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I took the Denali Star from Fairbanks in early September in Gold Star class. The food was decent but not memorable. Three comments: the seats were not all that comfortable; believe them when they say the overhead storage is limited; the baggage claim at the end of the trip was an actual...

As a long ago Michigander from Detroit ( and one who used the AA station to go back and forth from UM in the pre-Amtrak days), my two cents is that this route make a great deal of sense, serves an un-served portion of the LP and goes where Southeastern folks want to go. And, unless you're...

This obsession with printed timetables is eclipsed only by Detroit Tigers fans still posting and canonizing Mark Fidrych on Facebook and elsewhere. Get over both obsessions and I'll end with obligatory: GO BLUE!

Depending on how many days you spend in Baltimore, you can always take a full day trip to DC and see many of the great sights/museums there ( and not have to pay DC hotel prices)

I find that interesting since my experiences with Continental and its personnel were always positive and I was saddened when they merged and disappeared into United. United is a full step below the other legacies in terms of service and personnel in my experience ( flying since the late 1960's).

I've flown all legacy airlines, and multiple international airlines and while airline "misadventures" can occur on any carrier, I 've only encountered the lying and gross incompetence on United. In my opinion there are some carriers worse than others. And to get back to Amtrak, I have...

Here's why ( my rant from June 2023): Apologies for the following rant but I want to warn everyone on my lists about United Airlines. Here is my experience about getting to Phoenix from Cleveland Monday to Tuesday of this week: "I was stuck in Houston International from Monday evening to...

FYI: After more than one horrendous flight on UA, I swore I would never fly them again and I've kept my word. Avoid UA at all costs particularly if flying to or through Houston. While all the main lines have their problems, I prefer American. I haven't drunk the kool aid for Delta like...

As a resident of Phoenix ( actually the Peoples Republic of Tempe) and a long time supporter and user( in Michigan and Illinois initially) of Amtrak since its inception, I wholeheartedly second Amtrakethyst's post. I actually had the pleasure of taking a sleeper on the Sunset Limited from LA...

In early April, I took the Palmetto from Baltimore to Florence, SC in Business Class. To me it was worth it for the assigned seat and the curtains. That train also was very full.

FYI: The trip on the Palmetto was 2+ hours late into Florence, SC from Baltimore. The train was full and the scenery was Meh! I'll cross the Palmetto off my list and refrain from the route again.

I made a special trip to Sacramento to see the California Rail Museum and in my opinion it's worth it particularly if you're taking Amtrak to or from there.

All I can say is that fun or not I'd rather take the train than fly ( I do both). While I've had train trips with long delays ( but always under 8 or so hours), I've had flight delays and cancellations equally if not more annoying and stressful than train travel ( once had a flight from...

Growing up in Detroit, I have been to Windsor ( and by the way the tunnel bus has been running for many decades -- I used to take it in the 1960's so I could go to a favorite model train store in Windsor) and Ontario hundreds of times. My most train related border crossing was when I talked my...

As a Grand Canyon aside, if anyone is interested in the history of Grand Canyon National Park, here is a link to a website of a joint project between ASU, NAU & GCNP highlighting and documenting the history of GCNP at 100( Disclaimer: I was one of the participants in this grant.) The site is...

Flagstaff is a great city and well worth staying a few days if so inclined. If you decide to rent a car and drive to the Canyon, I would recommend going to Wupatki and then entering the Canyon via AZ89 to AZ64. If you decide to rent a car and take the GCRR train from Williams to the Canyon...

While not quite as long in distance, I once did PHX to St. John's leaving Friday at 6am and arriving in St. John's on Sunday at 2am. Yes, a hurricane got in the way and Delta almost stranded us in Atlanta( I was with my sister), but thanks to a fantastic Continental gate agent we were able to...

My two cents comment is to avoid the ultra cheap airlines and United ( which I will never fly again -- also avoid Houston Intn'l airport). I would pick Jet Blue over Southwest ( HATE the cattle call). Of the remaining mainline airlines, I choose American over Delta ( haven't drunk the Delta...

As a long time Amtrak supporter ( since the beginning) and someone who actually took the Sunset Limited from LA to Tempe, I would recommend any Phoenix stop to be at the Metro stop near PHX. Not only would that make more logistical sense ( just from a parking situation alone as well as access...

I have had issues with all of the major US airlines, but fly mostly SW and AA. Hopefully this won't jinx anything but overall my best and most consistent experiences have been on AA. I'm posting below my rant on my recent United experience that led to my "never again" vow...