I have a hunch many to most will like the new attempt at heightened security. I think you eventually will see TSA-like activities at sporting events, malls, etc. I sort of resolved, to myself, to never again take plane flights, for several reasons and especially the TSA.
Looks like Amtrak may eventually be no different. I know several will disagree with me, but I am more worried about a rogue and ruthless Fed. govt. than Islamic terrorists, not to say the latter is not something to worry about.
Richard
Posts: 1909 | From: Santa Rosa | Registered: Jan 2004
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What is really needed is to rein in the TSA and similar attempts to develop a police state.
This has all come on gradually. Remember when all you had to do to get a train ticket or bus ticket was walk up to the window and plunk down your money? Worked quite well.
Remember when in many homes, particularly in rural areas almost everyone had a collection of guns and many were proudly displayed in a glass front cabinet? Usually it had a lock on it mostly for the purpose of keeping the small kids out, but it was not secret.
Remember when you could walk around taking pictures of tracks, bridges, or whatever and no one came out to question you? (As a college student I took multiple pictures of the Memphis Bridge, commonly called the Frisco bridge which was the first bridge across the lower river, including walking across the parallel highway bridge taking pictures so I could tape them together to make a more or less to scale picture of the entire bridge. Did that as a 22 year old college student. Try it now as a 67 year old civil engineer, and I would probably end up locked up.
Approximate quote: Those who willingly give up freedom for security deserve neither.
Posts: 2808 | From: Olive Branch MS | Registered: Nov 2002
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Here is the actual quote attributed to Benjamin Franklin:
" Those willing to give up liberty for security deserve niether and will lose both "
My response:
"O tempora, O mores"
Attributed to Cicero.
Richard, I personally know several dyed in the wool railfans who simply "refuse to fly";, "If I can't get there onh a train, I ain't going" - a position I find unreasonable.
The material you submit to this Forum shows a much higher degree maturity than that.
I understand and respect that you would PREFER to go somewhere by train - and likely wish the Amtrak Long Distance system could do more to fulfil your needs/desires/requirements. But to simply say "I refuse to fly" I think is a bit self-constraining.
I'm not sure to what extent you have immediate family, i.e. family that if you were in Service, you would be granted Emergency Leave with which to respond, residing outside of the "Bay Area", but if you do and you were confronted with a family emergency, I somehow think other family members would be "frowning" if you chose to respond using train, much beyond the ready reach of the California Corridor services. I know in my family residing in New York or area, "I'd hear about it" if I said something to the effect of "I'll be out as soon as I can get a Roomette on the Lake Shore"..
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Heck, when I was a kid, most pickups driving around had a gun or two in a rack right over the seat, in full view of the rear window. I don't mind suggesting frolks be vigilant, but that's about it.
Posts: 406 | From: La Grange, CA | Registered: Sep 2007
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quote:Originally posted by Gilbert B Norman: . . . if you do and you were confronted with a family emergency, I somehow think other family members would be "frowning" if you chose to respond using train, much beyond the ready reach of the California Corridor services. I know in my family residing in New York or area, "I'd hear about it" if I said something to the effect of "I'll be out as soon as I can get a Roomette on the Lake Shore"..
Unfortunately true. We will be on our way to Houston for a wedding in the family next week. Much as I might like stepping off a sleeeper instead of a plane, it is going to be the plane ddue to both time and costs. If I were retired and had a good income, sleeper it would be, but then it would not be from San Francisco, either. There is no way we could live reasonably in this city on what my retirement income would be.
I hate flying. Since both wife and I have metal in our bodies, we get the full terrorist treatment before getting on a plane, plus I generally travel with a laptop. So much nicer and more civilized to take the bus across the bay and simply step into the train in Emeryville, which is our norm when going down the valley.
However, lets be practical: Six days off work instead of three is not reasonable. To go by train, we would have to leave SF on Sunday morning to get to Houston on Tuesday so we can be there before our mid-day Wednesday target. Then coming back we would be leaving on Saturday to get back to SF on Monday afternoon. Instead, it will be leaving early Wednesday morning and getting back on Saturday evening.
Now, if we were back in civilization in West Tennessee / North Mississippi, and the Texas Eagle was still running on its proper 1950's early 60's schedule, how to get to Houston would be obvious. Get on the Houston sleeper in Memphis Union Station at about 7:30pm Tuesday evening and step off in Houston around 10:30 to 11:00 Wednesday morning.
Posts: 2808 | From: Olive Branch MS | Registered: Nov 2002
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The TSA is a big joke. They were NEVER supposed to get this big when they were first created. They were never supposed to get badges, either. Law enforcement associations and unions fought that, but lost. And me, as a law enforcement member with 50-state CCW privileges, can not get on an airplane with my weapon. I have to do like everyone else and check it into my baggage in a locked case. I can see the arguments both for and against it, but really, wouldn't you rather have an armed cop on the plane in case something goes haywire? The TSA says no.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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George's post about a through sleeper Memphis - Houston is understood. I have the same longing for Southern's Skyland Special every time we load up the family jeepster and drive from the Smokies to the land of the Mouse to visit the in-laws. Overnight in a pullman sounds so much better than battling congestion on I-95. Next pilgrimage coming at Thanksgiving.
In a related item - I was preparing for a special train joyride next week (Asheville-Chattanooga) by looking over a 1945 Southern Railway timetable just last night. I learned that for a time there was a through sleeper Louisville, KY - Columbia, SC handled in trains 23-24 to Danville, KY and then southward in the Carolina Special.
That pullman would come in handy for visiting friends and family in the Louisville area...... board the train in Asheville just before supper time and arrive the following morning just after breakfast...... a service done in by the earliest Piedmont Airlines puddle-jumpers from Charlotte to Louisville landing at Asheville, Tri-Cities, Corbin, and Lexington en route!
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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Just mentioned the 'Mouse' and now I'm getting banner ads for Disney World. Mickey is dressed for Halloween with big vampire teeth.
No one is really invisible on the net, are they?
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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