Hey, school peeps, if you only have MWF classes you're still golden for taking the train BACK from PAX because of Labor Day. Even TH classes will depend on how far south you live and what time your classes are.
Alright, I think I'm ready to commit to taking the train up and flying back. It'll burn two additional days of my vacation, but it'll be worth it, OH SO WORTH IT.
So, I'm taking Amtrak to visit a friend in Reno for my spring break... It's going to be very difficult to not be PAXtrain-nostolgic the whole ride there.
A friend and I are on for PAX Train 09. This time though, we're getting sleeper accommodations because we couldn't sleep for crap. We will be getting on the train at Martinez again this year.
Roomette reserved! First timers - get those tickets now. I waited too long last year and paid $600 for 2 tickets round trip from San Jose. This year I'm paying just about $100 more than that and getting someplace to sleep.
So, board/card games were big last year. Who's down for some Battlestar this year?
Roomette reserved! First timers - get those tickets now. I waited too long last year and paid $600 for 2 tickets round trip from San Jose. This year I'm paying just about $100 more than that and getting someplace to sleep.
So, board/card games were big last year. Who's down for some Battlestar this year?
I plan on having an 8 suit deck and some poker chips and playing some games of Cripple Mr. Onion.
Roomette reserved! First timers - get those tickets now. I waited too long last year and paid $600 for 2 tickets round trip from San Jose. This year I'm paying just about $100 more than that and getting someplace to sleep.
So, board/card games were big last year. Who's down for some Battlestar this year?
I plan on having an 8 suit deck and some poker chips and playing some games of Cripple Mr. Onion.
Great, but I only know the first 47 verses of The Hedgehog Song...
Looking at google maps at the station and I'm wondering if there's anywhere to park where I won't get towed since I'll be driving out from Phoenix.. one concern I have if someone could answer that :-)
question. how old would you have to be to join this awesome sounding trip?
Amtrak.com says:
Children 15 and older may travel unaccompanied, but do not qualify for any discounts available for children traveling with an adult. Children 15 and older are subject to all policies applying to adult passengers. Minors 15 and older may purchase tickets on their own from a ticket agent or conductor if they present valid photo ID.
And they will take a School ID.
You generally have to be 21 to reserve a hotel room though, so while the trip isn't an issue, a place to stay while you're in Seattle may require someone older.
Looking at google maps at the station and I'm wondering if there's anywhere to park where I won't get towed since I'll be driving out from Phoenix.. one concern I have if someone could answer that :-)
Good to see another Phoenician on the train. Me, RCars2, and TNTrooper drove from Phoenix last year and left a car at union station without problems. I don't remember if they charged us anything.
Roomette reserved! First timers - get those tickets now. I waited too long last year and paid $600 for 2 tickets round trip from San Jose. This year I'm paying just about $100 more than that and getting someplace to sleep.
So, board/card games were big last year. Who's down for some Battlestar this year?
I plan on having an 8 suit deck and some poker chips and playing some games of Cripple Mr. Onion.
Great, but I only know the first 47 verses of The Hedgehog Song...
If you're that kind of fool, and you have a long tool,
Do it with a giraffe, if you stand on a stool,
Catch a yeti, who lives in the snows of Nepal,
but the hedgehog can never be buggered at all!
For the hedgehog escapes the posterior rapes
Performed upon others of different shapes
Those who run, swim, or slither, they get it withal,
But the hedgehog can never be buggered at all!
question. how old would you have to be to join this awesome sounding trip?
Amtrak.com says:
Children 15 and older may travel unaccompanied, but do not qualify for any discounts available for children traveling with an adult. Children 15 and older are subject to all policies applying to adult passengers. Minors 15 and older may purchase tickets on their own from a ticket agent or conductor if they present valid photo ID.
And they will take a School ID.
You generally have to be 21 to reserve a hotel room though, so while the trip isn't an issue, a place to stay while you're in Seattle may require someone older.
oh man, i guess i'll hold off this trip until i turn 21 then :x
Roomette reserved! First timers - get those tickets now. I waited too long last year and paid $600 for 2 tickets round trip from San Jose. This year I'm paying just about $100 more than that and getting someplace to sleep.
So, board/card games were big last year. Who's down for some Battlestar this year?
I plan on having an 8 suit deck and some poker chips and playing some games of Cripple Mr. Onion.
Great, but I only know the first 47 verses of The Hedgehog Song...
If you're that kind of fool, and you have a long tool,
Do it with a giraffe, if you stand on a stool,
Catch a yeti, who lives in the snows of Nepal,
but the hedgehog can never be buggered at all!
For the hedgehog escapes the posterior rapes
Performed upon others of different shapes
Those who run, swim, or slither, they get it withal,
But the hedgehog can never be buggered at all!
I have Dave Greenslade's "From The Discworld" album - a collection of tunes inspired by Pratchett's novels. It's pretty shit, but I could bring it for cheese value if you fancy.
question. how old would you have to be to join this awesome sounding trip?
Amtrak.com says:
Children 15 and older may travel unaccompanied, but do not qualify for any discounts available for children traveling with an adult. Children 15 and older are subject to all policies applying to adult passengers. Minors 15 and older may purchase tickets on their own from a ticket agent or conductor if they present valid photo ID.
And they will take a School ID.
You generally have to be 21 to reserve a hotel room though, so while the trip isn't an issue, a place to stay while you're in Seattle may require someone older.
oh man, i guess i'll hold off this trip until i turn 21 then :x
or you could room with someone who already booked a hotel . . . once they post the PAX hotel rates i'm sure the room share thread will get created shortly thereafter . . i'd look there
Last I checked you had to be 18 to rent a hotel room, just as long as you have a credit card at hand...
Should probably call the hotels in the area to double check.
This is correct.
A debit card with a credit card symbol on it will work too. You might have a larger than normal reserve put on the card when you check in though.
Thanks, that's going to be a relief off everyone, including my, shoulders
I travel a lot for work and don't have a credit card. Usually they charge you X dollars more than the room for incidentals and whatnot, then refund the rest when you check out. Sort of like most car rentals these days with debit cards.
I'm seriously debating taking the train one way from Los Angeles (maybe Simi Valley) up there, and then I'd fly back. If we want the group discount, would I have to leave from Los Angeles? And how many people do we have so far for a group discount?
Also, if I didn't get a room, i'd have to sleep in my seat? I have a hard time sleeping on airplanes, so I assume it'll be the same type of thing?
So for a 34 hour train ride people don't go psycho? I'm just debating if this is a good idea or if I should just fly. Also, how do we get electricity? Are there outlets near our seats and easy to plug into? Also are there tables at our seats? How far do these seats lean back?
On the way up, there were outlets at each seat. On the way back down, I think we were shit outta luck for most seats, everyone was leaching juice from the Obs deck.
I didn't notice others going psycho on the way up. Keep in mind, we only take up like 20% of the people on the train. Lots of people are getting on and off on the way up.
Would anyone be interested in splitting the cost of a sleeper cabin, either on the way up or back? I couldn't quite dish 200 extra each way, but an extra hundred wouldn't be bad. It apparently includes your meals.
So for a 34 hour train ride people don't go psycho? I'm just debating if this is a good idea or if I should just fly. Also, how do we get electricity? Are there outlets near our seats and easy to plug into? Also are there tables at our seats? How far do these seats lean back?
So many questions!
34 hours!? I hope I can hop off the train and smoke at stops or crack the window and smoke.
So for a 34 hour train ride people don't go psycho? I'm just debating if this is a good idea or if I should just fly. Also, how do we get electricity? Are there outlets near our seats and easy to plug into? Also are there tables at our seats? How far do these seats lean back?
So many questions!
34 hours!? I hope I can hop off the train and smoke at stops or crack the window and smoke.
Smoking is possible at all the stops. I think most stations are like 10-20 minutes.
There are no tables at the seats, but we occupy most of the Observation deck, which is mostly booths, 4 people to a table. The seats do not lean back, like at all. Roomette is the way to go if you want to be comfortable sleeping at all.
SlickShughes on
0
TimeCruiserMikePast Organizer of the West Coast Train TripSan Fernando ValleyRegistered Userregular
So for a 34 hour train ride people don't go psycho? I'm just debating if this is a good idea or if I should just fly. Also, how do we get electricity? Are there outlets near our seats and easy to plug into? Also are there tables at our seats? How far do these seats lean back?
So many questions!
Well, don't forget, it's not like a plane. You aren't chained to your seat or even your car. You run around a lot more. If you want food that you didn't pack, you go to the little cafe/store counter and hope they have something you like or you go more formal and get a meal at mealtimes. There are bathrooms and showers and stuff. The obs car was packed with PAX gear and people. The game room in the bottom of one of the cars was taken over for rock band. You can get out at most stations and run around for a few minutes to get some fresh air (or nicotinated air if you smoke.) Oh yeah, and most people bring whatever comforts they need for the trip- from costco flat packs of muffins to that mysterious pitcher of blue drink that everyone would swear was gatorade.
So yeah, it's a long trip. But it's more fun than flying and the train trip has become its own part of PAX.
From personal experience, nothing beats a sleeper, and the added cost is definitely worth it. There's not really a better way to travel unless you own your own jet. :P
Well, ok. They lean back some. More than a plane seat. But just not enough to be comfortable sleeping. It's so close, but there is no way you can nap in those.
Posts
I'm out in Oxnard, but for this trip I could probably catch a ride down to LA to help with the 20 pre-buy group rate.
Lemmie know.
What's the news with the possible discount?
Thanks! K
virgin here :oops:
Passes: ☑ ▬ Hotel: ☑ ▬ Flight: [color=red]☑[/color]
"Why would we want to fly when we can pay twice as much and take seven times as long?"
Funny episode though, I'm going to make sure it's available as a media selection on the train.
So, board/card games were big last year. Who's down for some Battlestar this year?
I plan on having an 8 suit deck and some poker chips and playing some games of Cripple Mr. Onion.
Great, but I only know the first 47 verses of The Hedgehog Song...
As old as you have to be, to buy the train ticket.
Amtrak.com says:
Children 15 and older may travel unaccompanied, but do not qualify for any discounts available for children traveling with an adult. Children 15 and older are subject to all policies applying to adult passengers. Minors 15 and older may purchase tickets on their own from a ticket agent or conductor if they present valid photo ID.
And they will take a School ID.
You generally have to be 21 to reserve a hotel room though, so while the trip isn't an issue, a place to stay while you're in Seattle may require someone older.
Good to see another Phoenician on the train. Me, RCars2, and TNTrooper drove from Phoenix last year and left a car at union station without problems. I don't remember if they charged us anything.
If you're that kind of fool, and you have a long tool,
Do it with a giraffe, if you stand on a stool,
Catch a yeti, who lives in the snows of Nepal,
but the hedgehog can never be buggered at all!
For the hedgehog escapes the posterior rapes
Performed upon others of different shapes
Those who run, swim, or slither, they get it withal,
But the hedgehog can never be buggered at all!
I have Dave Greenslade's "From The Discworld" album - a collection of tunes inspired by Pratchett's novels. It's pretty shit, but I could bring it for cheese value if you fancy.
or you could room with someone who already booked a hotel . . . once they post the PAX hotel rates i'm sure the room share thread will get created shortly thereafter . . i'd look there
{Fondly remembers the PAXTrain}
Should probably call the hotels in the area to double check.
This is correct.
A debit card with a credit card symbol on it will work too. You might have a larger than normal reserve put on the card when you check in though.
Thanks, that's going to be a relief off everyone, including my, shoulders
I have a small TV (I think 17 or 19") that I can probably bring.
I travel a lot for work and don't have a credit card. Usually they charge you X dollars more than the room for incidentals and whatnot, then refund the rest when you check out. Sort of like most car rentals these days with debit cards.
Also, if I didn't get a room, i'd have to sleep in my seat? I have a hard time sleeping on airplanes, so I assume it'll be the same type of thing?
So many questions!
I didn't notice others going psycho on the way up. Keep in mind, we only take up like 20% of the people on the train. Lots of people are getting on and off on the way up.
Anyone interested?
34 hours!? I hope I can hop off the train and smoke at stops or crack the window and smoke.
Smoking is possible at all the stops. I think most stations are like 10-20 minutes.
There are no tables at the seats, but we occupy most of the Observation deck, which is mostly booths, 4 people to a table. The seats do not lean back, like at all. Roomette is the way to go if you want to be comfortable sleeping at all.
the coach seats DO lean back. . ..
{Fondly remembers the PAXTrain}
Well, don't forget, it's not like a plane. You aren't chained to your seat or even your car. You run around a lot more. If you want food that you didn't pack, you go to the little cafe/store counter and hope they have something you like or you go more formal and get a meal at mealtimes. There are bathrooms and showers and stuff. The obs car was packed with PAX gear and people. The game room in the bottom of one of the cars was taken over for rock band. You can get out at most stations and run around for a few minutes to get some fresh air (or nicotinated air if you smoke.) Oh yeah, and most people bring whatever comforts they need for the trip- from costco flat packs of muffins to that mysterious pitcher of blue drink that everyone would swear was gatorade.
So yeah, it's a long trip. But it's more fun than flying and the train trip has become its own part of PAX.
http://forums.penny-arcade.com/showthread.php?t=80101
Gonna fly in thursday and take part in some of the activities in Seattle.
See you suckers in the Bizzarro CCST next Spring!
Well, ok. They lean back some. More than a plane seat. But just not enough to be comfortable sleeping. It's so close, but there is no way you can nap in those.