If you do travel - or anyone disabled travels - by Amtrak, also make sure to arrange for an attendant to do the "in-seat" meal stuff (you give the order and it is brought to you) if ordering off the "menu." Once again, Amtrak has to be made aware up-front and in advance so that there is no extra service charge applied - in addition to the cost of menu items .

Another tip? for train travel? Take luggage (no carry-ons) in advance. It makes it so much easier to have luggage dispatched/transported ahead of travel time.

Though no mode of travel can absolutely guarantee luggage will not be lost, Amtrak didn't lose a single item when my luggage was taken in advance; I don't travel light so I was suprised when nothing was lost. My luggage arrived at my destination and was there before I got there. It was also difficult to convince Amtrak people to accept a tip; they were so reluctant but they did above and beyond, I thought. It felt as if I had to pressure them to take the darn tip . They treated me - and others also travelling in the "disabled/seniors" car - so well!

Any probs. arise during travel, a passenger doesn't need to resolve it; there are attendants present and they take care of everything. For instance, some passengers were stowing luggage under the table where my chair was parked (with me in it; I made space for a senior traveller and gave up my passenger seat and decided to sit in my chair). The carry-ons were cramping my "zone." An attendant just relocated the luggage to the carry-on area. Sure, I got a few stares and glares, but... my footrests do need some space .

For carry-ons, I took an ice chest (food and water), computer, purse and a tote (that didn't count against the luggage criteria). Neither does a chair (power or manual).

Any lengthy trip I make, I know that I'll prefer the train. It was so stress-free. (And I am a total control freak, so ... I was impressed with how smoothly everything went.)