Midnight Train Ride Offers View of America Amid Airport Chaos

As Congress and Trump clash over budget, air travel disruptions drive some travelers to take the rails

Mar. 29, 2026 at 7:25pm

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With security lines at Atlanta's airport spiraling out of control due to the federal government shutdown, the author opted to take an overnight train to Washington D.C. for an NCAA basketball tournament game. The 14.5-hour train ride provided a unique perspective on the breadth of American life, from rural landscapes to urban centers, and a chance to appreciate the history and convenience of rail travel as air travel became increasingly disrupted by political gridlock.

Why it matters

The breakdown in air travel service due to the budget standoff in Washington highlights how political dysfunction can disrupt the daily lives of ordinary Americans. The train journey offered a window into how transportation infrastructure and mobility have evolved over time, reflecting the country's economic and social changes.

The details

Facing hourslong security lines at the Atlanta airport, the author decided to take the overnight Amtrak Crescent train to Washington D.C. for an NCAA tournament game. The train ride provided a chance to appreciate the history and convenience of rail travel, from the spacious seating to the diversity of fellow passengers, in contrast to the chaos at the airport. Along the way, the author observed the rural, suburban and urban landscapes that the train traversed, reflecting on how politics, economics and social changes have shaped transportation and mobility in America over time.

  • The author boarded the Amtrak Crescent train at 11:29 p.m. on a weekend night.
  • The train ride took approximately 14.5 hours, arriving in Washington D.C. in time for the NCAA basketball tournament game.

The players

Amtrak

The national passenger railroad service that operates the Crescent train line the author rode from Atlanta to Washington D.C.

Donald Trump

The Republican president whose immigration crackdown and tactics of federal forces in U.S. cities contributed to the budget stalemate that disrupted air travel.

Agatha Grimes

A 62-year-old passenger who boarded the train in Greensboro, North Carolina, as part of a long weekend trip with friends to celebrate her birthday.

Beretta Nunnally

A self-described "train veteran" who organized the birthday trip for Agatha Grimes and her friends.

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What they’re saying

“I got stuck in the Atlanta airport last week. It's just nuts.”

— Agatha Grimes

“There's no worry about parking. No checking bags. You come to the station, you get where you going, and you come home.”

— Beretta Nunnally, train veteran

What’s next

Congress and the White House continue to negotiate a deal to end the budget stalemate and reopen the federal government, which could help alleviate the disruptions to air travel.

The takeaway

This train journey offered a unique perspective on how political dysfunction in Washington can have real impacts on the daily lives of Americans, while also highlighting the enduring appeal and convenience of rail travel as an alternative to the hassles of air travel.