| planes | trains |
|---|---|
2 hour wait to get on | immediate bording |
partial undressing necessary - shoes, jackets, belts, etc | nobody expects me to take any of my clothes off |
groped or x-rayed by random people | no one cares |
16" of legroom, 24" of seat | 24" of legroom, 36" of seat |
the perils of assigned seating - annoying people, middle seats, drink cart elbow smashing, etc | choosing your own seat (adventure?) |
bag check fees, bag weight limits, carry-on limits | no fees, plenty of storage, no fighting for overhead compartment space |
few permissible times to leave your seat | you can always leave your seat |
no where to stand even when you do leave your seat | a whole car dedicated to dining; standing room at the end of each car |
tray tables | actual tables |
one outlet, if you're lucky | one outlet PER seat |
overly airconditioned, pressurized, germy ice cubes | the ability to go stand between cars and get fresh air |
crying babies, snoring passengers | the quiet car |
6" porthole windows | gigantic windows |
the view from 36,000 feet | the view of parts of america you may never have seen, up close |
annoying, controlling flight attendants | cheery conductors who make themselves scarce |
fast | slow |
All we have to do is make them faster and they'd be a clear winner. As it is, I still think they're a clear winner, it's just that sometimes scheduling necessitates a quicker method of transport, unfortunately. I am waiting for the train renaissance, man. People are going to have to realize one of these days what a worthwhile investment it is. Think of the jobs rennovating and expanding that kind of infrastructure could create! I own stock in several railroad companies - Norfolk Southern, CSX, etc. I really believe trains are the superior mode of transport, and I'm hoping, someday our country will come back around to that perspective.
Till then - CHOO CHOO!
3 comments:
I agree with your analysis. My only disagreement would be a government subsidy of this superior choice. I too favor the view, the extra room, the tables, the ability to really stand up and move around. I'll pay for a ticket and allow some of it to go to capital investment in faster delivery. I won't be happy to have my tax dollars given to those who can't make it in a free enterprise system.
You know, Dad, it doesn't actually say anywhere in my post that it's the government that should spend money on train infrastructure... just pointing that out! :) But thanks for the comment nonetheless.
The aviation industry was one of the most heavily subsidized by the government throughout the twentieth century. So to say they "made it" in a "free enterprise system" is nonsense.
Love,
Seth
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