Re: [Leica] Amtrak

[SthRosner@aol.com]

Friends, let's compare apples and apples or oranges and oranges, not apples 
and oranges. jls@runbox.com writes:

> I was just considering taking Amtrak to San Diego to visit 
>  my mother in August. The round trip fare was reasonable! It was only $336, 
>  about the same as plane fare, and the meals were "complimentary". What a 
>  nice way to leisurely take a 2,000 mile trip in air-conditioned comfort 
>  with no x-ray or para-military security guards. Then I scrolled down 
>  further. For the creature comforts of having a bed to sleep in and a chair 
>  to sit in and a window to look out of and a toilet, the total came to 
$1,686!

Your $1686. was for a first-class deluxe bedroom for two people. Standard 
bedroom - smaller and without its own toilet - is considerably less. 

If you are not able to book 14 days in advance of travel and stay over a 
Saturday night, here is what an airline ONE-WAY COACH ticket will cost you 
from New York JFK to one of the major California airports, LA, FS or SD: 
$1221.50; business class one-way will be $1820. and first class one-way will 
be: $2179.  

Amtrak's fares are based on availability. Right now, one-way coach seat from 
New York Penn Station to San Francisco is a minimum of $177. and a maximum of 
$314. 

I've travelled coast-to-coast by coach. Very spacious reclining seats with 
retractable footrests. I no longer do because I'd rather sleep in a bed. 
Incidentally, meals are complimentary in first class, not in coach.

I can surely understand why one would prefer to fly for $336. rather than to 
fly first class for $2179. or to rail for $1686. But make fair comparisons.

Best,

Seth        LaK 9
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