sandwich Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> you kidding? have you been through TSA or even to
> an airport lately? they are all way over capacity,
> and the highways are packed, give me an
> alternative any day

Sounds like a great argument to start expanding airports, or opening up more airports.

Pacific Northwest HSR will serve exactly one corridor, one route. I can sure as heck tell you that the vast majority of Seattle and Portland airport users aren't flying to the other (or Vancouver, BC for that matter). Most traffic goes to California.

It's close to some 460 miles from downtown Seattle just to reach the California border; and then another 300 or so miles until you reach any significant population center. Even at 250 MPH that's three hours on a train, that an airplane can do in two.

And don't think for a second that HSR won't have the TSA. Frankly, some of Amtrak's boarding procedures are horrible and un-customer friendly. I've never had a problem with the TSA...and I've stood in far longer lines at King Street or Union Station.