What am I, psychic...?

[hairyhandedfool]

The most common one I get at the moment often goes something like....

Passenger: How much is it to Plymouth? (or other long distance destination)
[I go through various options with them]
Passenger: Oh right, where is the nearest coach station?
Me: In Manchester, near Piccadilly.
Passenger: I know that, I mean in Plymouth.
Me: I don't know Plymouth at all.
Passenger: Can I buy the ticket here?
Me: For the train?
Passenger: For the coach.
Me: No.
Passenger: Do you know how much it costs?
Me: No, you'd be best off contacting the coach company.
Passenger: Oh okay, I though you might know.
Me: No.

I remember an occasion at St Pancras (interim) when I was on the way home from work and was confronted by a passenger on the train and the conversation went something like....

Passenger: Do you work here?
Me: I work for the railway, but not here.
Passenger: Do you know why this train hasn't left yet?
Me: It's not due to leave for five minutes.
Passenger: It was due to leave ten minutes ago.
Me: It's due to leave in five minutes.
Passenger: It said on the screen it is the two twenty train.
Me: The departure board says it is the two thirty five and I know the twenty past always goes from that platform [pointing to the adjacent (empty) platform].
Passenger: So the screen was wrong?
Me: I couldn't say, I didn't see what you saw.
Passenger: [huffs] five minutes?
Me: Yes.
[Passenger walks off to sit down]

I've even seen a passenger fail to find Platform 2 on a well signed two platform station having been given instructions by a member of staff three times!

There are no stupid questions, just stupid people.....

 

[stut]

OTOH, perhaps it's because so many railway passengers are psychic that they expect railway staff to be.

You see, wee all can see two months into the future, to know exactly when we're going to need to travel any decent distance, and to know exactly what we need to do that day, in order to get an affordable fare. Once you hone those special powers, it's easy to forget that not everybody else has them...

 

[ralphchadkirk]

You see, wee all can see two months into the future, to know exactly when we're going to need to travel any decent distance, and to know exactly what we need to do that day, in order to get an affordable fare. Once you hone those special powers, it's easy to forget that not everybody else has them...

Because there's not a difference between someone making plans to see someone in advance and a driver knowing exactly what has caused a delay, how long it will take to be fixed, and every other diversionary route available.

 

[stut]

Because there's not a difference between someone making plans to see someone in advance and a driver knowing exactly what has caused a delay, how long it will take to be fixed, and every other diversionary route available.

No, they are literally 100% the same thing. That's exactly what I meant. Verbatim. Genuinely. Plus you're entirely right, going to see somebody is the sole reason to travel. I couldn't agree more wholeheartedly.

 

[ralphchadkirk]

No, they are literally 100% the same thing. That's exactly what I meant. Verbatim. Genuinely. Plus you're entirely right, going to see somebody is the sole reason to travel. I couldn't agree more wholeheartedly.

They aren't though. If you make an appointment to see someone in advance, then you can buy an advance ticket. You know what is happening. A driver arriving in a station from a different origin cannot be expected to know the exact reason for a delay that hasn't affected his journey.

 

[hairyhandedfool]

OTOH, perhaps it's because so many railway passengers are psychic that they expect railway staff to be.

You see, wee all can see two months into the future, to know exactly when we're going to need to travel any decent distance, and to know exactly what we need to do that day, in order to get an affordable fare. Once you hone those special powers, it's easy to forget that not everybody else has them...

So planning ahead of time requires you to be psychic? No wonder I've never been on holiday, or moved house. Being railway staff, I'm not psychic....oh wait, I have been on holiday and moved house. I wonder how I managed that?

If you can't organise your life enough to know what you are doing in advance (and I stress that this applies to anyone), why blame someone else?

 

[jon0844]

Sorry to rant, but this really annoyed me and, in the light of other people trying to tell me that passengers act rationally, I just felt the need to share. Unfortunately this really is just the tip of the iceberg.

Don't let it get to you. One person being an idiot isn't enough to spoil your day (you have the 379s to do that!).

Think about it; do you really care what an idiot thinks about you? The people he socialises with probably all share the same opinion anyway, so it doesn't matter. As long as you're polite and professional, you've done all you can possibly do.

 

[stut]

So planning ahead of time requires you to be psychic? No wonder I've never been on holiday, or moved house. Being railway staff, I'm not psychic....oh wait, I have been on holiday and moved house. I wonder how I managed that?

If you can't organise your life enough to know what you are doing in advance (and I stress that this applies to anyone), why blame someone else?

Right, so I should only go more than 50 miles away from home when I go on holiday?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

They aren't though. If you make an appointment to see someone in advance, then you can buy an advance ticket. You know what is happening. A driver arriving in a station from a different origin cannot be expected to know the exact reason for a delay that hasn't affected his journey.

Right. Perhaps I wasn't being quite so literal after all.

 

[jon0844]

Yep the amount of times i am asked questions on leeds station just because i have my hi-viz for working at KWVR over my arm, not even on. Usually its only where do i get a train to here from so i just look up at the big depature boards (the ones that list destination alphabetically) above ticket barriers and tell them. But if its anything more than that, even if i do know i tend to not risk it and just guide them over to the information desk explaining that i do not work here.

I get asked things quite often on the platform or on the train. I rarely dress smart and don't have anything that you'd consider to be a uniform matching that of any TOC. Maybe I look important, or like someone who would know (geek!).

I'll try and help obviously, and usually I know where my train is stopping or what train is coming in (and have the means to check for them if not!) but I guess I have one advantage; they won't be rude to me as I presume they know I don't work for the railway. Of course, there's no excuse to be rude to someone IN a uniform either, but sadly people think it's okay.

 

[hairyhandedfool]

Right, so I should only go more than 50 miles away from home when I go on holiday?....

Your point was that in order to pay a reasonable price you had to book ahead and that to do so you have to be psychic.

I point out that you do not, that organisation and commitment is all you need.

Tbh though, I don't see the point of going on holiday within 50 miles of where I live.

 

[dcd]

No, they are literally 100% the same thing. That's exactly what I meant. Verbatim. Genuinely. Plus you're entirely right, going to see somebody is the sole reason to travel. I couldn't agree more wholeheartedly.

I presume you are joking in that going to see somebody is the sole reason to travel. I am half way through a 7day ALR have have not been going to see anybody.

Re: John Lewis they may try to be helpful but I find now that whenever I go to the store to buy something they frequently say not in stock - we'll deliver it to your home. I could have arranged that from home without bothering to go to the store if I visit the store I want to be able to take the purchase with me.

 

[stut]

Your point was that in order to pay a reasonable price you had to book ahead and that to do so you have to be psychic.

I point out that you do not, that organisation and commitment is all you need.

Tbh though, I don't see the point of going on holiday within 50 miles of where I live.

Fair enough, but there's only so many events that you can plan for far enough in advance to get a reasonable ticket.

A holiday - yup, fair enough, you're all going away, you've all got time off, and can fit plans round it.

Visiting people - well, yes, you can arrange things. But things happen from time to time, plans need to change and... Oops, no, no flexibility.

Fancy going out for the day, it's nice and sunny? Maybe a last-minute weekend break! Oh dear, no, that's over £100 just to get there...

Need to visit a client in Manchester first thing tomorrow morning? No idea how long it's going to take? On a day rate of £250? Ouch.

There are some things you can plan for, and plenty you can't.

 

[Hydro]

I think it's entirely reasonable that a MOP would see someone in a TOC/Railway uniform and target them for a question. How are they to know any better? I don't think it's reasonable to get the hump or go off on one when they don't know the answer; especially when said member of staff points them in the direction of someone who may know or to any source of information. We've all got a good rude commuter story, but remember that commuters are creatures of habit and pattern. Same job, same place, same platform, same time, same destination each day. I don't think each and every one of them has memorised or researched the railway workings outside of their daily routine.

 

[stut]

I presume you are joking in that going to see somebody is the sole reason to travel. I am half way through a 7day ALR have have not been going to see anybody.

I am, I was being silly.

However, I was trying to point out that, for every journey you can plan, there are plenty that you can't, particularly for those with friends and family scattered all over the country, for those who have loved ones with unpredictable states of health, for those who are self-employed and can't just claim that urgent trip on expenses.

 

[jon0844]

In John Lewis (which sets the standard for customer service) the employee would make an effort to find out what the problem was and not simply say "I'm very sorry but I can't help".

No wonder the general public hold the railways and their employees in such low esteem.

I like John Lewis. Most of the staff are very friendly and I particularly like the Welwyn Garden City store. Mind you, I know someone who works there so that probably helps (and I hear things that might change your opinion of the company, but hey that's another thread for another day).

However, my experience in John Lewis in Oxford Street was terrible. I wanted to buy a product that I'd already phoned ahead to check was in stock. Being an electrical item, it was locked in a cupboard so I couldn't just pick it up.

I asked for help from an assistant to be told you had to make an appointment. Thinking that this would mean coming back another day, they said 'oh, no - just go over there and speak to that lady'. So off I go, speak to her and she asks what I want. 'To buy a digital camera that's over there'.

She takes my name and asks me to take a seat, while I can still see people wandering around that didn't seem to be serving anyone. Then I have to wait as people ahead of me get to ask questions like 'I want a TV but I don't know what size, make, price or features I want' to then spend all afternoon getting advice before probably leaving and buying it from eBuyer or something.

Eventually I get served by the same person who had directed me to the 'check-in' desk and he goes to get the camera, which he gets in about 10 seconds flat. He hands it to me - job done.

Well, not quite. The price is higher than another store, so being 'never knowingly undersold' I mention this. In the old days, they adjusted this on the till. I had, obviously, brought proof of the deal and they could easily check if they so desired.

At this point I'm told it doesn't work like that anymore. Now you have to pay the full amount and fill in a claim form for the difference, which goes off to be approved. I can then come back and see if I can get the money back.

So you're asked to pay the higher price and appeal for the refund.. which you may not get for some technicality you weren't aware of, like not matching a lower price for the identical item because it was raining outside or it's a leap year. (maybe JL staff should become FCC revenue inspectors!)

If you think John Lewis sets the standard for customer service, then my goodness the standards have dropped in recent years.

I'd buy from WGC as they don't seem to have adopted quite the same system as Oxford Street, and I'd also buy online. They also made good on their 5-year warranty on a TV we bought there.. but I am still not convinced they're as great as people probably think.

And that's before I mention some of the things I've heard about other changes behind the scenes that will probably make things worse in the coming year or two.

 

[Ferret]

Has any other member of staff noticed that even when out of uniform, you get asked questions at railway stations by punters? I wonder whether some recognise me as staff even when I'm off duty and wearing jeans, or whether I have been branded with 'railway' on my forehead or what it is!

I have to say it doesn't really bother me - unless I'm really in a hurry to get my own train, but it's always struck me as strange and I know a few of my colleagues who have the same experiences as me just as often!

 

[pendolino]

Yesterday outside Victoria:

MOP: 'do you know where those places are that cash cheques?'
Me: 'eh?..............................ummmm...............................no, idea sorry.'

How bizarre.

 

[Ferret]

Yesterday outside Victoria:

MOP: 'do you know where those places are that cash cheques?'
Me: 'eh?..............................ummmm...............................no, idea sorry.'

How bizarre.

Obviously you failed in your role as the fountain of all knowledge on this occasion then! That really is an utterly bizarre question to be asked. Just when you think you've heard it all, along comes somebody with something that totally shocks you!

 

[hairyhandedfool]

Fair enough, but there's only so many events that you can plan for far enough in advance to get a reasonable ticket....

I agree to an extent.

....A holiday - yup, fair enough, you're all going away, you've all got time off, and can fit plans round it....

No arguements there.

....Visiting people - well, yes, you can arrange things. But things happen from time to time, plans need to change and... Oops, no, no flexibility....

Advance fares aren't entirely inflexible, but then if we are talking about distances where advance fares are significantly cheaper then weare not talking about day trips here and so a bit more planning would be advisable.

....Fancy going out for the day, it's nice and sunny? Maybe a last-minute weekend break! Oh dear, no, that's over £100 just to get there....

For me to go to London (from Manchester) would cost a maximum of £75, unless I wanted to cram into a peak time train. Not exactly what I would consider a day out but it illustrates what a day out might cost me, travel wise, when not planning ahead.

....Need to visit a client in Manchester first thing tomorrow morning? No idea how long it's going to take? On a day rate of £250? Ouch....

I don't really know about business travel, I'll be honest, but I would have thought that would be a business issue, not a passenger issue.

....There are some things you can plan for, and plenty you can't.

You can't always plan ahead, I agree there, but you can prepare and try to get an idea of what is going on. Spare of the moment things will always cost more, but with a bit of planning more often than not, you can reduce the costs.

Has any other member of staff noticed that even when out of uniform, you get asked questions at railway stations by punters? I wonder whether some recognise me as staff even when I'm off duty and wearing jeans, or whether I have been branded with 'railway' on my forehead or what it is!....

I've been asked, by a someone I don't know, if I was the guy who worked at [a station], whilst I was in my garden mowing the lawn! Aparently the chap covering my day off had sold a ticket and the guy wasn't sure it was the right one (it was).

 

[O L Leigh]

OTOH, perhaps it's because so many railway passengers are psychic that they expect railway staff to be.

You see, wee all can see two months into the future, to know exactly when we're going to need to travel any decent distance, and to know exactly what we need to do that day, in order to get an affordable fare. Once you hone those special powers, it's easy to forget that not everybody else has them...

Really...?

I've just found First Class Advance fares for £46 single for the 1020, 1100, 1120, 1140, 1200, 1220, 1240, 1300 and 1320 departures from Euston to Manchester Piccadilly tomorrow (Thursday 14th July). There are even some for the 1020 on Friday for the same prices but, if you want to wait until Saturday, you can have them for £34.50.

Special powers were not required. I just used the National Rail Fare Finder tool.

O L Leigh

 

[stut]

I've just found First Class Advance fares for £46 single for the 1020, 1100, 1120, 1140, 1200, 1220, 1240, 1300 and 1320 departures from Euston to Manchester Piccadilly tomorrow (Thursday 14th July). There are even some for the 1020 on Friday for the same prices but, if you want to wait until Saturday, you can have them for £34.50.

Well, let's go by the cheapest available, and keep costs down.

I do also intend coming back, so let's look at the evening departures tomorrow too - another £35 thanks to Virgin's 'saver half'. So that's £81. Quite expensive. Maybe I'd just go for the £70 off-peak return.

Oh, of course, I've got to get to London, too, as the advance fares don't seem to apply from up here, so that's more. Basically, we're talking around the £90 mark.

Now, if I'm going on business, the people I'm visiting aren't going to be overly impressed if I rock up at lunchtime. Let's say I want to get there before 10am (although really, it should be before 9). I can get a £119 Advance on the 07:20. Now, I've no idea how long meetings will last for (you never really do), so let's do the £35 on the way back again. Add on getting to London... Well, that's about £170 of my £250 day rate gone on travel.

 

[O L Leigh]

What is the point you're trying to make? Are you just saying that rail travel is expensive for your requirements or that you can't get cheap fares except by booking months in advance? It seems to me to be the former rather than the latter as you appear to have options available to you, even for short-notice travel, which is the point I was trying to impress.

So go on, make your point. You've estimated a journey tomorrow to cost you about £170 return. How much would it be if you were going to make the same journey in two months time?

O L Leigh

 

[pendolino]

Well, that's about £170 of my £250 day rate gone on travel.

Don't you charge day rate + expenses like most people?

 

[stut]

What is the point you're trying to make? Are you just saying that rail travel is expensive for your requirements or that you can't get cheap fares except by booking months in advance? It seems to me to be the former rather than the latter as you appear to have options available to you, even for short-notice travel, which is the point I was trying to impress.

So go on, make your point. You've estimated a journey tomorrow to cost you about £170 return. How much would it be if you were going to make the same journey in two months time?

O L Leigh

Peak comes down to £120-150, off-peak to £50. Actually, to be perfectly fair, I generally wouldn't travel via London, so it'd be more like £79 tomorrow, £27 in two months.

Plenty other examples - say I want to go to Newcastle, then it's £100.90 to go tomorrow, £29.40 in two months. Exeter? £94 vs £34.

Those advance fares are perfectly affordable - the non-advance ones aren't. Somewhere in the middle would be fine, too. Are trains cheaper at less popular times? Well, yes. But that's not helpful if you actually have to be somewhere at a particular time (or are going on a day trip - you're not going to start that late morning).
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Don't you charge day rate + expenses like most people?

Like most people?

Most contracts in my field of work have been fixed price for years now. And now's not exactly the time to renegotiate.

 

[NSEFAN]

What's all this fare-bashing got to do with staff being psychic?

 

[LE Greys]

I get asked things quite often on the platform or on the train. I rarely dress smart and don't have anything that you'd consider to be a uniform matching that of any TOC. Maybe I look important, or like someone who would know (geek!).

I'll try and help obviously, and usually I know where my train is stopping or what train is coming in (and have the means to check for them if not!) but I guess I have one advantage; they won't be rude to me as I presume they know I don't work for the railway. Of course, there's no excuse to be rude to someone IN a uniform either, but sadly people think it's okay.

I've had a few similar questions, and nowadays take the precaution of standing right next to the diagram on the Tube, which increases the likelihood of being asked, but makes it easier to provide the answer. When on Network Rail (and not down the end of the platforms in peace) I generally either give them my best guess or suggest the consult the Menu.

 

[Arriva 175]

Expecting a uniformed railway employee to know what's going on with the railway? How unreasonable.

In John Lewis (which sets the standard for customer service) the employee would make an effort to find out what the problem was and not simply say "I'm very sorry but I can't help".

No wonder the general public hold the railways and their employees in such low esteem.

Im a conductor for Arriva and i work trains into Birmingham New St. A lady asked me once for assistance to the main entrance so she could get to Debenhams. My train was leaving 4mins later for Birmingham International and its impossible for me to assist without causing complete chaos and thousands of pounds worth of delays.
My point being that John Lewis is a building and all its employees work within that building. Birmingham New Street/London Liverpool St are minimum 18 platform train stations owned by Network Rail and staffed by employees of that and various TOCs.

 

[stut]

What's all this fare-bashing got to do with staff being psychic?

Oh, nothing. I was slightly bored, and decided to turn it around to make a cheap* point.

* If you book months in advance, and never change your plans, ever.

 

[Nonsense]

During the travel chaos of last winter I saw an older lady meekly trying to get the attention of the platform staff. I asked if she was OK, and she told me she needed the Birmingham train. I read the departures board for her, told her it was delayed, but that I could take her to the heated waiting room. After all that, would you believe it, she thanked me. And I don't even work on the railway.

 

[ANorthernGuard]

Personally I'm glad the OP isn't psychic, otherwise he would have seen all this coming and never started the thread lol