As the holiday season descends upon New York City, many travelers are opting for an alternative mode of transportation: trains. The recent spate of flight delays and cancellations has led to a surge in demand for Amtrak services, with some passengers choosing to forego flying altogether.
According to estimates from the Port Authority, 3.3 million people will travel through JFK, LaGuardia, Newark, and Stewart airports over the upcoming Thanksgiving weekend – a slight increase from last year's period. However, this doesn't necessarily mean that air travel is back on track. With outdated radar infrastructure and staffing shortages, the risk of delays remains high.
As a result, many travelers are turning to trains as a more reliable option. Allan and Alexandra Gibson, a family of four from New York, recently boarded an Amtrak train to Washington D.C., citing concerns about airport security and the hassle of flying. Their 10-year-old son, Grant, even opted to bring his heavy scooter and backpack on board.
While some passengers are embracing the convenience of trains, others are facing challenges of their own. Chronic equipment problems in Amtrak's Hudson River tunnels have led to repeated delays between New York and New Jersey, while longer train journeys can take several days – a far cry from the speed and efficiency of air travel.
For comedian Amy Janes, who was unable to obtain a Real ID for flying domestically, a 32-hour Greyhound bus trip proved to be a faster and cheaper alternative. Her experience highlights the complexities of transportation options this holiday season, as travelers weigh the pros and cons of each mode of transport.
The National Transportation Secretary has assured travelers that air traffic controller staffing levels are back to normal after a recent shutdown, but many remain skeptical. As Brenda Fisher, an Atlanta resident heading to Poughkeepsie, noted: "We're not expecting the train to be delayed and wait in the train station overnight... So it was just a better choice."
According to estimates from the Port Authority, 3.3 million people will travel through JFK, LaGuardia, Newark, and Stewart airports over the upcoming Thanksgiving weekend – a slight increase from last year's period. However, this doesn't necessarily mean that air travel is back on track. With outdated radar infrastructure and staffing shortages, the risk of delays remains high.
As a result, many travelers are turning to trains as a more reliable option. Allan and Alexandra Gibson, a family of four from New York, recently boarded an Amtrak train to Washington D.C., citing concerns about airport security and the hassle of flying. Their 10-year-old son, Grant, even opted to bring his heavy scooter and backpack on board.
While some passengers are embracing the convenience of trains, others are facing challenges of their own. Chronic equipment problems in Amtrak's Hudson River tunnels have led to repeated delays between New York and New Jersey, while longer train journeys can take several days – a far cry from the speed and efficiency of air travel.
For comedian Amy Janes, who was unable to obtain a Real ID for flying domestically, a 32-hour Greyhound bus trip proved to be a faster and cheaper alternative. Her experience highlights the complexities of transportation options this holiday season, as travelers weigh the pros and cons of each mode of transport.
The National Transportation Secretary has assured travelers that air traffic controller staffing levels are back to normal after a recent shutdown, but many remain skeptical. As Brenda Fisher, an Atlanta resident heading to Poughkeepsie, noted: "We're not expecting the train to be delayed and wait in the train station overnight... So it was just a better choice."
I mean, who needs reliable air travel when you can spend 3 whole days on a bus with a bunch of strangers? Like, what's a little sleep deprivation and lost productivity among friends? 
And yeah, because waiting in train stations overnight is totally not a thing that would make or break your trip plans... 
Just saying.
I'm surprised people are still flying with all these delays and cancellations. Trains might be a bit slower, but at least they're reliable, right? 
I've got friends who are taking the train to DC this Thanksgiving, and it's actually gonna be easier for them than flying. And can you believe some of the issues with Amtrak's equipment? It's like they need an upgrade already 
At least the bus trip was cheaper and took less time. I feel for Amy Janes, who had that crazy 32-hour ride... talk about a holiday surprise! 
! It's crazy how air travel can be such a hassle, especially with those airport security lines and whatnot. I mean, who needs all that stress when you can just hop on the train and chill out? 
Of course, it's not always easy – those delays in the Hudson River tunnels are no joke 
– but I guess some people just wanna get there without breaking the bank or losing their minds.
. I remember one time I got stuck on a delayed flight for hours because the plane's engine decided to act up 
... anyway, back to trains! It's great that some people are embracing the convenience and flexibility they offer.
. You never know what could go wrong with all those flights in the sky, right? 
️
. Like, I get it, air travel is convenient, but what's the point if you're stuck in a plane for hours? And don't even get me started on security checks – airport vibes can be super stressful 
! I mean, I'd rather wait for days than deal with all those flights and security lines... but hey, to each their own 
.
. i think trains r the way 2 go, esp during holidays when u gotta get 2 where u need 2 b ASAP 
they even brought their scooter & backpack on board lol 
But, seriously, it's all about weighing your options and making informed decisions. Maybe trains aren't the best choice for everyone, but for those dealing with flight drama, they might be just what the doctor ordered! 
️ dont get me wrong tho i love me some air travel but when its delayed or cancelled its like "ugh" and trains r where its at for me personally 
. But at the same time, I get why people would choose trains over flying - no security worries or long lines to deal with! And let's be real, sometimes you gotta take that 32-hour Greyhound bus trip if it means getting from point A to B without breaking the bank 
. As a fan of convenience (and sanity), I'm all about exploring alternative options when air travel just doesn't cut it