General Discussion

mnhtnbb

(31,382 posts)

18. You might want to ride the train before you start in on me.

Sun May 26, 2019, 10:58 AM

May 2019

I've been riding trains in the US all my life. Commuter trains in to NY from Jersey suburbs. Trains across country in the 50's and 60's because my father didn't like flying and wasn't going to drive from NJ to CA to visit relatives. Trains up and down the coast of CA. Trains from NC to DC and to NY and back. Next week I'll take the train to Charleston, SC rather than drive.

Most of the people I now see riding trains are folks who probably can't afford to fly or people with time (retirees or students) or people who may not have cars or prefer the train to a bus.

It doesn't take a month to go places on the east coast. It does take longer on the train than driving or flying, thanks to the fact we don't have fast trains in the US. We can thank the oil/gas industry and auto lobbies for that.

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36 replies

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Highlight:

Could you give up flying? Meet the no-plane pioneers [View all] Demovictory9 May 2019 OP

I am taking the train to NY in September mnhtnbb May 2019 #1

I recently took a train from Charlotte to Seattle. And back. cwydro May 2019 #8

I am a cautious flyer as well... Phentex May 2019 #11

I loved flying but Sherman A1 May 2019 #2

I never liked flying - guess who stays awake during a red eye listening to engines. Vinca May 2019 #3

I will join as soon as we have train service across the US and passenger sinkingfeeling May 2019 #4

I haven't flown in at least 15 years, but we don't travel much. Luciferous May 2019 #5

I'd happily never fly again Thyla May 2019 #6

As an American living in Europe with family and job center in the USA DFW May 2019 #7

I expect to never again fly HAB911 May 2019 #9

This doesn't add up. KentuckyWoman May 2019 #10

Those of us who are retired or self employed mnhtnbb May 2019 #12

Very few KentuckyWoman May 2019 #13

The 1% aren't taking the train. mnhtnbb May 2019 #14

Not what I meant KentuckyWoman May 2019 #15

You might want to ride the train before you start in on me. mnhtnbb May 2019 #18

I am not your enemy. KentuckyWoman May 2019 #21

Your response to me was snotty. mnhtnbb May 2019 #23

For me, the journey would be the destination. Aristus May 2019 #26

in the past 30 years I have flown 5 times so Akacia May 2019 #16

Easily. I hate to fly. smirkymonkey May 2019 #17

I'd love to give up flying, when teleporting is available. SharonClark May 2019 #19

No. My job requires I fly frequently. Nt hack89 May 2019 #20

Commercial aircraft get between 90-100MPG per average passenger. TheBlackAdder May 2019 #22

I just had two turbulent flights-from-Hell this last week to Colorado and back. Aristus May 2019 #24

Ah, but have you seen.... DFW May 2019 #35

Unless it's going to take more than two days to drive there MurrayDelph May 2019 #25

I haven't flown anywhere in Ilsa May 2019 #27

I was on a plane once. House of Roberts May 2019 #28

Impractical ideas like this will not save the planet Downtown Hound May 2019 #29

It must be nice to have all that free time. MineralMan May 2019 #30

No. I'm sure it must be nice to have all that time and money and a boss who'll pay your way Hekate May 2019 #31

I last flew in 1983 trackfan May 2019 #32

Give up flying? Sure, but it would take some time to get anywere mitch96 May 2019 #33

I cannot take two weeks to get somewhere, that's for sure Skittles May 2019 #34

Flying isn't what it used to be. Liberal In Texas May 2019 #36