Recent content by cbender

Yeah, that part makes sense. My confusion is of a more basic level (and not related to Amtrak): I can't comprehend why someone would want to tie their vacations to a single location by purchasing a second home. But, we're all different, and I'll just accept that many people do enjoy vacation...

It's obviously popular. I just don't understand why. I have a hard time reconciling the cost vs just renting. I just randomly picked a pair of dates in September (LOR-SFA: 9/14; SFA-LOR: 9/21), and the car carrier cost is $304. Putting the same dates into a travelocity search near the...

I've never really seen the appeal of this over renting a car at the destination. I guess if you're taking a trip of more than a week or so, then the auto-train like approach might be cheaper. Or if you've got to transport a lot of stuff... But are those demographics really all that large? I...

Fortunately for me, I don't have any metal in my body. I guess I also fly enough that the routine at security is just second nature (actually, I often find myself irritated with others in front of me who don't seem to know the drill). 1) While waiting to get to the table with bins, untie shoe...

Unless you've flown through DCA, I can understand your skepticism; it truly is a great airport, unless you're flying transcon or overseas. I've never had a problem with security at DCA, and have rarely had more than 3 or 4 people in front of me. The checkpoints just move efficiently...

The new TSA requirements are supposed to help weed out people who have the same or similar names to those on the watch list, but different birthdays, gender, etc. I really don't see what the big deal is - the government certainly already knows when I was born. And I challenge you to wait in...

I've stayed out of the amtrak / airline cost debate in the other thread, but am going to chime in here and (slightly) defend the airlines. I read lots of horror stories about airline travel, but can't really understand where all the hate and problems are coming from. It sounds like I don't fly...

The DB Cooper incident occurred on a 727, which were originally equipped with rear exit stairs that could be opened. After the incident these were mostly removed and sealed up. Doors on modern aircraft are of the plug design that are designed to be unopenable in flight. Older aircraft did not...

I'm headed to a wedding about a 30 minute drive west of the Newark area. I figured Newark was the most convenient departure point, in terms of distance from my destination, and has the advantage of being serviced by Acela. Almost any other time I'd drive without hesitation. But finding a way...

Thanks for looking that up. I hadn't noticed before that the Budget location will pick you up, but based on their listed rules Newark Penn St does seem to be within their range. Not surprisingly, however, they are out of cars for this weekend. Rental at the airport (also a good idea) is quite...

I've got to be in the Newark area this coming weekend. It occurred to me that taking Amtrak from DC to Newark, and then renting a car there might be much less hassle than fighting traffic on the I95 corridor over the 4th of July. I used to live on Long Island, and have taken the train many...

Probably the easiest glacier to see is Jackson Glacier. You can easily see it from the Going to the Sun Road. I believe that you can take one of the jammer cars from East Glacier up to the GSR.

Possibly 'Next Stop Silver Spring', showing on WETA Sunday 3/16 at 4:30pm. The description is here: http://www.weta.org/tv/archive/indexfull.p...5&episode=0 The description basically fits the original post. However, it seems this show would be mostly of interest to the local DC metro area.

2 hours is not much time to walk far. The National Postal Museum is right across the street from Union Station, and is good for 45 minutes or so of entertainment.

The collection problem can be solved by implementing a radio tag system, similar to EZ-Pass. The tags are used throughout the atlantic coast (and aparently now in Illinois too). A single tag gets you through all tolls. The tag is linked to your credit card, and a computer sorts out which...