Many of us believe that Fly Me to You (FMTY) is the only way to make things happen when it comes to seeing our ATF or preferred providers. I’ll admit, I’ve often promoted FMTY as the primary method myself. However, I’ve overlooked another viable option: Train Me to You (TMTY). This approach might just be the solution some of us have been searching for.
TMTY isn’t drastically different from FMTY, with the key distinction being that transportation is by train instead of by plane. The client covers the cost of the provider’s train ride from one destination to another. Given how expensive FMTYs can be—often including airfare and other costs—TMTY offers a more affordable alternative, especially for clients on a budget.
With FMTY, many of us have to plan months in advance to afford the expense, and by the time the date arrives, we might not even feel the same enthusiasm. TMTY changes the game by being more accessible and often less costly.
Most TMTY arrangements are done via Amtrak, which spans the country, making it a convenient option for both providers and clients. Depending on the route and seating, tickets can start as low as $84—significantly less than airfare, which typically begins at around $200.
You might think providers aren’t open to this, but you’d be surprised how many are. On the East Coast especially, TMTY is common, with providers traveling between cities like New York, Philadelphia, Washington, and Boston—destinations just a few hours apart. Sitting on a train isn’t much different from sitting on a plane, and many providers are willing to make the journey.
However, there are limits. Asking a provider to travel cross-country by train, which could take days, is a much bigger ask. While some might agree to it if you cover the cost of a private room on the train (which can range from $340 to $2,200), it’s not the most practical arrangement. For this reason, TMTY is best suited for trips within about 4-5 hours.
Not all providers will entertain this option, so it’s essential to do your homework. Start with providers who explicitly mention multiple home bases in their profiles or those who publicly state they’re open to TMTY. Approaching providers who haven’t indicated interest in this method might not yield the best results.
TMTY could be the affordable, flexible alternative some of us need to make their dream bookings happen. Just be sure to approach it thoughtfully and respectfully.
TMTY isn’t drastically different from FMTY, with the key distinction being that transportation is by train instead of by plane. The client covers the cost of the provider’s train ride from one destination to another. Given how expensive FMTYs can be—often including airfare and other costs—TMTY offers a more affordable alternative, especially for clients on a budget.
With FMTY, many of us have to plan months in advance to afford the expense, and by the time the date arrives, we might not even feel the same enthusiasm. TMTY changes the game by being more accessible and often less costly.
Most TMTY arrangements are done via Amtrak, which spans the country, making it a convenient option for both providers and clients. Depending on the route and seating, tickets can start as low as $84—significantly less than airfare, which typically begins at around $200.
You might think providers aren’t open to this, but you’d be surprised how many are. On the East Coast especially, TMTY is common, with providers traveling between cities like New York, Philadelphia, Washington, and Boston—destinations just a few hours apart. Sitting on a train isn’t much different from sitting on a plane, and many providers are willing to make the journey.
However, there are limits. Asking a provider to travel cross-country by train, which could take days, is a much bigger ask. While some might agree to it if you cover the cost of a private room on the train (which can range from $340 to $2,200), it’s not the most practical arrangement. For this reason, TMTY is best suited for trips within about 4-5 hours.
Not all providers will entertain this option, so it’s essential to do your homework. Start with providers who explicitly mention multiple home bases in their profiles or those who publicly state they’re open to TMTY. Approaching providers who haven’t indicated interest in this method might not yield the best results.
TMTY could be the affordable, flexible alternative some of us need to make their dream bookings happen. Just be sure to approach it thoughtfully and respectfully.
