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Austria rail operator OeBB unveils new night trains

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Re: Austria rail operator OeBB unveils new night trains

#91

train travel is almost always the most expensive option compared to car, bus or plane alternatives. from a sustainability perspective an insanely lobsided state of affairs, the result of a century long of distorted incentives and policies. what could be more pleasant than being able to criss-cross Europe in night trains that are affordable, comfortable and sustainable? makes sense both for business and tourism. you c…

7% of orbital altitude is not near-orbital.

Re: Austria rail operator OeBB unveils new night trains

#92

train travel is almost always the most expensive option compared to car, bus or plane alternatives. from a sustainability perspective an insanely lobsided state of affairs, the result of a century long of distorted incentives and policies. what could be more pleasant than being able to criss-cross Europe in night trains that are affordable, comfortable and sustainable? makes sense both for business and tourism. you c…

[flagged]

Re: Austria rail operator OeBB unveils new night trains

#93
post #67

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> You are not treated like a criminal before you can board a train. Is this a reference to airport security? Edit: not sure why I was downvoted -- I genuinely don't understand this statement.

Yes

Is there something specific about airport security you think could change to make you feel less like you're being treated like a criminal?

Re: Austria rail operator OeBB unveils new night trains

#94
post #89

train travel is almost always the most expensive option compared to car, bus or plane alternatives. from a sustainability perspective an insanely lobsided state of affairs, the result of a century long of distorted incentives and policies. what could be more pleasant than being able to criss-cross Europe in night trains that are affordable, comfortable and sustainable? makes sense both for business and tourism. you c…

>what could be more pleasant than being able to criss-cross Europe in night trains that are affordable, comfortable and sustainable? Doing it by plane at a fraction of the time and cost.

The interesting thing is that it that night trains can be quicker if you consider the waking. e.g. Zurich to Berlin - the train leaves at 8pm and gets in at 7am. So it is 2-3 waking hours spent.

(Does of course depend on how well you sleep on trains)

Re: Austria rail operator OeBB unveils new night trains

#95

I love travelling by train. You are not treated like a criminal before you can board a train. You can sit and watch the landscape pass by. It's comfortable.

> You are not treated like a criminal before you can board a train.

I have only taken one relatively long distance train in Europe, but they had security checks on par with PreCheck. Bags still went through a scanner and still went through a metal detector.

Re: Austria rail operator OeBB unveils new night trains

#96
post #89

train travel is almost always the most expensive option compared to car, bus or plane alternatives. from a sustainability perspective an insanely lobsided state of affairs, the result of a century long of distorted incentives and policies. what could be more pleasant than being able to criss-cross Europe in night trains that are affordable, comfortable and sustainable? makes sense both for business and tourism. you c…

>what could be more pleasant than being able to criss-cross Europe in night trains that are affordable, comfortable and sustainable? Doing it by plane at a fraction of the time and cost.

At a fraction of the cost because air travel doesn't pay it's real costs in terms of environmental damage (or even taxes...).

Re: Austria rail operator OeBB unveils new night trains

#97
post #67

I love travelling by train. You are not treated like a criminal before you can board a train. You can sit and watch the landscape pass by. It's comfortable.

> You are not treated like a criminal before you can board a train. Is this a reference to airport security? Edit: not sure why I was downvoted -- I genuinely don't understand this statement.

Yes.

Airport security is mostly theatre anyway, it’s massively excessive for extremely low benefit.

Re: Austria rail operator OeBB unveils new night trains

#98

I love travelling by train. You are not treated like a criminal before you can board a train. You can sit and watch the landscape pass by. It's comfortable.

Some countries (China is the most notable example) have security checks prior to boarding a train comparable to flying. In Poland, if you buy your ticket for an Intercity train online, the conductor will ask for your ID to ensure the names match. The state, or perhaps just the operator, seems to be concerned about who is paying and traveling in this case. One can still buy tickets with cash, though.

I recently took the train in Poland from Warsaw to Krakow and Krakow to Vienna and they never checked my ID.

Re: Austria rail operator OeBB unveils new night trains

#99
post #80

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Some countries (China is the most notable example) have security checks prior to boarding a train comparable to flying. In Poland, if you buy your ticket for an Intercity train online, the conductor will ask for your ID to ensure the names match. The state, or perhaps just the operator, seems to be concerned about who is paying and traveling in this case. One can still buy tickets with cash, though.

You're right that China has security checks for trains but I don't consider them comparable to flying. The train security checks are much faster. I've rarely had to wait more than 5 minutes in line. You don't have to take off your shoes, don't have to take out laptops and things from your luggage, and drinks and liquids are generally allowed. I've only on a couple occasions been asked by security in China to take a s…

The shoe thing is an American peculiarity. In Europe I never had to take off my shoes, even when I flew to the US. And now some airports (eg LCY) don’t even require taking liquids and laptops out of the luggage.

Re: Austria rail operator OeBB unveils new night trains

#100
post #93

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes

Is there something specific about airport security you think could change to make you feel less like you're being treated like a criminal?

Get rid of half of it. Especially the liquid limits, unnecessary pat downs, shoe removal, etc.
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