Property left on train.Station master couldnt telephone the onboard train manager.

[sammyg901]

I've had two recent experiences with Southern with lost bags - firstly I left mine on a train from Gatwick after an overnight flight. Unfortunately didn't realise until about half an hour later so the unit had already gone back out. However the Southern reception at Victoria located the unit and called through to it's next stop (East Croydon) where the dispatcher retrieved it. I then popped down to collect it.

A friend also did similar, leaving a bag on a Three Bridges bound service. They pressed the help point where the very helpful chap spoke to the guard I believe and had the bag passed on to another guard on a northbound service and we retrieved it from him.

Both definitely above and beyond but when you've lost a bag containing keys, passports etc just passing it on to customer relations and getting it back days later really is an inconvenience, so I'm pleased that Southern certainly do seem to realise this and assist where possible!

 

[Greenback]

I've had two recent experiences with Southern with lost bags - firstly I left mine on a train from Gatwick after an overnight flight. Unfortunately didn't realise until about half an hour later so the unit had already gone back out. However the Southern reception at Victoria located the unit and called through to it's next stop (East Croydon) where the dispatcher retrieved it. I then popped down to collect it.

A friend also did similar, leaving a bag on a Three Bridges bound service. They pressed the help point where the very helpful chap spoke to the guard I believe and had the bag passed on to another guard on a northbound service and we retrieved it from him.

Both definitely above and beyond but when you've lost a bag containing keys, passports etc just passing it on to customer relations and getting it back days later really is an inconvenience, so I'm pleased that Southern certainly do seem to realise this and assist where possible!

I'm sure that most staff will help wherever possible, but the point is that it can't always be done and it is unreasonable to expect it as a matter of course.

 

[Trog]

There was a passport, driving license, airline tickets, credit cards and a few thousand pounds in it!

Says Flamingo from his poolside lounger while enjoying an unexpected holiday.

 

[Skimpot flyer]

I think that was what they wanted.

Another one that sticks in mymind was a mobile, that was handed to me. I rang the "Home" number, to get a woman who wanted me to drop it around to her house in Neath, "It's only a few minutes from the station, it won't take you long".

Again, she was not impressed at being told I was giving it into lost property at Swansea.

There was an old lady from Neath
Who lost a mobile, on her way home from Crieff
The man who found it, was assured
'There'll be a sexual reward..
I might even take out my false teeth'!

 

[Flamingo]

There was an old lady from Neath
Who lost a mobile, on her way home from Crieff
The man who found it, was assured
'There'll be a sexual reward..
I might even take out my false teeth'!

Very good .

When does the position of Poet Laureate come up again?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Says Flamingo from his poolside lounger while enjoying an unexpected holiday.

 

[Robsignals]

Its the customers who have a problem who are most in need of good customer service.

...but won't get it if staff are already tied up chasing lost luggage...

Have you never gone through the experience of travelling with everal small children, trying to look after them and multiple bags, changing mats and toys when you get off a train? Keeping track of everything is not as easy as you seem to think.

I stand by my replies. How many bags and other items you have and how you organise them is your choice, the vast majority mange perfectly well fortunately.

Also I dispute that "lost" is the correct word. The item hasn't disappeared and can't be found, it's location (assuming it hasn't been taken) is precisely known as to which train or station it was left on. It's owner(s) simply walked off and abandoned it, no one else - staff or passenger - is in any way at fault and staff should not be expected to take urgent action, it should come well done any list of priorities. In many situations it's acceptable for abandoned items to become the property of whoever wants them.

 

[Flamingo]

I think the phrase "Your problem is not my emergency" covers it.

As Greenback said, TOC's do have procedures in place to deal with lost & found items, and they are reasonable IMHO. At the end of the day, people have to take responsibility for their own property.

 

[reb0118]

...In many situations it's acceptable for abandoned items to become the property of whoever wants them.

Whether there is a moral acceptance for this is another matter but legally I am sure there is a crime of theft by finding

 

[Flamingo]

On joining the railway, we all have to sign a form saying that we have no claim over anything that we find at work.