Re: Flying. Yes, I guess flying today involves some metaphorical bullet-biting but of course no bullet carrying. I am Type A enough that that is the lesser of two evils for me, the temporary surrendering of human dignity and American civil rights being the worse option. I do realize there are folks who more easily can “go with the flow” and not make a [soapbox] of the chore of flight, but people who’ve been reading my posts will probably agree that I’m the type to take things to heart. Not that I’m proud of it.
It is for the most part, much about personal choice with the cost aspect is just one feature. Going back to the original question and the spread of fares or cost of driving, the dollars may be only one factor. I am willing to bet that a very large percentage of the passengers riding the Acela are on expense account or in circumstances where the cost over Regional Service, Air or “luxury” bus service may be irrelevant. For me a large factor is comfort. If I cannot get up a stretch a bit every two hours or so, my joint seem to get stiff and I will start to experience some back pain. In my car I can relieve the condition by adjusting the seat just so. I find the Amtrak seats fairly comfortable, but then I can also get up and move about anytime I like. Last month, I had to fly from Salt Lake City to Chicago. With an early morning departure and ample ATS staffing, no long wait getting through security. An MD-80 with 3-2 seating, not full, I had the row to myself. After the climb out, I tipped back the seat-all two inches!! I rate the seat about 3, with a stone bench being a 1. Relatively smooth flight with on time arrival, so as air travel goes, not bad. Even so, had I not had reasons to get home a day early, I would rather have finished my trip on the California Zephyr.