The problem is that planes are heavily subsidised. If those subsidies were just removed, train would be the cheaper option. If the subsidies were shifted to rail, buses, and bikes, things would be much cheaper.

When you include airport security the train is faster than flying.

Not to get full-on conspiracy here but you're assuming airport security is for your (passengers) safety. The event that led to strict airport security was that planes were used to attack corporations (World Trade Center) and the government. Trains can't get hijacked and driven into the Pentagon so no one cares. But I admit this is a bleak view.

So why does there need to be more safety stuff on intercity rail than on a subway? Oh wait, not that they get any ideas ...

To get to new jersey where all the cool people outside Chicago are.

To proselytize midwestern thriftiness to the spendthrift heathens.

Fresh seafood (ocean version) because a 7 hour train to Seattle seemed a bit much, they aren't building a train to the Hudson Bay, and you absolutely aren't going to Louisiana

because they have Mamdani

To get real Pizza

To see your mother, Brian. Why don't you call more often?

Hold on we have this super genius that says mood lit tunnels with Tesla's in would be even cheaper and faster!