hartford. It's weird because daily trips from Hartford to Gainseville always go through New Haven first but there are no trips originating from New Haven on that same route that line up time-wise with the Hartford originating one.
There's gotta be a good trail name in all of this.
gpburdelljr
03-21-2017, 22:24
There's gotta be a good trail name in all of this.
How about ETD
4eyedbuzzard
03-22-2017, 01:41
There's gotta be a good trail name in all of this.How about "Derailed".
BuckeyeBill
03-22-2017, 01:53
When making travel plans, I go online and find the cheapest price, then call the company (i.e. Amtrak) and tell them the price I found. They will normally honor your price, because they won't have to pay a fee to a ticket broker. Works very well with air travel and hotel stays. Only had problem one time where the hotel made the mistake about my reservation. Once I showed them my confirmation number, the quickly found my reservation. Talking to a real human being is much nicer.
ScareBear
03-22-2017, 05:14
When making travel plans, I go online and find the cheapest price, then call the company (i.e. Amtrak) and tell them the price I found. They will normally honor your price, because they won't have to pay a fee to a ticket broker. Works very well with air travel and hotel stays. Only had problem one time where the hotel made the mistake about my reservation. Once I showed them my confirmation number, the quickly found my reservation. Talking to a real human being is much nicer.
You can buy Amtrak through a ticket broker?
ranger2012
03-22-2017, 08:05
There's gotta be a good trail name in all of this.
offtrak? (i'm not very clever)
Lone Wolf
03-22-2017, 08:07
ontime...........
ScareBear
03-22-2017, 08:28
There's gotta be a good trail name in all of this.
DayLate......
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Tr8KRqyGJk
llittle_llama
03-22-2017, 08:37
DayLate......
Buckshort?
llittle_llama
03-22-2017, 08:43
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tr8krqygjk
38829
bahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!
Buckshort?More like $200 short!
There's gotta be a good trail name in all of this.
Sidetracked?
AtWokman
03-22-2017, 10:02
untrained. that's my vote
three good options
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4tJSn0QtME
BuckeyeBill
03-22-2017, 11:22
You can buy Amtrak through a ticket broker?
I was just using it as a example, probably a bad one, for that I apologize.
rocketsocks
03-22-2017, 17:18
There's gotta be a good trail name in all of this.Tardy.....
Kaptainkriz
03-22-2017, 18:43
Day late, $200 short...
There's gotta be a good trail name in all of this.
Rex Clifton
03-22-2017, 19:37
Brush it off, don't let it bug you. You're starting an adventure few people get to experience. The $$$ will be meaningless when you look back at it, and a day on a months long hike is a drop in the bucket.
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