What Are Amtrak Train Guidelines for Security?

Amtrak is one of the nation's largest and best known transportation networks. With hundreds of destinations connecting more than 21,000 miles of track, this company relies on an extensive network of employees and officers to enforce the law and ensure public safety. However, guidelines are presented during ticket purchase and throughout travel, empowering all customers and visitors to take part in the creation and preservation of a safe environment.

Observe And Report

• All visitors, travelers and employees of Amtrak are instructed to remain vigilant and report incidents of suspicious behavior or outright illegal conduct. This guideline includes reporting suspicious packages or unattended luggage.

Cooperate

• Cooperation with law enforcers is key to maintaining a safe environment. The Amtrak community is instructed to assist law enforcers by remaining civil, following directions and not interfering with police business. Any individual on Amtrak property may be required to submit belongings for inspection or show proof of identification and intention (e.g., a driver's license and a ticket stub). Specifically, passengers are directed to refrain from approaching, touching or feeding the animal members of the K-9 unit.

Safeguard Your Stuff

• Loss and theft can be prevented if extra precautions are taken. Keep track of your belongings while waiting in stations or riding the train. Pay particular attention to laptops, jewelry and small electronic devices which are easy to steal.

Red Caps

• Employees of Amtrak wear easily visible red caps to decrease the risk of criminal misrepresentation. Red cap employees are available to help passengers board, exit and locate items in the station.

Baggage Policy

• All Amtrak passengers agree to baggage guidelines upon acceptance and use of their ticket. Weigh and size restrictions are provided to ensure fair access to storage and adherence to the train's limitations (e.g., the train will be under its legal weight capacity ensuring safety.) Guidelines include regulations concerning the transportation of prohibited items such as fireworks, guns, swords and billy clubs.

Securing Health

• To secure the health of all passengers Amtrak trains are smoke-free. However, Auto Train routes may provide a car for smoking passengers. Travelers may smoke on open-air, train platforms if their train is running late and time permits.

Unaccompanied Minors

• For the security of children and other passengers, Amtrak does not transport unaccompanied children under the age of 7. Children 8 to 17 are permitted to travel alone if they pass an in-person interview, have no life-threatening food allergies, wear an identifiable wristband and follow other precautionary steps as detailed by their station of departure.