Freelance journalist looking to ride the rails

[loathsomeginger]

Hi Everyone,

My name is Ben and I'm a freelance journalist based in San Francisco, originally from Southern California. I specialize in covering topics involving youth, conflict, and trauma. I also happen to be an International Studies major at USF. Anyway, I'm currently looking for someone in the SF Bay Area to show me the ropes of freight/trainhopping. I know this is a lifestyle learned from real-world experience and as such I'd be incredibly grateful to anyone willing to teach me a bit. FYI, I've already done a TON of research and reading on the subject, now I just need to put it to use.

 

[Jaguwar]

Hi Ben, welcome! I don't know squat nor am I in your area, but u hope you get to do what you feel called to do, with a little help from some of the friends here.

 

[Durp]

Links to your past work? You don't apply for a job without a resume right? best of luck

 

[loathsomeginger]

Links to your past work? You don't apply for a job without a resume right? best of luck

Hey mate, I'm currently a stringer for NPR, Vice News, and The SF Chronicle. All of my work is here: www.bengilljournalism.com.

 

[rhummer92]

ben, I'm looking for someone to show me the ropes as well, as well as someone to travel with, I'm taking a trip up to Washington state, in what direction are you heading? I'm from santa cruz, not far from you. looking to leave soon, let me know whatsup!

 

[loathsomeginger]

ben, I'm looking for someone to show me the ropes as well, as well as someone to travel with, I'm taking a trip up to Washington state, in what direction are you heading? I'm from santa cruz, not far from you. looking to leave soon, let me know whatsup!

Hey man, I don't have any solid plans in terms of where I'm going, just around the West Coast I guess. I just send you a friend request on Facebook, shall we chat there?

 

[EphemeralStick]

Just curious, what exactly do you wish to achieve by learning to freight hop? Do you want to do it just for yourself or do you wish to write about the experience? Would you write for your own profit or for awareness?

 

[VikingAdventurer]

Just curious, what exactly do you wish to achieve by learning to freight hop? Do you want to do it just for yourself or do you wish to write about the experience? Would you write for your own profit or for awareness?

@EphemeralStick makes some excellent points here.

 

[loathsomeginger]

Just curious, what exactly do you wish to achieve by learning to freight hop? Do you want to do it just for yourself or do you wish to write about the experience? Would you write for your own profit or for awareness?

Good questions. In terms of what I hope to achieve or gain, I want to a.) learn an alternative form of travel that allows me to see places few do b.) meet interesting people c.) chronicle my journey along the way. This is completely self-funded and I have zero profit or publicity motive in the endeavor. If anything I'll just lose money. And if by some miracle I make any money on this I'll donate it to a worthy charity (I'd take suggestions here). I don't expect you to believe my intentions are pure from a simple forum post. My longterm goal is to find a group of young vagabonds/hobos to "embed" with around the country and focus on their lives, views, and backgrounds. I'm not necessarily doing this for awareness either, I'm just doing it because I'm inherently drawn to it for reasons I can't reasonably articulate.

 

[VikingAdventurer]

Sounds reasonable enough.

 

[loathsomeginger]

Sounds reasonable enough.

I noticed your location is in Seattle. Are you there currently?

 

[VikingAdventurer]

Nope. I'm in Northern TX right now, on my way to Dallas. Seattle is just where I like to call "home."

 

[loathsomeginger]

Nope. I'm in Northern TX right now, on my way to Dallas. Seattle is just where I like to call "home."

I don't suppose you're trainhopping there?

 

[VikingAdventurer]

I hop all kinds of places.