10 Amtrak Mistakes Seniors Make on Their First Trip Alone

At ten past one in the morning, our phone rang. A dear friend, two years a widow, on her first train trip alone, was standing on a dark platform at a locked station, with no taxi and her phone almost dead. She was fine in the end, but every mistake that put her there could have been avoided. Here are the ten mistakes seniors make on their first trip alone, and what to do instead. I'm Stanley Pike, a lifelong Amtrak rider from Omaha (not an Amtrak employee). In this video: - before you go: arriving in daylight, checking your stations, leaving a trail at home - on board: your valuables, what not to tell strangers, why your attendant should know you're alone - the people part: the dining car table, and how to leave a conversation kindly - safety: luggage you can handle, who to call, and the help you're entitled to - and a word about the first trip after a loss CHAPTERS [00:00] A phone call at one in the morning [01:00] Building your backup [01:28] 1. Arriving after dark [02:32] 2. Not looking at the station first [03:19] 3. Leaving your things alone [04:24] 4. Telling strangers too much [05:29] 5. Not telling your attendant [06:23] 6. No trail for the people at home [07:15] A quick word about my guide [07:44] 7. Hiding in your room [08:58] 8. More luggage than you can handle [10:07] 9. Not knowing who to call [11:17] 10. Thinking you have to do it all yourself [12:16] The first trip after a loss [12:59] Ruth's second trip [13:53] All ten in one minute [14:22] The honest part [14:56] Your job before the trip Amtrak Police (from Amtrak's website): call (800) 331-0008 or text APD11 (27311). In an emergency, call 911. Verify current numbers on Amtrak.com before you travel. Not affiliated with Amtrak. Sleeping car door locks from TravelsWithKev; assistance requests from Amtrak's station accessibility page. Services, station hours and policies change, so check Amtrak.com or call Amtrak before you travel. Nothing here is a promise of safety. If a health condition worries you about traveling alone, talk to your doctor. My guide to handling delays, late arrivals and long waits, When Amtrak Runs Late After 65: https://stanleypike.com #amtrak #seniortravel #solotravel