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It all comes down to what matters to the individual, there are a range of travel options out there for all budgets and comfort levels. I wanted to publicise the budget options for folk who felt a wish to travel, but were low on funds.

Here anyone can buy a ticket, give to anyone, and it can be used without any ID hassles at all. That is not my impression of how it works in America with regards to I.D. I don't suppose there are many Greyhound bus users on the forum, but do you "need ID" to travel on Greyhound too?

There is probably a joke about me always getting weird reactions from everyone I meet, but moving on... ;) The Hostels International US brand are affiliated with other national hostel chains, such as YHA, youth hostels association. They have a membership fee, and a set of rules. They don't...

Americans live in the land of the free, and are freely forced to show I.D.to travel on Amtrak. Here in Nanny State UK we are free to travel on trains without any I.D. :D

I do understand what you mean, I often find the "last mile" from the train station to the cheaper hotels is the most awkward part of the trip! With the internet, it is possible to do quite detailed research into bus routes and metro's these days. I always choose accommodation that I can reach...

I don't know for sure how this works, I think Amtrak would regard each train / segment as a separate single ticket? They do say that if you experience a travel disruption which means you miss your connection, you can have that "missed" segment put back onto the pass... but that's all I can tell...

Folk do manage to travel on a budget, a lot depends on one's comfort zones. I have travelled around America as a Senior, staying in very decent hostel accommodation in all of those cities. Travellers hostels are not for "down and out" type folk nowadays, but for budget conscious travellers of...

You need to purchase the pass by 17 Jan to obtain the offer price, it's quite a bargain, normally $499. I notice it can be used over a 30 day window from the first day of travel, it used to be valid for only 15 days, so again a good improvement. As Peter above states, you have 120 days from...

Sad to hear about the demise of the Circulator service in DC, I used that several times on visits to Washington. There was a similar "Emery-go- round" service in Emeryville that was useful, but we annoyed the locals at rush hour with our luggage! My pet transit gripe is more to do with the lack...

Very enjoyable reading and photography too. Glad you had a good time

Do the surveys that are received just ask the "satisfaction" level, or is there any chance to spell out specific problems?

It is interesting when older threads come back to life, a reminder of former members who no longer contribute, some for sad reasons, of course... My avatar is from a few years back, about to check out of my hotel, and found one last beer in the fridge! :D :cool: Oh yes, Happy Christmas all!

Sadly, a continual drip of biased "disinformation" in small doses can alter opinions without folk being aware of it...

I complained by email back in August, and was told a reply could take a while... It's good to see that YouTube videos like the above are being made, as it gives me something to amuse myself with, as I am STILL awaiting a response, 4 MONTHS later! Powerhouse indeed... :D

I saw Red Cap drivers behaving in a very silly and carefree way at Chicago Union Station, as mentioned in my trip report... Amtrak staff not behaving to a professional standard, who would have thought? ;) :cool:

I don't know if there are USA "made for TV" train company shows, but there have been quite a few "fly on the wall" such shows here in the UK. Folk might enjoy a look at the work from staff points of view? The staff do know they are being filmed, and so are on their best behaviour, but even so...

A few years ago, the Coast Starlight was due to travel on a slightly different route, but there was a derailment with fatalities on it's first public journey... Has it continued to use the new route, or reverted to it's original route? (Maybe it was a Cascades train...? )

Good luck in your new career! Do be aware that this is a train fans website, and despite the name, has no connection to Amtrak itself, so listen to your trainers, rather than all the amateur "experts" on this site! ;)

Indeed, but all the pros know my post was about where felt safer on the Blue Line heading out of ORD, after midnight. ;) :cool:

Although it is night time, there are always some night lights left on, it's never completely dark in the car. I guess it is more efficient to scan folks tickets where they are seated, and then place that seat's destination tag overhead. I might be in the minority, but I have never been given a...