Is it possible to ship excess baggage from JFK airport?
August 30, 2015 9:39 AM Subscribe
Can I ship excess baggage to a US address from somewhere in JFK airport on a Sunday afternoon?
I will be arriving in JFK airport from an international flight on Sunday September 6. I want to take the train from NYC to my final destination in Central Pennsylvania, but Amtrak does not allow checked baggage on the New York -- Harrisburg route. I will thus have to figure something to do with my two extra suitcases. Is there a service in/near JFK (or, perhaps, Penn Station) from where I can mail my excess baggage to myself in the US? Difficulty: needs to be open on a Sunday afternoon. Thanks!
I will be arriving in JFK airport from an international flight on Sunday September 6. I want to take the train from NYC to my final destination in Central Pennsylvania, but Amtrak does not allow checked baggage on the New York -- Harrisburg route. I will thus have to figure something to do with my two extra suitcases. Is there a service in/near JFK (or, perhaps, Penn Station) from where I can mail my excess baggage to myself in the US? Difficulty: needs to be open on a Sunday afternoon. Thanks!
Response by poster: wyzewoman: I did call and they said that I couldn't take the bags with me. Iy might be possible, I don't know; I don't want to tempt fate.
posted by dhens at 10:06 AM on August 30, 2015
posted by dhens at 10:06 AM on August 30, 2015
On "no checked baggage" cars I've been on there was always space for luggage. Is the issue that you have more than what they say they will allow luggage-wise?
posted by jessamyn at 10:09 AM on August 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by jessamyn at 10:09 AM on August 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I bet Shyp would meet you and handle the shipment. They charge standard rates plus a small pickup fee.
posted by AaRdVarK at 10:14 AM on August 30, 2015
posted by AaRdVarK at 10:14 AM on August 30, 2015
Best answer: The Staples at W 35th and 8th ave (near Penn Station) is open on Sunday and you can ship UPS Ground there. Maybe call Staples to confirm: (212) 244-2681.
posted by dcjd at 10:15 AM on August 30, 2015
posted by dcjd at 10:15 AM on August 30, 2015
Staples is a good idea. I have had UPS ship luggage before, the pricing might be different from boxes but they can definitely handle it.
posted by serelliya at 10:18 AM on August 30, 2015
posted by serelliya at 10:18 AM on August 30, 2015
This is apparently Amtrak's carry-on policy. If I'm understanding it correctly, you can bring two suitcases as free carry-ons (in addition to two smaller bags), and should you have more than two suitcases you can pay $20 per extra bag*, up to a total of four.
So if you have four suitcases or less (not including small bags/backpacks) you can take them all as carry-ons, paying a maximum of $40.
As others have said, there should be room at the front or end of each car for carry-on bags. If using the Quiet Car sounds good to you, it might be worth doing since it tends to be less crowded. I think it's at the front of the train, but I'm not sure.
* They say the extra charge applies beginning October, but not of which year.
posted by egg drop at 11:13 AM on August 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
So if you have four suitcases or less (not including small bags/backpacks) you can take them all as carry-ons, paying a maximum of $40.
As others have said, there should be room at the front or end of each car for carry-on bags. If using the Quiet Car sounds good to you, it might be worth doing since it tends to be less crowded. I think it's at the front of the train, but I'm not sure.
* They say the extra charge applies beginning October, but not of which year.
posted by egg drop at 11:13 AM on August 30, 2015 [1 favorite]
If you want to ask more specific questions about what Amtrack will allow, I highly recommend the Amtrack united forums here. It's not official; they are rail fans but SO knowledgable and super helpful. I'm sure they could help.
But generally the carry on limit requires you to be able to carry it on board yourself and so shipping is likely going to be easier.
posted by kitten magic at 1:08 PM on August 30, 2015
But generally the carry on limit requires you to be able to carry it on board yourself and so shipping is likely going to be easier.
posted by kitten magic at 1:08 PM on August 30, 2015
Best answer: Have you looked into places to mail from that are closer to penn station, since you're headed there anyways? You can put your bags in a cab and go straight to that store. The fedex store at 7th and 37th appears to be open 24 hours, for example.
posted by R a c h e l at 2:53 PM on August 30, 2015
posted by R a c h e l at 2:53 PM on August 30, 2015
Best answer: I once used UPS to ship sift sided luggage and they required that I box it. Luckily, they happened to have a box. That was around a decade ago, though. A few years later I took Acela, which does (did?) not allow checked baggage, and was able to leave a couple of bags at the front of the car. I was in first class, though. It was a space-available thing; I would have been hosed if all the space was already taken.
posted by wierdo at 11:20 PM on August 30, 2015
posted by wierdo at 11:20 PM on August 30, 2015
Response by poster: Thanks everyone. This particular problem has been solved with the intervention of a friend, so I won't need to pay for shipping. I hope that these answers can help other Mefites in a similar situation in the future!
posted by dhens at 9:13 AM on August 31, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by dhens at 9:13 AM on August 31, 2015 [2 favorites]
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posted by wyzewoman at 9:53 AM on August 30, 2015