AMTRAK Lately

[torinsmom]

I've travelled on Amtrak from Syracuse via NYC to Orlando several times in the past few years and here are my comments:

-You WILL arrive late
-You WILL depart from Orlando late
-Bathrooms get VERY nasty very quickly
-You WILL come to a complete stop for hours at a time and no one from Amtrak will tell you what's going on
-When the engine breaks down (3 for 4 on my trips) you'll have no electricity, no a/c, no working toilets...
-Paying the extra $$$ for a roomette is worth it just to have your own toilet
-Speaking of roomettes, I don't think they are ever cleaned. Bring your own pillow and blankets because the one's they give you are GROSS.
-Bring your own snacks because when the train is late by over 10 hours, they WILL run out of snacks and food
-The complete lack of security is alarming
-Your fellow travellers will range from friendly to downright scary

What drives me crazy about the train is that once you get on and get stuck in the middle of nowhere for hours on end, you can't get off no matter how bad it gets!

Next trip...I'll do the driving.

That being said, Amtrak beats Greyhound anyday. Options are so limited for non-flyers. Even though I'm no fan of Amtrak, I may try the Autotrain one day. I wish there was a cruise ship running up and down the eastern coast.

Total agreement here! And adding that even when they don't run out of snacks, they are higher than Disney prices!

I am definitely a laid back person, but I don't like to feel unsafe or that my child in unsafe. That is how I felt on the Amtrak. I prepared for most of the things above(delays especially), but I had never read that there were no security checks on luggage or persons. That was what scared me the most! It may not bother some people, but it did me.

As we have already said, everyone has a choice. Just make it an informed choice.

Marsha

 

[njchris]

I've taken the train every year for the past 5 years. From NJ to Orlando.

I always get a sleeper. I don't know if I could handle sharing a bathroom with a car-load of people.

I love taking it. It's so relaxing, and it's a great way to cap off the beginning and end of the trip. I'm doing it again in October.

As for security checks, there isnt any. BUT... I have never seen a problem of someone pulling out a gun or what-not. That's just fear based on no history.

Oops gotta run..work calls.

 

[torinsmom]

Well, noone had ever hijacked planes and plowed them into buildings before 9/11 either--I'm just sayin!

 

[sassy2]

Not since 2002, but DS and I will be taken Amtrak next week to Kissimmee Fla. from New York. I plan on taken a book, DVD player with ample movies and DS will be taken his Ipod. Since 9/11 he will not fly since I worked across the street from the towers, so what keeps him happy makes me happy.
CBR 7/3- 7/10

 

[Took]

I've taken the train every year for the past 5 years. From NJ to Orlando.

I always get a sleeper. I don't know if I could handle sharing a bathroom with a car-load of people.

I love taking it. It's so relaxing, and it's a great way to cap off the beginning and end of the trip. I'm doing it again in October.

As for security checks, there isnt any. BUT... I have never seen a problem of someone pulling out a gun or what-not. That's just fear based on no history.

Oops gotta run..work calls.

I agree. We're train people, too, despite delays and other difficulties BECAUSE there's no TSA and no security hassles. I love getting on the train, queitly take my seat, and enjoy the ride. Often, we also get a sleeper to avoid the crowd issues. That said, we have never taken the auto train as we don't live on the east coast, so I don't know what that experience would be like. Certainly, there are many folks who just aren't tempermentally suited to train travel; however, if gas prices go up much further, these folks may have to reconsider their options...

Took