People sometimes react with sympathy when I tell them how often I take interurban ("to canada") buses, but in some ways, it's better than air travel.

For one, there are far fewer creeching infants on bus lines. In fact, I've never been on a bus trip across state lines that included whining baby on the soundtrack. To contrast, I've never been on an air trip that didn't.

Less percieved risk of death. If the door falls off the bus, it'll be a little breezy all the way to the next stop. If the door falls off the place, well, you know. No one holds their breath as the bus leaves or arrives at the bus port, either.

Speaking of ports, the bus ports are right in the middle of Seattle and Vancouver, whereas the airports are a half hour drive out of my way.

Additionally, you can track your luggage better on the bus, and your cell phone and pager will work during the whole trip. In a bus accident, the mass of the vehicle works in the passengers' favor.