Some asked for a follow-up on our Amtrak to New Orleans trip so here goes.
Two oulde couples not in a hurry decided to ride Amtrak from Bham to NO. Not being from the area, we were concerned about parking security. We ended up parking at a pay lot near the airport and Ubering to the station. Great choice, parking was secure, only $10 per day, and the Uber was quick. Others on our train parked at the secure lot at the station. Their car was still there when we returned, I don’t know the cost.
The stations at both ends were safe and clean and had good access to local transportation. We booked ahead and road in Coach for $25 each round trip. The train was 1 hr late into Bham but 30 min ahead into NO. On the return, we were on time. It’s about an 8 hr trip, and there’s only 1 stop where you’re allowed off the train. Coach seats are much bigger and have much more leg room than a plane. Except for 2, the other riders were ouldes and families on spring break. Booze and food is available on board, passable but not impressive. We took some snacks and minis and poured our own with no issues. WIFI was good on the way down and dead on the way back, but since the track is mostly near busy roads, cell coverage was basketball watching good. Train staff was friendly and helpful. The staff leaving NO was much better, simply because they were at the start of their shift. The staff quickly addressed passenger issues that arose, and there were few.
NO was subdued, but still NO. We ate, drank, gambled, and enjoyed the city. The highlight was most definitely the WWII museum. If you haven’t been, go. It’s a half day at a minimum and I could have stayed all day.
Now for the only two riders on the train who weren’t relatively normal. There was a pair, not friends, but brothers in the bottle by the time we met them. One was a sixty something Cajun headed to NO to be kicker for the saints. He’d left Tampa area, rode up the east coast until he could catch the train to NO. He had a big box that he told us was a still, but told the attendant was a fish cooker. The other was a 25ish kid, he said he’d walked from North Carolina to Vermont. I asked if he’d hiked the Appalachian Trail, he said, “he’ll no, nobody even told me there was one until I got to Vermont.” Anyway, they kept a nice, level, happy drunk going all the way to NO. They sat across from us and had a funny, quick, lie for every question we asked.
Summary… a very safe, fun and nice trip, not the transportation I’d choose every time, but very suitable occasionally. We’ll be looking for another similar one in a year or so. No one was shot in the entirety of the trip.
Two oulde couples not in a hurry decided to ride Amtrak from Bham to NO. Not being from the area, we were concerned about parking security. We ended up parking at a pay lot near the airport and Ubering to the station. Great choice, parking was secure, only $10 per day, and the Uber was quick. Others on our train parked at the secure lot at the station. Their car was still there when we returned, I don’t know the cost.
The stations at both ends were safe and clean and had good access to local transportation. We booked ahead and road in Coach for $25 each round trip. The train was 1 hr late into Bham but 30 min ahead into NO. On the return, we were on time. It’s about an 8 hr trip, and there’s only 1 stop where you’re allowed off the train. Coach seats are much bigger and have much more leg room than a plane. Except for 2, the other riders were ouldes and families on spring break. Booze and food is available on board, passable but not impressive. We took some snacks and minis and poured our own with no issues. WIFI was good on the way down and dead on the way back, but since the track is mostly near busy roads, cell coverage was basketball watching good. Train staff was friendly and helpful. The staff leaving NO was much better, simply because they were at the start of their shift. The staff quickly addressed passenger issues that arose, and there were few.
NO was subdued, but still NO. We ate, drank, gambled, and enjoyed the city. The highlight was most definitely the WWII museum. If you haven’t been, go. It’s a half day at a minimum and I could have stayed all day.
Now for the only two riders on the train who weren’t relatively normal. There was a pair, not friends, but brothers in the bottle by the time we met them. One was a sixty something Cajun headed to NO to be kicker for the saints. He’d left Tampa area, rode up the east coast until he could catch the train to NO. He had a big box that he told us was a still, but told the attendant was a fish cooker. The other was a 25ish kid, he said he’d walked from North Carolina to Vermont. I asked if he’d hiked the Appalachian Trail, he said, “he’ll no, nobody even told me there was one until I got to Vermont.” Anyway, they kept a nice, level, happy drunk going all the way to NO. They sat across from us and had a funny, quick, lie for every question we asked.
Summary… a very safe, fun and nice trip, not the transportation I’d choose every time, but very suitable occasionally. We’ll be looking for another similar one in a year or so. No one was shot in the entirety of the trip.
