I canceled my flight and paid $200 for a 20-hour Amtrak ride to avoid TSA airport chaos. It was better than flying.

6 hours ago 9

Photo composite of the author in Amtrak and long TSA lines at airports

The partial government shutdown has left TSA workers unpaid, causing long lines at US airports.
I chose to take an Amtrak train from New York to Chicago to avoid the airport chaos.
The train ride took ten times as long and cost twice as much as flying.

US airports are a mess right now.

The partial government shutdown has resulted in hourslong security lines at some major US airports, as employees of the Transportation Security Administration have been working unpaid since February 14. Early Friday, the Senate voted to fund most of the Department of Homeland Security in a bid to end the partial shutdown, and the legislation is now headed to the House. It came hours after President Trump said he'd order DHS officials to pay TSA workers.

While some airports have not experienced delays amid the partial shutdown, others are advising travelers to arrive up to four hours ahead of their flights' scheduled departure, making it feel like any air travel right now takes a true show of dedication and patience.

Earlier this week, I was visiting my partner in Chicago from New York City, where I live and work. I make the trip about once a month, and had booked it before the TSA situation reached its current boiling point.

As someone who hates the idea of spending more than an hour at the airport, the thought of having to wait in line for multiple hours sounded straight out of a nightmare.

So, ahead of my trip back to New York, I made a last-minute change of plans and canceled my $100 flight. I booked the alternative option: a $200, 20-hour Amtrak coach train ride.

It took 10 times as long as my original flight would've taken, but it saved me the headache of standing in line for hours — and even had some unexpected perks.

As a frequent flyer, here are some reasons Amtrak trips might become a new addition to my travel routine.

I take a round-trip flight from New York to Chicago about once a month.

The flight between New York and Chicago takes about two hours on average, so it's pretty short and doesn't take up my entire day. It typically costs around $100 one way or $200 round-trip.

I usually book the earliest flight out of the airport I'm flying from to avoid the mid-morning rush, and on average, I usually spend less than 10 minutes going through security, a record I'm very proud of.

It means I usually arrive at the airport within an hour of the flight's scheduled boarding time.

While on some occasions I have felt time pressure at security lines, I've become somewhat of a believer in the so-called "airport theory," which posits that no matter how close to boarding time you arrive at the airport, you will probably make your flight.

I stick to a safer arrival window than the social-media-endorsed 15 minutes before departure, but I'm often surprised by how much spare time I have once I get to the airport, even when I arrive relatively close to departure.

I like to spend as little time as possible at the airport, so the TSA delays felt too inconvenient.

TSA employee and long lines at LGA airport

I like to stay on the move when traveling, rather than idling at the transition ports. That's one of the reasons I'm not the biggest fan of airport lounges … or security lines.

When I saw just how dire TSA lines and wait times were getting at some airports, I started looking for alternative forms of travel to skip the airport chaos.

While not as bad as some wait times at airports like Houston's Bush Intercontinental Airport, Chicago O'Hare is one of the world's busiest airports, and passengers faced possible impacts of TSA staff shortages and flight disruptions.

I just couldn't face it.

I had been on medium-distance train rides, but never as long-distance as this.

Last summer, I took a round-trip on Amtrak from Miami to Tampa, Florida. While the five-hour trip wasn't nearly as long as the route between Chicago and New York, which spans five states and takes 20 hours, it was enough to familiarize me with the train's layout and overall experience.

My previous Amtrak experience was positive, so I figured I could be up for the challenge of a new experience, even if it took up a whole day of travel. At least I'd be on the move the whole time.

The boarding process was quick and smooth, taking about 20 minutes from beginning to end.

Boarding Amtrak train in Chicago Union Station

I arrived at the station about 45 minutes before my train's departure, and I had enough time to explore the historic building before the call to board was announced.

Once they announced we'd be boarding, the passengers lined up and quickly began making our way down to the train.

The whole process took about 20 minutes from finding where the train platform was to taking my seat, and it felt far from the complicated airport screening and boarding processes.

Instead, you simply walk onto the train, and a few minutes after departing, an attendant asks to scan your ticket.

I was surprised by how different the security screening was between airports and trains: TSA uses tools like metal detectors and facial scans, while Amtrak has virtually no pre-boarding screening.

Instead, the Amtrak network relies on the Amtrak Police Department, a national police force that works inside train stations and aboard the trains to ensure passenger safety.

"The security framework that works in the airport setting is not easily transferable to the rail station system," Amtrak says about its safety measures in public documentation.

My train left at 9:30 p.m. and traveled overnight.

Outside of Amtrak cars during boarding process from Chicago to New York.

My late departure time meant I had a full day in Chicago and time to have dinner before boarding the train.

It also meant it wouldn't be long before I could sleep on the train. I liked that the overnight section fell during the first half of the journey, so I woke up the next morning knowing I was already halfway to my destination.

My seat was comfortable, and having a row to myself felt luxurious.

Compared to the crammed, basic-economy-class flights I usually take, the Amtrak seats and their ample legroom felt luxurious.

I could stretch my legs, recline farther back than on any airplane seat, and enjoy the luxury of not having a neighbor next to me.

Despite the constant movement, I slept better than I ever have on airplanes.

Within an hour of being on the train, I had already fallen into a deep sleep that would last well over 8 hours.

Aside from a couple of intermittent wake-ups during the first few hours of my trip, I pretty much slept completely uninterrupted the whole night, which I have never been able to say about flights, where I can usually only nap for about 30 minutes at a time.

I woke up feeling surprisingly rested and refreshed, and I was excited to see that the sun was up and that I could enjoy the views of Pennsylvania at that point in the trip.

I felt like spending 20 hours on the train was more productive than standing in line for one or two.

On the train, I slept, read, worked, ate, and got to see beautiful landscapes along Lake Michigan and Lake Erie, all from the comfort of my seat, which reclined nearly flat, had ample legroom, and an outlet to charge my devices.

My 20 hours aboard the train felt much more productive and peaceful than spending one or two hours standing in a security line at a crowded airport before facing further potential waits at the gate, and the possibility of not having WiFi aboard the flight.

While I didn't take advantage of them, the food options also seemed better — and more affordable — than on economy flights.

While the snacks I packed kept me satisfied during my trek, some of the food options on the Amtrak menu were enticing.

Sadly, by the time I was ready for some real food later in the afternoon, the cafe car had left my train and split onto the Boston-bound route that traveled along with mine up until Albany, New York.

Overall, it was simply easier and less complicated than traveling by air, although obviously not nearly as time-efficient.

Something I thought about while peacefully lounging in my spacious seat, only about 30 minutes after arriving at the train terminal, is just how much passenger time gets wasted during air travel.

Beyond security screening lines — long or short — going to the airport and getting on a plane feels like a whole thing, from getting to the often-remote airports to navigating complicated layouts to find a gate and then waiting for group-by-group boarding.

Even with my lax approach to air travel, it still takes several hours of planning and moving from one place to another before you even get on the plane.

The train felt much more relaxed. I didn't have to pre-plan, stress, or feel rushed nearly as much as when I travel by air.

From the stunning views to the overall relaxed vibe, I'd take the train again — even after TSA lines go back to normal.

I was surprised by just how much I enjoyed the trip.

From spending hours looking out the window at breathtaking landscapes that didn't quite translate on camera to simply being able to lie down and enjoy a good night's sleep while staying on the move, I felt like the trip's perks outweighed how long it took.

In a way, I'm glad the airport madness pushed me to experience a form of travel I hadn't considered otherwise.

Now I'm considering whether a 50-hour Amtrak trip should make it onto my bucket list.