US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - I cant believe how much I enjoyed not flying US

I had to go to DC last week and decided some time ago that I was fed up with the hassles of flying into DC and bought a first class ticket on Acela. At least where I live, since I can take the train to Penn, first class on the train is about $50 cheaper than a shuttle ticket and round trip limo ride.

What a huge difference it was. Decent meal served, outstanding service in the car (about 25 people, 2 porters and a cook for our car). Great selection of drinks including a single malt scotch. Very confortable seats with table for eating or working and 2 standard electric outlets per 1 or 2 seats (depending on which seating location). It was mostly full but a busines associate and I got a 4 seat, central table configured spot for ourselves. We were able to work on a several projects all the way down to DC. In addition to electricity, cell phones worked pretty much the entire trip. Fairly nice lounges in both stations, DC a bit nicer. FREE wireless internet in DC. They record your train when you arrive at the lounge and announce when you should board. Arrived feeling relaxed and like I had gotten a lot done. On the return I was looking forward to it, not dreading it. This is really how premium travel should be. Maybe US should hire Amtrak to help them reorganize their shuttle and first class service.

(Please dont move to the Amtrak board, this is really meant to be about the difference between US Shuttle and Amtrak)

I'm a fan of train travel myself, but I'm not sure it's such a fair comparison when you figure Amtrak hasn't made money in forever, give or take.

I don't think suggesting that airlines should model themselves after Amtrak is a good idea given Amtrak's dismal financial state, the Acela being one of their biggest money-losers.

That's what's killing the DC shuttle. Boston continues to do well, with the trip via train being longer relative to distance (even with roadbed improvment) than the Washington run. One problem I have run into is poor scheduling on Amtrak late in the day. I have tried to use it from EWR (CO even sells it as a connect and gives OnePass miles)to the Connecticut suburbs, and both times, late arrival of my flight (around 6PM) has caused me to miss the last one. I have to be in Philly next week, and because of a late dinner, I miss the last train which is only around 5:30. A flight on US is hundreds of dollars, versus Amtrak fares which start at 50 bucks. I'll have to rent a car to do it. Wish they would fix that. Otherwise, it's a no brainer(and no ATC) on short hauls.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by deelmakur:
That's what's killing the DC shuttle. Boston continues to do well, with the trip via train being longer relative to distance (even with roadbed improvment) than the Washington run. One problem I have run into is poor scheduling on Amtrak late in the day. I have tried to use it from EWR (CO even sells it as a connect and gives OnePass miles)to the Connecticut suburbs, and both times, late arrival of my flight (around 6PM) has caused me to miss the last one. I have to be in Philly next week, and because of a late dinner, I miss the last train which is only around 5:30. A flight on US is hundreds of dollars, versus Amtrak fares which start at 50 bucks. I'll have to rent a car to do it. Wish they would fix that. Otherwise, it's a no brainer(and no ATC) on short hauls.</font>


Not sure about the schedule to Boston but last Acela out of Washington is at 8PM which would put it in Philly at like 9:30-9:45 I think. Im going to Boston this week, I will probably take Acela there, and fly back. They are showing 3.5 hours to Boston from New York Penn. Havent tried that one, will give it a whirl.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by deelmakur:
One problem I have run into is poor scheduling on Amtrak late in the day. </font>

From the EWR rail station, service is limited. You would have a much larger selection of both North and Southbound options if you took the monorail to the airport rail station, and THEN took an NJT ride 5 minutes North to Newark Penn Station. From there, you will find many more options.

A hassle, indeed, but the EWR rail station was mainly intended for NYC/NJ area residents who have a large selection of NJT or Amtrak trains in and out of Newark Penn Station and New York Penn Station. It still befuddles me as to why they didn't extend the monorail a few more miles (other than $$$$) and have it join up at Penn Station. That seems like a no-brainer, practical link-up with the airport. A lot more Amtrak trains would then be an option for PA/NJ/NY/CT residents to make a flight from EWR more hassle free.

On the topic of Acela Express service - the First Class service is great, at least compared to riding domestic F on any US Airline. Even the standard(i.e. Business Class) service is fantastic. Slightly less legroom and no free meal or drinks. The fastest NY-DC ride on the schedule is about 2:40. That's definitely an advantage over the airlines hands down. I don't care how much advertising they do to say they are 'better' or 'faster' than the train. There's so many other factors that go into making a trip that people like BBB just don't get.

I've been taking it from PHL to NYC for almost 2 years now on a weekly basis. Flying isn't even a thought. My only complaint is that it rarely runs on time when I leave NYC. The ride is scheduled to be 1:06. I can think of one or two times it kept to the schedule. I usually end up making the trip in 1:15-1:20 due to delays the train encounters on the BOS-NYC leg. They have a 20 minute stop in NYC built into the schedule that is often longer. Too many trains on those tracks. Just like air traffic delays.

And, yes, Amtrak is losing money. It always has and probably always will. David Gunn(Amtrak President) argues that public transporation isn't designed to make money. I would agree. He points to many examples of popular high speed rail systems throughout the world that are heavily state subsidized and not operated as for-profit businesses, but instead services for the taxpayers. Our own government has put Amtrak in the backseat of other national transportation initiatives like the highways and air traffic system. These shouldn't be reduced, but more money and a firmer comittment to providing high speed reliable travel between major city centers is badly needed.

Everyone probably knows this, but they have made major cuts in the quality of shuttle services on US:
*Elliminated the Fox News Now broadcast which used to be updated twice evry business day;
*Elliminated lunch and dinner premium snacks, even on business days. The shuttle now only serves the standard main line US snacks in coach and first class. In the past, shuttle offered premium level and quality of snacks over main line service;
*Elliminated bottled Sam Adams beer. Again, now only main line canned beer is offered;
*On the longer (longest shuttle) BOS to DCA market, substituted older 737 equipment. The equipment does not have the empower laptop ports, or the video screens;
*Shuttle has adopted a historic level of draconian adherence to all fare rules in all stations. It used to be that only DCA was strict and by the book, but now I have several personal and iwintess accounts that all three shuttle stations treat the fare rules as though it were a devout religion or calling. For example, standby is not allowed during restricted times, and changes are more difficult to make on nonrefundable tickets;
*Plastic cups are used in first class, including newly introduced first class service on the shuttle;

I am going to try the DL or AA shuttle, because the service level and amenities offered in flight could not be less than on US. Also, contrary to some, I have never had a problem with the DL shuttle open seating. I may even try Acella again especially BOS to New York. I did take Acella Express once when it started, and while it was ok, I was not really really impressed with it, but I would try it again.

Dealmaker any insights in to Acella? I heard they were doing extremely well in the months following 9/11? Have all those travelers just gone back to flying the shuttles? Does this mean these travelers were not really impressed with Acella?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by jetsetter:

I am going to try the DL or AA shuttle, because the service level and amenities offered in flight could not be less than on US.
</font>

I haven't tried the DL shuttle, but the AA is just an RJ. I wish they'd switch to a real plane.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by jetsetter:
I am going to try the DL or AA shuttle, because the service level and amenities offered in flight could not be less than on US. </font>

The AA Northeast "shuttle" is not in the same league as DL and US. There are many posts on the AA forum about negative experiences, especially in Boston. Try DL but steer clear of AA.

Jetsetter, much as I love to pull their chain about the Shuttle, I'm not really sure whether business has been directly impacted by rail. Whenever I ride the train, it seems to me that the pasengers on board are regulars, who always use it. I have been ticketed on the Acela twice,and both times had to cancel due to late departures, but others tell me it is a terrific ride. It's also more expensive than a normal Metroliner. Since I live 40 miles north of the City, I need a train that runs beyond Penn Station, and these are very sparse in the evening, and on weekends. One thing is for sure, based on ticket price in relation to distance traveled, the train is far more efficient. I just think two and a half Shuttles is more than the market can support. For years, after its inception, the Shuttle was a single carrier (Eastern) product.

Sam Adams is still offered on the LGA shuttles as of yesterday. A FA informed me that the 737 cannot accomodate bottles in its bins. (?) The filth of the 737 really degrades the experience.

It's too bad that they getting rid of the single class shuttle. I have infinite upgrades but still prefer single class.

I took Amtrak twice this summer to EWR (&lt; 3 hr ride according to timetable). One attempt was a disaster. When things go wrong on Amtrak, they really go wrong and you get really poor info. They had no idea that the train was going to be departing late and then no info about when it was going to leave. Then suddenly it lurched out of the station leaving a few people on the platform. The ETA is only updated gradually so they had unrealistic estimates on their automated system.

Ive never had a really late train with Acela or Metroliner, but I have with non-reserved Eastern corridor trains. Then again, I have on more than one occassion spent hours on the ground at LGA, missed curfew at DCA and ended up in Baltimore. The delayed trips certainly cut both ways although in my experience serious delays are more common on the shuttle than on Metroliner/Acela.

Ah, how I wish I could take the train again!! SFO, PDX, and HKG are my current destinations and the train doesn't exactly go there from Philly http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

[This message has been edited by kv99 (edited 09-23-2003).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by GadgetFreak:
Ive never had a really late train with Acela or Metroliner, but I have with non-reserved Eastern corridor trains. Then again, I have on more than one occassion spent hours on the ground at LGA, missed curfew at DCA and ended up in Baltimore. The delayed trips certainly cut both ways although in my experience serious delays are more common on the shuttle than on Metroliner/Acela.</font>

Pretty much all the trains WAS-EWR are unreserved. I don't take Amtrak that often and have never been on Acela or Metroliner. In my experience the regular trains are always about 15-30 min late on a ~4 hour trip. Unfortunately on this ocassion the train departed 1 hr late and lost an additional 45 min on a 3 hr journey. I had left a 2 hr buffer for my EWR flight.......

BTW, you can buy unreserved tickets for only 2500 miles/pts using Amtrak Guest Rewards. I moved my small number of CO miles over there.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by gnaget:
Pretty much all the trains WAS-EWR are unreserved. I don't take Amtrak that often and have never been on Acela or Metroliner. In my experience the regular trains are always about 15-30 min late on a ~4 hour trip. Unfortunately on this ocassion the train departed 1 hr late and lost an additional 45 min on a 3 hr journey. I had left a 2 hr buffer for my EWR flight.......

BTW, you can buy unreserved tickets for only 2500 miles/pts using Amtrak Guest Rewards. I moved my small number of CO miles over there. </font>


Oh, I didnt realize that. As suggested above by someone else I would probably go WAS-NYPenn and hop back to Newark. Very good, frequent service that way. Probably takes less time too since the Acela is MUCH faster than the non-reserved trains.

All trains were seriously delayed on that one day that I traveled and I think the Acela or Metroliner was canceled because my delayed train was standing room only.

I don't think even US employees would gleefully tell you that they have no idea and don't care, and are happy that the train is delayed because they will get more overtime pay! I am 100% serious......

The regional train to EWR takes exactly 3 hours (2 hours 50 min for the 7 pm train) and the Aclea takes 2 hr 45 min into NYC/Penn. So it doesn't make sense to back track. Plus, I can't take the Acela for 2,500 pts. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif