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Mr.Nicholson, I will be the first to note that this material is an interesting read, and simply a testament to not even THINK about overnight travel in Coach.
I do however, think a warning should be noted that coarse language is contained within such. Also, it appears the author is female gender.
However, it appears that the interior of the A-II Coach is clean and in good mechanical order.
All told, travel by any means of commercial transportation is a communal experience. Your companions beyond your party are not of your choosing. For example, on the flight home from Munich on Monday (I think I am now recovered from such) in Business Class, I was seated next to a lady who was in Finance and who enjoyed good wines and classical music. (I remarked to her before takeoff that Ace Greenberg of Bear Stearns "fame" had died and showed her the article in the International WSJ. She said "Oh I knew Ace").
But beyond that she flashed, the signals of "if you have to get out bother me, otherwise don't"
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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I am laughing at this article, because it looks like it could have been written by me! That is, if I did the unthinkable and traveled overnight in coach on Amtrak.
I think the author nailed it, describing exactly what it's like to ride overnight coach on Amtrak. I know that EVERY journey is not like this, but most are. My buddy and I (whom I'm traveling with in September on the Sunset/Eagle to Little Rock) like to play a game we call, "Guess the coach passengers!". At the station before we get on, we observe and report to each other who will be in the sleepers and who will be in coach. We get almost all of them right, most of the time. A few surprises here and there, but not many.
I know, there are people on here who love coach and have overnighted for years and love it, and have never ever encountered any of these problems. I don't know how that's possible, but I'm glad you have never experienced this. Every long-distance train I've ever been on overnight----without exception----is like walking into a parole office when I have to walk through coach (especially at night) to get to the snack car. It's sleeper for me or I won't go.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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I think the title says it all "the decline of American culture". She encountered a culture, more so than an Amtrak train.
I used to like taking a train to cities such as Seattle and Portland and walk around the town, a bit. My interest has ebbed. So many street peddlers and unsavory types on the street these days. I'm getting tired of getting hit up for money 10 steps away from my downtown hotel.
Getting back to Amtrak, I agree with everyone that a sleeper is the only acceptable way to travel long distance.
Richard
Posts: 1909 | From: Santa Rosa | Registered: Jan 2004
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"Interesting" Website that this comes from. Not my cup of tea for sure.
I have traveled the Lake Shore Ltd (both coach and sleeper) for the past 20+ years and have never had a bad experience.
Are there a few "oddballs" that one may encounter once in a while on Amtrak ..... sure .... but no more than in the local supermarket, the local Target etc.
Same on all other Amtrak routes, most of which I have traveled at least once.
Posts: 460 | From: North Central CT | Registered: May 2004
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If you read the comments, many take issue with this author's view of train travel.
I tried a link to another article she wrote, and came away thinking the only thing worse than riding Amtrak was spending time in Las Vegas. Maybe there is something she likes (other than Jim Beam?), but I didn't find it in her writings. Maybe we could suggest the Zephyr and a large bottle of Jameson.
Posts: 1572 | From: St. Paul, MN | Registered: Dec 2002
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I found this article on a website called traintraveling.com It links to almost any article worldwide concerning rail travel, either long distance or urban transit. But the website doesn't make distinctions as to the other content of the source material. I thought about this, but I felt we were all grown - ups here. Sorry if anyone took offense. But I'm glad someone read the comments where most people disagreed with the author.
Posts: 510 | From: Richmond VA USA | Registered: Mar 2004
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It appears that this individual's forte is a stand up comedienne.
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Las Vegas worse than riding Amtrak? Well we sure don't agree on that one. I had a personal goal, for personal reasons which I may share someday on here, but my goal was to go to Las Vegas as many times as possible in a 7 year period and stay in every hotel on the Strip at least once. I accomplished that goal, and went 75 times and stayed in some hotels over and over and over again because they treated me so well (Wynn/Encore, Venetian/Palazzo, Cosmopolitan, and Mirage).
Here is what I have learned about Las Vegas in my 75 visits, and it was a very important lesson for me to learn: Las Vegas is a COMPLETELY different city on Friday and Saturday nights. For that reason, I made it a point to never EVER travel to Vegas on weekends (or Fridays). The LA party crowd and the LA gang crowd all begin arriving on Friday afternoon, and they don't leave until Sunday at various times. But if you go to Vegas on a Monday through Thursday, it's a really great city. The difference is unbelievable. I did not feel safe being in Las Vegas on a weekend night, so I ended up staying in my room and ordering room service. I read people very well (I was actually a court certified expert in "reading people" at one point in my career, which I can explain if anyone is interested), and when I started reading the people around me on the weekends, it creeped me out. But once I started showing up on weekdays only, it was great and I rarely encountered the type of crowds that make the hair on the back of my neck stand up (which is what kept me alive during my police career. If something doesn't seem right, trust your gut----because for some reason, your gut is usually right). The close calls I've had......I think cops must walk around with Guardian Angels watching over them because of the situations they get into. Anyway, I'm straying too far off-topic here.
Back to trains: I really wish 35/36 were never cancelled (Desert Wind). It was so nice to be able to fly to Chicago, stay overnight, then hop on 35 to Vegas, spend a few days there, and then either Amtrak home or in my situation, SWA home (since 35 went to LAUPT and I needed San Jose). Will Vegas EVER get passenger rail service? It sure doesn't seem like it. And has anyone noticed that "The X Train" has quietly disappeared? They were a scam from the beginning IMHO.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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Anybody can "publish" a story on the Internet these days. I doubt that story would have made it anywhere near mainstream media - though, of course, "professional" travel writers are not exactly unbiased due to subsidized travel and fully comped meals/rooms.
Smitty, my last trip to Vegas (now only a 2.5 hour drive from here) was virtually free: hotel on the credit card points; Meat Loaf tickets not free but more than made up by winnings on a game I'd never played before and realized was actually a minor cash generator - Jacks or Better - but only where there are options to double your money (Harrah's yes; Planet Hollywood no). Only $250 out but I went home with a smile! I try to learn the strategies for such games but don't have a hope of learning all the strategies for one game, let alone multiple. There are apps for mobile phones that let you learn - though obviously not while in the casinos!
As for train service... I'll stand.
-------------------- Geoff M. Posts: 2426 | From: Apple Valley, CA | Registered: Sep 2000
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Nice job on the freebies, Geoff!! It doesn't matter how you get them----as long as you get them. I almost never pay for my suites in Vegas any more I've got three offers sitting here right now: 1) Cosmopolitan, 2) Red Rock, and 3) Hardrock. 3 is "out" because I am not a party person who is a "beautiful person" who hangs out in a party pool bumping elbows, surrounded by marijuana smoke. Red Rock is definitely an option. Off-Strip, but an awesome property with plenty to do INSIDE the casino/hotel. A really nice food court with stuff we can't get here in my area, an AMC movie theater with super comfy seats, a HUGE bowling alley, lots of blackjack tables, lots of restaurants and a fantastic buffet...love, love, love Red Rock!! And finally---Cosmo. Gorgeous hotel right there in the middle of it all.
All free for 3 days/2 nights (midweek). Hmmmm.....which one to pick? I'm leaning towards Red Rock. Still not sure though.
And if you guys want any of these freebies, just pick up a free Player's Card at the hotel/casino where you would like to get free room invitations. Go use your Player's Card on whatever game you like (slots, blackjack, whatever). Play whatever amount you want----the key is just to get some action logged onto your car. Then the free offers will start pouring in. That's how you do it.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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Smitty, I haven't been near The Meadows since 2K (GF whose daughter lived in San Bernardino is now deceased) and I doubt if Red Rock was even there at that time.
But that place certainly seems "away from the action" and which would appeal to the crowd that wants to go to a self contained resort and simply stay there for the duration (that was me of sorts in Salzburg last week, where the only thing taking away from the picture postcard setting were the Gypsies "making their living". Most annoying was one under a railroad bridge near my hotel playing his one song repertoire - don't forget to feed the juke box).
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Red Rock Canyon and State Park, separate from Red Rock Hotel and Casino, is absolutely beautiful and worth the visit alone. Many tourists don't even know it's there. It's called Red Rock because the rock formations are, literally, red. They have a road (12 miles I think?) that is one-way only and takes you into the park, does one big loop, and then takes you back out of the park. You can drive it, walk it, hike it, or do what I did---rent these three wheeled scooter things and take a guided tour. It was a lot of fun! The temps in Vegas can be 110, but once you get back into the canyon, especially in the shade, it drops to the lower 50s and cooler. I showed up for the tour in shorts, no knowing any better. It was freezing back there with SNOW ON THE GROUND, even though Vegas itself was 100+.
A lot of hikers and campers use this park because it's so beautiful, yet close to Vegas at the same time.
And the Red Rock resort itself, ah yes, it is self-contained and very enjoyable. They are part of the "Stations" casino brand, which has been in trouble lately (economically). I hope they stick around because this place is so unique and fun.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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Smitty, I bowled at Red Rock shortly after it first opened and agree that it is beautiful. And the Red Rock Park is also a treat. Good for birding in the early morning. And a great drive through viewing treat.
We run a bowling tournament in Vegas every Labor Day weekend at Sam's Town. Interesting that most of our bowlers gamble enough to earn free rooms for the next year. We are down to only needing to use our package for five rooms for our forty bowlers. Sadly, we are not among those who get the free rooms. I guess we don't gamble enough. Art plays table poker only and that doesn't generate any free stuff.
-------------------- Vicki in usually sunny Southern California Posts: 951 | From: Redondo Beach, CA | Registered: Aug 2006
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I have a Total Rewards card but haven't (to my knowledge) earned anything to date. Mind you, I've probably not put more than a few hundred dollars cash in!
Some time ago I was advised to get an IHG VISA (now Mastercard) credit card. There was a promo where you got instant Platinum status, and it's easy to maintain. The renewal rate is something like $49 per year and you get free night(s) regardless of spend, so it's a no-brainer. The problem? Every man and his dog is also Platinum status. "Free" nights for spend: yes; upgrades: rarer than rocking horse dung.
-------------------- Geoff M. Posts: 2426 | From: Apple Valley, CA | Registered: Sep 2000
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Red Rock does sound like a nice spot, and perhaps a little more "family friendly" than the LV Strip casinos (?). I thought, for a moment, the reference was to the "River Rock" casino which is up my way.
We have Horizon (Alaska) flying out of Santa Rosa. Horizon used to have a direct flight from SR to Las Vegas, but no longer. I guess there's always the Zephyr to Reno for gambling, although Reno is a pretty dumpy town.
Has anyone been to Laughlin, Nevada? I had a friend who would take a bus, every summer, from Scottsdale, AZ to Laughlin, NV for a weekend of gambling. He really enjoyed Laughlin.
Richard
Posts: 1909 | From: Santa Rosa | Registered: Jan 2004
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Laughlin is very nice with good rates for nice hotels. They have bowling too!
Going there in the summer is not my idea of fun, it is even warmer than Vegas, 110 plus. In the winter it is lovely as all the hotels are right on the Colorado River, the views are lovely and walking between hotel/casinos along the river is very nice.
-------------------- Vicki in usually sunny Southern California Posts: 951 | From: Redondo Beach, CA | Registered: Aug 2006
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RIchard--You can fly commercially into Laughlin-Bullhead Airport, and it's right there next to everything so it's not a long taxi ride or anything. It's very convenient. However, the two airlines that fly there are as follows:
-Sun Country Airlines I think they are a charter as well, but you can easily fly with them as part of a charter group as far as I recall. Their info it at:
For anyone who visits this airport, if you see a 747SP, or a 757, 767, L-1011, or Gulfstream jets that are all white with a blue and white stripe on the tail (and I think blue on the bottom of the fuselage), those aircraft are all owned by the Sands Corporation, which is the Venetian/Palazzo (Sheldon Adelson). I'm not sure why, but he keeps some of his planes at Vegas, and some at Laughlin. They did have two 747 SPs, but I believe he sold one of them to a Saudi Prince.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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Thanks for the information, Smitty. I've never heard of Allegiant Airlines but I see, from their interactive map, they fly all over the country.
There is a new casino about 20 min south of Santa Rosa called the Graton Resort and Casino. I really wish it never came into being. Local polling showed nobody wanted it. The freeway traffic has increased with buses of gamblers coming up from the SF Bay Area. It also consumes a lot of water in our drought-stricken area. We all think that some local politicians were paid off for backing the building of the casino.
If you wanted to go by train to Laughlin, I see there is a bus connection, with the SW Chief, out of Kingman, Az. (Kingman-Laughlin-Las Vegas). However, a late hour connection. The bus leaves Kingman at 11:50 PM and on the return, it leaves Laughlin at 12:01 AM.
Richard
Posts: 1909 | From: Santa Rosa | Registered: Jan 2004
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Remember, most folks here enjoy rail travel on its face. This was her first and perhaps her last experience.
Good news reaches a few. Bad news reaches many.
This wasn't good for Amtrak. That is all.
-------------------- The City of Saint Louis (UP, 1967) is still my standard for passenger operations Posts: 1404 | Registered: Oct 2001
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