How Did The Trip Stack Up, Transportation Wise?

Being we just came home from a 3 airplane and 1 train journey, it's time to compare the two.

The airplane journeys were usually under 2 hours in length, that made them easier to handle, than a long journey.

Spliting up the original flight to Nashville, into 2 legs over 2 days, made it also easier to handle, than our 2 stop trip to South Dakota in September.

We seriously hated that layover in Denver. Almost 60 gates between our first flight and our second flight.

So I made the offer to my Husband to split our flights by a day and enjoy time with his friends in Phoenix.

They enjoyed their time with us, and we saw more than just our hotel and airport.

Flying to Nashville, Tennessee was later in the day, and so we arrived around 9PM Central Time.

I did not mind the time, but I did mind the fact that I was in a strange town in the rain (and after dark).

In good news for me, we were only about 10 minutes from the hotel. All airport streets, not Interstates (good planning, angel).

Getting picked up at Detroit was also pretty easy. We contacted our Son, and he pulled out of the cell phone parking area, to get us.

We did not pay extra for getting a low number group, so we had to wait for group 6 each time. We ended up with no problem, because we paid $10 per person, to choose our seats. Though we were in the later group, we had no problem placing our backpacks up in the overhead compartment. Being we did not have to run to another gate, we had less stress, in regard to getting out of the aircraft.

Getting through TSA each time, was a true nightmare. I had a problem with my small crossbody bag, with my identification in it. They refused to let me board, until that disappeared into one of my other 2 bags.

So I packed it into my carry on bag, and off I went. Sheesh.

Got a pat down at Phoenix, similar to the time at Rapid City. They sometimes think I have something between my legs. Sigh...

The minute we got to Detroit, I had my Son bring us to Costco. I could get an $8 throw blanket, for my final hotel, and the train trip home. Trust me, I was much happier with that.

On the train, I noticed that we sometimes had meals with other people (breakfast), and most times all alone. Better than having a fight each meal.

It was darker much earlier in the evening, so we saw less, but the trees were bare, and thus when we did have daylight, it was more interesting.

Price wise, the Amtrak was much more expensive than the flights, but it was a 81st birthday gift to my Husband.

I love Amtrak!