I did not mean to imply that rail had any "right" to the passengers, just being a bit informal in the description. Faster transit was definitely the initial dr

I did not mean to imply that rail had any "right" to the passengers, just being a bit informal in the description. Faster transit was definitely the initial draw, but the implied status and luxury that early air travel provided was also important. The speed difference at the time was significant, but not as large as it is today -- NYC to Chicago was an overnight trip and you arrived blocks from the loop and in much better shape than you do today after enduring a similar trip.