by Westernstar1
I know some have characterized a few Amtrak long distance routes as "experiential". I'm starting to think the real experiences are not along a LD route, but at an Amtrak station. And it's not a good experience.
I'm am really getting turned off by all too many Amtrak stations where the homeless, druggies, and otherwise indigent folk are making the station environmentally unacceptable. These squalid stations seem to be the rule, rather than the exception.
Before Covid 19 hit I was planning on a flight from Northern California to Portland, then a trip on the Empire Builder to Whitefish, Montana. However, until the virus dissipates, there's no way I'm going to get on an airplane. However, I also have a problem with Union Station, in Portland. Portland has a huge homeless population and I understand it's especially a major problem around Portland Union. Just not an environment I wish to enter.
I know there are major problems with homeless, druggies, and indigent folks in and around many Amtrak stations. Some of these stations aren't necessarily in large metropolitan areas. For example, Santa Barbara Calif. has had a homeless problem, at their Amtrak station, for years. Of course, a big problem for Penn Central Stn and Union Stn in Washington, DC . A few years ago, there was a homeless guy living in a tent atop the Amtrak station in Antioch, Calif.
Two years ago, I took the Coast Starlight from Martinez, Calif. to Oregon. The Martinez station had a few homeless, but what I really noticed, sitting on a bench ouutside the station, was the number of cockroaches all over the place, You couldn't walk anywhere without stepping on a few.
In other words, I think too many Amtrak stations are not "family friendly". I'm wondering if I will ever take another Amtrak train. The worsening conditions and food, aboard the train, is a definite problem. But the station experience may be worse.
Next summer, I was thinking of flying to Seattle then taking the Builder to Whitefish. However, considering what's going on up in Seattle, no way do I wish to get near King St. Station.
What is the Amtrak station in Vancouver, WA like? If it's acceptable, I could fly to Portland, OR then take a cab or Uber to the Vancouver, WA station before boarding the Builder.
Richard
I'm am really getting turned off by all too many Amtrak stations where the homeless, druggies, and otherwise indigent folk are making the station environmentally unacceptable. These squalid stations seem to be the rule, rather than the exception.
Before Covid 19 hit I was planning on a flight from Northern California to Portland, then a trip on the Empire Builder to Whitefish, Montana. However, until the virus dissipates, there's no way I'm going to get on an airplane. However, I also have a problem with Union Station, in Portland. Portland has a huge homeless population and I understand it's especially a major problem around Portland Union. Just not an environment I wish to enter.
I know there are major problems with homeless, druggies, and indigent folks in and around many Amtrak stations. Some of these stations aren't necessarily in large metropolitan areas. For example, Santa Barbara Calif. has had a homeless problem, at their Amtrak station, for years. Of course, a big problem for Penn Central Stn and Union Stn in Washington, DC . A few years ago, there was a homeless guy living in a tent atop the Amtrak station in Antioch, Calif.
Two years ago, I took the Coast Starlight from Martinez, Calif. to Oregon. The Martinez station had a few homeless, but what I really noticed, sitting on a bench ouutside the station, was the number of cockroaches all over the place, You couldn't walk anywhere without stepping on a few.
In other words, I think too many Amtrak stations are not "family friendly". I'm wondering if I will ever take another Amtrak train. The worsening conditions and food, aboard the train, is a definite problem. But the station experience may be worse.
Next summer, I was thinking of flying to Seattle then taking the Builder to Whitefish. However, considering what's going on up in Seattle, no way do I wish to get near King St. Station.
What is the Amtrak station in Vancouver, WA like? If it's acceptable, I could fly to Portland, OR then take a cab or Uber to the Vancouver, WA station before boarding the Builder.
Richard
Last edited by Westernstar1 on Tue Jun 23, 2020 11:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.