# Is a sleeper compartment on a train safer than flying by plane? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [August 5, 2020, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-sleeper-compartment-on-a-train-safer-than-flying-by-plane/917360 "2020-08-05T18:49:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2020, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-sleeper-compartment-on-a-train-safer-than-flying-by-plane/917360/1 "2020-08-05T18:49:12Z")
Pros of sleeping train compartment: It’s just me, nobody else, I have the cabin all to myself. And there may be less security screening at a train station, meaning TSA might not be patting me down with the same virus-laden gloves they’ve patted down a thousand other fliers. Cons: The air filters on a train probably aren’t as good as an airplane’s, the staff might still enter the compartment, the train takes much longer to reach a destination than an airplane (thus increasing exposure time). Which mode of transportation has more pros going for it, Covid-wise? ---
**Author:** ![Joeu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/joeu/32/2911_2.png) [@Joeu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joeu)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2020, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-sleeper-compartment-on-a-train-safer-than-flying-by-plane/917360/2 "2020-08-05T18:55:29Z")
I think (it’s been a long time) that trains also have windows in those compartments that you can open. I would vote that the train is going to be safer, if you have that cabin all to yourself. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2020, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-sleeper-compartment-on-a-train-safer-than-flying-by-plane/917360/3 "2020-08-05T19:03:42Z")
Apparently, the windows don’t open anymore, which is unfortunate, because it would have been the only way to vent virus-laden air. I don’t think a train’s air filters are like the HEPA filters on a plane either. But it would mean less direct exposure to fellow passengers. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2020, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-sleeper-compartment-on-a-train-safer-than-flying-by-plane/917360/4 "2020-08-05T19:13:01Z")
It’s super expensive, for one thing. However, if you can afford it, it’s certainly WAY better than sleeping in the seats, covid or no. The seats will suffice for one night, but if you’re going to be on the train more than one night, I highly recommend springing for the sleeper. And they killed the dining car, too. If I _had_ to go somewhere and those were my only two options, I’d probably risk a few hours on a plane with a mask on. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2020, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-sleeper-compartment-on-a-train-safer-than-flying-by-plane/917360/5 "2020-08-05T19:16:49Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > It’s super expensive, for one thing. The price I was quoted for a Dallas-to-Chicago sleeper compartment was only around $490 or so, which is on par with a pricey plane ticket. In times like this, I do not care about cost, as long as it’s not some ludicrously high price. But my concern is that the exposure time in the air breathed and exhaled by potentially-ill fellow passengers is far longer, on a train, than on a plane, with no way to vent it (if the windows don’t open.) Which may, like you say, possibly make the plane a quicker, safer, bet. Plane = more passengers jammed together, but better filters, and it’s just a couple of hours. (Although the airport is a worry too) ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2020, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-sleeper-compartment-on-a-train-safer-than-flying-by-plane/917360/6 "2020-08-05T19:45:12Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Pros of sleeping train compartment: It’s just me, nobody else, I have the cabin all to myself. And there may be less security screening at a train station, meaning TSA might not be patting me down with the same virus-laden gloves they’ve patted down a thousand other fliers. My guess is that they’re not patting you down with the same gloves used to pat down a thousand other fliers, or even one. Instead, I assume they’re changing gloves between fliers, much as medical staff change gloves between patients. (Remember that only a very small number of fliers are patted down.) ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2020, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-sleeper-compartment-on-a-train-safer-than-flying-by-plane/917360/7 "2020-08-05T19:57:12Z")
From the TSA [website](https://www.tsa.gov/coronavirus), “TSA officers are required to wear face coverings and gloves. They may also choose to wear eye protection or clear plastic face shields. In addition, TSA officers change their gloves following each pat-down and upon passenger request.” The page has more information about how they’re trying to safely screen people. ---
**Author:** ![Fretful\_Porpentine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fretful_porpentine/32/2873_2.png) [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2020, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-sleeper-compartment-on-a-train-safer-than-flying-by-plane/917360/8 "2020-08-05T20:14:09Z")
Dunno, but I took a sleeper from MS to VA when I went to visit my parents last month, and I can certainly answer questions about what it’s like if you’re wondering. (The windows do not open, and yes, the dining car is closed – you get airline-style meals brought to you.) ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2020, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-sleeper-compartment-on-a-train-safer-than-flying-by-plane/917360/9 "2020-08-05T23:53:12Z")
I took a sleeper from LA to Chicago over 40 years ago, so I’m a bit out of date. (I made it, my hamster didn’t.) The dining car was the highlight. Are the meals old style good airline meals, or new style crappy airline meals? Anyhow, the only negative I had thought of with a train was the meals, and if they bring it I’d bet the train is safer. ---
**Author:** ![Fretful\_Porpentine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fretful_porpentine/32/2873_2.png) [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2020, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-sleeper-compartment-on-a-train-safer-than-flying-by-plane/917360/10 "2020-08-06T00:41:57Z")
The mains are OK. Not great, but certainly edible. The salads are crappy airline-style salads. You get one free beer or mini-bottle of wine per journey, but other than that I would say it is a step down from the pre-pandemic dining car (which is, I’m sure, itself several steps down from what it was 40 years ago). ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2020, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-sleeper-compartment-on-a-train-safer-than-flying-by-plane/917360/11 "2020-08-10T23:27:16Z")
Is an airport terminal any more dangerous than shopping at Walmart? The environment seems the same: A big internal space in which masked people are walking about inside, exhaling the air. The airport would just mean more people in a bigger-than-Walmart environment. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2020, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-sleeper-compartment-on-a-train-safer-than-flying-by-plane/917360/12 "2020-08-10T23:41:52Z")
I believe the transportation industry has got the keep it clean process down pat, Ntl I’d fly, at most I’d be in and out in 6 hours. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2020, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-sleeper-compartment-on-a-train-safer-than-flying-by-plane/917360/13 "2020-08-11T04:17:55Z")
> [@Fretful\_Porpentine](#): > > The mains are OK. Not great, but certainly edible. The salads are crappy airline-style salads. You get one free beer or mini-bottle of wine per journey, but other than that I would say it is a step down from the pre-pandemic dining car (which is, I’m sure, itself several steps down from what it was 40 years ago). What about special meals? For nigh on twenty years now, I’ve been requesting ovo-lacto vegetarian meals and they’ve always been pretty good. A friend requested a Halal meal on one flight and he said it was rather good, too. ---
**Author:** ![Fretful\_Porpentine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fretful_porpentine/32/2873_2.png) [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2020, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-sleeper-compartment-on-a-train-safer-than-flying-by-plane/917360/14 "2020-08-12T01:53:14Z")
No idea, sorry! ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2020, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-sleeper-compartment-on-a-train-safer-than-flying-by-plane/917360/15 "2020-08-12T02:14:20Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Is an airport terminal any more dangerous than shopping at Walmart? The bars in airport terminals seem to be more dangerous than shopping at Walmart. There was some known spread, whereas I’ve not heard anything specific about Walmart. Personally, I’d take the flight (known fast air replacement intervals and record of minimal cross infection) rather than the train (poor replacement intervals, and shared ventilation), but my brother took the train last time: reduced flight schedules meant there was no flight on the day he wanted to travel, and increased flight costs made the train price-competitive.