Airports are in Meltdown: Let’s Pivot to Trains

The current travel landscape in 2026 feels like a perfect storm. We are in the fifth week of a partial government shutdown combined with a war with Iran that shows no end in sight, and the effect on travelers trying to navigate our nation’s airports has been chaotic. With approximately 50,000 TSA workers going unpaid, callouts have spiked to record levels, stretching security lines at major hubs into hours-long marathons.

To make matters worse, the recent deployment of ICE agents to US airports has created a high-tension atmosphere that many of travelers find more rattling than reassuring. Add to that the tragic Air Canada regional jet crash at LaGuardia on March 23, and it is no wonder travelers are considering staying home.

If you have a trip in mind that you’re not ready to give up on, it may be time to consider a quieter Plan B. For many of our readers, it may have been some time since you last stepped onto a train, but you should know that this spring and summer just might be Amtrak’s big win – and for good reason. Rail travel has come a long way in the past few years. Let’s take a look at how you might be able to salvage your spring/summer travel plans and still stay safe and sane.

Hit the Tracks for a More Human(e) Experience

In a week where airports look and feel like high-security zones, rail stations offer a refreshing return to a more human way of moving. If the thought of navigating ICE patrols and hours-long TSA queues makes your heart race, the quieter security of rail travel might be the best medicine.

Unlike the airport, where security is a loud, front-and-center obstacle, Amtrak uses a multi-layered approach that respects your time and dignity: no removing shoes or no liquid inspections.

Instead, Amtrak uses trained rail police, K9 units, and random ticket-and-ID checks that occur seamlessly as you approach the platform.

• The Check-In: You generally only need to arrive 30 to 45 minutes before departure—not the four hours currently being recommended for flights.
• The Boarding: There is no scrutiny or aggressive patrolling. You simply show your ticket (either on your phone or printed) and your photo ID to the conductor or station agent.
• The Vibe: Because the staff at the stations isn’t under the same funding-lapse pressure as the TSA right now, the atmosphere remains professional and, dare I say, polite.

Enjoy VIP Luggage Handling

If you haven’t been to a major train station in years, you might be picturing yourself hauling heavy bags up steep metal stairs. In 2026, you can skip the heavy lifting entirely.

• Who they are: Look for the uniformed folks in bright red shirts and caps at major hubs (like Chicago, DC, NY, and Philly).
• What they do: They provide free baggage handling and—this is the real secret—priority boarding. They’ll whisk you and your bags to the platform on a motorized cart before the general crowd is even called so you can find a seat and settle in.
• The Cost: The service is technically free, but a tip is the gold standard here. Plan on $5 per bag (or $10–$20 total) to have someone else wrestle with your baggage.
• Safety Perk: Using a Red Cap means you aren’t struggling with bags on escalators or trying to mind the gap between the platform and the train on your own.

Reserve the Perfect Seat for your Knees

In 2026, the rail experience is undergoing its biggest transformation in 50 years with the debut of the Airo and NextGen Acela fleets. If you haven’t been on a train for awhile, you’re in for a surprise: it’s less commuter rail and a little more boutique hotel on wheels.

On modern trains, the best seat depends entirely on which type of car you’re boarding. Amtrak runs two primary types of equipment, and knowing the difference is the key to avoiding a steep staircase you weren’t expecting.

• The Superliner Strategy (Double-Decker): Common on long-distance western routes (like the California Zephyr or Empire Builder).
  • Request Lower Level Seating when you book. Most coach seats are upstairs, but every Superliner has a small, quiet lower-level section.
  • The Perk: You’ll be mere steps from the restroom and the exit door, with zero stairs to climb for the entire journey.
• The Airo & Viewliner Strategy (Single-Level): Common on the East Coast and the new 2026 Northeast Regional routes.
  • These are all one level, but look for the Business Class 2-by-1 configuration.
  • The Perk: In the new Airo cars, Business Class features a single-seat row on one side of the aisle. If you’re traveling solo, it’s the ultimate “socially distanced” way to travel—no seatmate, no physical contact, just a panoramic window and a larger, sturdier tray table.

Pro tip: For longer trips or when you want complete privacy and quiet, consider booking a roomette. These are small, private cabins with a door that locks from the inside.

Access Power and Oxygen for Every Trip

Whether you’re on a 3-hour regional trip or a 3-day cross-country adventure, Amtrak’s policies for oxygen, CPAPs, and medication apply to everyone. In fact, for many, the availability of a power outlet at a daytime coach seat is the very thing that makes the trip possible.

Unlike the TSA, Amtrak is incredibly accommodating with health needs, but it requires a phone call:

• The Golden Rule: You cannot book oxygen or specialized medical space on the Amtrak website. You must call 1-800-USA-RAIL to add these to your reservation.
• Power for Devices: Almost every seat in the new 2026 Airo fleet has a dedicated 120V outlet and USB-C port. This is vital for charging portable oxygen concentrators or nebulizers during the day.
• Oxygen Guidelines: Amtrak welcomes tanks and concentrators (up to 120 lbs total) for any traveler with a medical necessity.
• Keeping Meds Cool: Amtrak personnel cannot store your meds in their refrigerators, but the Cafe Car will happily provide complimentary ice for your personal cooler or insulin case.

Switch to a Rail Adventure Mindset

Switching from a flight to a train isn’t just a change in transport; it’s a change in how you pack and plan. When you fly, you are limited as to what you can carry on board.

Alternatively, in a train, you’ll have a much larger seat, a larger tray table, or even a shared table (picnic table-sized) so companions can face you, huge windows, and storage above your head. All of these features make it much more feasible to spread out, play a game of cards, or even get some work done on a laptop. And no worries about reclining your seat either!

Tips to switch to a train travel mindset:

• Upgrade your carry-on to a complete entertainment kit. Since you’ll have constant and easy access to your bag, and more storage space, you can pack more things to keep you busy.
• Many trains have a cafe car where you can purchase fresh snacks and drinks, chat with the attendant, and stretch your legs without the pressure of the “fasten seatbelt” chime.
• If you booked business class or a sleeper car, you have access to the Metropolitan Lounges. These are quiet havens with clean showers and complimentary snacks similar to those airport lounges that come at a price.

Pro tip: Don’t reserve a high-stakes dinner reservation too close to when you’ll arrive. It’s important to remember that freight trains share the tracks with passenger trains, so delays can occur. Give yourself a two-hour buffer for expectations on the first day/evening of arrival.