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  1. jebr

    WiFi on longer routes

    I highly doubt this will happen, at least with any reasonable definition of "near future." Starlink is partnering with T-Mobile to provide cellular connectivity via satellite in areas where towers don't reach, but the bandwidth allocated to this is small. They're starting with text, with hopes...
  2. jebr

    Could EMDI be something that would help Amtrak

    Can't wait to see people trying to carry all their luggage through the train at speed to get to the special car that detaches at their station stop. Also can't wait to see how well Amtrak manages to maintain equipment that's just slowly working through the system at each small town, and...
  3. jebr

    Greyhound told to quit Denver Union Station

    It seems as though the major issue with the facility is that it was never designed for intercity bus transfers, especially those with the cheapness of Greyhound (where hotels aren't often provided when connections are missed.) The question then becomes whether Denver can be removed as a major...
  4. jebr

    Greyhound sounding Chicago alarm

    It's quite surprising how it seems like airport shuttle buses almost have a more robust network than traditional intercity providers do. You may not be able to string together a long trip with them, but in many cities they're the only non-personal auto connection to the rest of the world, or the...
  5. jebr

    Contingencies for any cancellations in a heavily multi-segmented trip?

    A good middle ground, if you're confident you'll use the credits before they expire, is to buy a ticket that is cancellable for a credit on that airline. The major US airlines have a main cabin fare that is cancellable for a full credit, usually up until a few minutes before departure (though...
  6. jebr

    Winter Storm 2024 cancellations

    I think that's the #8 that left yesterday from Seattle - looks like it's running so far (but a couple hours late already out of Libby, which is pretty common these days for the Builder.)
  7. jebr

    Union Depot (Station) St. Paul, MN

    Union Depot isn't spooky during the main train times either. Lots of people there, and I haven't had any issue during the train times. Parking also shouldn't be $140 unless they're parking in the sheltered lot or staying for 70 days - the furthest lot that's still officially Union Depot is...
  8. jebr

    More Greyhound cutbacks and comparison with airlines

    The problem is that, in much of the country, the local regionals don't exist anymore, and if they do some don't integrate nicely with the nationwide bus/rail network. Plus, Greyhound isn't really serving most of those small towns anymore anyways, especially over the past few years as they've...
  9. jebr

    Twin Cities (Minnesota) Local and Suburban Rail Service discussion

    Their official website is here, and a Streets.mn article from one of their supporters is available here.
  10. jebr

    Twin Cities (Minnesota) Local and Suburban Rail Service discussion

    I would assume so - as far as I'm aware the discussion is basically at the "fantasy map" stage currently, but the intent would be that it could serve as a through-running corridor for regional trains. That said, I highly doubt that it'll get beyond fantasy map stage in the next 10 years (and...
  11. jebr

    St. Paul, Milwaukee, Chicago (TCMC) second daily service

    Yeah, I can't see them trying to do anything other than run it from Chicago. It'll probably be closed through a decent part of the Chicago to Milwaukee portion anyways, as often the cafe car doesn't open until 15-30ish minutes into the trip.
  12. jebr

    FNBO closed account and deleted points - any chance to reinstate?

    What points were deleted from your AGR account? FNBO should post the points on a monthly basis, so if the card wasn't being used there should be no deleted points that would need restoration (assuming you didn't hit the two-year no activity mark.)
  13. jebr

    Chicago-Detroit-Toronto service proposal with Amtrak/VIA connection in Windsor ON

    The process, even if it requires changing trains, would still be much more seamless if they can get CBSA/CBP clearance at the Windsor station while changing trains. At that point it's simply get off the train > go through customs > board the train on the other side of the platform. It'd be very...
  14. jebr

    Comparison of Amtrak vs. other transport mode

    You're arguably more likely to survive the event (though, depending on what qualifies as an event, may not be fully true - there's a lot of flight emergencies or partial equipment failures which result in a safe landing,) but the incident rate is significantly lower on flights (particularly per...
  15. jebr

    Off duty pilot arrested for attempted sabotage

    Federal charges have been filed. Excerpts from the criminal complaint: From what I've seen, sounds like there was some sort of mental breakdown, perhaps with some drugs involved. A bit scary, but glad the pilots were able to gain control of the situation and that it ended with a safe landing.
  16. jebr

    Off duty pilot arrested for attempted sabotage

    Airport employees, at least in my experience, undergo a ten year background check before getting their airport access. There's also a separate level for those who need access to non public areas, which I've never done but do have some additional rules and training to get. That said, there are...
  17. jebr

    U.S./Canada border crossing discussion

    I've generally found that CBSA is far more thorough in their questioning/inspections than CBP, at least for me as a US citizen. There's been a couple times where I've been traveling along and crossing into Canada where (despite, at most, having a parking ticket on my record) I would get the full...
  18. jebr

    To Gathering Sacramento to Chicago by #6 California Zephyr

    While I agree with the spirit of the rule, so long as tipping is an expected part of American culture, I would like ways to do it digitally. It's kind of annoying to have to go to a bank (or ATM that has different bills) and get a bunch of small bills before a trip just to make sure that I have...
  19. jebr

    Union Depot (Station) St. Paul, MN

    The station building will still be open to ticketed passengers - the "closing" of the station at 10 pm is basically just a way for them to try and stop people loitering in the station overnight. The building stays open for ticketed passengers during all train/intercity bus arrivals and...
  20. jebr

    Comparison of Amtrak vs. other transport mode

    That's where I probably differ from many on the forum. If the delay is at a train station or an airport, I'd probably take it at an airport - at least at my local airport, there's usually an empty gate to relax it, along with many restaurants and quick-service places to grab food as needed. I do...
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