Dear Amtrak, you are run by goons.

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wvryn

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I'm not sure if this belongs here, but...

I have officially decided that Amtrak is run by retards. I'm gonna be moving to a new state March 5th. So, being a broke ass 20 year old guy, I have decided to travel by way of my local Amtrak train. About 20 minutes ago, I called their customer service number to get a little insight on the whole "checked luggage" deal. According to the smarmy little weasel I had the displeasure of speaking with, I can't bring knives in my checked bags. When I asked why, he said "I don't know, you have to write a letter to our corporate office". But get this...
I CAN BRING MY DESERT EAGLE OR A FENCING SWORD IN CHECKED LUGGAGE! Why!? Why will you not accept a few folders and survival knives, but say "Yes, please. Bring an object that can punch holes in a target from across the train car"!

They won't even let me bring my edc in my pocket! Ok, well.... rant over. Has anyone else had to deal with this bullshit?
 
The guy doesn't know what he's talking about. I ride the train all the time with pocket knives. I even use it in the dining car and no one says anything,
 
Oh, you have no freaking idea.... I was on an Amtrak for 8 hours when the commute I was taking normally takes a little less than an hour, why?
Because we had an ice storm, the trees fell across the track and guess what they don't have on the trains?!? A CHAINSAW!
They had a hacksaw though.

Take your knives, I took my Mora on the train in my bag and it didn't set off any alarms.
 
I'm thinking about chucking them in my bag and saying to hell with it, but a buddy of mine says they do random luggage checks. I don't want these douches accusing me of being the white Osama. That's the last thing I need.
 
Your problem is that you called some dude and asked him if it's ok to do 'x'.

Look up the actual policy on checked bags and their published weapons policy. I would suggest leaving whatever valuable, easily stolen property you have in the bag you keep with you anyway, and as far as your normal daily cutting tool, leave it in your pocket. You're taking a train, not a 747.
 
I took a three hour Amtrak ride on Sunday, though I had no carry on I did have my EDC in my pocket and clipped, no one said a word. I think you'll be fine.
 
Sharp objects, including but not limited to axes, ice picks, knives, spears, and swords *Scissors, nail clippers, corkscrews, and razors are allowed in carry-on baggage. **Sheathed equipment, to include fencing equipment, are allowed in checked baggage.

From their policy on prohibited items. Sheathed equipment to include fencing equipment? So... as long as they have sheaths, it's allowed? Well damn, I was hoping to take my collection of old, rusty, unsheathed knives, swords, and machetes.
 
So the weapons policy is a safety policy for their baggage handlers it seems.

Package everything up nicely, sheathed, rolled up together in a towel, then tied up or packed into a small bag.

Seems like that covers their requirements pretty handily, right?
 
Headed to DC.

Yeah, that sounds like my best bet. I'll just wrap it up real nice. Keep the hounds of my back.
 
Last year, I took the Coast Starlight from LA to Portland overnight. No questions about knives. And I had a nice shave that morning... though traditional wet-shaving aboard a moving train is perhaps not something I would suggest for a beginner to that activity.
 
Last time I road amtrak was Ohio to Glacier Montana for a 10 day hike.
There were 4 of us and we all had fixed blades in our packs.
On the way back we had even more knives and cans of bear spray.
No worries either way.
 
I'm not moving to D.C., it's just the closest station. I'm moving to Clinton.

Well, I guess that's it. I shouldn't have any issues if they're all wrapped up in my bag. If they don't like it, they can piss off. I mean, I can just say I had no clue. What can they possibly do?

Well, thanks for the advice, guys.
 
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