June 23th 2008 Ride# 34 BOS-PHL
I had 12 coupons for 1st class upgrades, so I used one. It found my self in a car full of lawyers.
A couple of them where talking about how one of their associated had negotiated country club membership dues as part of making partner.
On a completely unrelated note: the windows are huge compared to the plane. Even if you don't have a window seat, the views are great. The view of the New York sky line is always excellent.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
2nd plane ride confirms, the train is better.
June 20th 2008 Ride# 33 BOS-PHL
Because I was taking the plane, I had to book a Saturday morning flight. The red line had a problem, so I got to the airport with only an hour to spare. I got in, and there was a huge line to check in. Such a feeling of dread. I did get on my plane though. I'm 6'1", and my knees where touching the seat in front of me. The guy next to me was bigger. I don't know how he could stand the ride.
Because I was taking the plane, I had to book a Saturday morning flight. The red line had a problem, so I got to the airport with only an hour to spare. I got in, and there was a huge line to check in. Such a feeling of dread. I did get on my plane though. I'm 6'1", and my knees where touching the seat in front of me. The guy next to me was bigger. I don't know how he could stand the ride.
Monday, June 16, 2008
The train has so much less drama.
It's been a while since I've been on a plane, so I had forgotten how much drama and showmanship there is.
They make such a drama about getting through security. (Terrorists take note: Don't think Amtrak is lax, I usually see armed Amtrak police on the train.)
There is a whole high school drama production that goes on when you get on the plane.
With the train, you just get on and get off. They will catch up to you if you try to get on without a ticket, or stay on past your stop, but the train has a whole lot less staged drama.
The attendants in 1st class are a lot more like regular folks. They really do their job with pride, but they are much warmer and much more accessible than the flight crew on a plane.
They make such a drama about getting through security. (Terrorists take note: Don't think Amtrak is lax, I usually see armed Amtrak police on the train.)
There is a whole high school drama production that goes on when you get on the plane.
With the train, you just get on and get off. They will catch up to you if you try to get on without a ticket, or stay on past your stop, but the train has a whole lot less staged drama.
The attendants in 1st class are a lot more like regular folks. They really do their job with pride, but they are much warmer and much more accessible than the flight crew on a plane.
Latest arrival so far!
June 15th 2008 Ride# 32 PHL-BOS
Because of track maintenance, I decided to take the plane.
Seemed like a good deal- pay a little more, save some time. Well, it didn't work out that way. The plane was delayed 2 hours making me get back later and pay more.
To make matters worse, the shuttle bus from the airport broke down, and the subway was on single track.
On the plus side, the airline gave me an automated call telling me that the plane was delayed.
Because of track maintenance, I decided to take the plane.
Seemed like a good deal- pay a little more, save some time. Well, it didn't work out that way. The plane was delayed 2 hours making me get back later and pay more.
To make matters worse, the shuttle bus from the airport broke down, and the subway was on single track.
On the plus side, the airline gave me an automated call telling me that the plane was delayed.
I decided to bite the bullet
June 13th 2008 Ride# 32 BOS-PHL
Because of the track maintainance, I decided to bite the bullet and for the first time, buy a 1st class ticket. I thought that the train would be full and I would not be able to use my upgrade coupons.
Well, I was half right. One of the conductors said that business class was packed because a regional train had broken down, and our train had to abosorbe them.
The displaced passengers where not allowed into 1st class, so the 1st class car was only half full.
Because of the track maintainance, I decided to bite the bullet and for the first time, buy a 1st class ticket. I thought that the train would be full and I would not be able to use my upgrade coupons.
Well, I was half right. One of the conductors said that business class was packed because a regional train had broken down, and our train had to abosorbe them.
The displaced passengers where not allowed into 1st class, so the 1st class car was only half full.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Because of track maintainance, I'll be flying.
Well, the plane does not leave Friday for any kind of reasonable price. I suppose it's because they know most business travelers don't want to spend the extra money on a hotel room.
I have an apartment, so it doesn't cost me any extra to leave Saturday morning.
I'm not afraid of flying. (Maybe I should be. I once was in a plane where the wing scraped the dirt during a wind sheer.) I just dread the hassle of the airport.
One advantage going on the train so much is that Amtrak has reciprocity with Continental for their 1st class waiting rooms. To bad I don't drink. The Continental President's club has free booze.
I have an apartment, so it doesn't cost me any extra to leave Saturday morning.
I'm not afraid of flying. (Maybe I should be. I once was in a plane where the wing scraped the dirt during a wind sheer.) I just dread the hassle of the airport.
One advantage going on the train so much is that Amtrak has reciprocity with Continental for their 1st class waiting rooms. To bad I don't drink. The Continental President's club has free booze.
Maintanance rescheduled!
http://www.wbru.com/index.php/2008/06/12/amtrak-rescheduling-replacement-of-thames-river-bridge/
It looks like the trains be out north of NYC most of next week!
It looks like the trains be out north of NYC most of next week!
Monday, June 9, 2008
June 8th 2008 Ride# 31 PHL-BOS
Richard Gere sat down across from me. I think he got on at Stamford CT, and got off Providence RI. He was wearing a Yankees baseball cap. Another passenger said that he got on the train with the bill of the hat down, hiding his face. He left a container of almonds. I thought about trying to sell it on e-bay. I decided not to. (No I don’t have it.)
The conductor said that the train couldn’t run full speed because it was more than 97F. We came in to Boston about 1 hour late.
The conductor said that the train couldn’t run full speed because it was more than 97F. We came in to Boston about 1 hour late.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
June 6th 2008 Ride# 30 BOS-PHL
The ceiling and iron work at the 1st class waiting room seem to be from an age when the railroads had an amazing amount of money. They are so ornate and have so much hand work, I doubt they would ever be duplicated today.
My coupon worked. I went over to the 1st class attendant at exactly one hour before my train departed. 1st class is a little more than ½ full, so I probably would have been able to upgrade even if I had waited a little longer.
Half the train usually empties out at NYC, which means on the PHL-BOS trip, if I get a lousy seat, I can almost always get a better one when the train stops in NYC. I read some stats that something like 52% of Amtrak riders nationwide are from NYC. That would mean that a huge proportion of the Acela riders would be going to and from NYC.
On the BOS-PHL ride, it’s easy to get a good seat because the train originates in Boston. You just have to ask what track the train is on, then get in line at about 4:05pm. They’ll usually announce at about 4:10pm that the train is boarding.
I am in the 1st class handicap seat. I have plenty of room, and the table is big enough for me to use my mouse. To my left is a man reading a stapled paper with a large graph on the front the title is “Greed and Fear”. (No I’m not making this up.) He has a Perrier. There is a woman farther down reading the Wall Street Journal.
Last week when I couldn’t get an upgrade, as a consequence, I met the most interesting woman in business class. Her name was Janet, and she was a psycho linguist from NYC. I had one and only one psycholinguistics course in college. It was taught by Murray Myron, who tracked down criminals by clues in their communication. I recall seeing his picture in the New York Times after the cult fiasco in Waco Texas. He had predicted that the cult was looking forward to a bright future because they were negotiating a book deal with a publisher right up to the end.
Anyway, she wasn’t that kind of psycholinguist; she helped diagnose childhood diseases in the autism spectrum. She was also trained as an audiologist.
She was going up to Boston for a couple days to help her daughter who was going through a very difficult trial. Although her daughter was not in trouble, her worried look reminded me of the time I was in court to testify against a teenage boy who had stolen my car. He was late to arrive, and I will never forget that worried look that only a mother can have.
My coupon worked. I went over to the 1st class attendant at exactly one hour before my train departed. 1st class is a little more than ½ full, so I probably would have been able to upgrade even if I had waited a little longer.
Half the train usually empties out at NYC, which means on the PHL-BOS trip, if I get a lousy seat, I can almost always get a better one when the train stops in NYC. I read some stats that something like 52% of Amtrak riders nationwide are from NYC. That would mean that a huge proportion of the Acela riders would be going to and from NYC.
On the BOS-PHL ride, it’s easy to get a good seat because the train originates in Boston. You just have to ask what track the train is on, then get in line at about 4:05pm. They’ll usually announce at about 4:10pm that the train is boarding.
I am in the 1st class handicap seat. I have plenty of room, and the table is big enough for me to use my mouse. To my left is a man reading a stapled paper with a large graph on the front the title is “Greed and Fear”. (No I’m not making this up.) He has a Perrier. There is a woman farther down reading the Wall Street Journal.
Last week when I couldn’t get an upgrade, as a consequence, I met the most interesting woman in business class. Her name was Janet, and she was a psycho linguist from NYC. I had one and only one psycholinguistics course in college. It was taught by Murray Myron, who tracked down criminals by clues in their communication. I recall seeing his picture in the New York Times after the cult fiasco in Waco Texas. He had predicted that the cult was looking forward to a bright future because they were negotiating a book deal with a publisher right up to the end.
Anyway, she wasn’t that kind of psycholinguist; she helped diagnose childhood diseases in the autism spectrum. She was also trained as an audiologist.
She was going up to Boston for a couple days to help her daughter who was going through a very difficult trial. Although her daughter was not in trouble, her worried look reminded me of the time I was in court to testify against a teenage boy who had stolen my car. He was late to arrive, and I will never forget that worried look that only a mother can have.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Monday, June 2, 2008
The tackiness of the ugly employee refrigerator of the PHL Club Acela was a sharp contrast to the elegance of the BOS Club Acela.
June 1st 2008 Ride# 29 PHL-BOS Part 2
I saw a little bit of the 1st class lounge at Philadelphia’s 30th street station.
The first thing I noticed is that the agent took a very long time to let us in. When I got in and showed him my card, the first thing he said was, “This is expired.” I said “No, it’s not.” He took another look at it and finally agreed with me.
I still haven’t gotten my card from select status, so I suppose it’s going to take at least a month to get my select plus kit, which will have my permanent select plus card.
I didn’t stay long because I went down stairs to get a 2nd opinion about my $61.80 “free upgrade”.
The one thing I did notice was that next to the complementary soda fountain was a refrigerator marked with those ugly three inch tall self stick letters that you buy at the hardware store. it said "EMPLOYEES ONLY”, once on the top and once on the bottom, in case you were tempted to use either part.
The tackiness of the ugly employee refrigerator of the PHL Club Acela was a sharp contrast to the elegance of the BOS Club Acela.
I saw a little bit of the 1st class lounge at Philadelphia’s 30th street station.
The first thing I noticed is that the agent took a very long time to let us in. When I got in and showed him my card, the first thing he said was, “This is expired.” I said “No, it’s not.” He took another look at it and finally agreed with me.
I still haven’t gotten my card from select status, so I suppose it’s going to take at least a month to get my select plus kit, which will have my permanent select plus card.
I didn’t stay long because I went down stairs to get a 2nd opinion about my $61.80 “free upgrade”.
The one thing I did notice was that next to the complementary soda fountain was a refrigerator marked with those ugly three inch tall self stick letters that you buy at the hardware store. it said "EMPLOYEES ONLY”, once on the top and once on the bottom, in case you were tempted to use either part.
The tackiness of the ugly employee refrigerator of the PHL Club Acela was a sharp contrast to the elegance of the BOS Club Acela.
When does a “free” upgrade cost $61.80?
June 1st 2008 Ride# 29 PHL-BOS Part 1
I arrived at 30th street an hour early to check out the 1st class lounge, and see if I could use one of my space available upgrade coupons. I had done this twice before, and thought that I knew the system. I was told that to qualify for the free upgrade, I would have to pay $61.80. When I asked why, the agent said that I had already taken the AAA discount, and that I could not combine discounts. I said that I would be happy give back the $18 AAA discount. The agent said it didn’t work that way, and that they had to charge me the highest available price, which is about $222.00 because they drastically jack up the price as you get closer to the time of departure.
Later I checked the upgrade coupon. The back of the coupon was crammed with very small type, but no mention of the upgrade not being free if you bought the coach ticket at a discount.
So the lesson is that to take advantage of the “free” upgrades, I need to pay $17.80 extra for the privilege of possibly redeeming one of my space available upgrades. The reason I was able to do my other two upgrades without being gouged is that they had been on weekdays, and where not eligible for the AAA discount in the first place.
With as much money as you have to spend with Amtrak to get the upgrade coupons, Amtrak should let you have an upgrade that is truly free. If they are unwilling to do that, they should at least put their policy of not combing discounts clearly on the back of the coupon.
I arrived at 30th street an hour early to check out the 1st class lounge, and see if I could use one of my space available upgrade coupons. I had done this twice before, and thought that I knew the system. I was told that to qualify for the free upgrade, I would have to pay $61.80. When I asked why, the agent said that I had already taken the AAA discount, and that I could not combine discounts. I said that I would be happy give back the $18 AAA discount. The agent said it didn’t work that way, and that they had to charge me the highest available price, which is about $222.00 because they drastically jack up the price as you get closer to the time of departure.
Later I checked the upgrade coupon. The back of the coupon was crammed with very small type, but no mention of the upgrade not being free if you bought the coach ticket at a discount.
So the lesson is that to take advantage of the “free” upgrades, I need to pay $17.80 extra for the privilege of possibly redeeming one of my space available upgrades. The reason I was able to do my other two upgrades without being gouged is that they had been on weekdays, and where not eligible for the AAA discount in the first place.
With as much money as you have to spend with Amtrak to get the upgrade coupons, Amtrak should let you have an upgrade that is truly free. If they are unwilling to do that, they should at least put their policy of not combing discounts clearly on the back of the coupon.
May 30th 2008 Ride# 28 BOS-PHL
I got an e-mail this afternoon that Amtrak had recorded enough Amtrak Guest Rewards rail points so that I now had Select Plus status. I was disappointed that the note said my kit would take something like 4-6 weeks to arrive!
I sulked.
Later, I took another look at my e-mail. It said to click on a link to my temporary Select Plus card. I printed it, and carefully cut it out. I looked forward to hanging out in the 1st class lounge.
When I got to the train station, I saw my former boss, whom I still work with. I asked him how long he had to wait, and he said that he had missed his train, and had to wait more than an hour. With my newfound powers, I invited him up to the 1st class lounge. We talked business. He used the 1st class men’s room, and I even offered him a FREE soda.
I noticed a couple of more things about the 1st class lounge. There is a little TV watching area. Besides the self serve soda fountain, they have a little glass refrigerator stocked with spring water and Juices. I also saw what seemed to be complementary copies of the Wall Street Journal and the Boston Globe. Lastly, I found out that the fellow behind the desk in the 1st class lounge can also take care of your tickets, and then you don’t have to wait in line.
I sulked.
Later, I took another look at my e-mail. It said to click on a link to my temporary Select Plus card. I printed it, and carefully cut it out. I looked forward to hanging out in the 1st class lounge.
When I got to the train station, I saw my former boss, whom I still work with. I asked him how long he had to wait, and he said that he had missed his train, and had to wait more than an hour. With my newfound powers, I invited him up to the 1st class lounge. We talked business. He used the 1st class men’s room, and I even offered him a FREE soda.
I noticed a couple of more things about the 1st class lounge. There is a little TV watching area. Besides the self serve soda fountain, they have a little glass refrigerator stocked with spring water and Juices. I also saw what seemed to be complementary copies of the Wall Street Journal and the Boston Globe. Lastly, I found out that the fellow behind the desk in the 1st class lounge can also take care of your tickets, and then you don’t have to wait in line.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
May 26th Ride #27 2008 PHL-BOS
I tried to redeem one of my one class upgrade coupons, but they told me 1st class was full.
I got a seat in business class, and I noticed that the outlet was not working. It started getting warmer and warmer. Someone asked the conductor if the air conditioning was broken. The conductor said that the AC was broken on that one train car.
I went to the Café car where it was much cooler. Much of the train empties out in NYC, so decided to wait until then to try and get a seat in another car. As I was waiting, I saw someone from my old train car visiting the café car with a blue buttoned down shirt that was soaked in sweat.
We were extra long in NYC, and we seemed to take on a maintenance person. A bit later they said that the car would have to be evacuated. Shortly after the evacuation, they said that the man upstairs had heard someone’s prayer and the AC was working.
The train was about 10 minutes late.
I got a seat in business class, and I noticed that the outlet was not working. It started getting warmer and warmer. Someone asked the conductor if the air conditioning was broken. The conductor said that the AC was broken on that one train car.
I went to the Café car where it was much cooler. Much of the train empties out in NYC, so decided to wait until then to try and get a seat in another car. As I was waiting, I saw someone from my old train car visiting the café car with a blue buttoned down shirt that was soaked in sweat.
We were extra long in NYC, and we seemed to take on a maintenance person. A bit later they said that the car would have to be evacuated. Shortly after the evacuation, they said that the man upstairs had heard someone’s prayer and the AC was working.
The train was about 10 minutes late.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
May 23rd Ride #26 BOS –PHL.
A couple weeks ago, I cashed in some of my Amtrak Guest Rewards and got 5 coupons for space available upgrades. I am taking the Acela, so it means that I can try for an upgrade to 1st class. It’s about $100 more, and as a weekly commuter it would mean an extra $5,000 a year.
I take the train Friday evenings and Sunday evenings, when the train is usually very full, so I was viewing my coupons as more like lottery tickets.
My train leaves at 4:30pm, so at 3:45pm I got in line to see if I could get an upgrade. The ticket agent said that because of the holiday (Memorial Day), that there where plenty of 1st class seats available.
Even though the train was boarding in a couple of minutes, I decided to go up and take a look at Club Acela, which is the 1st class lounge. At South station, it’s above the ticket office. What struck me is how quiet it was. As you come up the stairs, there is some kind of attendant. My next impression was that the scene suddenly changed from being loud and crowded to being spacious and quiet. I usually run in into the station, print my ticket and then quickly get something to eat. The tables in the terminal are rarely available, and I end up eating standing up. Because you get fed in 1st class, I could now take my time.
There were other amenities, such as free coffee, free soda, Internet stations, fax machine, courtesy phone. There was also a nice conference room.
The upgrade coupons can also get you into Club Acela, which could come in very handy if you are stuck waiting. Almost like a get out of jail free card. I’ll soon be up to 10,000 rail Amtrak Guest Points which will put me up to Select Plus status, which will give me a pass that will let me hang out in the 1st class lounge for the rest of the year.
When I got into 1st class, the attendant came over, and asked me if I wanted something to eat. She brought me a soda and a very heavy glass full of ice. The attendant also asked me if I wanted some peanuts, which were in a little ceramic bowl which was also very heavy. On the airplane, everything is lighter than normal. On the train, it’s heavier than normal.
There are about 8 Japanese business types in suits. The four near me are playing some kind of card game with playing cards with some kind of Harvard crest on them. They are kind of rowdy in a restrained way. One of the card players ripped a piece of paper napkin into a strip about an inch wide, and hung it on his glasses. There is a bunch of Japanese writing on it. As soon as he hung it, two or three cameras appeared to take pictures.
Dinner was actually worth eating. I got a salad with smoked salmon. The portion was a little small, compared to a restaurant, but very satisfying.
I get in at about 9:20pm, and club Acela closes at 9:00pm. Maybe I can see the one at 30th Street on Monday when I come back.
The train was about 15 minutes late into 30th street.
I take the train Friday evenings and Sunday evenings, when the train is usually very full, so I was viewing my coupons as more like lottery tickets.
My train leaves at 4:30pm, so at 3:45pm I got in line to see if I could get an upgrade. The ticket agent said that because of the holiday (Memorial Day), that there where plenty of 1st class seats available.
Even though the train was boarding in a couple of minutes, I decided to go up and take a look at Club Acela, which is the 1st class lounge. At South station, it’s above the ticket office. What struck me is how quiet it was. As you come up the stairs, there is some kind of attendant. My next impression was that the scene suddenly changed from being loud and crowded to being spacious and quiet. I usually run in into the station, print my ticket and then quickly get something to eat. The tables in the terminal are rarely available, and I end up eating standing up. Because you get fed in 1st class, I could now take my time.
There were other amenities, such as free coffee, free soda, Internet stations, fax machine, courtesy phone. There was also a nice conference room.
The upgrade coupons can also get you into Club Acela, which could come in very handy if you are stuck waiting. Almost like a get out of jail free card. I’ll soon be up to 10,000 rail Amtrak Guest Points which will put me up to Select Plus status, which will give me a pass that will let me hang out in the 1st class lounge for the rest of the year.
When I got into 1st class, the attendant came over, and asked me if I wanted something to eat. She brought me a soda and a very heavy glass full of ice. The attendant also asked me if I wanted some peanuts, which were in a little ceramic bowl which was also very heavy. On the airplane, everything is lighter than normal. On the train, it’s heavier than normal.
There are about 8 Japanese business types in suits. The four near me are playing some kind of card game with playing cards with some kind of Harvard crest on them. They are kind of rowdy in a restrained way. One of the card players ripped a piece of paper napkin into a strip about an inch wide, and hung it on his glasses. There is a bunch of Japanese writing on it. As soon as he hung it, two or three cameras appeared to take pictures.
Dinner was actually worth eating. I got a salad with smoked salmon. The portion was a little small, compared to a restaurant, but very satisfying.
I get in at about 9:20pm, and club Acela closes at 9:00pm. Maybe I can see the one at 30th Street on Monday when I come back.
The train was about 15 minutes late into 30th street.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Possible Steve Forbes sighting
I saw Mr. Forbes, or someone who looks just like him, milling around Philadelphia’s 30th street station about 4:00pm EDT on 5/18/08. He was carrying a black shopping back that said something like “Forbes capitalist tool kit.”
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
NEC bridge work June 14 - June 17
I got an e-mail from Amtrak on 5/15/08 that states:
"Please be advised that from June 14 through June 17, Amtrak will replace the movable span of the Thames River Bridge between Groton and New London, CT. As a result, Acela Express and Regional service between New York, New Haven and Boston will be affected."
I tried to book a trip from PHL to BOS on 6/15, and there is one and only one train that day. The same is true for BOS to PHL on 6/15.
"Please be advised that from June 14 through June 17, Amtrak will replace the movable span of the Thames River Bridge between Groton and New London, CT. As a result, Acela Express and Regional service between New York, New Haven and Boston will be affected."
I tried to book a trip from PHL to BOS on 6/15, and there is one and only one train that day. The same is true for BOS to PHL on 6/15.
Monday, May 19, 2008
May 18th Ride #25 PHL-BOS part 2
The train departed from PHL on time.
Saw a flock of wild turkeys on a golf course just outside of New York city.
Somewhere between New London and Providence, we were stopped for something like an hour. Fortunately we where near civilization (i.e. cell phone towers.) They said there was only a single track available, and that we had to wait our turn.
The train arrived at BOS 1 hour 13 minutes late.
Saw a flock of wild turkeys on a golf course just outside of New York city.
Somewhere between New London and Providence, we were stopped for something like an hour. Fortunately we where near civilization (i.e. cell phone towers.) They said there was only a single track available, and that we had to wait our turn.
The train arrived at BOS 1 hour 13 minutes late.
May 18th Ride #25 PHL-BOS part 1
Like an idiot, I ordered the wrong tickets on-line. I only noticed after I got to the station and printed them out at the ticket kiosk. I went to the ticket agent, at booth 6, to exchange them and she told me that there were no seats available. She told me that some of the universities had graduations this weekend and that she might be able to get me to New York on a midnight train, or I could take a train the next morning.
I called my wife and asked her to turn around to because I might need to go to the airport or something.
I went over to the ticket kiosk, and to my surprise, I was able to get tickets for my train that was supposedly sold out.
I called my wife and asked her to turn around to because I might need to go to the airport or something.
I went over to the ticket kiosk, and to my surprise, I was able to get tickets for my train that was supposedly sold out.
May 16th Ride #24 BOS-PHL
Probably the roughest train ride I have ever had. Sometimes you have a rough plane ride, but who would think a train could be so rough? We kept accelerating and decelerating abruptly. The train stopped in the middle of a forest in CT. The conductor came on the PA and said that the engineer was going to the back of the train to look at the brakes. I think we were about an hour late.
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