TRAIN vs PLANE

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

So I recently booked a trip on the California Zephyr instead of a flight back home this year at Xmas. With whats happened to air travel I really feel like they are par or near on par.

Take for instance the cost. the Zephyr (with a sleeper compartment) costs 20% more up front then the cheapest airline ticket. But when you consider there is no baggage charge, food is free (roughly 7 meals worth) and you can sit and relax the whole time with privacy it seems like the better deal.

Even time isn't that big of a deal. So it takes 2 days. The cheapest flights have so many connections that you spend the day in the airport.

Of course my wife hates flying so thats always a plus too.

So what do you think are we reentering the era of the train here in the US? (not withstanding money is being pumped into highspeed rail)

[Heracles 417]

US has high sped trains? I thought public transport was deemed illegal here.

Edited October 20, 2009 by Booyah!

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Not yet. But government money has been earmarked for them.

[The_Dude 1,142]

2 days vs. a few hours? I think i'll take the discomfort to get there faster.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Actually, I have always enjoyed train travel and have used the train quite often for both short and long distance travel. When I had meetings in Toronto I regularly used to take the train down in the morning and back in the evening - beat the frustration of having to deal with all of the traffic and at least 6 hours on the road and the expense of parking downtown. My first visit to NYC was via AmTrak out of Montreal - it was great! If you don't have a need to get where you are going in a hurry train travel can be a relaxing way to go. I also enjoy flying, though, and driving as long as I don't have to stick to the boring interstates. I enjoy watching scenery.

Edited October 20, 2009 by Kathryn41

[Niels Bohr 72]

2 days on train vs a few hours on a plane? No thank you. I'm happy with the plane. I rather spend more time in a resort, than time sitting in a room. Not only that, life is short.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

See I guess for me its always more then a few hours on a plane. I normally have one connection. So I get up at say 5am get to SFO by 6am check my bag and go through security by 7am. Fly at 8am. Land at 10am. Take my next flight at 1 pm. Land at 3 pm get home by 4 or 5 dead exhausted. Where as I leave at 7 am check my bag and get on the Train by 8.30am and i'm away from it all.

[The_Dude 1,142]

See I guess for me its always more then a few hours on a plane. I normally have one connection. So I get up at say 5am get to SFO by 6am check my bag and go through security by 7am. Fly at 8am. Land at 10am. Take my next flight at 1 pm. Land at 3 pm get home by 4 or 5 dead exhausted. Where as I leave at 7 am check my bag and get on the Train by 8.30am and i'm away from it all.

But none the less, you are expending 4 days for a return trip in vacation time when you can use 12-14 hours flying. I'm not going to waste the extra time for travel when on a vacation. I almost always have layovers. I don't mind them for the most part, I would rather save the time by flying.

[Niels Bohr 72]

See I guess for me its always more then a few hours on a plane. I normally have one connection. So I get up at say 5am get to SFO by 6am check my bag and go through security by 7am. Fly at 8am. Land at 10am. Take my next flight at 1 pm. Land at 3 pm get home by 4 or 5 dead exhausted. Where as I leave at 7 am check my bag and get on the Train by 8.30am and i'm away from it all.

I like to apologize beforehand.

You are fat and lazy. Be honest.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

I guess to as Kathyrn mentioned I see the train as a relaxing, enjoyable experience. Now a UK train? Yeah........where's my plane ticket!!!! LOL i'm 6'1 -160lbs. And yes on vacation i'm extremely lazy! I'm also not a morning person so I like to sleep on the train/plane at first....which is easier in one then the other.

Edited October 20, 2009 by Sousuke

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I wouldn't mind a long distance train trip - especially going from east to west.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I still like driving.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I still like driving.

Driving in NJ does have that Road Warrior appeal.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

well, no - i don't mean here.

nor do I mean down I95 to DC.

but just about anywhere else. The drive to Montreal is nice. The drive to Niagara is nice.

[Niels Bohr 72]

If I have 200 million dollars, I would never drive period. I would move to Boston. Everything is within walking distance. Buy a Presidential Suite Apartment. Wear dirty clothing to hide my rich appearance. Worst part of being rich in a big city is that people will rob any time. So, keep a low profile. Shop at the flea market or thrift store.