Amtrak used to be a great way to travel and an excellent alternative to air travel........ No more. I spent three days on this crazy train........ California Zephyr........ from California to Ohio in August of 03. The experience was mediocre at best. Not only are the Amtrak employees rude and unfriendly but also downright hateful and hostile to say the least. They all behaved like Nazis. The train at night was below freezing, probably so they could sell those bogus felt blankets of theirs. The food in the dining car was subpar, and the food in the snack car was very expensive.......... $2.00 for a cup of Noodles... HELLO!!! I guess they figure since you are trapped on the train, you really have no other choice than to go hungry. The only redeeming quality for the over glorified Greyhound could be the awesome views you see on the way to your destination, that you would probably miss if you were in a car or a plane. If you ever find yourself in the Chicago Union station........ FORGET about encountering any helpful employees, Especially the bitch at the information desk. She was very venomous and almost physical about it....... a very unpleasant woman......... Should be fired immediatly. In conclusion......... Stick with flying, it is about the same cost now as Amtrak but you will get there in half the time, and probably not have former welfare recipients as employees.