Allowing everything else to be equal (it's not!), planes are my preferred mode of travel when I have a higher need to be to my destination relatively ON TIME. We've taken the Auto Train 4 times now in the last couple of months:
1> 12 hour delay
2> 5 hour delay
3> 30 minutes EARLY!
4> 2 hour delay
Not considered a good statistical sampling, but they're MY statistics!
Just to comment on the topic: Now that I’m retired, I have the luxury of time so that I can afford (in terms of time) to travel by train. While working, the train was only practical for me traveling Baltimore to Washington or NYC.
Now, however, time wise, I can consider it for long distance. Why would I consider doing so? Mainly because it is a relaxing and enjoyable way of traveling and the trip itself is as much a part of the travel experience as the destination.
That being said, what are the downsides? First of all, for long distance travel, I consider a sleeper is essential for comfort and enjoy ability. The downside is cost which for the most part is much more expensive than first class airfare. Secondly, for a lot of destinations the departure and arrival times are very inconvenient (middle of the night etc) and ability to connect for truly long distance travel. The lack of frequency, ie the Cardinal and Sunset, make it difficult to plan trips. The lack of on time performance also affects connectivity.
As a result, in planning a long distance trip, one needs to plan stop overs. While this can be used to advantage to visit other cities enroute, it also increases the costs and again makes the long distance travel an “experiential” choice rather than merely an option for getting from a to b.
Thus, from my point of view, long distance train travel is really a luxury but one I enjoy despite the increased costs and downgrades in service I have seen take place over the last few years (whether or not one blames Anderson, Congress, or someone else).
Notwithstanding the above, I’m still a fan!
