How trains could replace planes in Europe

Re:How trains could replace planes in Europe by theaeolist on Thursday November 11, 2021 @08:20PM (#29195318)

There is one aspect where flying beats trains: checking luggage. If you have big suitcases it's a PITA to get them on and off the train. And changing trains means taking the bags with you, unlike flights where bags are (usually) transferred.

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Re:How trains could replace planes in Europe by lmm on Thursday November 11, 2021 @10:05PM (#29195926)

I disagree; taking whatever bags you like and having access to them through the whole journey is much, much nicer than having to hand them over and hope they arrive in the right place, and potentially paying extra or even having to book ahead if you've got anything other than a standard suitcase.

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Re:How trains could replace planes in Europe by OneTimePetes on Friday November 12, 2021 @05:01AM (#29197788)

Specially love those tourist traps, who "loose" your bags so they can sell you cloths and "find" it, upon your return trip.

You were the local shopping stimulus all along.

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Re:How trains could replace planes in Europe by garmaine on Thursday November 11, 2021 @10:46PM (#29196135)

Well, that’s European airlines which have the worst customer service. In most of the rest of the world luggage is never a problem.

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Re:How trains could replace planes in Europe by EdwardDiego on Friday November 12, 2021 @04:06AM (#29197477)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YGc4zOqozo

(It's a song called United Breaks Guitars that you may remember from over a decade ago).

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Re:How trains could replace planes in Europe by baby on Friday November 12, 2021 @01:38AM (#29196860)

What? In the US you have to pay for your checkin luggage.

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Re:How trains could replace planes in Europe by garmaine on Friday November 12, 2021 @04:05AM (#29197469)

Not typically for international flights, and even for some US domestic carriers. Same goes for most of the rest of the world (e.g. Asia) which is what I was actually thinking about. Brazil has free luggage mandated in law.

Even when you do have to pay in the US it is typically very generous. Larger size and weight allowance, and you won’t get dinged for being even a few kilos over. And the bottom tier of frequent flyer programs (which is usually trivial to get and keep) waives all these fees anyway. I can’t remember the last time I paid for luggage allowance outside of a trip to or through Europe.

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Re:How trains could replace planes in Europe by ornornor on Friday November 12, 2021 @01:47AM (#29196899)

I wish that service was more widespread. The Swiss SBB will pick up your luggage at your door before your trip and deliver it at your destinations door afterwards. For a few of course, but still.

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Re:How trains could replace planes in Europe by baby on Thursday November 11, 2021 @09:46PM (#29195814)

I had that issue last time and I used a service to send my luggage to the destination. They came to pick it up at my place and delivered it to my other place.

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Re:How trains could replace planes in Europe by OneTimePetes on Friday November 12, 2021 @05:00AM (#29197780)

Wish there was a hack for this.. like selling them to yourselves with same day delivery on amazon.

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