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"enjoying comforts like ... the airport lounges." Hah! The credit card rewards ruined these. Now they're all crowded and it's just as hard to find a seat as it

"enjoying comforts like ... the airport lounges." Hah! The credit card rewards ruined these. Now they're all crowded and it's just as hard to find a seat as it is outside the lounge. Plus the food in them isn't that great anymore. The best benefit is usually a better view out the window. Real frequent fliers just get PreCheck+Clear and arrive at the airport closer to departure time. I did this same train journey myself back in 2012. Great memories! I just wish 2 things: 1) Amtrak wouldn't recycle the air on train carriages, it gets really stuffy. The downstairs washroom smells get mixed in too. 2) Single riders should be given both seats on these journeys. I was like 19 when I did this journey and an unusual middle aged lady was placed next to me. She kept asking me for medicines and fell asleep on my shoulder. Riding through the desert outside of Albuquerque during sunset was the highlight. Walk all the way to the back of the train, look at the back window, get a rare listen of the jointed (not welded) tracks. Here's my video of it -https://vimeo.com/57261056 https://vimeo.com/57261056

serf 4y ago
>2) Single riders should be given both seats on these journeys. I was like 19 when I did this journey and an unusual middle aged lady was placed next to me. She kept asking me for medicines and fell asleep on my shoulder. on one hand, I get it -- that experience would drive me nuts and I have had similar stuff occur. On the other hand , I've had a few good conversations with row-mates in planes. the forced interaction is getting more and more rare; personally I think it's fun to be taken out of my comfort zone and be shoved into it once in awhile -- plus Amtrak tickets don't need any more excuses to be as poorly priced as possible.
- kylehotchkiss 4y ago
  I had a few positive interactions with strangers on long distance trains - observation car and dining cars are really nice for that!
- jdwithit 4y ago
  If I'm by myself on a plane, I REALLY do not want to talk to my row mates. Getting sat with someone chatty is my nightmare. It's nothing personal. It's just that it's the very rare occasion I am not flying with my young kids and I am relishing the opportunity to play a video game or watch a movie or read without anyone bugging me :) The first time I had to travel for work after having kids was maybe the first time I'd actually enjoyed flying since pre-9/11. My point here isn't to crap on my kids, I love them dearly. But boy do they adjust your perception of everything.
  - oefrha 4y ago
    > Getting sat with someone chatty is my nightmare. Put on a headset (not earbuds) and most will take the hint. I’ve endured too many forced conversations on planes and trains, but not since I started doing that.
1123581321 4y ago
I'd love to get both chairs, but wouldn't they have to charge extra for both of them? The coach seating has been fairly full when I've ridden. I was the opposite of you; I was the young man who fell asleep on the shoulder of the woman next to me. She was nice about it but it was really embarrassing! Sleepers were cheaper, then, too, so I didn't save much by riding coach. The conversation with one of my breakfast table partners was the trip highlight. He was an elderly widower whose ride cross-country was a gift from his family. Good storyteller and he was pleased that I was happy to join him at his table, as opposed to a couple other introverts who scanned the dining car and left in a panic.
Klonoar 4y ago
>Now they're all crowded and it's just as hard to find a seat as it is outside the lounge. While I don't disagree with you, the seats in the lounges are still more comfortable than anything outside the lounges. Probably the only thing I still try them for at this point... maybe stronger wifi, depending on the airport.
Ephil012 4y ago
Amtrak might have recycled air in the past, but apparently they now intake fresh air with an exchange rate of 4-5 minutes. Source: https://www.amtrak.com/coronavirus https://www.amtrak.com/coronavirus
- graeme 4y ago
  That’s very impressive. Anyone have co2 measurements from a recent Amtrak train?
  - thadk 4y ago
    On recent long-haul trip on Acela I seem to recall low 1,000s PPM (65% full train across 7hr trip). On a regular train trip, a bit higher, like 1,250-1,900 PPM on a fairly packed train (10 hr trip). Both northeast corridor.

serf 4y ago

>2) Single riders should be given both seats on these journeys. I was like 19 when I did this journey and an unusual middle aged lady was placed next to me. She kept asking me for medicines and fell asleep on my shoulder. on one hand, I get it -- that experience would drive me nuts and I have had similar stuff occur. On the other hand , I've had a few good conversations with row-mates in planes. the forced interaction is getting more and more rare; personally I think it's fun to be taken out of my comfort zone and be shoved into it once in awhile -- plus Amtrak tickets don't need any more excuses to be as poorly priced as possible.

kylehotchkiss 4y ago
I had a few positive interactions with strangers on long distance trains - observation car and dining cars are really nice for that!
jdwithit 4y ago
If I'm by myself on a plane, I REALLY do not want to talk to my row mates. Getting sat with someone chatty is my nightmare. It's nothing personal. It's just that it's the very rare occasion I am not flying with my young kids and I am relishing the opportunity to play a video game or watch a movie or read without anyone bugging me :) The first time I had to travel for work after having kids was maybe the first time I'd actually enjoyed flying since pre-9/11. My point here isn't to crap on my kids, I love them dearly. But boy do they adjust your perception of everything.
- oefrha 4y ago
  > Getting sat with someone chatty is my nightmare. Put on a headset (not earbuds) and most will take the hint. I’ve endured too many forced conversations on planes and trains, but not since I started doing that.

1123581321 4y ago

I'd love to get both chairs, but wouldn't they have to charge extra for both of them? The coach seating has been fairly full when I've ridden. I was the opposite of you; I was the young man who fell asleep on the shoulder of the woman next to me. She was nice about it but it was really embarrassing! Sleepers were cheaper, then, too, so I didn't save much by riding coach. The conversation with one of my breakfast table partners was the trip highlight. He was an elderly widower whose ride cross-country was a gift from his family. Good storyteller and he was pleased that I was happy to join him at his table, as opposed to a couple other introverts who scanned the dining car and left in a panic.

Klonoar 4y ago

>Now they're all crowded and it's just as hard to find a seat as it is outside the lounge. While I don't disagree with you, the seats in the lounges are still more comfortable than anything outside the lounges. Probably the only thing I still try them for at this point... maybe stronger wifi, depending on the airport.

Ephil012 4y ago

Amtrak might have recycled air in the past, but apparently they now intake fresh air with an exchange rate of 4-5 minutes. Source: https://www.amtrak.com/coronavirus https://www.amtrak.com/coronavirus

graeme 4y ago
That’s very impressive. Anyone have co2 measurements from a recent Amtrak train?
- thadk 4y ago
  On recent long-haul trip on Acela I seem to recall low 1,000s PPM (65% full train across 7hr trip). On a regular train trip, a bit higher, like 1,250-1,900 PPM on a fairly packed train (10 hr trip). Both northeast corridor.