<p>My son has a class on Wednesdays that ends around 4:45. Do you think that typically they would cancel the class on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving? I want to get Amtrak set up as soon as I can!</p>
<p>Also, which Amtrak station is the one where kids typically would travel from?</p>
<p>Thank you!!</p>
<p>As far as that Wednesday, it depends on the professor as far as if class would be canceled or not. Ask him to look at the syllabus for that course – the schedule there should show if that professor is holding class that day or not.</p>
<p>For the last 2 yrs, our DS’s profs cancelled Wed. classes, but they did not tell the students until a week or so prior.</p>
<p>Traditionally, most profs do cancel them, especially the p.m. classes because they know that more likely than not the OOS will have left already. If you show up on campus on Wed by noon, you will see it is already emptying out quickly with all of the folks cars arriving to pick them up.</p>
<p>If he is doing Acela then he will take it out of Union station. If he is doing regular then it varies depending if they have a friend with a car because they can go to New Carrolton or Union Station.</p>
<p>I think campus closes at five, so this class would probably be cancelled.</p>
<p>The North residence halls close at 7. I have HONR100 until 5:30 that day. I don’t think it’s going to be cancelled though, because on the first day of class last week he said that we have 14 journal entries to do at the end of each class, and I just checked and there are 14 more weeks of class counting that Wednesday…and I need to get home to NY so this won’t be fun if it’s still held.</p>
<p>I guess I should have him ask the prof. It’s a small class so he would be missed if absent.</p>
<p>I think he must be taking the “regular” Amtrak as it does leave from New Carrolton (to Stamford, CT). I’m sure one can also catch it from Union though. What’s easier?</p>
<p>I think it is probably better if Acela goes to Stamford for you pay the extra cost. CP has a metro that goes to Union Station so it is easy. It may be a few minutes longer to get there, but Acela def. makes up the time.</p>
<p>New Carrolton is really going to rely on him taking the Metro out of CP and switching lines, it is really only worth it if he can hitch a ride to the station with a good friend.</p>
<p>Union station is where amtrack changes their engines and that is why they hub there. I believe they go from diesel to electric.</p>
<p>Just looked up the prices. Acela costs twice as much money ($200 round trip versus $400 round trip) and save 45 minutes. Rather than spend all that money, he could take a cab to the station and back!!</p>
<p>Bulletandpima: Union Station is still easier, but one has to transfer lines regardless. The difference is that he can just ride to Fort Totten then take the Red Line to Union Station, whereas New Carrolton would require riding the Green line to L’enfant and transferring to the Orange, or riding to Fort Totten, taking the Red to Metro Center and transferring to the Orange there.</p>
<p>That is why I said if they have a friend with a car New Carrolton can be an option too, but not one I would advise if they are taking the Metro.</p>
<p>FYI there is a new bus from College Park to New Carrolton. It only runs on weekdays though. So, you can take the bus there from campus, and a cab home (cost of cab: $15). Not too bad if you can’t get a ride.</p>
<p>DS is a senior and, for the past three years, I’ve booked him on the Wednesday 7pm train out of Union Station so that he wouldn’t miss his last class. And every year, his profs have canceled their class just one day before. Really steams me up because I then incur a fee to change his train reservation. This year he’s got a car so he can leave whenever. In any case, be sure to sign up your son for a Student Advantage card if he will be taking the train regularly. It offers a 15% discount on fares. Also sign up for the Amtrak rewards program. We’ve used it to earn free movie tix and gift cards.</p>