I'm on a train

"Jayhawk Jake" (jayhawkjake)
12/30/2014 at 16:27 • Filed to: None

Since I live in Kansas and grew up in Houston...

Public transit confuses me. I hope I don't get lost

DISCUSSION (9)

djmt1 > Jayhawk Jake
12/30/2014 at 16:35

Considering I live in a city where a train comes every two minutes, I tend to break down when I'm deprived of good Public transport.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Jayhawk Jake
12/30/2014 at 16:56

Public transit?

is that where my Bentley gets a new driver?

Kinja'd!!!

Dusty Ventures > Jayhawk Jake
12/30/2014 at 17:00

Are we talking metro rail kind of train or Amtrak kind of train. Because I love me some Amtrak.

Jayhawk Jake > Dusty Ventures
12/30/2014 at 17:32

Metro, though it did end up at an Amtrak station. I took a train from the airport to the big station in the city, then got lost. Finally found the subway and rode that to the Liberty Bell. Then I took an Uber to get a Cheesesteak.

I think I'll stick to Uber

Jayhawk Jake > djmt1
12/30/2014 at 17:34

The times I've used it I certainly appreciate it. It really is a great way to get around, but this being the first time I've used it without my brother who lived in NY for 3ish years and knows his way around a train system I found it a bit overwhelming

Dusty Ventures > Jayhawk Jake
12/30/2014 at 17:43

Yeah, metro rail is akin to riding a city bus but with more noise and more swaying about, and subways are like riding a swaying, noisy city bus in a tunnel.

But Amtrak and other long-distance trains, easily my favorite form of public travel, even over flying. Seats are spacious and comfortable, with good legroom and width, and they usually have proper recline. The cars have had free wi-fi and 120V power outlets for at least six years now, and when you want to stretch your legs you can get up and walk about the train. Hell, you can start walking laps, all the way from the front of the first car to the back of the last and no one will say anything about it. And when you're hungry you can go to the dining car, get a menu, order you food (OMG, ACTUAL OPTIONS!) and sit down at a proper dining table to eat it. And that's with a coach class ticket. Nevermind the luxury that comes with a sleeping car on one of those long train journeys. Plus no TSA, no waiting at the terminal/station for an hour plus before your departure. It doesn't have the glorious scenery or the speed of flying, but the comfort of the journey is so much better.

Jayhawk Jake > Dusty Ventures
12/30/2014 at 17:47

I'd take a train if there were decent options. I think I could catch one in Kansas City or Oklahoma City, but plane tickets cost the same or less.

I like flying so much that I flat out don't understand people's complaints with it. I do not empathize at all. I've never been disgruntled while traveling by air. Flight delayed 3 hours? It sucks, but oh well. Long line at security? Still better than a 10 hour drive. I still have a child-like wonder of the whole thing that the only time I'm unhappy flying is when I don't get a window seat

Dusty Ventures > Jayhawk Jake
12/30/2014 at 17:54

Don't get me wrong, I love planes and I love flying. The best job I ever had was still when I was a baggage handler for Northwest because I got to play with airplanes! My brother's an engineer at Pratt and currently building a Vans RV8 in the garage and I think that's the coolest thing in the world. But at the same time there's something to be said for the space and freedom of a train ride. I like being able to get up, sit elsewhere, and even spread out on an entire table to do my thing. And again, free wi-fi.

I do still fly most places, though. I only take the train when the journey's too short for a plane to be practical (in other words when the train gets me there in less than 5 hours). Window seat on the plane is an absolute must though. I've gone so far as to change my flight on one occasion just to get a window.

Architect > Jayhawk Jake
12/30/2014 at 21:31

I once took Amtrak from Topeka to Washington D.C.

It took two entire days.