Platform Staff and their Announcement Gadgets

Is this really the face of a professional outfit? Currently on Gatwick Airport Station, and various wibbling, shouting, nonstandard waffle. More than anything, annoying. It's getting more and more, even at Doncaster too. What happened to proper announcers, with professionalism? Certainly gives a platform for staff who love the sound of their own barking voice.

I'll probably get shouted down, but discuss anyway.....

S101 said:

Is this really the face of a professional outfit? Currently on Gatwick Airport Station, and various wibbling, shouting, nonstandard waffle. More than anything, annoying. It's getting more and more, even at Doncaster too. What happened to proper announcers, with professionalism?

I'll probably get shouted down, but discuss anyway.....

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What do you exactly mean by 'waffle'? What would an example be?

It depends on who you ask, announcements should give passengers the information they need.

A couple of weeks ago I was at a station and there was a train which was a medium-distance journey which went through a national park. The platform staff announced over the tannoy that passengers catching other passengers browsing thier phone in the journey should tell them off as they should be admiring the scenery.

While this is clearly a joke and not meant to be taken seriously, is it really relevant information for passengers catching the train?

Another example was in 2002 on a Virgin Cross Country Mark 2 coach I remember going through Manchester and the announcer said "I would just like you to know England are winning against Denmark 3-0". Given this was before smartphones, it wasn't information that people could get easily then and there. But again, was this relevant information for passengers?

Constant white noise.

milooo said:

What do you exactly mean by 'waffle'? What would an example be?

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Stand back from the platform behind yellow line. This is the train to Victoria, calling at....... (cough) (silence) and then nothing. So where does it call at.
Sir please stand back, you are delaying the trains departure (as it proceeds out of the platform).
This train is formed of 8 coaches, please stand back, you are stopping the train entering the platform, sorry it's 12 coaches (as it runs into the platform).

Absolutely shoddy and unprofessional. Mainly the shouting. And not knowing what she actually wants to say before starting to speak, sorry, shout.

It's a case of, I've got a hi-vi and a tannoy, I'm important.

S101 said:

What happened to proper announcers, with professionalism? Certainly gives a platform for staff who love the sound of their own barking voice.

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Everything in England is lowest cost possible. We can't afford / refuse to pay for professionalism. We're a poor country in many respects

S101 said:

It's a case of, I've got a hi-vi and a tannoy, I'm important.

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Yup saw this at Farringdon the other week. Self important woman absolutely berated a guy (announcing his clothing and description) for not standing behind the yellow line. It was a total diatribe. Accused him of not caring for his fellow passengers, intentionally endangering people, causing issues for the drivers etc etc

speedy1 said:

Yup saw this at Farringdon the other week. Self important woman absolutely berated a guy (announcing his clothing and description) for not standing behind the yellow line. It was a total diatribe. Accused him of not caring for his fellow passengers, intentionally endangering people, causing issues for the drivers etc etc

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She was that loud on the platform, I couldn't properly hear the onboard announcements about BTP....

I think she believes she is the absolute authority for train movements into the platform. And out.

S101 said:

Constant white noise.

Stand back from the platform behind yellow line. This is the train to Victoria, calling at....... (cough) (silence) and then nothing. So where does it call at.
Sir please stand back, you are delaying the trains departure (as it proceeds out of the platform).
This train is formed of 8 coaches, please stand back, you are stopping the train entering the platform, sorry it's 12 coaches (as it runs into the platform).

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That is indeed very unprofessional and even could be confusing for people who's first language is not English

I've thought this about platform staff, but also on board. There is a lot of noise and volume but precious little thought about what's being said.

GWR guard announced that "passengers towards Carmarthen should board the front 5 coaches" This is at Paddington where the train is advertised as going to...Carmarthen. Lots of confused passengers surging towards the front 5 despite it only being relevant for anyone going past Swansea. Lots of drama for the want of someone thinking about what's relevant to the customer.

Have also seen people shouted at for daring to tread on the yellow line while at the same time trains are delayed and no information is forthcoming. Performative H&S circus.