Recent content by 33Nicolas

I find the app to work better than the site although it wouldn't let me register in the beginning. I'm still waiting to hear from Amtrak asking them to include my last trip under my perks. Sadly, I feel most if not all UX is underwhelming these days.

We're still waiting for the Savannah-Atlanta passenger line to go through. I can't wait to take the train in between cities than drive 4:30 to 6 hours to Atlanta. Does anyone have any news there?

Georgia State Road Museum in Savannah, GA. I visited years ago and haven't been back since. It's pretty cool. They didn't show everything. They have a big round house where they were restoring locomotives and cars back then. Good incentive to go back and visit.

For the most part, Amtrak employees are great from train conductors to operators. I did find a few conductors and ticket folks who had a serious attitude. We can blame it on tough times, COVID pressure. Every time I feel like reminding them that it's tough on everyone, riders included.

I'm not following this topic much, unfortunately but this newsletter I get from The Intercept covered the political and strike angle issue. This is mostly an FYI. https://theintercept.com/2022/11/30/rail-workers-strike-house-bill/ I'd love to have a synapsis as to what is happening if...

I still think that Amtrak is seen as a second-rate/second-priority mode of transportation in the US and doesn't get the attention it rightfully deserves. It's interesting that in the midst of finger-pointing polluting modes of transportation, not much journalism challenges the maritime world...

My father flew Connies as well. He said the most impressive sight was watching them start their engines at night. It was a firey display.

The way I looked at it was a choice to fly or ride Business for half the price of flying. Instead of spending 4 to 5 hours rushing through airports, I spent 11:30 hours with free WiFi, coffee and tea, and was more productive with a seamless experience. Even if I flew business, it wouldn't have...

I walked from the station to the Airbus Experience Center headquarters. It was kinda funny to think I work in aviation, love trains, took one from Savannah to DC, and went to Airbus :p

It's sad. I talk to the older generation of engineers and they shake their heads. They still know how to work and design top-notch quality, but after the merger happened, it became all about profit. In fact, see who is at the helm of that company. Ex-GE and ex-McDonald folks, the same ones who...

I still can't log into Amtrak's site on Firefox and Chromium. Am I the only one with that problem? The app works well, but I can't log in there also.

The problem is super convoluted and involves Boeing, the FAA, third-party companies, as well as Congress. Ultimately, Boeing is trying to match the Airbus 320x families with an over-stretched 60-year-old design that can't truly compete, at least, not in the future. I work in aviation. Most...

I was thinking the same. I want to take the Palmetto to DC at night and stay in business since I don't sleep much, work, and don't care about being forced to pay for a sleeper I don't really need. It seems Amtrak has removed business at night and conveniently only has sleepers and coaches.

I didn't know it had been repaired. Good to know. I'm assuming the new Amtrak administration is sticking to its gun to focus on shorter routes and neglecting the transcontinental ones?

There are no easy answers to that one. Lobby Congress, since that's how everything works in our country and most countries. Lobby for electrification, new rolling stock, have Amtrak by tracks or co-ownership of tracks and implement passenger first when and if possible. I know, practically...