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News & ArtsMonday, January 9, 2012
Transportation Don't take the bus from Chicago to Seattle
Posted by Chicago Fan on Mon, Jan 9, 2012 at 9:50 AM
A 60-year-old Chicago woman on her way to visit family in Seattle was one of two people killed Sunday morning in a bus crash on an icy interstate highway in western Montana.
Fatimah Amatullah, of the 7200 block of S. South Shore Drive in the South Shore neighborhood on the South Side, was one of four people who were pinned underneath the bus when it came to rest after it skidded off the road after hitting black ice on Int. Hwy. 90, according to Jason Johnson, a public information officer for the Missoula County sheriff's office.
1
Maybe qualify that statement by saying, "Don't take the bus from Chicago to Seattle in the winter." Too treacherous with the weather. Traveling through the northern plains is pretty easy any other time of year though.
2
Don't ever leave your house. It's dangerous out there.
Oops, wait a minute ... your house is dangerous too.
Oops, wait a minute ... your house is dangerous too.
3
Don't take the bus?
Or drive. Or fly. Or undertake any other activity during which anyone has ever been killed.
Or drive. Or fly. Or undertake any other activity during which anyone has ever been killed.
5
Tragic...and unnecessary!
I just checked the fare for a one way trip on Trailways (via the Greyhound.com site) from Chicago to Seattle.
The bus leaving at 08:44 AM Thu, 01/12 offers a Web Only fare of $185.00 with a travel time of 2D, 0H, 46M.
However, checking http://Southwest.com, the same trip, there are Web Only specials for $109 and it only takes two and a half hours.
I just checked the fare for a one way trip on Trailways (via the Greyhound.com site) from Chicago to Seattle.
The bus leaving at 08:44 AM Thu, 01/12 offers a Web Only fare of $185.00 with a travel time of 2D, 0H, 46M.
However, checking http://Southwest.com, the same trip, there are Web Only specials for $109 and it only takes two and a half hours.
8
@5 Some people can't/won't fly for whatever reason. If a person doesn't have state-issued ID, for example. I think a coach seat on Amtrak might be cheaper than both. That has its own risks, I was on a train that derailed in central Montana, but it was the middle of summer (the rails buckled due to the heat). At least it has a cafe car, which is more than Southwest or Greyhound offer.
9
#8
The Amtrak price is $205.
Even with discounts, I find it hard to believe that the bus or train would be cheaper than $109.
I think that some people, who don't travel much, still think of the bus as being very much cheaper than a plane.
When it's obviously not.
The Amtrak price is $205.
Even with discounts, I find it hard to believe that the bus or train would be cheaper than $109.
I think that some people, who don't travel much, still think of the bus as being very much cheaper than a plane.
When it's obviously not.
10
I drove a U-Haul from NC to Seattle over Christmas and New Year's 2009/10, via Chicago, the Dakotas, etc.
I really, really don't recommend it.
I really, really don't recommend it.
11
@9 I just searched for few weeks ahead and it was $125 for the Amtrak, for two different departure times. If you booked even further in advance it would probably be less.
Also, it's worth remembering that the price on Southwest is not actually $109, that doesn't include taxes and fees.
Also, how did you get a one-way between Chicago and Seattle for $109? I fly (on Southwest) between Chicago and Seattle about 12 times a year and never get a fare that low, even well in advance on unpopular days.
Also, it's worth remembering that the price on Southwest is not actually $109, that doesn't include taxes and fees.
Also, how did you get a one-way between Chicago and Seattle for $109? I fly (on Southwest) between Chicago and Seattle about 12 times a year and never get a fare that low, even well in advance on unpopular days.
12
It doesn't have anything to do with the bus. It has to do with extremely dangerous conditions on highways in Montana in the winter. This is tragic - and people die and are injured in road accidents in Montana in the winter every year, which is also tragic.
From the Missoulian coverage:
"There were, in fact, multiple crashes on Interstate 90 east of Missoula early Sunday, all within a few miles of the bus accident."
http://missoulian.com/news/local/rimrock…
Tangentially, (I know because I have ridden many a Greyhound and affiliate bus in my life and also many an airplane, and have observed firsthand) it seems like there is a substantial class component to a decision-making process about flying vs. taking the bus. Strict dollar cost is not the only or most important part.
From the Missoulian coverage:
"There were, in fact, multiple crashes on Interstate 90 east of Missoula early Sunday, all within a few miles of the bus accident."
http://missoulian.com/news/local/rimrock…
Tangentially, (I know because I have ridden many a Greyhound and affiliate bus in my life and also many an airplane, and have observed firsthand) it seems like there is a substantial class component to a decision-making process about flying vs. taking the bus. Strict dollar cost is not the only or most important part.
13
@9 - it's not necessarily just about cheaper. It's also about how you can take public transit to the bus station in most towns easily, and you can basically always get a ticket the same day at the bus station in cash for a decent price. (Also if you happen to be visibly poor, you will not be treated quite as much like garbage at the bus station.)
And yes, if you have internet access and a certain amount of know-how, and a credit card, you can often find an airline ticket at a good price. That doesn't mean that this is a viable option for a lot of people.
And yes, if you have internet access and a certain amount of know-how, and a credit card, you can often find an airline ticket at a good price. That doesn't mean that this is a viable option for a lot of people.
14
#11
Right now on their site, for Jan 20, the prices for the Wanna Get Away fare are all $109 one-way.
These include flights 2324 and 1406 non-stop from Chicago to Seattle.
http://www.southwest.com
Right now on their site, for Jan 20, the prices for the Wanna Get Away fare are all $109 one-way.
These include flights 2324 and 1406 non-stop from Chicago to Seattle.
http://www.southwest.com
15
Montana is full of death so this is pretty much the norm. And this is coming from a native born Montanan
16
The train ride from Chicago to Seattle at this time of year is stunning. Highly recommended if time isn't an issue. It's also far, FAR more comfortable than a bus.
17
The time for the Empire Buildier is comparable to a bus. And no transfers! (Four transfers between Chi-Sea on the dog)
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