Packing for a Greyhound
by tdaxp ~ July 10th, 2006
I’m packing now for my trip to meet Biz and Rob of the geographically separated Trumpy Productions. Biz (also founder of Chainmaille Oddities) is in Indiana, so that will be my first top. (Long time tdaxp readers will recall I visted Texas last year).
I was impressed by Greyhound’s low prices and comfortable seats, so I’m looking forward to seeing the nation. I’m also in Chicago from 8 PM to midnight on Wednesday, so hopefully I don’t get stabbed.
I think this is your...
July 11th, 2006 at 12:00 am
About 8 years ago, I rode a Greyhound bus from San Angelo to Dallas, Texas. It was a horrible experience. I had the same problems as Eddie, except the pedophile one. Substitute the pedophile part with a) “Rubenesque” lady (200-lb plus is my guess) sleeping with her head on my shoulder and b) heroin addict who would not shut his mouth the whole freaking trip. Admittedly those two characters are not as bad as the pedophile and I think I encouraged both behaviour by being friendly at the beginning of the trip.
Plus our bus broke down in the middle of bunf*ck, Texas and I missed my flight out of Dallas.
July 11th, 2006 at 12:00 am
1. The A/C on the bus did not work for the Birmingham-Columbia leg.
2. The 60 something pedophile who tried to pick me up outside the Birmingham bus station, thinking I was some teenage runaway… after I turned down his offer for “a ride around” and then “a bite”, he came out with a roll of $5's and asked if I wanted to make some money.
3. The CONSTANT crying of sick, hungry or just irritable infants.
4. No such comfortable seats on any of the three legs I rode on.
Perhaps there are better-equipped or more modern buses in the Midwest/Southwest.
My experience is but one unique one among many.
July 11th, 2006 at 12:00 am
Eddie,
What problems did you have with Greyhound? One reason I chose them is the excellent, effecient, and curteious service I received last time. (The Texas routes was very crowded, but otherwise the bus was quite relaxing.)
Dan
July 11th, 2006 at 12:00 am
Dan I think you'll be safe in Chicago (perhaps ZenPundit can grab a coffee or beer with you, isn't he in the Greater Chicago area?), but I rather hope you have a far better experience with Greyhound than I did back in 2003 on leave going from Naval Air Station Meridian (MS) to Greenville, NC. Never. Ever. Again.
For me at least. I wish you a pleasant, safe journey.
July 12th, 2006 at 12:00 am
I am a big Amtrak fan myself. If you van get to Chicago's Union Station, you can get anywhere.
July 12th, 2006 at 12:00 am
Amtrak is beautiful. Years ago I traveled on Amtrak with my family from Omaha and Chicago, and had a wonderful time. The downstairs convenience shop was home to a gaggle of friendly drunks, which was a great experience for a young teenager.
The train I took in China from Beijing to Tianjin was quite nice, too.
July 12th, 2006 at 12:00 am
Dan, are you coming back through Chicago?
Too bad I could not visit with you during the 4 hour stop and help you fend off the guys with knives!
Ha.
July 17th, 2006 at 12:00 am
Hey Lexington,
After Fort Wayne I'm going down through Indianapolis, then Louisville, then Nashville, then Memphis, then Texarkana, then Shreveport, then Nacogdoches. *sigh* I won't be in Chicago again this trip, but I'll try to hook up with you and Mark next time I'm in the (hopefully non-knife-wielding) Windy City.
September 9th, 2009 at 10:27 am
I booked my ticket on line for a trip to PA. I entered the 7:30 (1060) Sept 10 2009 and when I went to pay, I entered one of my credit card numbers wrong, so I hit the back button. Well somehow I ended up with the 12:30 am (0530) and I know what I entered and now I am stuck on a bus for 22hrs. instead of 19 hrs. I called 5 mins. after this happened on your web site and they told me I had to pay $15.00 to reshedule for the earlier bus or I can purchase another ticket and get a refund (after 5 to seven days). I could not go 5 to 7 days that short of cash $96.00 and I had to buy groceries so I waited to make sure I had the extra money ($15.00) to change buses. So 3 hrs later I call greyhound and they told I had to go to the terminal in Charlotte by this afternoon and do it in person. I have the info and my card I was going to do it on the phone. Maybe Greyhound doesnt get that the people that take thier buses usually do not have a car and can not walk a 2 hr round trip in to reshedual . I am so mad. What a way to start a first time and now last time customer out. I have to come back from Lock Haven PA and I can tell you this Greyhound will not be bring me. I also i would like you to know I have alot of friends on facebook (if you know what that is) who have alot of friends. Word can spread real quick on how greyhound does business. Oh I also do twitter and myspace. I will probaly reach at least 5,000.00 people and that is probaly under estimating it. Thank you greyhound for making my up coming trip miserible