I’ve been wondering the same thing!
Was that just for sleeper cars, or for coach as well?
(As an aside, I’ve taken a sleeper car a few times in the past and LOVED it. So much fun!)
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I thought that airlines required masks as a condition of travel. Has that changed?
Over a month ago, I made flight arrangements for June. I happened to login yesterday to American Airlines to check something and poof, they changed my flights, I have no idea when they made this change as I was not notified. The departure is 2 hours earlier, so now 6AM, which is lousy for me, being 2+ hours from the airport to begin the journey. They added another stop.
Then on the way home, they added a stopover to an airport 1000 miles the other way from my journey, and now I get to that final airport at midnight instead of 5PM, and then would drive 2+ hours home.
They took everything lovely about my trip, planned around decent times and shortest possible duration and ruined it.
I called American to determine my options, I may just drive the 1300 miles each way now, it might not be much worse, at least my time would be my choice.
They said they were very busy and to get in line for callback, which we all do, but then I had to choose a day and time for a callback, but every time I chose was unavailable, so I failed that option and was put back in the queue, which had over a 4 hour wait and disconnected me after 2+ hours. I’ll try again, but I need to research my choices, I am reading online that a significant change allows me to get a refund and I am about there, mentally, just taking a day to think about it.
You may want to check on the web site to find out what flights actually exist, so that you know if any are worth trying to change to, and specifically ask for those flights when you get on the phone.
Yah, it looks like the better timed flights were cancelled or are full and don’t show, the issue is that now it’s too late to go with other airlines as the price goes more than double since it’s in two weeks.
I had specifically asked about sleeper cars and roomettes, and this is all the answer I got. Son is looking at the rising prices and thinking about flying instead of Amtrak. He could go first class for considerably less than a roomette from Seattle to San Diego. I still want to drive him back. But we’ll figure it out this weekend.
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He should pick a slow, unpopular time of week/day when the plane will be less packed. Very early morning or very late at night. The flights will be more packed when UW and schools go on summer break, so try to beat that rush.
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That has not changed. Airlines do still require masks.
@somemom : Do they have an online chat feature? Or personal message via social media? I have found those to be helpful when wait times are unreasonable. Plus you can copy any answers as a “written” record.
We decided to visit US national parks this July and hope the border between the USA and Canada will open. We plan to drive all the way from east to west to visit Yellowstone, Teton, Canyonlands, Grand Canyon, Zion, Yosemite…we booked some campsites already. I have planned the trip so long but now I am wondering if it will happen.
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My daughter is flying from East Coast to Denver tonight, her first post-pandemic vacation. She texted to say she has never seen so many young people on a plane! When she made these plans, two of her friends who live in Denver (but don’t know each other) told her they were traveling out of state this week-end. This must be the week-end the young professionals are busting loose and using some vacation time - approx. 6 weeks since shots became available to the 18+ crowd!
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@kjofkw great point about the written record. I did Tweet them yesterday and did a DM today. I might check DMs on IG, too. I just need to know the process to either change the flights with no charge or cancel with a refund, I can do all the searching and finding, and I did find a much better return option, but need to figure out how to get the computer to recognize my situation is an exception.
The Alaska Tourism Restoration Act was signed by the president today. Cruise ships can bypass Canada when traveling from Seattle to Alaska! All eyes are now on the CDC as the agency hammers out the rules for cruise ships returning to the sea.
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It sure would’ve nice to have a valid, verified electronic proof of covid full vaccination available for people who want to have it—those who were vaccinated and those who want to have some acceptable form of proof.
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So the son is going to fly down in June for Father’s Day weekend, then I’ll drive back up to Seattle with him, with a bit of sightseeing on the way. Then husband (his idea) will fly up, see son’s new apartment, and drive back down with me to San Diego.
Amtrak is out because it started getting too expensive, plus two extra days of traveling, plus not the experience it normally is. Son is flying first class and is pretty excited about that. He was dithering about whether to fly back, thinking it was an imposition on us. I like the idea of the road trip! Perhaps I’m selfish, but since son really was torn (literally could not decide) and husband made the offer on his own, why not! I’ve done two major road trips with my son before, and he and I travel together better than I do with my husband. I am anxious to do any kind of travel!
We’re basically taking I5 all the way up the west coast. Of course we don’t know yet how open anything will be by then. We’re stopping half way up, then taking some extra time in Oregon and might stop the second night in Olympia to allow some flexibility instead of pushing for a very late night arrival in Seattle. Other than in Portland (thinking Multnomah Falls), are there any really quick and interesting things to see along the way? I gather the second day drive will be pretty scenic most of the time.
I wish I had extra time in Seattle to try to meet up with CC’er’s, but son has to be back working and husband will want to hit the road. Next time!
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I am so glad you will FINALLY get to see your son in person. And, YOU get a little special one on one time with him. That’s great.
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Sounds perfect, glad it all worked out! If you could spare half a day, I think a short detour to catch the NW coast of Oregon is well worth it – it’s only about an hour west from I-5 to catch Cannon Beach with its iconic view of Haystack rock. The coastal highway is stunning (even for a Californian!) and it’s a welcoming little town to stop in for a meal or some artsy browsing.
If you’d enjoy even an hour or two in nature, I think it’s well worth it to take a quick hike in the lush green forest or a peaceful kayak up the Nehalem estuary to spot bald eagles & elk. My impression is that I-5 in Oregon isn’t terribly scenic on it’s own (pretty straight/flat), but it brings you very close to the real gems – another great stop would be Crater Lake & Umpqua Forest. Hope that helps & wishing you a lovely, safe trip!
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Finally going somewhere! My work won’t allow me to be gone until after August for more than a few days because of a flight I’m working launching and after that our son is working for a week in another state and then back in school. He wants us to come visit because my husband has never seen the vet school and my son wants to show it to him and play golf. So the plan is we will take a road trip and drive to see him. We may stop for a night on the way up just for fun, spend the weekend with him and drive back on a Monday (10 hour drive) the end of June. Just figuring out where we want to stay along the way. I just need to get away from here for even a few days!
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I5 is pretty dull south of Sacramento. The 101 is far more scenic but may add a few miles.
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Silver Falls State Park in Oregon is not far from I-5 and lots of waterfalls. A gem.
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