this post was submitted on 19 Jun 2025
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[–] ArbitraryValue 7 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (4 children)

I fly because it's fast, not because I like airplanes. Even the fastest train is way too slow to replace a plane for a long-distance trip. Then for shorter distances cars win out because of how convenient they are. There's no niche for passenger trains except for commuting into urban areas with no parking.

It doesn't help that in the USA train tickets seem to cost more than plane tickets. I think I'd still usually fly even if the train was free, so I'm certainly not going to pay extra for a slower method of transportation even if it is a little more comfortable.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (4 children)

Depends what you are thinking of as long distance. NY to LA? Sure. NY to Chicago would be 4-4.5 hours, downtown to downtown, with a proper train (typical French TGV speeds of 330 kmh / 205 mph). Faster than flying when you count the time and cost of getting to the airport etc., and that's by no means the fastest train. The fastest lines of the Shinkansen and the next generation TGV they're planning in France are over 1.5 times as fast as that.

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Every time I take an airplane, I feel tired and worn out. I don't want to do anything for the rest of the day except take a nap.

Trains are no problem.

The main reasons might be relatively low oxygen at altitude (cabins are usually pressurized somewhere between 1/3rd to 1/2 atmosphere) and uncomfortable seats. But I think the whole dreary process of getting on and off the airplane is part of it, too. Train stations are so much more low key, even in large metropolitan areas.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 days ago

You also don't have to show up 2 hours in advance to a train station and plan your entire day(or two) around a trip.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (5 children)

I mean, some of this is just silly and entirely based on the locations involved. For instance, a flight from Chicago to Florida is going to be cheaper and faster than Rail, and you’re not going to just hop off wherever the hell you want. And no you can’t just hop on the next one, you miss your train departure and you’re SOL.

I do also question the “safety” aspect. I’m pretty sure both trains and planes have extremely high safety rates, and are pretty much on par with each other.

Also… why is “on the ground” a bullet point? You’re on the ground 99.9% of your life, you telling me it’s not cool as shit to be flying through the air?

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[–] mindbleach 3 points 3 days ago (12 children)

No turbulence while taking a piss or shit

Train bathrooms seem specifically designed to discourage using the bathroom while riding a train.

Also I had a laptop die from the constant vibrations destroying the hard disk drive.

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 days ago
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