Cuts to Amtrak

prostock19 · 02-21-2005, 04:56 PM

Hey everyone,

President bush wants to cut all funding that Amtrak needs to survive, but continue giving 10's of billions to the airlines so that they can have rediculously low fairs and lose tons of money. The airlines are so oversubsidised, Amtrak has difficulty in competing. $30 airline fairs are rediculous. It cost more than $30 for the jet fuel to get your butt there, never mind all the other costs. Basically, your tax dollars are paying for your airline trip.

If you can, email your Senators and state your wishes to save Amtrak.

02-21-2005, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prostock19

Hey everyone,

President bush wants to cut all funding that Amtrak needs to survive, but continue giving 10's of billions to the airlines so that they can have rediculously low fairs and lose tons of money. The airlines are so oversubsidised, Amtrak has difficulty in competing. $30 airline fairs are rediculous. It cost more than $30 for the jet fuel to get your butt there, never mind all the other costs. Basically, your tax dollars are paying for your airline trip.

If you can, email your Senators and state your wishes to save Amtrak.

Wow..that is terrible. I just bought tickets to ride on Amtrak to Southern California on March 18 with my girls. It costs us only 360 dollars for 3 of us whereas it would have cost me 1300.00 to fly out to Burbank Airport. Yes, it will take us 27 hours each way to reach Santa Barbara station but I would rather avoid that ripped off fee of 1300.00!!!

I will definitely email my Senators and ask to save Amtrak.

Vance · 02-21-2005, 05:19 PM

I already did that few days ago at Dailykos or somewhere... But I will do that again though.

ravensteve1961 · 02-21-2005, 05:29 PM

NO!!! I want congress to veto this bill. CUT THE AIRLINES! Cause theyre rude to customers and secuirty treats passengers like convicts.

**sequoias** · 02-21-2005, 05:38 PM

US is airline dependence, since it's a big country so high speed trains will cost too much for a huge country, so. Amtrak is great for West and East regions which airline cost too much to fly for few pax.

ravensteve1961 · 02-21-2005, 05:48 PM

Well i think its time move forward and give money to amtrak high speed rail. Airlines been asking the goverment to bail them out too much AND theyre getting corperate welfare as well.So cut the airlines i think its time for them to stand on theyre own two feet. We can raise money for the airlines by taxing the hell outta forgeiners who come and visit to america. And tax our people for leaving america to visit the world. Its call a departing tax.

02-21-2005, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ravensteve1961

We can raise money for the airlines by taxing the hell outta forgeiners who come and visit to america. And tax our people for leaving america to visit the world. Its call a departing tax.

Too far fetched to be efficient.

prostock19 · 02-21-2005, 06:45 PM

Wow...I agree, only partly, but agree with steve for once. I don't believe in taxing foreigners coming in. Let them come, visit, spend money into our economy. But, domestic airline prices need to be higher...to some extent. Meg's example is an example of how it should be. If you want to fly, you pay the premium to use more fuel and more polution. My biggest complaint is the extra low fairs that are designed to lose money.

I also agree a bit with sequoias. This country is big. But Amtrak should be able to compete. Yah, it may take alot longer to get somewhere, but that longer time should be cheaper than flying. I think, in my opinion, Amtrak should start a high speed city to city service.

**sequoias** · 02-21-2005, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prostock19

Wow...I agree, only partly, but agree with steve for once. I don't believe in taxing foreigners coming in. Let them come, visit, spend money into our economy. But, domestic airline prices need to be higher...to some extent. Meg's example is an example of how it should be. If you want to fly, you pay the premium to use more fuel and more polution. My biggest complaint is the extra low fairs that are designed to lose money.

I also agree a bit with sequoias. This country is big. But Amtrak should be able to compete. Yah, it may take alot longer to get somewhere, but that longer time should be cheaper than flying. I think, in my opinion, Amtrak should start a high speed city to city service.

Also, I want to add that they're proposing a ballot for a high speed train system from LA to SF by 2006. It would take only 2 and half hours instead of 5+ hours by car. Still, I'm not sure it's feasible for California since most people drive cars, US is also automobile dependence, too.

PeteEMT · 02-21-2005, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ravensteve1961

NO!!! I want congress to veto this bill. CUT THE AIRLINES! Cause theyre rude to customers and secuirty treats passengers like convicts.

Airport Security is a totally seperate thing from the Airlines. And funding for Security (nor their procedures) likely wont decrease.

ravensteve1961 · 02-21-2005, 07:21 PM

Airlines needed to be higher. I belive only the wealthy should ride the airlines. Like can we afford to sit at a $1500 ringside seat in boxing? Can we afford Skybox season tickets for an NFL team? Can we afford tickets to presidents Inauguration cost at $20,000? So why should airlines be any differant? Making each fare cost $2000 round trip no matter where you go would not only pay for the fuel it would cut air traffic down airports wouldnt be crowded. and take offs only by every 90+ minutes. Avaerage people can ride the amtrak for like $200 each way if they add high speed rail.. Air travel should be a luxery just like having a rolls royce,, Skybox season tickets,, or even ringside boxing tickets.

prostock19 · 02-21-2005, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sequoias

Also, I want to add that they're proposing a ballot for a high speed train system from LA to SF by 2006. It would take only 2 and half hours instead of 5+ hours by car. Still, I'm not sure it's feasible for California since most people drive cars, US is also automobile dependence, too.

I also support higher gas taxes to support such high speed rail service and other types of transportation. Just look at Europe and Japan. They have some of the best transit systems. I would love to not have to use my vehicle to go back and forth to work.

ravensteve1961 · 02-21-2005, 07:46 PM

Amtrak needs to build more Auto trains.. Trains you can take your car along Theres only one service. Florida to D,C They need to make 5 of them 1. Florida to D,C
2. D.C to Chicago 3.Chicago to Seattle 4.Seattle to L.A 5. L.A to Florida
That way you dont spend long distance on driving your car.

prostock19 · 02-21-2005, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ravensteve1961

Amtrak needs to build more Auto trains.. Trains you can take your car along Theres only one service. Florida to D,C They need to make 5 of them 1. Florida to D,C
2. D.C to Chicago 3.Chicago to Seattle 4.Seattle to L.A 5. L.A to Florida
That way you dont spend long distance on driving your car.

Problem with autotrains is loading and unloading cars. Basically, anyone in between won't be able to put a car on. It is probally cheaper to rent when you get there. That is what I do.

ravensteve1961 · 02-22-2005, 03:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prostock19

Problem with autotrains is loading and unloading cars. Basically, anyone in between won't be able to put a car on. It is probally cheaper to rent when you get there. That is what I do.

You realize they charge taxes and hidden fees when you rent and car? And ACLU will not defend you if you try to sue rent a car companies from invasoin of privacy because of the GPS system. See when they ask you do you need to go acoss state lines? The reason for that is they have to charge you extra for going over state lines. But if you say no and lie you cross over a state line they charge you extra on your bill and you run to the ACLU and complain they were invading your privacy with the GPS system they will not take your case to court. Thats why you have your own car and no one can invade your privacy and theyre not hidden charges and fees and taxes on it.

ravensteve1961 · 02-22-2005, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deaflibrarian

You sure put an awful lot of thought in your postings. Where do you get your information from?

CBS news long time ago...This woman rented a car from Budget. They asked her are you planing to drive across state of alabama ? she said no, She drove across to georgia where her family was and she drove to atlanta to watch a braves game. She said she rented a car in alabama because they didnt charge her car sale tax like they would did in georgia and they had a sale there in alabama but wasnt advalable in georgia. So in a week she took the car back and they said her total was only $144. So when she got the bill it was $580 total. She called budget and they told her you took the car to georgia and she ask budget who told you? They refuse to give her that infomation..Then her neighbor explaned to her about a GPS tracking system that budget puts in those cars. So she ran to donzens of lawyers none refused to take her case to court. Then she ran to the ACLU and wanted to file a lawsuit against budget on a GPS system on invasoin of pravacy. The ACLU says its not exacly invasoin of privacy because GPS system is not a human being and nether is a camara but people used hidden cameras to tape people sexaul acts and they get sued but the ACLU says GPS isnt a camera its a computer chip tracking system so its not invasoin of privacy. Thats where i get my info so ACLU will not take rental car companies to court on invasoin of privacy with a GPS tracking system.

The*Empress · 02-22-2005, 02:00 PM

I wish the train would speed up faster... from Washington to Florida.

like those train in Europe and Japan.

ravensteve1961 · 02-22-2005, 02:14 PM

Me too, But Airlines must stand on their own two feet and stop asking the government for a handout. Theres a reason why youre not getting customers.. ITS YOUR CUSTOMER SERVICE!!! Its like this,,, if security harrases at a ravens game by treating me like a criminal i wouldnt watch the ravens at the stadium again. Id watch em on TV. Samething with the airlines treat customers nice n friendly and no delays and no reason why their baggage is lost then you might get customers again. The Only way ill vote for hillary if she says her campaign she will make the airlines stand on their own two feet then shes got my vote.

The*Empress · 02-22-2005, 02:35 PM

Why does it cost one person $800 to fly from Hawaii to Memphis?
Then there are 100 passengers on the plane...

800 times 100 = Gas costs $80,000?

one Reason why it costs so high, because of the air flight attendants, do we really need them? All they do is serve drinks and tell everybody to put on seat belt.

All we need is just one flight attendant... to just make sure
everything is okay. And we can buy our own drinks or they can
serve free drinks at the gate. Just give us bottled water and peanuts
before we get on the plane.

And they have their little tv moniters, and we can just watch the flight
attendant tell us some emergency stuff.

Why do we need a phone on the plane, when most people got cell phone nowaday? And they don't need to serve alcoholic beverage on the plane.

If we cut flight attendants, then those flight attendants can work as security.

That way Airlines can save some money.

I remember 2 male Flight attendants accidently bumped their booty...
And they jumped up, and didn't want us to think they are gay.
I laughed so hard.

ravensteve1961 · 02-22-2005, 02:40 PM

Same here why do we need bar tenders and cooks on a train? And they have too many conductors. Why dont they just have only 2 conductors let him go all over the train. Boy that would be a lot of work. Well is what a job supposed to be? EARNING not giving?

02-22-2005, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ravensteve1961

Same here why do we need bar tenders and cooks on a train?

I m going to be on the train for 27 hours straight next month. Of course, I need a cook there to give me food there or I will starve to death!

Vance · 02-22-2005, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meg

I m going to be on the train for 27 hours straight next month. Of course, I need a cook there to give me food there or I will starve to death!

ravensteve wants you to buy the Macs from McDonald.

02-22-2005, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magatsu

ravensteve wants you to buy the Macs from McDonald.

FeistyChick · 02-22-2005, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magatsu

ravensteve wants you to buy the Macs from McDonald.

how??

on a second thought, tell him to ship them to her!!

ravensteve1961 · 02-22-2005, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meg

I m going to be on the train for 27 hours straight next month. Of course, I need a cook there to give me food there or I will starve to death!

Well train has stops and a 30 minute layover. Get a burger at mc donalds and hop back on a train. OR fix sandwhiches from home pack em in a bag and eat when you feel like it.

The*Empress · 02-22-2005, 03:49 PM

Yeah those foods on the train are expensive.
Why I wanna spent $3 for a hot dog?

The*Empress · 02-22-2005, 03:51 PM

Why not build a casino on the train?
That way I can play some games.
So I won't be so bored.

Casino can help Amtrak financially.

02-22-2005, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ravensteve1961

Well train has stops and a 30 minute layover. Get a burger at mc donalds and hop back on a train. OR fix sandwhiches from home pack em in a bag and eat when you feel like it.

I am not interested in going to McDonalds or bringing along sandwiches that will go bad in 27 hours. I prefer to dine in the dining room.

You have to realize it is 27 HOURS! It is not like Im hopping to Seattle or Boise on the train but going over 1,000 miles on the train.

ravensteve1961 · 02-22-2005, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meg

I am not interested in going to McDonalds or bringing along sandwiches that will go bad in 27 hours. I prefer to dine in the dining room.

You have to realize it is 27 HOURS! It is not like Im hopping to Seattle or Boise on the train but going over 1,000 miles on the train.

Thats why it cost $400 on a train. Cause too many workers they gotta pay.

02-22-2005, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ravensteve1961

Thats why it cost $400 on a train. Cause too many workers they gotta pay.

Huh? It will be 360.00 for THREE OF US.

02-21-2005, 04:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
prostock19 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Tiverton, RI Posts: 3,312	Cuts to Amtrak Hey everyone, President bush wants to cut all funding that Amtrak needs to survive, but continue giving 10's of billions to the airlines so that they can have rediculously low fairs and lose tons of money. The airlines are so oversubsidised, Amtrak has difficulty in competing. $30 airline fairs are rediculous. It cost more than $30 for the jet fuel to get your butt there, never mind all the other costs. Basically, your tax dollars are paying for your airline trip. If you can, email your Senators and state your wishes to save Amtrak. __________________

02-21-2005, 06:45 PM	#8 (permalink)
prostock19 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Tiverton, RI Posts: 3,312	Wow...I agree, only partly, but agree with steve for once. I don't believe in taxing foreigners coming in. Let them come, visit, spend money into our economy. But, domestic airline prices need to be higher...to some extent. Meg's example is an example of how it should be. If you want to fly, you pay the premium to use more fuel and more polution. My biggest complaint is the extra low fairs that are designed to lose money. I also agree a bit with sequoias. This country is big. But Amtrak should be able to compete. Yah, it may take alot longer to get somewhere, but that longer time should be cheaper than flying. I think, in my opinion, Amtrak should start a high speed city to city service. __________________

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02-21-2005, 05:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
Vance Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 4,280	I already did that few days ago at Dailykos or somewhere... But I will do that again though.

02-21-2005, 05:29 PM	#4 (permalink)
ravensteve1961 Banned Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Here Posts: 3,940	NO!!! I want congress to veto this bill. CUT THE AIRLINES! Cause theyre rude to customers and secuirty treats passengers like convicts.

02-21-2005, 05:38 PM	#5 (permalink)
sequoias Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Iowa, the land of the cornfields and pigs Posts: 21,854	US is airline dependence, since it's a big country so high speed trains will cost too much for a huge country, so. Amtrak is great for West and East regions which airline cost too much to fly for few pax.

02-21-2005, 05:48 PM	#6 (permalink)
ravensteve1961 Banned Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Here Posts: 3,940	Well i think its time move forward and give money to amtrak high speed rail. Airlines been asking the goverment to bail them out too much AND theyre getting corperate welfare as well.So cut the airlines i think its time for them to stand on theyre own two feet. We can raise money for the airlines by taxing the hell outta forgeiners who come and visit to america. And tax our people for leaving america to visit the world. Its call a departing tax.

02-21-2005, 07:21 PM	#11 (permalink)
ravensteve1961 Banned Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Here Posts: 3,940	Airlines needed to be higher. I belive only the wealthy should ride the airlines. Like can we afford to sit at a $1500 ringside seat in boxing? Can we afford Skybox season tickets for an NFL team? Can we afford tickets to presidents Inauguration cost at $20,000? So why should airlines be any differant? Making each fare cost $2000 round trip no matter where you go would not only pay for the fuel it would cut air traffic down airports wouldnt be crowded. and take offs only by every 90+ minutes. Avaerage people can ride the amtrak for like $200 each way if they add high speed rail.. Air travel should be a luxery just like having a rolls royce,, Skybox season tickets,, or even ringside boxing tickets.

02-21-2005, 07:46 PM	#13 (permalink)
ravensteve1961 Banned Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Here Posts: 3,940	Amtrak needs to build more Auto trains.. Trains you can take your car along Theres only one service. Florida to D,C They need to make 5 of them 1. Florida to D,C 2. D.C to Chicago 3.Chicago to Seattle 4.Seattle to L.A 5. L.A to Florida That way you dont spend long distance on driving your car.

02-22-2005, 02:00 PM	#17 (permalink)
The*Empress Banned Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: on Plantation. Posts: 6,933	I wish the train would speed up faster... from Washington to Florida. like those train in Europe and Japan.

02-22-2005, 02:14 PM	#18 (permalink)
ravensteve1961 Banned Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Here Posts: 3,940	Me too, But Airlines must stand on their own two feet and stop asking the government for a handout. Theres a reason why youre not getting customers.. ITS YOUR CUSTOMER SERVICE!!! Its like this,,, if security harrases at a ravens game by treating me like a criminal i wouldnt watch the ravens at the stadium again. Id watch em on TV. Samething with the airlines treat customers nice n friendly and no delays and no reason why their baggage is lost then you might get customers again. The Only way ill vote for hillary if she says her campaign she will make the airlines stand on their own two feet then shes got my vote.

02-22-2005, 02:35 PM	#19 (permalink)
The*Empress Banned Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: on Plantation. Posts: 6,933	Why does it cost one person $800 to fly from Hawaii to Memphis? Then there are 100 passengers on the plane... 800 times 100 = Gas costs $80,000? one Reason why it costs so high, because of the air flight attendants, do we really need them? All they do is serve drinks and tell everybody to put on seat belt. All we need is just one flight attendant... to just make sure everything is okay. And we can buy our own drinks or they can serve free drinks at the gate. Just give us bottled water and peanuts before we get on the plane. And they have their little tv moniters, and we can just watch the flight attendant tell us some emergency stuff. Why do we need a phone on the plane, when most people got cell phone nowaday? And they don't need to serve alcoholic beverage on the plane. If we cut flight attendants, then those flight attendants can work as security. That way Airlines can save some money. I remember 2 male Flight attendants accidently bumped their booty... And they jumped up, and didn't want us to think they are gay. I laughed so hard.

02-22-2005, 02:40 PM	#20 (permalink)
ravensteve1961 Banned Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Here Posts: 3,940	Same here why do we need bar tenders and cooks on a train? And they have too many conductors. Why dont they just have only 2 conductors let him go all over the train. Boy that would be a lot of work. Well is what a job supposed to be? EARNING not giving?

02-22-2005, 03:49 PM	#26 (permalink)
The*Empress Banned Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: on Plantation. Posts: 6,933	Yeah those foods on the train are expensive. Why I wanna spent $3 for a hot dog?

02-22-2005, 03:51 PM	#27 (permalink)
The*Empress Banned Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: on Plantation. Posts: 6,933	Why not build a casino on the train? That way I can play some games. So I won't be so bored. Casino can help Amtrak financially.