coast starlight LAX-SEA
Nov 12, 2013, 12:12 am
#2
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Earth
Programs: UA MM Platinum; HH Diamond; Marriott Gold; Starwood Gold; Hyatt Discoverist; Avis Preferred Plus
Posts: 1,527
Just cashed in 50,000 UR for this route, roundtrip for 4, in a bedroom. Half the points it would have taken for four roundtrip plane tickets, and we get a few meals, quality family time, and some great views. I don't think the multi-zone redemptions are as good of a value, but 50,000 UR for a ticket that sells for $2500 is not too bad. I'm hoping AGR doesn't decide to jump on the "devaluation train" anytime soon... (pun intended)
Nov 12, 2013, 12:23 pm
#4
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: United States
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Amtrak
Posts: 4,647
About 300 travelers were delayed Sunday afternoon after police evacuated cars in Amtrak’s Coast Starlight train to investigate a possible bomb threat.
Nov 12, 2013, 1:32 pm
#5
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 468
The man apparently was on speaker phone on his cell phone when the word “bomb” was mentioned, prompting another passenger to alert the train’s conductors, McLaughlin said.
“Someone overheard it,” said McLaughlin of the word “bomb,” and police decided it was “better to be safe than sorry.”
We have really hit rock bottom. I would love to hear the actual context of the conversation that caused all this.
“Someone overheard it,” said McLaughlin of the word “bomb,” and police decided it was “better to be safe than sorry.”
We have really hit rock bottom. I would love to hear the actual context of the conversation that caused all this.
Nov 12, 2013, 2:27 pm
#6
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: New England
Programs: American Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Silver
Posts: 5,637
"Aw man, you should try the hot dogs from the Cafe car. They're the bomb!" *train is thrown into emergency stop and bomb squad is called in*
It's too bad Amtrak doesn't serve popcorn...
It's too bad Amtrak doesn't serve popcorn...
Nov 12, 2013, 3:47 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: WAS
Programs: AA Ex Plt
Posts: 1,630
I was on that train along with another FTer. It was quite the interesting adventure. I'll come back in a bit to provide an on-the-ground description of the events. I have some pics that I can post too after I convert them from raw to whatever can be posted here (at work making up for a missed Mon so it may be a day or so)
Cheers -
Cheers -
So let's see, you were on the Coast Starlight from LAX to SEA, looks like you departed LAX on 11/9...which would have put you in the middle of this mess in EUG on 11/10???
About 300 travelers were delayed Sunday afternoon after police evacuated cars in Amtrak’s Coast Starlight train to investigate a possible bomb threat.
About 300 travelers were delayed Sunday afternoon after police evacuated cars in Amtrak’s Coast Starlight train to investigate a possible bomb threat.
The man apparently was on speaker phone on his cell phone when the word “bomb” was mentioned, prompting another passenger to alert the train’s conductors, McLaughlin said.
“Someone overheard it,” said McLaughlin of the word “bomb,” and police decided it was “better to be safe than sorry.”
We have really hit rock bottom. I would love to hear the actual context of the conversation that caused all this.
“Someone overheard it,” said McLaughlin of the word “bomb,” and police decided it was “better to be safe than sorry.”
We have really hit rock bottom. I would love to hear the actual context of the conversation that caused all this.
Nov 12, 2013, 5:00 pm
#8
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Earth
Programs: UA MM Platinum; HH Diamond; Marriott Gold; Starwood Gold; Hyatt Discoverist; Avis Preferred Plus
Posts: 1,527
Nicki Meade of Springfield, who was on the northbound train after visiting family in Klamath Falls, said she spoke with other passengers who said they had to quickly leave the train without their shoes after police with rifles entered their cars and told passengers to raise their hands over their heads.
Nov 18, 2013, 2:02 pm
#10
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
That was my first long distance train (though I only went as far as Portland, I wanted a nice dinner) and it got me hooked on long distance train travel. LAX-SLO and then Southern Oregon are some of the best scenery I've enjoyed on a trip. And then of course, the Pacific Parlor Car which is unparalleled.
Nov 19, 2013, 6:18 am
#12
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Earth
Programs: UA MM Platinum; HH Diamond; Marriott Gold; Starwood Gold; Hyatt Discoverist; Avis Preferred Plus
Posts: 1,527
Still hoping to hear back from the OP with more details...
Feb 4, 2014, 8:33 pm
#13
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: DL PM, Hyatt Plat, SPG Gold
Posts: 1,082
Go AMTRAK!! (because airline seating is getting ridiculously tight)