Comments on: Thank You for Flying Amtrak http://crankyflier.com/2007/04/25/thank-you-for-flying-amtrak/ Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:25:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Steve http://crankyflier.com/2007/04/25/thank-you-for-flying-amtrak/comment-page-1/#comment-3296 Steve Tue, 31 Jul 2007 20:47:19 +0000 http://crankyflier.com/2007/04/25/thank-you-for-flying-amtrak/#comment-3296 While I love European trains and support the development of similar high-speed services in the USA, I want to step up and defend Amtrak as a great alternative to air travel even on long distance routes. If you have the time, Amtrak offers comfortable long-distance overnight (and multi-night) trains with nice sleeping accomodations and real dining cars. The scenery and on-board company of fellow passengers and Amtrak staff is always part of the fun. Also on many routes, the National Parks Service does a play-by-play enroute. the train is no alternative on a three-day business trip, but if you've got more time the journey starts when you leave the station and NOT when the plane finally lands and reaches the gate. While I love European trains and support the development of similar high-speed services in the USA, I want to step up and defend Amtrak as a great alternative to air travel even on long distance routes.

If you have the time, Amtrak offers comfortable long-distance overnight (and multi-night) trains with nice sleeping accomodations and real dining cars. The scenery and on-board company of fellow passengers and Amtrak staff is always part of the fun. Also on many routes, the National Parks Service does a play-by-play enroute.

the train is no alternative on a three-day business trip, but if you’ve got more time the journey starts when you leave the station and NOT when the plane finally lands and reaches the gate.

]]> By: Jason Darling http://crankyflier.com/2007/04/25/thank-you-for-flying-amtrak/comment-page-1/#comment-668 Jason Darling Wed, 25 Apr 2007 22:37:37 +0000 http://crankyflier.com/2007/04/25/thank-you-for-flying-amtrak/#comment-668 Excellent write up. Additionally, trains are far less of a contributor to global warming than planes. Look at this site- http://www.seat61.com/Pop-up-flights.htm I'm headed to Europe this summer and will us trains throughout my travels to various countries. Excellent write up. Additionally, trains are far less of a contributor to global warming than planes. Look at this site- http://www.seat61.com/Pop-up-flights.htm I’m headed to Europe this summer and will us trains throughout my travels to various countries.

]]> By: Tyler http://crankyflier.com/2007/04/25/thank-you-for-flying-amtrak/comment-page-1/#comment-662 Tyler Wed, 25 Apr 2007 16:32:33 +0000 http://crankyflier.com/2007/04/25/thank-you-for-flying-amtrak/#comment-662 The trains in Europe are fantastic. They're more convenient, cheaper, and more comfortable than America's airline network. Every city, town, and village is connected, and the major rail lines even connect with local public transportation. There's no question that a vast rail network would have been the better way to go in the U.S., especially with how sprawling it is. But it ever took off- some blame Henry Ford and the auto industry for lobbying congress away from supporting the rails in light of cars. Whether that's true or not, Amtrak doesn't connect to a lot of the country. They're too slow to be a true alternative to air travel, and Amtrak doesn't project a reputation of safety, speed, cleanliness and efficiency. The trains in Europe are fantastic. They’re more convenient, cheaper, and more comfortable than America’s airline network. Every city, town, and village is connected, and the major rail lines even connect with local public transportation. There’s no question that a vast rail network would have been the better way to go in the U.S., especially with how sprawling it is. But it ever took off- some blame Henry Ford and the auto industry for lobbying congress away from supporting the rails in light of cars. Whether that’s true or not, Amtrak doesn’t connect to a lot of the country. They’re too slow to be a true alternative to air travel, and Amtrak doesn’t project a reputation of safety, speed, cleanliness and efficiency.

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