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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
