I love traveling home by train. Less hassle than flying, less stressful than driving, cheaper than either (usually) and I can sleep 90% of the way.

However…

This morning I get on the train. As I hand the lady my ticket and say Schenectady she gives a double take and I say “I’m in the right spot right? He (the other conductor) sent me down here.”

“He did what?”

I replied again, “I said Albany first but then immediately corrected myself to say Schenectady and he sent me down here.” In my mind Albany and Schenectady are the same place, regardless he (the other conductor) said “Schenectady down there.”

The second conductors reply is what is bugging. After I tell her this she says “I don’t know why you said that sir,” with a tone in her voice that says she frustrated with me. And then let’s me on the train at her car anyways.

Don’t know what? Why I corrected myself to say Schenectady. If it was such a big deal (and I can understand sorting people by stop) then send me back to other car. The train was early, I sat on it for almost ten minutes before it left the station and only two other people got on the train at my station anyways so it wasn’t busy.

Shit like that is part of the reason Amtrak is a joke in the US. Either it’s not a big deal and you let me sit in this car (which seemed to be the case) or it is a big deal and you ask me to go back to the other car. But making a snide remark is ridiculous.

Anyways, I’m sure I’ll enjoy the rest of the train ride in peace, just a stupid way to start the trip.