When you are trying to decide how to travel, a number of things comes into play. Pricing, speed, comfort, convenience, and safety are the five major things that come to mind. Riding on commuter trains are not nearly as popular as they once were, but I really have no clue why that is. Of the five categories mentioned above, only one of them would actually go to the flying industry over trains. You certainly get to your destination quicker on a plane, and that speaks volumes about the importance of speed to our society. Still, let us look at the five ways in which taking a train is better transportation than flying:
1. The number one way that riding a train is better than flying to me is the fact that you stay on the ground. Some people simply have no interest in soaring through the clouds strapped into a flying rocket. I am among those people. For me, I would much rather keep my feet firmly planted on the ground. Riding a train is not perfectly safe, but at least I am still on the ground. Also, if the train does crash, I have a much better chance of surviving the crash. That is just common sense when you consider how high a plane flies.
2. Another great advantage riding a train has over flying is the cost. Trains are notoriously inexpensive in comparison to flying, though some discount airliners have closed that gap. To me, discount airliners does not have a very good ring to it. If I am going to be flying up above the clouds, I do not want a discount plane taking me there. Trains are inexpensive and quality transportation all the way.
3. Another way that trains are better than flying is comfort. Most trains offer a very comfortable ride. Planes tend to be very cramped and uncomfortable. Then there is also the issue of sitting right on top of people that you do not know. With a train, you are generally riding with people in your party, and not being forced to sit next to some stranger two inches away.
4. Trains have a much better view than planes. As you ride along the train tracks, you can literally consider it a sight seeing tour. These trains pass through some of the most beautiful places in the United States. Riding in a plane, you are lucky to make out some little bitty dots down below. The lone exception to this was the time that I flew over the Grand Canyon. That was an incredible sight to see.
5. Finally, you will enjoy the food much better on a train than in a plane. If you have ever flown anywhere, you know the horrors of airplane food. Train food tends to be much better, and on a long trip that is significant. As a matter of fact, you sometimes have a diner right there on the train. Trains seem to take more pride in the little things such as food. Trains rock when it comes to dining!
