Team Train or Team Plane?

Aristotle proposed the Theory of Non-contradiction.  If it’s A, it’s not B.  If it’s B, it’s not A.  It can’t be both A and B, or at least, that’s how I understand it.  In my Materiality of Language class this semester, we discussed that something can be both A and B, it just depends on the circumstances.  I wonder, though, if what Aristotle said holds true in the popular transportation debate.  I wonder if people either like to travel by train or travel by plane.  I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately...

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Here are some pros and cons of Trains v. Planes

Trains:

Pros – roomier, can walk around, access to lounge car, access to shower (though small, if you’re willing to pay), able to see more scenery, more relaxed, community aspect, less crowded, more space to store stuff, no baggage fees?, charging stations at your seat

Cons – takes a long time to get there, subject to frequent delays

Planes:

Pros – get there quickly, though delays are still a possibility, not as subject to delays on planes as on trains, can get you to places trains can’t (i.e. Hawaii and Switzerland)

Cons – tediousness of security (I forgot to take off my shoes ……needless to say, TSA did not like that), rushed, cramped, tense, crowded, less space to store stuff, baggage fees, individualistic, grumpy friggin’ people

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For the majority of my relationship with Brad, we had to do the long distance thing.  So, I found myself flying often.  Very often.  I wanted to see him as soon as possible, and I wanted to have as much time with him as possible.  So, my priorities were different.  I valued being at my destination rather than getting to my destination.  On the plane, train travel never came up in any conversations I had with people.  I rarely had conversations with people, though.  Sunglasses, hat, headphones, book.  Can’t get any clearer than that…

Train vs. Plane, however, is a frequent topic of conversation while traveling by train.  I’ve said it to people before, and I’ll say it again.  People who prefer the train seem to value getting to their destination in addition to being at their destination.  Where Team Plane folks just want to get there.  I was a Team Plane person for a while, but when traveling for pleasure I consider myself very Team Train.  So, yet again I can prove Aristotle wrong…….I’m both A and B.  I’m both Team Train and Team Plane; it just depends on the circumstances. 

I want to say this, too, though.  Train travelers seem to have a different culture than plane travelers.  Sweden even claimed in conversation that “Everyone is so adventurous” when referencing those who lean toward Team Train.  Just think about the topics of my posts.  Also, I am willing to suggest that there is a class difference between those who travel by train and those who travel by plane.  It seems as if the majority of train travelers prefer this mode of transportation because of the low cost.  Some, though, are just afraid of flying.  And others just don’t like the atmosphere of airports. 

I know I’m oversimplifying this, but it seemed as if the second I got to the airport my demeanor completely changed.  Maybe it’s because my iPod wasn’t charged.  Maybe it’s because my laptop wasn’t charged.  Maybe it’s because my Nook wasn’t charged.  Maybe it’s because I wasted two dollars on shitty headphones because I was a window seat, and my backpack was two rows ahead of me.  Maybe it’s because both my hat and sunglasses were in that backpack, as well.  Or maybe it’s because the woman sitting next to me looked at me like I was crazy when I told her that I had just taken the train to Los Angeles only to fly back the same day that I arrived.  Wait…maybe it’s because the overweight woman in front of me decided to lean back as far as possible in order to sleep, and the gentleman behind me wanted to rest his head on my chair.  Or maybe it all started when I left my debit card on Olvera Street.  Or maybe it’s just because I knew my adventure was almost over.  And when the cabin door closed I was still waiting to hear from my ride (more on that to come)…

I’m a glass half full girl, though.  I saw the Pacific Ocean and some really big something swimming toward the surface of the water.  There was no one in the middle seat, and we didn’t crash into a fiery ball of death.