tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5767882372399480621.post6442520649297665452..comments2023-04-11T10:56:49.628+02:00Comments on CD Covington: Adventures in public transit: my football weekend in DCUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5767882372399480621.post-23310634618709586022013-06-08T17:38:40.895+02:002013-06-08T17:38:40.895+02:00They seem to manage well enough in Europe, though,...They seem to manage well enough in Europe, though, without the hand-holding. Then again, if you sleep through your stop in Europe, there's probably going to be another train you can get on that'll take you to your destination within a couple hours. As opposed to Amtrak, in which case you're screwed.CD Covingtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18130960187504382508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5767882372399480621.post-45697807049610345652013-06-08T15:42:06.414+02:002013-06-08T15:42:06.414+02:00I'm not sure where the whole seating-according...I'm not sure where the whole seating-according-to-destination thing comes from. On long cross-country trips, the porters (I think they still use that term) come around and tell people their stop is coming up. The stops aren't announced, so sometimes you have to sort of guess where you are, especially if you've been sleeping. If you're getting off at 2 am in Indiana, you might be the only one getting off there, so it was nice to know that someone would notice if I didn't wake up. Also, I think it prevents people from sneaking on as easily. There are tons of unmanned stations that ALSO let you get on without seeing a ticket. So technically, you could sneak on the train, wait in the bathroom while the conductor comes around to punch tickets, and then just ride free(if not for the porter recognizing everyone). For me, it's refreshingly low-tech and inefficient. Kimnoreply@blogger.com