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I don't disagree with your comment, but the thing that often gets lost in these discussions is that at least for the Empire Builder, people generally aren't usi
by tspike 9y ago
I don't disagree with your comment, but the thing that often gets lost in these discussions is that at least for the Empire Builder, people generally aren't using it to go from Chicago to Portland or Seattle.
Sure, a flight from Chicago to Seattle would be much faster and cheaper. But what about getting from Minot to Whitefish? Or Spokane to Wenatchee?
I personally use it 2-3 times a week to go between Bingen and Portland. Most of the people I ride with eastbound are going to Pasco or Sandpoint or Spokane, not Chicago.
- scyclow 9y agoThat's a fair point. As uneconomical as it is for Amtrak, there really isn't much in the way of long-distance transportation options for people in some of these small towns.
- rdl 9y agoBus? (Sometimes operated by Amtrak, even)
- scyclow 9y agoTechnically yes, but if I had to take a bus for 20+ hours I'd want to shoot myself.
- seanmcdirmid 9y agoI did it for 4 days (cross country for $49!) as a 16 year old. It is definitely an adventure.
- cc439 9y agoMost of those trips appear to be under 3.5 hours each way... Why not drive since it's likely faster and cheaper than the train?
- xvedejas 9y agoThat's just about the distance that I prefer to take Amtrak over driving or flying (mostly I travel SF <-> Fresno). I can get work done, unlike when driving, and I don't have to deal with all the pains of getting to the airport early and going through security.
- tehlike 9y agoUnsolicited advice: get yourself global entry.
- JBlue42 9y agoUnsolicited advice: Not everyone is into sacrificing money to avoid bullshit security theater that has been going on for 17 years. Trains have the beauty of being able to go to the station, hop on the train, hop off. No wait or lines. I've had great trips taking the subway to Union Station then a train to San Diego. If trains were more affordable, widespread, and faster, it'd probably help the US immensely.
- tehlike 9y agoIt may sound a bit arrogant, but global entry is 100$/5yrs, and TSA-pre is 80$ for similar amount of time. If you are well-off to be using air transportation, it would be worth it. Though, I might be agreeing with you on the utility of excessive security check. As a foreign national, I can tell you that US requires 4x the security checks in foreign airports in inbound flights to US.
- xvedejas 9y agoI already have global entry / TSA precheck. My preference is still for Amtrak for certain journeys. Consider that flying SF to Fresno costs hundreds of dollars each way. Amtrak costs $30.
- tehlike 9y agoSure i get that. But most cases global entry is a real time and stress saver.
- xyzzyz 9y agoFlying from Spokane to Wenatchee is really not much slower than Amtrak. It's probably much more expensive though.
- deleted 9y ago[deleted]
- envoked 9y agoWhoah, another Hacker News reader from Bingen/White Salmon?
- fisherjeff 9y agoI wouldn’t be surprised if there were a lot of gorge residents on here
- ta58787 9y agoAt least one more
- envoked 9y agoIs there/would y'all be interested in a mini HN reader meetup? Perhaps over beer in Hood River? I settled in White Salmon late last year due to its proximity to outdoor activities without knowing too much about the area. I'm surprised there's an underlying tech scene. I guess primarily due of Insitu?
- fisherjeff 9y agoYeah, Insitu’s definitely a big part of why there’s such a surprisingly big scene. I’m also always game for a malty beverage...
- tspike 9y agoSure, I'm up for it
- dominotw 9y agoI take it from chicago to kansas city couple of times a year and I see lots of Amish people on the train. Seems like a good option for people who can't take the plane. I would have never spoken to the amish if not for amtrak.
- theBobBob 9y agoMy knowledge of the Amish is obviously rather slim but why can't they take a plane but can take the bus? I know I that they shun most modern technology suite h as cars etc but I would have thought if they can't take a plane that they also wouldn't be able to take the train.
- dominotw 9y agoFrom what I gathered they live in communities spread across a small area of the state. They get on and get down at small towns that amtrak makes a stop, those towns are not served by airplanes. Not sure about technology thing though, never felt comfortable asking them about that :D.