[lbo-talk] Train vs Plane

[joanna]

Well, Jordan has a point about how big the U.S. is. But I disagree about 
the false romance of trains. Or, rather, the only reason it's false is 
because of the fact that trains right now are not that much more 
comfortable than planes and are unnecessarily slow.

I should be able to get on a bullet train from SF in the morning and get 
to NY the next morning. In a comfortable six seater/couchette, I should 
have myself a great day meeting people, chatting, reading a book, then 
have a great 8-hour sleep, and then arrive in New York fresh and rested.

I fly to NY fairly often and although the flight is six hours -- by the 
time I get to the airport, wait at the airport, board the plane, wait 
for takoff, land, get off the plane, get baggage, and get from the 
airport to the hote -- i have spent twelve hours travelling and it has 
all been EXCRUCIATING. And when I get to NY I am exhausted and 
irritated. Right now I pay 350 round trip on Jet Blue. But I would pay 
double that to do it comfortably on a train.

Joanna