I agree and, not only that, he made it seem like the only people who take trains are outcasts - jmo.
Swadian, are you trying to copy-paste the shortened link with ... in the middle? That's probably why its not working for you.
When I ride the train, I don't do the "reporter" thing -- but the other passengers will sometimes talk - I've met many interesting folks on the train - I'm not a real frequent rider - but long-term.
I suspect you are not alone in that feeling here. But I think the people he prolifes in the article are much more typical of Amtrak ridership than AU most members.
I guess I'm baffled at your reaction to this article. I have ridden Amtrak long-distance trains at least 64 times--those I can remember to count--since 1982, and the writer captured the essence of much of long-distance train travel among passengers IMHO. People do love to talk about themselves on long-distance train trips because the trips are so long, and you can only concentrate on a book or look out the window for so many hours without starting up a conversation. The diner makes such conversations inevitable, unless you are someone who simply clams up and sits in silence during mealtime, no matter the efforts of fellow diners to coax at least some superficial chat from you. There is a natural curiosity among most people about others; the long-distance train environment allows that curiosity to blossom in many cases. I've talked with rail fans, with a family where the father had just been released from prison and was reconnecting with his wife and kids on his way to a job, with retired people, with college students--with people just from just about every walk of life, whether in a sleeper or in coach. Of course the reporter probably talked with dozens of passengers while researching his Sunset story, and chose the most interesting of those representing the various categories of riders. I think he nailed things down pretty good, and therefore am mystified at what you see as a skewered New York viewpoint! Even your example of the woman misidentifying auto carriers has no bearing on media reporting; rather, it's an example of the information, or misinformation, that you can pick up from rambling conversations on long distance trains! There was absolutely nothing "Amtrak ignorant" in what the writer reported and wrote. His details about Amtrak were factual, and he brought like aboard a long-distance train to life for everyone except those few interested in the color and number of the engine, the state of the sleeper carpeting or the availability or non-availability of Pepsi or Sierra Mist in the cafe car!
In other words, what 99% of Amtrak passengers or would-be passengers want to hear about!Well, I didn't say that train travel wasn't 'interesting'. You can say the exact opposite of plane travel. I have been on many flights where not a single word was said the whole flight. Many times they just pull out their laptop and start working or playing games. Sometimes, just to irritate them, I start looking at what they are working on. lol. On one flight from Tulsa to Houston we stopped in Dallas and I just watched the people getting on. This one guy was coming down the aisle talking on his cell phone and writing on his clipboard at the same time. Couldn't he just say, hang on a minute while I get a seat here. lol.
That dosen't work, either. I clicked on the OP's link, too, I didn't copy it with ... I can't even discuss it if I can't see the article.
For Pete's sake, just go the nytimes.com website, find the article in its travel section, and click. You get 10 free views on the site each month before having to pay.
I did that too, and it still dosen't work. "Internet Explorer cannot display the webpage."
:giggle: At least you tried the wall climbing! The thought crossed my mind, but that was as far as I got.
