The only problem that I have with Amtrak is their disconnect with modern pricing for value of service.
Case in point being a train ride from say SF to Seattle is WAY more expensive than a flight, many times longer and other than no plane crash risks... what value is it for that price?
I find it akin to the guy on a slow sunday morning drive on an impassable two-lane highway where his old restored 1938 ford only goes 45 mph and the speed limit is 65 and there are mad waitresses trying to make it to clock-in time and the old guy is oblivious to other's need to be to work on time...
(this is a true story based on a close friend of mine who works at the French Laundry and is constantly thwarted by oblivious slow drivers)
It only makes sense if you value it based on other factors. Some of these items are more valuable to me than the cost. The time factors are difficult depending on your circumstances.
1) No TSA (at least when I last used it)
2) You can show up with a bicycle. They will provide a box and you pack it yourself. Your bicycle will not be molested.
3) You can get a private compartment and drink your own liquor
About 8 years ago I was caught off guard by TSA running a checkpoint at the Amtrak station in Chicago. I don’t know whether that was a common occurrence at the time, and I haven’t ridden in years, but certainly in the moment I was not enthused by the potential encroachment.
They deploy VIPR teams to do this. I’ve seen it twice (once as passive screening, the other was active screening) in the last two decades. As a regular transit and Amtrak user, I’d say it’s fairly rare.
A buddy of mine recently moved from DC to Florida. He tested the auto-train once, with his family of 7 and a car and the total cost was $1800. After COVID, it now costs double that. Now he just drives the 12 hours using a diesel pickup truck.
So they weren't always so disconnected from modern pricing, but I don't think the effects of COVID have fully played out across all the transportation options yet to know what 2021+ prices should look like.
The only problem that I have with Amtrak is their disconnect with modern pricing for value of service.
Case in point being a train ride from say SF to Seattle is WAY more expensive than a flight, many times longer and other than no plane crash risks... what value is it for that price?
I find it akin to the guy on a slow sunday morning drive on an impassable two-lane highway where his old restored 1938 ford only goes 45 mph and the speed limit is 65 and there are mad waitresses trying to make it to clock-in time and the old guy is oblivious to other's need to be to work on time...
(this is a true story based on a close friend of mine who works at the French Laundry and is constantly thwarted by oblivious slow drivers)