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This is correct. My beef these days is with the "cow in the corral" nature of traveling these days at the airport and on the plane. But I'm retired, don't need to get there fast, and am sometimes in the mood to let the traveling be part of the trip. The routes, however, are really bad. Things have gone downhill so that one has to detour up to Chicago to get from Florida to LA, and going from Seattle to Florida is equally awful.
I love train travel, not Amtrak though.
The Amtrak service is very very sporadic, unless you live in northwest or west coast. In Texas, most cities are not served at all. For those served, the routes are very limited.
Many train lovers have to change their travel plan to accommodate the Amtrak routes. For example, some people fly to Seattle to enjoy the scenic train ride along west coast all the way to SoCal. If you happen to live in a smaller city, and you happen to have the need to travel to the other side of the country, the chances are you have to make multiple transfers if you want to travel with Amtrak.
I'm moving to a city with no train service this August. Too bad I'll have to fly again. I can't fly without Xanax, for my fear of flight is quite bothersome.
Location: Was Midvalley Oregon; Now Eastside Seattle area
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We take the Amtrak Cascades regularly. 210 miles, 5.5 hours. We can normally drive it in 4hours+/-. But we are retired and driving is a chore for me the driver and the anxiety of the copilot (wife). I-5 is now pretty crowded all the way. Last time we drove it took us 11 hours, on a Sat, we left early. Police action cause a complete northbound I-5 closure. No place to pee for the ladies in the car.
I we rather take the Cascades because I am not required to sit with wife. Wife can stretch out and sleep or internet. And I can go to the club car or find other seating.
I will go about 1200 miles one-way on Amtrak this fall (rt 2400). It will take about 23 hours each way. I will have a roomette which includes all meals. I will walk around as I please, meet interesting people, see some scenery, read, work on my laptop. When I drive that distance I seldom drive more than 400 miles a day, stay two nights in a hotel, buy gas and food, pay tolls, and cover any wear and tear on my car (broken windshield last time). When I price out the comparison costs Amtrak is a little more expensive but much more comfortable. I will rent a car so that will be the major extra expense. I have taken Amtrak many times over the last few decades and have not had a serious delay or horrific experience that some people like to relate. I have had much worse experiences flying and generally refuse to do so now. Airlines should pay us to fly and subject ourselves to the abuse and hostility.
too expensive to go on a roomette, almost 700 bucks roundtrip. CRAZY! and because it stops in every single little town, a six hour trip takes nine hours. Plus its always late two hours... so no thanks
Well.. The roomette price does include meals. Though, now those meals are pretty poor quality, being pre-packaged stuff.
So.. I didn't realize that before.. And while that doesn't make the price a bargain or anything.. It does make it a little better.
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