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how bad can it be.... - 9/18/2008 11:39:22 AM

lilsubl

Posts: 4595
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riding to Los Angeles on a Greyhound bus?

my new job wants me in LA for orientation next Tuesday...they will only pay for my transportation if i take a Greyhound (what can i say, it's trucking). i took a Greyhound to Missoula, MT once & it was perfectly awful: they stopped every hour or so all nite long, sometimes making us get out of the bus...so no sleep...but there are some scheduled buses that don't stop that often...

my difficulty right now is money...if i drive or fly, it will cost me around $500 & i just don't have it...so has anybody else taken Greyhound that far & survived? if so, how did you do it?

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RE: how bad can it be.... - 9/18/2008 11:47:19 AM

Shadow-tiger

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From: California
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Having done Greyhound from LA to Philadelphia over 5 days... it's quite doable. I think they stopped more like every 4-6 hours, and the biggest problem I had was the obligatory baby screaming in my ear at 3am. Also, don't use the bathroom on the bus. Just, EW. It's doable, survivable as long as you can stand staying in the seat that long, and have something to keep you occupied. Sleep was doable, once the screaming stopped...

Oh, and the stops to switch busses and/or drivers. Everyone got off the bus for an hour or three, and had to be sure to be BACK in time or be left behind. Always fun! Still, did it both ways and survived. Mind you this was 15 years ago.. but come on, it's bleepin' Greyhound!

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RE: how bad can it be.... - 9/18/2008 11:52:11 AM

lilsubl

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it hasn't changed all that much in 15 years, unfortunately, although they advertise that they have...his evilness just suggested Amtrak, which would be $300, so cheaper than the other options, but still out of pocket for me.....

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Linea, collarded pet of the evil Sir Max & his lovely & equally evil wife

it's no fun unless you're scared

if you can't be brave, be determined & you'll get to the same place

wannabe member of the subbi mafia

(in reply to Shadow-tiger)

Post #: 3

RE: how bad can it be.... - 9/18/2008 11:54:21 AM

pissthirstysub

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were you left behind? I took the Greyhound from Akron to Scranton once and was terrified of getting left. If it wasn't for the whole sleep thing, my trip wasn't so bad. I always end up talking to people with the most interesting stories, that was worth not sleeping I think...

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Post #: 4

RE: how bad can it be.... - 9/18/2008 12:00:05 PM

lilsubl

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there's that...except i mostly don't like or understand humans, so it can be a trial sometimes...every now & again i meet someone who's a hoot to talk to, though, which is what keeps me talking to them...hope springs eternal, yanno.....

_____________________________

Linea, collarded pet of the evil Sir Max & his lovely & equally evil wife

it's no fun unless you're scared

if you can't be brave, be determined & you'll get to the same place

wannabe member of the subbi mafia

(in reply to pissthirstysub)

Post #: 5

RE: how bad can it be.... - 9/18/2008 12:00:57 PM

Shadow-tiger

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From: California
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No I wasn't left behind. But back then I nearly did get left a couple of times, in spite of being right there and checking every few minutes. It's another of those things to be mindful of.

And Linea, they want you in LA Tuesday sure.. but um, then where will you need to be? And are you figuring in enough to get back again? (friggin' travel rates)

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RE: how bad can it be.... - 9/18/2008 12:02:20 PM

FRSguy

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Spring for a plane ticket... its so worth it.

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RE: how bad can it be.... - 9/18/2008 12:11:50 PM

tsatske

Posts: 2037
Joined: 3/9/2007
From: Louisville, KY
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None of my experiences with Greyhound have been all that enjoyable.
I have traveled as much as 800 miles, and it was horrid. They stop every 2 hours and make you leave the bus, even if you are not changing busses. You can get left behind - not only if you are not paying attention, but even if you are, and the bus is full, they might just bump you, and make you wait for a later bus. They do not gaurentee arrival times, only that you will, someday, arive.
They once left my luggage in a city halfway to my destination, in spite of signs they post on every available wall telling you that they don't handle your luggage and you must do that yourself, becuase I was suffering temporary hearing loss and did not hear the driver ask whose luggage he had set on the ground.

There are the baby's screaming - the group of young people in the back of the bus singing kumbaya, or something, all the way there in the middle of the night, until an old Man stood up and berated them that other people were trying to sleep and wished to ride in peace. One of the young people stood up and began to yell back at him that no one else seemed to mind - until he was interupted by the entire bus giving the old guy a standing ovation, which took the wind out of his 'no one else seems to mind' sails.

I have given food away to people because they asked for it - sometimes cause I wanted to, but sometimes because they were kind of scary looking and it seemed better not to say no.

The bathrooms always scare me. They are the size of high school lockers and I am always afraid I am going to get stuck in one.

usually they are so crowded - the only time i think it worth it was to take the bus to NY when I lived in Philly, and, honestly, even that only apporached 'enjoyable' if I could get on a Peter Pan instead of Greyhound.

Since there is no time on tickets, i think the only thing that would make a multiday trip bearable is if you had time and money to stop mid trip and get a cheap hotel room for a good nights sleep and a shower.

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RE: how bad can it be.... - 9/18/2008 12:15:11 PM

puppen

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If you have enough money, buy both.

First, find out if they are just reimbursing you for the cost of the greyhound ticket, and ask them what you have to provide as proof.

If it is just the receipt, you are golden.

Buy the plane ticket, don't take the goddamn bus, take the plane ride.

Get reimbursed for the greyhound ride you didn't take, and it will cover most of that plane ticket, or at least more than half.

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RE: how bad can it be.... - 9/18/2008 12:35:21 PM

lilsubl

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shadow, i'm going to LA for orientation, then coming back home to start a local job...

i wish that i could spring for a plane ticket, FRS, but some of us really don't have the money for such things...so unless you know how i can make that much before i have to reserve the plane ticket, i'm thinkin Amtrak might be the best way to go....

_____________________________

Linea, collarded pet of the evil Sir Max & his lovely & equally evil wife

it's no fun unless you're scared

if you can't be brave, be determined & you'll get to the same place

wannabe member of the subbi mafia

(in reply to Shadow-tiger)

Post #: 10

RE: how bad can it be.... - 9/18/2008 12:38:09 PM

LadyHibiscus

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From: Island Of Misfit Toys
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I totally recommend the train if there is an available route. You can get up and move around, and there is none of that "switching trains" nonsense much of the time. Just sleep on your purse!

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RE: how bad can it be.... - 9/18/2008 12:42:47 PM

lilsubl

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lol...i'm a truckdriver...there are no purses in truckdriving...well, at least i feel silly climbing down from a truck with a girly purse in my hand or hanging off my shoulder, so i only buy pants with pockets...hmmmm....guess that means i'll be sleeping on my version of my purse....

_____________________________

Linea, collarded pet of the evil Sir Max & his lovely & equally evil wife

it's no fun unless you're scared

if you can't be brave, be determined & you'll get to the same place

wannabe member of the subbi mafia

(in reply to LadyHibiscus)

Post #: 12

RE: how bad can it be.... - 9/18/2008 12:48:20 PM

sunshinemiss

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Joined: 11/26/2007
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Ha ha ha... amateurs I say, AMATEURS!!!

I took a bus in Guatemala with a chicken on my lap for hours... Chickens stink... No guardrails on that mountain. And ohhh lord the stench of some of the buses. I got Montezuma's revenge once from the food they gave us in Peru... and then the worker on the bus YELLED at me for having the big D (and I don't mean Dallas) in the bathroom. 'Urinar solo!!!' yeah, ok.

Here is what I know from riding buses...
Take healthy snacks... cut up veggies, V8, Gatorade, dried protein stuff and some crackers. Take a pillow and something warm. Remember your body temp decreases when you sleep... and sit next to a skinny person... more space that way. Ear plugs and an eye mask... and just have a small bag with you with essentials. Get some of those little wipes for your face, it is amazing how much better you feel when your face and hands are clean. And comfy socks. and sit at a window seat for leaning against to sleep or an aisle if your legs are long. Several books, mags or game puzzles. An ipod is great if you have it. Oh, and a couple of pens. You never know when you will need one. And look out the window. Amazing things you can see.

That is all for now.

Have fun, and good luck with the new job,
sunshine

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RE: how bad can it be.... - 9/18/2008 12:48:23 PM

beargonewild

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Most of mt bus riding experience has been in Canada, traveling across country and when possible I tried getting an express bus to my destination. The rest stops were every 2-2.5 hrs which wasn't bad and we passengers had the option of stepping off to have a smoke or stretch the legs or not. Only problem was having the odd crying um disturbing your sleep. I did take greyhound from Boston to Toronto over a year ago and I found it was a pleasant trip. didn't have whining or crying ums on board, though having to get off the bus at each place we stopped, even if it was for 10 mins to get back on same bus seemed strange to me which is different then riding greyhound here in Canada. Personally I'd do whatever I could to travel by train as it's my favorite method to travel long distances.

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RE: how bad can it be.... - 9/18/2008 12:55:25 PM

lilsubl

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thanks so much, sunshine, for the list of things to have with me...since the train ride is even longer than the bus ride, i will need those little essentials...i have some books on cd that i can put in my iPod & listen to on the way...i just have to find a headset for it...hmmmm, wonder how long the battery in that thing will last? i've only used it in the truck where i plug it into the 12-volt & it charges while i listen to it through the radio....

_____________________________

Linea, collarded pet of the evil Sir Max & his lovely & equally evil wife

it's no fun unless you're scared

if you can't be brave, be determined & you'll get to the same place

wannabe member of the subbi mafia

(in reply to sunshinemiss)

Post #: 15

RE: how bad can it be.... - 9/18/2008 5:32:33 PM

tsatske

Posts: 2037
Joined: 3/9/2007
From: Louisville, KY
Status: offline

books on IPOD are avialable at a site called 'audoi books dot com'. cool site :)

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“If you never did you should. These things are fun and fun is good”
~Dr. Seuss quote

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RE: how bad can it be.... - 9/18/2008 5:52:27 PM

awakenednj

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Joined: 2/10/2008
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When my brother was stationed in Great Falls, Montana, I took the bus from New Jersey to Montana. It took 3 days each way because of stops and changing buses and such. It wasnt exactly fun or comfortable... but I did survive. Met some seriously interesting people - from deep and intellectual to completely... well, some people really are a warning to others. A bus driver with some strange sort of terrets and a love of the loudspeaker couldn't help but be entertaining. I've also gone on long train trips. Much less cramped.

Advice... Well, you can shower at the truck stops, but its no garuntee everyone else will. check and food with raisins to make sure they are *really* raisins. (I dont like cinnamin rolls wth raisins anymore) Pee at every stop you can. Talk to people if they seem willing to... people really are interesting creatures and we all have a story. Brings books and an I-pod (or anything you can stick in your ears) for when your neighbor doesnt seem willing.. or is frankly too damn smelly or stalker-like-scary to risk the conversation. I second the pillow, mask and ear plugs already suggested. I sleep pretty soundly... so ESP the pillow. Neck cramps are bad.

(in reply to tsatske)

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RE: how bad can it be.... - 9/18/2008 6:02:44 PM

lilsubl

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thanks to all of you for the really great advice...makes me wonder why i didn't do this the first time i took a greyhound to Montana...oh, wait...cuz i didn't now about this site then...lol...i'll probably use the headset to keep others from talking to me...every now & again, i meet someone who doesn't make me want to shoot them when they start babbling...i'm a bit of a loner, hence the career choice....

i'm excited that i decided to take the train...i'll do my best to get a window seat so that i can lean on it to sleep & also to watch the country go by...i love riding trains & always thought i was born into the wrong era...back when trains were the main mode of transportation, they were really something! i'll let you all know how this goes.....

_____________________________

Linea, collarded pet of the evil Sir Max & his lovely & equally evil wife

it's no fun unless you're scared

if you can't be brave, be determined & you'll get to the same place

wannabe member of the subbi mafia

(in reply to awakenednj)

Post #: 18

RE: how bad can it be.... - 9/18/2008 6:09:20 PM

DarkSteven

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quote:

ORIGINAL: lilsubl

shadow, i'm going to LA for orientation,

Your profile states that you are bi. So you already HAVE orientation...

I'm confused....

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RE: how bad can it be.... - 9/18/2008 6:11:02 PM

lilsubl

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quote:

ORIGINAL: DarkSteven

quote:

ORIGINAL: lilsubl

shadow, i'm going to LA for orientation,

Your profile states that you are bi. So you already HAVE orientation...

I'm confused....

is bi actually an orientation or is it just that i can't make up my dang mind??

_____________________________

Linea, collarded pet of the evil Sir Max & his lovely & equally evil wife

it's no fun unless you're scared

if you can't be brave, be determined & you'll get to the same place

wannabe member of the subbi mafia

(in reply to DarkSteven)

Post #: 20

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