Given a choice, would you rather...

[DaBoneHead]

Take a fast train or a plane.

Fast Train

Personally, if they connect up all the cities, I could see me doing this rather than possible ending up plane patte'... and don't quote me safety statistics, it is all just numbers until it happens to you...

 

[QuickOne]

Train, you'll have a better chance of living if you crash.

 

[azazyel]

Train

I like flying and all but train seems more relaxing.

 

[shopbruin]

train. all the way. i wanted to take the train home for thanksgiving but it was like 3 bucks cheaper than my plane ticket, plus the ride was 10 hours, compared to an hour by plane.

 

[DAM]

train, i really enjoy train rides, more space you can move about and they have a bad ass bar and restaurant. :--)





dam()

 

[DaBoneHead]

Good point DAM, forgot about the amenities...

I do have some nostalgia for trains too, it was how the west was won!

 

[DAM]

and although sex in a plane would be fun, i really think that theres nothing like the comfort of a good shag in a confy train.




dam()

 

[Isla]

Train. My best family vacation memory is of riding the AutoTrain... The 6 of us and our 1975 Monte Carlo, too.

That was fun!

 

[Electric Amish]

I ain't riding in anything made by......




<< Canada's Bombardier Transportation >>




lol!!

amish

 

[Ranger X]

Train. They're closer to ground so less of a splat if you crash and die.

 

[Pretender]

I'm very nostalgic about trains, and have loved them ever since I was a child. Besides, if you had a choice between riding in an oversized, overcrowded, cramped plane, or something that looks like this with comfy seats like this and power outlets at each one (great for using a laptop), do you really need to ask?


BTW, Bombardier makes lots of railroad and train stuff. Many of the NYC Subway cars are made by them.


[edit]Yeah, and train crashes are relatively safe and less percentage of death. The last *major* train wreck was about 5 yrs ago in Alabama....about 20 people (the train probably had a few hundred on it) died when a rail split (a barge hit a bridge overpass because it was too tall) caused the train to fall into the river.

See, if a train crashes, chances are you have a chance at surviving if you can swim or dig your way out (or use a fire extinguisher). If a plane crashes, you'd better sprout some wings quickly and jump out.

[/edit]

 

[luv2chill]

I traveled through Europe in trains for six weeks this summer, and I must say that I grew pretty attached to them (except for the sh*t trains in UK and Italy)...ahem... but I would definitely ride a train as long as it was convenient (i.e. fast) and cheap. On a train you actually get to see the places you're traveling through, which in places like France and Switzerland is absolutely gorgeous. Here in the US it might be less so, but still...

Hope Amtrak can get on its feet with this new bullet-train. It would be a shame to see the demise of passenger rail travel.

l2c

 

[BigToque]

Plane. Traveling by air is the safest way to travel. Saying that taking the fast train is safer cause its closer to the ground is pointless. What do you think happens when a train traveling at 200 MPH derails? Everyone dies.

If the train derails, the engineer doesnt have a chance to try to save the people. On a plane, the pilot has a chance to try to land the plane.

 

[rhinox99]

Train because when you look out the window there's actually something to see other than blue except when you're taking off or landing of course

 

[bcterps]

Depends on how far a distance, if its under 4 hours, a train trip would be fine, but if its longer than that, I aint wastin my time, I'm flying.

--Ben

 

[Pretender]

<< What do you think happens when a train traveling at 200 MPH derails? Everyone dies.
>>



Firstly, the train's top speed is 150 MPH, and it's avg. speed is around 100-130. That being said, an accident would probably be deadly at it's worst, but maybe not.

There are 2 types of accidents: 1) caused by an obstruction on the rails, or 2) caused by a problem with the rails themselves

The first one, which is more common (people trying to drive across train crossings without looking both ways, etc...something similar happened earlier this month in CA), results in minor injuries in the train, and more severe injuries to the engineer. Not very serious, unless it's a car in the way and someone's in it.

The second one causes more harmful results, but is much less common. Why? If the rails are cut or split, it breaks the circuit and alerts both the train and the route supervisor. Also, for the new bullet train (Acela), new rails were installed along the Northeast corridor for it. Even if the train does derail, the chances are 30-40 people will die, which out of a train of a few hundred isn't too bad, and considering the almost certain 100% death rate for a plain crash, it's not a guaranteed death.

 

[jaydee]

If a train's only going 150, then I wouldn't waste my time. Isn't travel by air is a lot faster? Planes are extremely safe considering the amount of people who take planes, compared to the actual chance of a crash.

 

[geoff2k]

Train. Give me the larger seats, the freedom to *really* &quot;move about the cabin&quot; as much as you like, the bar/restaurant, etc. any day of the week.

 

[SuperTool]

If it's under 5 hr ride, train any day. All the delays at airports, forget it. More then 5 hr, only if it's scenic route and I have time to waste. Train is not really in competition with jumbo jets. It competes with Greyhound, and local airline routes.

 

[Pretender]

Obviously if you're one of those commuter or business types that need to get somewhere in a hurry, the plane is the best way to go. If you're going on a trip, even if the plane is faster by a few hours or a day (if you're going cross-country), I'd suggest taking the train. The scenery is very nice, the food on the train is great, amenities are nice (bathroom, phone, etc), and the overall atmosphere is friendly and comfortable.

That's just my opinion.

 

[IBhacknU]

I'm thinking it might be difficult to visit family by taking the train (given my location)... but depending on the distance, I'd take train.

 

[chess9]

The best way to get anywhere is to walk. The second best way is to ride a bike. The third best way is to swim, and only because you can't swim in the Sahara.

Trains are an abomination and a festering sore on the landscape.

Aircraft are elegant, lovely, noisy and fast.

When in doubt choose truth first (walking) and beauty (flying) second.

 

[Imported]

Train if under 6 hours or so. But.. if I was given a choiuce between a train and lets say a F18, I know what I'd choose..