But maybe price isn't the point of competition?? Since the downturn we've curtailed the number of face-time trips, and have turned a lot to GoToMeeting, vid conferencing and just Skype. But what we've found is that using the flying cattle cars is stressful and not nearly as cost effective as we once thought - basically rush to the airport to be there n hours early, rush to a gate, fly stressed, rush to a hotel, rush to a meeting etc... where flying Amtrak, there is an enforced downtime of n hours before arriving, and arriving a lot more ready to present, listen or convince. So, although Amtrak might appear to be in competition with the flying cattle cars, maybe it is in a niche of its own. Just one that until now has been underappreciated?
The person who approves your travel expenses must be into some sort of New Age stuff. If price wasn't the point of competition, you'd still get a meal in domestic coach. Maybe there are some employers who care about the things you describe, but I haven't seen them recently..
Thirty years ago, when I was but a callow youth from the plains of Dakota, I first went to New York City. In Union Square there were dozens of 3 card monte players. It seemed odd to me that the police didn't break up illegal activity like that (I
was young and callow). Anyway, one of the operators tried to get me to bet in the usual way, by doing some obvious passes. I wasted his time by pointing out the right card when I was supposed to, but not being willing to bet. Finally, he explained things to me in a way that still resonates: "Boy, money talks, and bulI**** walks." Words to live by, I say.