Besides a fuzzy image, what do you see when you look at this picture?:

Those silver disks on a black tabletop are the remains of three rivets that used to hold together a computer case. Amtrak told me when I checked the box (without styrofoam padding) that they did not want to accept any items except for clothing… this is why. I have scrapped the fancy plastic molding that went around the metal frame.

And the case is not light-weight! Along with three books and a blanket, my box weighed in around 47 pounds—just under the 50 pound limit for checked baggage.

I found this amusing. Two of the riveted holes now have screws in them. The third doesn’t seem to need support for the time being. The harddrive (one of the few pieces of hardware that was in the case) is in good shape so far and running as quietly as ever.

They warned me. I don’t hold any grudges against Amtrak and will definitely travel with them in the future. I’ll be loyal until they begin to confiscate pocket knives as Greyhound and airport security have done. Hey, I’m a computer tech. Knives are tools, not weapons.

When they recommend that you only check clothing or non-breakable items, they aren’t kidding.

Or perhaps they wanted to avoid another publicity stunt like the United Breaks Guitars song.