Passenger Trains > US Domestic Passenger Flights Could Shut Down

The Wall Street Journal is reporting this evening that major US airlines are drafting plans for a potential voluntary shutdown of virtually all passenger flights across the US. Amtrak just may be bursting with traffic if this occurs.

As much as I love riding passenger trains, I would not want to be riding an Amtrak train "bursting with traffic" as long as the coronavirus is still a real threat to public health.

Doubtful.  Travel is grinding to a halt more and more each day.  Hardly anyone is flying.  Everyone I know who has travel plans, whether by air, rail, or ocean has canceled them.  Even those who aren't afraid of getting in close quarters with several other passengers have canceled their plans because their destination is either locked down, or so heavily restricted there is no point in going.

There is no windfall in this for any transportation sector. 
 

The WSJ article.  Probably behind a pay wall.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-domestic-passenger-flights-could-virtually-shut-down-voluntarily-or-by-government-order-11585013673?mod=hp_lead_pos1

Excerpt:

Major U.S. airlines are drafting plans for a potential voluntary shutdown of virtually all passenger flights across the U.S., according to industry and federal officials, as government agencies also consider ordering such a move and the nation’s air-traffic control system continues to be ravaged by the coronavirus contagion.

No final decisions have been made by the carriers or the White House, these officials said. As airlines struggle to keep aircraft flying with minimal passengers, various options are under consideration, these people said.

 

Isn't the whole idea to stop traveling for a while?

march_hare Wrote:
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> Isn't the whole idea to stop traveling for a
> while?

thank you..........

66

Correct.  STOP TRAVELING for a while.  Make an effort to contain this infection.

Amtrak is really of very minimal importance at this point.

If this is an issue of air traffic control having problems that is very concerning. Lots, tons and tons of cargo and supplies are flown around the country. Also, why do you guys care about Amtrak so damn much.

Posted from iPhone

People in fly over country like Amtrak no greyhound or air service

Posted from Android

Maybe car rental agencies will be the ones to boom.    Solo driving from state to state if that's what the person is trying to accomplish.

Fizzboy7 Wrote:
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> Maybe car rental agencies will be the ones to
> boom.    Solo driving from state to state if
> that's what the person is trying to accomplish.

Sure. And in locked down states, no place to eat except in your room or in your car - if you trust that your room on the road was properly cleaned after the previous lodgers departed.

pullmanboss Wrote:
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> - if you trust
> that your room on the road was properly cleaned
> after the previous lodgers departed.

While planning any trip, I already hated having to consult the bedbug registry in order to know where to avoid. COVID-19 now makes lodging even more, ummm, "variable".

pullmanboss Wrote:
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> Fizzboy7 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Maybe car rental agencies will be the ones to
> > boom.    Solo driving from state to state if
> > that's what the person is trying to accomplish.
>
> Sure. And in locked down states, no place to eat
> except in your room or in your car - if you trust
> that your room on the road was properly cleaned
> after the previous lodgers departed.

Or your rental car for that matter. I've had some rentals were downright filthy!

BKLJ611 Wrote:
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> If this is an issue of air traffic control having
> problems that is very concerning. Lots, tons and
> tons of cargo and supplies are flown around the
> country. Also, why do you guys care about Amtrak
> so damn much.
>
> Posted from iPhone

Because this is the Passenger Trains board on Trainorders?  Just sayin'.

Pig-Mauler Wrote:
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> BKLJ611 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
 Also, why do you guys care about
> Amtrak
> > so damn much.
> >
> > Posted from iPhone
>
> Because this is the Passenger Trains board on
> Trainorders?  Just sayin'.
I was gonna say the same thing.  If u dont like amtk, why are u on this board?

As to where to stay if you do ignore the don't travel advisory.....the WHO just announced that the virus remained " alive" on surfaces in the cabins of the cruise ship with multiple infected people for as long as 16 days, yes days, not mimutes or hours but days. Therefore, unless you are prepared to trust the house keepers at whichever motel/hotel you plan to stay at to have thoroughly " disinfected" your room, you're playing Russian roulette. Staying home seems like a MUCH wiser choice.

   IMHO-Ross Rowland 

Latest word from inside the sausage making factory is that the Amtrak proposed subsidy has been reduced to $ 500M and it all must be used to keep the LDT's alive???

   I've lived through a few of these sausage making dramas and can testify that it isn't over till it gets into final form and on its way to the WH for signature.

   Stay tuned.  Ross Rowland 

> I was gonna say the same thing.  If u dont like
> amtk, why are u on this board?

For the record, this is the 'Passenger Trains' board, not the 'I ❤ Amtrak' board. It's possible to like passenger trains while still wishing for a competent operator. It's even possible to like passenger trains while acknowledging that they're irrelevant in the face of a global health and economic crisis as is taking place.

be careful.  some people get VERY offended when they read/hear other opinions that invalidate their views..............

66

As soon as Amtrak personnel test positive with their small long distance crew bases, Amtrak will shut down too.