I've used the AirTrain inter-terminal on two prior occasions, but earlier this week I used it to get from Manhattan for the first time.

I actually began my journey in Philadelphia, and took Amtrak's Accela Express to Penn Station. My train arrived at Penn Station at 5:04pm. At 5:06pm I was purchasing my LIRR ticket from one of the automated machines, and at 5:08pm I was on the 5:10 Sekonk train. The train arrived at Jamaica at 5:34pm, and by 5:37pm I was on the AirTrain platform (I had a MetroCard already, so I saved time by not having to buy one). Although the sign indicated that there were AirTrains every nine minutes, and I'm fairly certain that I had not just missed one, it did not arrive until 5:48pm, and departed at 5:49pm. The train arrived at Terminal 1 (after a stop at the Federal Circle station) at 5:57pm, and at Terminals 8/9, my stop, at 6:06pm. I was inside the terminal a couple of minutes later.

So all in, the trip took a little more than an hour (compared to the 35 minutes advertised in the PA brochure). Passengers less familiar with the layout of Penn Station and Jamaica Station should budget more time. But I found the whole thing to be fairly easy, including the transfer from the LIRR to the AirTrain at Jamaica, and certainly quicker and cheaper than taking a cab (although not a great deal quicker, but a lot cheaper). Yes, they could have made it better, and yes a one-seat ride would have been ideal, but I certainly will use it again. Also, if I were leaving from my office at 53rd and 3rd, I almost certainly would take the E Train to Sutphin Avenue rather than going back to catch the LIRR at Penn Station.

[This message has been edited by Blumie (edited Jan 30, 2004).]