Does anybody actually LIKE traveling in coach?

[msbask]

I'm planning a cross-country trip for Spring '09, going from NYP to CHI, where I'll spend two days before heading to LAX on the Southwest Chief (although I may switch that to the California Zephyr based on other posts I've read about the scenery being better on the Zephyr). My plan was to travel coach from NYP to CHI, and coach again for (at least) the first half of the trip out to CA, if not the whole trip. I haven't totally decided yet.

My reason is that I am slightly claustrophobic and don't think I'd handle a roomette well. I have no problem sleeping anywhere and earplugs will work just fine for me to handle any noise. I think also want the experience of mingling with the other passengers throughout the day.

Most of the posts on this board just rave about sleeping compartments and first class travel, and actually are really derogatory about anyone traveling in coach.

I've seen coach travelers called riff-raff, and lots of general indications that sleeper passengers don't want to associate with coach passengers.

Anyway, the point of my post is that I'm wondering are there any coach fans out there, who wouldn't ever travel any other way? Or am I deluding myself that I can spend 18 hours, then 2 whole days in coach without going crazy?

 

[cpamtfan]

I like coach, its not as good as a roomette or bedroom, but it is good. Now, if only I could get my mom to belive I would sleep if we got a roomette or bedroom .

cpamtfan-Peter

 

[Guest]

I'm planning a cross-country trip for Spring '09, going from NYP to CHI, where I'll spend two days before heading to LAX on the Southwest Chief (although I may switch that to the California Zephyr based on other posts I've read about the scenery being better on the Zephyr). My plan was to travel coach from NYP to CHI, and coach again for (at least) the first half of the trip out to CA, if not the whole trip. I haven't totally decided yet.
My reason is that I am slightly claustrophobic and don't think I'd handle a roomette well. I have no problem sleeping anywhere and earplugs will work just fine for me to handle any noise. I think also want the experience of mingling with the other passengers throughout the day.

Most of the posts on this board just rave about sleeping compartments and first class travel, and actually are really derogatory about anyone traveling in coach.

I've seen coach travelers called riff-raff, and lots of general indications that sleeper passengers don't want to associate with coach passengers.

Anyway, the point of my post is that I'm wondering are there any coach fans out there, who wouldn't ever travel any other way? Or am I deluding myself that I can spend 18 hours, then 2 whole days in coach without going crazy?

You're given more attention in Sleeper class (it's not 1st class) probably because there's a smaller number of passengers for the attendant to handle and it can be a great way to travel. If you know how to get along with people from all walks of life you should do fine in coach (as well as in the sleeper). It's just different, but I wouldn't call coach travelers, rifraf. If someone gets out of hand, ask for assistance.

Unless I'm asleep or napping I keep the door open in the roommette to avoid motion sickness and your doing the same should help with the claustrophobia.

 

[Guest_inspiration100_*]

I am also rather claustrophobic. I found the roomette to be just fine for me, I just left the door open when I was in the room during the day. It's a little bigger than it looks. As for your question, I really don't like the coach. Last time I was riding I had some guy with his head phones on singing next to me, and across the isle a girl that had more tattoos than Bill Gates has dollars.

None the less, I have taken the coach many more times than sleeper. If you can find someone to mingle with then I guess your in good shape. Personally I find the coach crowd to be a little more "rough" as you might put it.

 

[The Metropolitan]

I'm something of an anomoly. I like the sleeping accomodations, but generally tend to prefer the coach riders.

Don't get me wrong, I've met some very nice people riding sleeper, but I do admit that most of the sleeper clientele tends to trend towards the older, well-to-do folks. Coach class is more of the great melting pot of humanity that I prefer to mingle with. At 36 years old, I still have another couple years of desired youth in me.

But the sleep in the sleepers is SOOOO much better than coach. It's like being rocked to sleep. Despite my best efforts to zone out in coach to sleep, I always wind up in an awkward position, my back hurting, my wrist or legs losing circulation, or just unable to unwind.

I've travelled overnight in coach 4 times between Sep. 06 and Feb 07, overnight in sleeper at 5 times between Sep 06 and Jun 08. I've hit the point where I try my best to reserve as far in advance as I can to get a low bucket price on a Roomette. I love my coach brethren but I also love waking up refreshed!

I would do coach overnight again in a pinch, but I really don't think I could do more than one night in coach, mainly for the BO factor. The shower also goes a long way to make you feel good.

 

[p&sr]

Anyway, the point of my post is that I'm wondering are there any coach fans out there, who wouldn't ever travel any other way? Or am I deluding myself that I can spend 18 hours, then 2 whole days in coach without going crazy?

I always travel Coach, and wouldn't have it any other way. This includes three round-trips cross-country (California to Boston and back) and lots of travel throughout the West. Just this June my wife and I took a trip from San Diego to Chicago and back to Sacramento, coach all the way, and loved it.

 

[Lamar]

I am also rather claustrophobic. I found the roomette to be just fine for me, I just left the door open when I was in the room during the day. It's a little bigger than it looks. As for your question, I really don't like the coach. Last time I was riding I had some guy with his head phones on singing next to me, and across the isle a girl that had more tattoos than Bill Gates has dollars.
None the less, I have taken the coach many more times than sleeper. If you can find someone to mingle with then I guess your in good shape. Personally I find the coach crowd to be a little more "rough" as you might put it.

As a tattooed, civilized person who has traveled in both, I like Coach just fine. In fact, the seats are more comfortable, in my opinion. The main loss is privacy and the dining car priveleges. I do love the roomettes, but I also like the fact that, in coach, I can see out of BOTH sides of the train while traveling.

 

[OlympianHiawatha]

I've always found Coach to be alright for trips up to about 24 or so hours, provided the train isn't so crowded you get stuck with a stranger in the seat next to you. I've always found many of the folks in the seats surrounding you quickly become "family" watching after one another and providing often interesting conversation. A couple of pillows and a small blanket make perfect "nesting material" helping for a decent sleep. And I learned on an overnight to get up early and hit the dressing room before it gets pitted out. Many pax don't know about it and it gives you enough room to shave, take a fast touch up "bath" and change.

 

[inspiration100]

As a tattooed, civilized person who has traveled in both, I like Coach just fine. In fact, the seats are more comfortable, in my opinion. The main loss is privacy and the dining car priveleges. I do love the roomettes, but I also like the fact that, in coach, I can see out of BOTH sides of the train while traveling.

Well there you go folks, I guess I knew what I was talking about. I'll bet it was your girlfriend that was sitting across the isle.

Just having fun with you h34r: .

 

[Konrad]

I'm planning a cross-country trip for Spring '09, going from NYP to CHI, where I'll spend two days before heading to LAX on the Southwest Chief (although I may switch that to the California Zephyr based on other posts I've read about the scenery being better on the Zephyr). My plan was to travel coach from NYP to CHI, and coach again for (at least) the first half of the trip out to CA, if not the whole trip. I haven't totally decided yet.
My reason is that I am slightly claustrophobic and don't think I'd handle a roomette well. I have no problem sleeping anywhere and earplugs will work just fine for me to handle any noise. I think also want the experience of mingling with the other passengers throughout the day.

Most of the posts on this board just rave about sleeping compartments and first class travel, and actually are really derogatory about anyone traveling in coach.

I've seen coach travelers called riff-raff, and lots of general indications that sleeper passengers don't want to associate with coach passengers.

Anyway, the point of my post is that I'm wondering are there any coach fans out there, who wouldn't ever travel any other way? Or am I deluding myself that I can spend 18 hours, then 2 whole days in coach without going crazy?

I'm travelling LAX to NYP in March and have already booked. I've lashed out and purchased bedrooms for the whole trip (sole occupancy) for only $1024. I'll be returning on the CZ with my partner in April.

After a 14 hour flight to the west coast I reckon I'm going to need all the space, comfort and privacy I can get!

Regarding attitudes to coach passengers I haven't noticed any snobbery regarding levels of accommodation. I stay out of the coaches to respect the privacy of those travelling there but I converse freely with coach passengers in the diner and lounge whenever the opportunity presents itself. Gee, if you're really nice I might even let you use my shower

 

[inspiration100]

Gee, if you're really nice I might even let you use my shower

New business plan! Sell showers to coach passengers. Brilliant! :lol:

 

[Karl]

My vote is for coach for no more than 24 - 36 hours, more than that i need a SHOWER! I also am slightly claustrophobic and the openness of coach is more comfortable than a roomette or bedroom. Next trip will have a sleeping bag pad for on top of the seat. As to the quality of the coach crowd the best I can say is if you demand your cheese "velveeta", go sleeper. If you want to enjoy a wide varity, go coach. Expect the occasional "green" or "blue". YOUR attitude determines whether you enjoy or resent the adventure. Dont forget the extra books, snacks, etc. If you want to be MR or MS popular bring a power strip and a couple of extension cords, most coaches only have one outlet and YOU may have the oppornuty to be the hero.

 

[RailFanLNK]

I prefer sleeper accomadations for the privacy, but the coach price! When we go from Lincoln NE to Chicago we always go coach. Its only 10 hours or so and pretty much all daylight. I tend to agree that you get to know more people in coach than in the sleepers. But I really like to sleep laying down. Thats huge for me! I once sat from Winter Park CO to Lincoln with a guy who had just been released from prison, going home to Chicago and he was atheist and his family was Jehovah Witnesses. So he said that was going to be interesting. I think he was trying to scare me but I didn't buy into it. Also, the tattoo thing......kids are getting not just one anymore but COVERED, so most of the times, they are the innocent kid down the street that worked all summer to add to their tattoo collection. That just doesn't faze me. Sometimes its the innocent looking sweetheart of the guy that looks like your father that is the turd roaming the train stealing stuff or bothering people.

 

[Everydaymatters]

I prefer the sleeper for comfort, but coach for afforability. I've never met anyone memorable in the sleeper, but have met terrific people in coach. There's more opportunity to communicate in coach.

The only riffraff I've met in coach are the occasional passenger who drinks too much and gets too noisy and obnoxious. They aren't considered riffraff in civilian life, but seem to think there's anonimity in train travel that allows them to shed their inhibiitions.

 

[Walt]

My reason is that I am slightly claustrophobic and don't think I'd handle a roomette well.

I am more than slightly claustrophobic, but I have absolutely no problem at all with the roomettes.

I can't comment about coach, since I have yet to ever ride in coach, but I am sure glad I wasn't in coach the time my train was 24 hours late! From what I heard, coach degraded into bedlam, while except for the additional time, sleeper passengers were kept fed and comfy.

 

[da40flyer]

My vote is for coach for no more than 24 - 36 hours, more than that i need a SHOWER! I also am slightly claustrophobic and the openness of coach is more comfortable than a roomette or bedroom. Next trip will have a sleeping bag pad for on top of the seat. As to the quality of the coach crowd the best I can say is if you demand your cheese "velveeta", go sleeper. If you want to enjoy a wide varity, go coach. Expect the occasional "green" or "blue". YOUR attitude determines whether you enjoy or resent the adventure. Dont forget the extra books, snacks, etc. If you want to be MR or MS popular bring a power strip and a couple of extension cords, most coaches only have one outlet and YOU may have the oppornuty to be the hero.

I did bring a power strip with me on the CS in coach. I never had to buy my own beer because of it.

 

[the_traveler]

I usually travel alone , and because the cost of the sleeper is the same for 1 or 2 people, I normally go coach. (If I'm with someone, I may consider a sleeper - the meals justify the extra cost for 2.)

Personally, if you're considering the CZ, you may want to consider taking a sleeper for the 1st night out of CHI and go coach for the 2nd night. The reason is (nothing personal) between CHI and DEN is boring flat plains. West of DEN (starting on the 2nd morning), you will probably (or should) be in the Sightseer Lounge for much of the day - as this is the VERY scenic portion!

 

[had8ley]

Just from personal experience there is nothing like riding the tale end of the Crescent, in coaches that are usually shut down to revenue pax, around the many curves between Picayune, MS and Birmingham. Now if the sleepers were back there like when the Southern ran the train you'd have to get the Jaws of Life to move me out of first class.

 

[wayman]

Just from personal experience there is nothing like riding the tale end of the Crescent, in coaches that are usually shut down to revenue pax, around the many curves between Picayune, MS and Birmingham. Now if the sleepers were back there like when the Southern ran the train you'd have to get the Jaws of Life to move me out of first class.

I wonder if those rear coaches are now in revenue service with the increased Crescent ridership?

I'm considering my December travel arrangements for December--I know I need to book soon! Perhaps the Sunset to the Crescent (to parents in LYH). Haven't decided on sleeper/coach, but without thinking about price was considering sleeper for the Crescent and not the Sunset (breakfast into LYH and right near my sleeper with an attendant to provide extra help for my hasty breakfast-to-detraining). The last time I took the Crescent NB into LYH I realized over my second coffee and fascinating breakfast conversation that we were just going under the tunnel into Kemper St Station! Heartily thanked the LSA and apologetically handed him a $20 which more than covered breakfast and dashed back four cars for my bags!!! Might reconsider given Had8ley's advice... but maybe they'll let me ride in coach for that stretch if there are some free seats back there and I'll get the best of both worlds

To answer the OP's question, I love traveling coach but also look forward to some sleeper travel later this year and next year as my AGR points rack up. I've had comfortable sleeps in coach and always met great people there, and I can easily imagine meeting far fewer carmates in sleeper (but still meeting folks in the lounge and diner of course). The space and views are nice. But if coach is 80% full instead of 40% full, my views on coach comfort may change.

 

[Guest]

Just from personal experience there is nothing like riding the tale end of the Crescent, in coaches that are usually shut down to revenue pax, around the many curves between Picayune, MS and Birmingham. Now if the sleepers were back there like when the Southern ran the train you'd have to get the Jaws of Life to move me out of first class.

Well, that (the curves) explains my problem with motion sickness on the Crescent.

Don't you get run out of that "private" coach when you go there?

 

[Dan O]

I traveled w/ 2 older kids (16 and 20) to from LA to CHI and back this summer and we all did fine. I didn't notice too many folks awake when I woke up around 6 AM. I am sure roomettes are more comfy but I had little trouble sleeping any of the 4 nights on the train.

Dan

 

[had8ley]

Just from personal experience there is nothing like riding the tale end of the Crescent, in coaches that are usually shut down to revenue pax, around the many curves between Picayune, MS and Birmingham. Now if the sleepers were back there like when the Southern ran the train you'd have to get the Jaws of Life to move me out of first class.

Well, that (the curves) explains my problem with motion sickness on the Crescent.

Don't you get run out of that "private" coach when you go there?

I've known the crews for years and put in 37 years RR'ing. BTW, IF they shut down any coaches it is always between NOL and Atlanta. They fill up from Atlanta north and vacate the same way coming back on #19. I've noticed that there has been only one coach shut off leaving Atlanta lately. Business must be picking up.

 

[Green Maned Lion]

I'm planning a cross-country trip for Spring '09, going from NYP to CHI, where I'll spend two days before heading to LAX on the Southwest Chief (although I may switch that to the California Zephyr based on other posts I've read about the scenery being better on the Zephyr). My plan was to travel coach from NYP to CHI, and coach again for (at least) the first half of the trip out to CA, if not the whole trip. I haven't totally decided yet.
My reason is that I am slightly claustrophobic and don't think I'd handle a roomette well. I have no problem sleeping anywhere and earplugs will work just fine for me to handle any noise. I think also want the experience of mingling with the other passengers throughout the day.

Most of the posts on this board just rave about sleeping compartments and first class travel, and actually are really derogatory about anyone traveling in coach.

I've seen coach travelers called riff-raff, and lots of general indications that sleeper passengers don't want to associate with coach passengers.

Anyway, the point of my post is that I'm wondering are there any coach fans out there, who wouldn't ever travel any other way? Or am I deluding myself that I can spend 18 hours, then 2 whole days in coach without going crazy?

The roomettes are small, but not claustrophobically so (in my opinion) and my girlfriend agrees with me, which means something because she can be claustrophobic at times.

I don't mind coach, if it wasn't for the fact that sleeping on Amfleet coach seats tends to make my back hurt in places I didn't know I even have when sleeping. I think its the way they bounce around. So I like sleeping on a flat surface.

During the day, though, I don't even use the sleeper. I'm in the lounge or walking the length of the train, as I often do several times.

Yet, as I mentioned, on longer distance trips, I tend to go sleeper! You're sure avoiding me going sleeper, let me tell you! I'm not wealthy, and taking train vacations is an extravagance for me.

Contrarywise, I've met very upstanding citizen types in coach. They either are going relatively short distances, or don't like spending money on something they consider unimportant. Or there were no sleepers available when they booked. Plus the less upstanding people are the most interesting to chat with, in my experience. The truly obnoxious types are a problem, until someone mentions them to the conductor. Then they clean up their act, or take the act to the side of a side road near a grade level crossing.

I prefer the sleeper for comfort, but coach for afforability. I've never met anyone memorable in the sleeper, but have met terrific people in coach. There's more opportunity to communicate in coach.
The only riffraff I've met in coach are the occasional passenger who drinks too much and gets too noisy and obnoxious. They aren't considered riffraff in civilian life, but seem to think there's anonimity in train travel that allows them to shed their inhibiitions.

Its not the anonymity, I don't think, Betty. I think its the fact that there is little reason to inhibit your drinking on a train where your only responsibility is to keep yourself acting human. You don't have to drive. You don't have to find things (Everything is, after all, bi-directional linearity on a train), you don't have to cook, shower, or get work done. All you have to do is be an acceptable social member of the train's society.

I too have seen the obnoxious drunks in coach, and they really should be read the riot act. (I've seen quite a few of them get the riot act read to them.) I drink (sometimes too much) on trains. In a sleeping car, you have to be quiet. Being drunk might turn up your volume knob, and turn off the Dolby, but it doesn't put a tape in. People who talk too much while drunk, or are too noisy when drunk, are inherently noisy and talkative people. Likewise in a coach. No reason, though, to be so quiet when there is a party in the lounge car.

 

[Ispolkom]

Coach vs. sleeper? Heck, I want a *private car*. Preferably well-stocked with French champagne. Failing that, I'll bring the champagne on and enjoy it in my sleeper. I have no problem with my fellow travelers in coach (except for the cellphone users), but I'm appalled by the wine selection in the lounge.

Sadly, my bank account is such that on shorter runs I often ride coach, wear earplugs, and drink soda. At least it's carbonated.

 

[caravanman]

My vote is for Coach travel.. but as others have said, lying flat to sleep is a whole lot better than sitting upright. The best combination for me is if I can go coach, yet have a vacant seat beside me to curl up on at night. Being 6 foot 2", it is hard to get comfy alongside a stranger. The sheer variety of people travelling in coach is always an education, especially for those of us trying to find the real america, main street usa!

I went from Sacramento to New York changing trains in Chicago all by coach once, but I spent a whole hour in the shower when I got to the big apple!

Ed B)