It's worth pointing out that all those 1000 km. destinations are much better served by rail.

I just returned from a trip to New York City, both ways by train. Yeah, it was a bit of a long ride (where oh where is our long-promised high-speed rail?). But not all that much longer than air, when you factor in the 3 hour check-in at most airports for international flights. (Yes, I know that doesn`t apply to Porter now but the waits will get longer as the Island airport gets busier).

The best thing about taking the train? No stress! I napped, read and got a ton of work done. Others on my train were working online or watching DVDs on their laptops.

The second-best thing? Little risk of weather delays. There was a snowstorm as we were coming into New York. My brother, who was meeting me there, got delayed for more than 10 hours at two different airports, while I arrived at Penn Station a mere ten minutes late.

I can't believe I'm endorsing an advertising slogan but VIA is right - the train really is "a more human way to travel".

Kathleen McDonnell