Actually, this probably needs to wait for Mica to get off the Transportation Committee. Mica is 73 years old so this may happen fairly soon even if he doesn't get knocked out by the voters. Which he might, since the demographics of his district have been moving against him.
the services on the Canadian are 999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999 times better, especially in prestige class
What's the likelihood Mica could be replaced by someone just as bad for Amtrak - or worse?
From the same district? Almost zero. Either he won't be replaced, or he will be replaced by someone much better. We already have a pretty good idea what his only credible challenger's views are. But whoever is the new person, he won't have seniority, and Schuster is being challenged by a Tea party person who has managed to get the nomination from the Pennsylvania Democratic Party who will be bad for Amtrak. But then again, he also won't have seniority should he get elected knocking off Schuster.
And the cost for prestige is 999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999,999 times more expensive than Amtrak's Deluxe Bedroom. Frankly, I am one who likes Amtrak better than Via Rail especially the food choice since I am not much of a lamb, seafood, or duck eater. Once you have ridden the Canadian between Toronto and Edmonton it becomes a very boring ride. And on my trip on the Ocean and Corridor I do not accept that the service on board is better.
I wouldn't say that at all. I found VIA staff to be way more "consistent" than Amtrak. But I've had better staff on Amtrak trains than on the Canadian. But I've had much worse on Amtrak as well.... Like I said... via is mostly consistent.
Would comparison of The Canadian with the three times a week CHI to LAX route of the Texas Eagle be an apples to apples one? Or would the TE's failure to go twice a week in the Winter and it's CHI to SAS leg being a daily one make that comparison meaningless too?Interestingly we are comparing one twice a week in the winter and thrice a week in the summer, with the entire LD service of Amtrak, which is anything but an apples to apples comparison. But I suppose whatever rocks ones boat
Overall I found the Canadian to have better service than Amtrak but they certainly weren't perfect. The Canadian had a weird departure out of Vancouver where the coach customers spent thirty minutes boarding first and the sleeper passengers had to rush to their cars as the doors were closing. They also seemed to suffer from temporary staff syndrome on board in the summer. People who didn't have the job year round sometimes struggled to keep things moving smoothly. There was also a weird situation where I needed something and nobody was around, so I knocked on a door that said "supervisor" in the middle of the daytime. Instead of receiving assistance some angry sleepy guy shouted at me to shut the door and leave him alone. I'm not sure what went wrong there but it seems like they should put up a sign that indicates the person inside is resting or is only available for emergencies or whatever.
I see this sentiment a lot but over time I've come to the conclusion that many people do see Amtrak LD routes like a US version of The Canadian, or at least would like to see it that way. The land cruise concept doesn't make much sense for coach but with sleeper prices sometimes stretching into thousands of dollars there are actual cruise ships that cost less than Amtrak. Same with first class airfare. Occasionally I've even seen Amtrak prices that came close to approaching the cost of a long distance multi-day taxi ride.
Would comparison of The Canadian with the three times a week CHI to LAX route of the Texas Eagle be an apples to apples one? Or would the TE's failure to go twice a week in the Winter and it's CHI to SAS leg being a daily one make that comparison meaningless too?Interestingly we are comparing one twice a week in the winter and thrice a week in the summer, with the entire LD service of Amtrak, which is anything but an apples to apples comparison. But I suppose whatever rocks ones boat
Perhaps a better question would be: in your opinion, are there any Amtrak and any VIA routes between which an apples to apples comparison can be made?
None in my opinion. They serve completely different purposes. And of course like anyone else I am entitled to my opinion.Would comparison of The Canadian with the three times a week CHI to LAX route of the Texas Eagle be an apples to apples one? Or would the TE's failure to go twice a week in the Winter and it's CHI to SAS leg being a daily one make that comparison meaningless too?Interestingly we are comparing one twice a week in the winter and thrice a week in the summer, with the entire LD service of Amtrak, which is anything but an apples to apples comparison. But I suppose whatever rocks ones boat
Perhaps a better question would be: in your opinion, are there any Amtrak and any VIA routes between which an apples to apples comparison can be made?
Maybe the Toronto - Montreal corridor could be compared to the NEC or Pacific Surfliner, at least in terms of the intent of the service?None in my opinion. They serve completely different purposes. And of course like anyone else I am entitled to my opinion.Would comparison of The Canadian with the three times a week CHI to LAX route of the Texas Eagle be an apples to apples one? Or would the TE's failure to go twice a week in the Winter and it's CHI to SAS leg being a daily one make that comparison meaningless too?Interestingly we are comparing one twice a week in the winter and thrice a week in the summer, with the entire LD service of Amtrak, which is anything but an apples to apples comparison. But I suppose whatever rocks ones boat
Perhaps a better question would be: in your opinion, are there any Amtrak and any VIA routes between which an apples to apples comparison can be made?
Yes. Indeed. I was commenting on the LD trains. Actually coming to think of it, the Ocean can be compared with Amtrak LD trains I think. OTOH, it would be completely crazy to try to compare the Skeena with anything. Maybe each day part of it can be compared with Palmetto sans domes. The Jonquiere and Saeneterre services are also Palmetto-ish though not daily, and certainly through much less populated areas.Maybe the Toronto - Montreal corridor could be compared to the NEC or Pacific Surfliner, at least in terms of the intent of the service?None in my opinion. They serve completely different purposes. And of course like anyone else I am entitled to my opinion.Would comparison of The Canadian with the three times a week CHI to LAX route of the Texas Eagle be an apples to apples one? Or would the TE's failure to go twice a week in the Winter and it's CHI to SAS leg being a daily one make that comparison meaningless too?Interestingly we are comparing one twice a week in the winter and thrice a week in the summer, with the entire LD service of Amtrak, which is anything but an apples to apples comparison. But I suppose whatever rocks ones boat
Perhaps a better question would be: in your opinion, are there any Amtrak and any VIA routes between which an apples to apples comparison can be made?
What is there that puts, say, a 3 night vacation trip on one train out of contention for comparison to a 2 night business or commuting trip on another train?
