I travel between Los Angeles and San Diego a fair bit, and it’s a trip I always struggle with. In theory you have a good number of options — you can take a plane, train, or automobile. But in practice it’s just a crappy trip no matter which choice you go with.
Continue reading: Amtrak’s Singing Cafe Car Attendant
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
This guy's a local legend, the subject of a few news stories over the years. Amtrak's workforce has many, many passionate front-line employees, a crate of bad apples, and most who fall somewhere in between.
Hope you're accruing AGR points for your trips! =D
Ben, I vote you publish a full trip report on Amtrak. We middle class readers need something to counterbalance the caviar-and-champagne jaunts!
I'm shocked that you don't use Avios and fly. Does AA not make awards available on this route?
You forgot to mention the best part, from San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, San Diego. ONLY 1500 UR points Coach or 2000 UR points Business one way.
I just got back from an Amtrak trip from Ohio to Denver with my family of 8
4 reasons my Amtrak trip was a blast... - http://www.pointswithacrew.com/4-reasons-my-amtrak-trip-was-a-blast/
... but I'll probably never take another Amtrak trip - http://www.pointswithacrew.com/but-ill-probably-never-take-another-amtrak-trip/
The delays just killed it for me as anything but a novelty. Our outbound train was delayed THIRTEEN hours!!! Just totally unacceptable.
@legoboyvdlp:
Yeah, depending on where in LA you're starting from, with traffic, LAX can easily be a 45 minute drive. The section of 405 it is on can be one of the worst stretches for traffic. 5 lanes in each direction and no one moving.
This is the greatest thing I've seen all day. Every time I take the Acela to NYC, I'm going to be hoping for a similar experience 🙂
@legoboy...I live in LA and the default time for all distances (close or far) is 45 mins.
As a former daily commuter on the Pacific Surfliner, I can attest that this gentlemen has been working the route for a decade at least. In general I found his announcements amusing, although it could be quite distracting when trying to work.
And yes, the Surfliner is definitely the way to to the LAX-SAN commute, although the connection to the airport is pretty rough on both sides.
Right towards the end of the recording I was waiting to hear Do'h! He sounds a lot like Homer.
@ legoboyvdlp -- Sorry, should have been clearer. Not from LA "proper," but rather with traffic from West Hollywood or Beverly Hills.
@ Gene -- They do. Ultimately my decision to take the train over flying isn't driven by price, but rather by convenience/pleasantness of the experience.