All Aboard

I'm sure you've been told not to keep all your eggs in one basket. That is a bit of old wisdom that seems as important today as it was back in the day. The problem is that we haven't learned no to do it. Stop and consider the state of public transportation, more precisely, the state of long distance public transportation. The airlines are in trouble. Carriers that are failing to make the grade are merging, as if taking two failing companies and making one will suddenly take care of the failing. Air frames are aging, and the airlines are not planning on replacing them. The whole thing is so reminiscent of a previous time.

In the late 1960s and early 1970s the same thing was happening, ridership was down, equipment was aging and a solution was needed. Then the culprit was the railroads. Most railroads had not invested significantly in their rolling stock since just after World War II. They were being hit with financial problems and a declining ridership partly due to the airlines. Making a long story short, they needed a bail out that came as Amtrak. Finally, the railroads could focus on what was making them money and leave the passengers to the airlines and the bus.

Fast forward thirty years and look at the mess we are in. Airline competition is on it's way down with airlines closing or in danger of bankruptcy. The flying public isn't happy. Flying used to be fun, now it's something to be avoided. The security to get on the plane is a mess. I don't think it deterring terrorists as much as it is deterring customers. The airports have become crowded and high priced. As soon as you go through security you feel as if you are in a minimum security prison. I hate it, but then again I'm tired of being treated like a criminal in the name of security, but that's another rant.

Today, I finish a business trip to Chicago and am waiting to go back to the train station to begin my trip back to Kansas City. The trip up was lovely. On Amtrak, you don't feel like a criminal. The people are friendly, and the travel is conformable. I'd gotten out of the habit of trying to take the train where ever I traveled, but it's now time to get back to it. The TSA isn't present at the train station. I don't need to go through metal detectors after nearly completely disrobing. I can leave my shoes on and walk through the train station with dignity and feeling free.

We need our trains. We need Amtrak. We need options when we travel. With gas probably going to hit 5.00 per gallon, we need public transportation. After the attack on September 11th the only transportation running was cars and trains. The government grounded all air transportation. Amtrak saved the day and helped keep people moving. That should have been a wake up call to the government that the need to give it it's fair funding. Instead of starting to improve Amtrak, the government decided to fund more security measures at airports. This continued the practice of putting all our eggs in one basket. It's high time we stopped.

Amtrak deserves our support. Buy a ticket and go on a trip. Look out the window and see America. Head up to the dining car for a meal with new friends, and then wander to the observation car and get the big picture. Most of all relax and enjoy the trip. Traveling isn't about getting there as much as it is seeing the sights and enjoying the trip. The FAA and the airlines have forgotten about this so come home to the train.