Am I wrong to feel aggrieved...?

[Darandio]

why should retired railway men/women get free travel they no longer input anything into the railway so why should they,

I am sure my dad can give plenty of reasons why!

To be clear though, as I stated earlier, I am not against free staff travel whatsoever, provided its done in Standard without expectation of anything further (i.e OP).

 

[Trog]

Id like to point out that i did not post the bit about the boobies i merely posted the smiley face

From the bold print I think he intend to point out that some non-staff passengers are also non paying. Although you could argue that the state has paid on their behalf.


Anyway giving your seat up for the elderly just gives you a different sort of warm feeling.

 

[Scotrail84]

From the bold print I think he intend to point out that some non-staff passengers are also non paying. Although you could argue that the state has paid on their behalf.


Anyway giving your seat up for the elderly just gives you a different sort of warm feeling.

Yes i agree

 

[Darandio]

Anyway giving your seat up for the elderly just gives you a different sort of warm feeling.

Equally, moving into a seat that has been vacated by the elderly can also provide a warm feeling.

Light hearted joke. Anyone offended, please write to the News of the World.

 

[Scotrail84]

Equally, moving into a seat that has been vacated by the elderly can also provide a warm feeling.


A dry warm feeling?

relax its a joke people

 

[Hydro]

Equally, moving into a seat that has been vacated by the elderly can also provide a warm feeling.

Light hearted joke. Anyone offended, please write to the News of the World.

They've already hacked this website and quoted you.

 

[Eng274]

From the bold print I think he intend to point out that some non-staff passengers are also non paying. Although you could argue that the state has paid on their behalf.


Anyway giving your seat up for the elderly just gives you a different sort of warm feeling.

The very reason I offer other standees a seat when the elderly vacates theirs

(i take it back; that was unduly cruel)

EDIT: Darn, someone beat me to it..

 

[Scotrail84]

The very reason I offer other standees a seat when the elderly vacates theirs

(i take it back; that was unduly cruel)

EDIT: Darn, someone beat me to it..

Sorry about that. Its harder to tell on Lothian buses if the seats wet now as they have material covers instead of the old red fake leathery types.

They need to change the livery of these buses too, or bring back the green buses

 

[ANorthernGuard]

I am sure my dad can give plenty of reasons why!

To be clear though, as I stated earlier, I am not against free staff travel whatsoever, provided its done in Standard without expectation of anything further (i.e OP).

I agree totally, I was just putting my point across lol

 

[Eng274]

Sorry about that. Its harder to tell on Lothian buses if the seats wet now as they have material covers instead of the old red fake leathery types.

They need to change the livery of these buses too, or bring back the green buses

Lothian Buses are gradually repainting the fleet back into madder and white still got the hideous carpet-effect seats, I preferred the older style seats which would rip the skin off the back of your legs if you were wearing shorts on a hot day.. Green buses are gone forever unfortunately - only real difference is the rust blended in with green/beige better than it does with white :roll:

 

[Mr Spock]

You sound like you were Mr Popular when you were on the railway, I have never once said in my life that I wouldn't help a colleague if they needed or asked it, so then if you want to be Mr Cheerful why should retired railway men/women get free travel they no longer input anything into the railway so why should they, maybe its because its the right thing to do just like all Staff should have free travel privileges.

I have never accused you of refusing help to another only those that have posted on this site to that effect.

As for keeping my privileges in retirement that was part of my contract and that is what I am trying to get through to you - stick to your contracted privileges.

It might be the right thing for all staff to get free travel but under the franchising agreement that is not possible so, again, stick to what you are contracted for. Anyway by your postings it seems to me that even if you get the same facilities as protected staff you would still want more.

Anyway i think its about time we finished this disagreement as our views will unlikely to change.

 

[ANorthernGuard]

I have never accused you of refusing help to another only those that have posted on this site to that effect.

As for keeping my privileges in retirement that was part of my contract and that is what I am trying to get through to you - stick to your contracted privileges.

It might be the right thing for all staff to get free travel but under the franchising agreement that is not possible so, again, stick to what you are contracted for. Anyway by your postings it seems to me that even if you get the same facilities as protected staff you would still want more.

Anyway i think its about time we finished this disagreement as our views will unlikely to change.

I treat protected and non protected exactly the same luckily your views are easily in the minority of Railway staff so agreed we will put this one to bed.

 

[StrollerEd]

Equally, moving into a seat that has been vacated by the elderly can also provide a warm feeling.

Light hearted joke. Anyone offended, please write to the News of the World.

funny how quickly things change - writing to NoW may now be as effective as writing to EC

 

[GB]

Mr Spock, you really are coming across as "I'm alright Jack".

Let me ask you, how does it personally affect you if a guard uses a little bit of discretion in letting non safe guarded staff travel?

 

[90019]

Lothian Buses are gradually repainting the fleet back into madder and white still got the hideous carpet-effect seats

The newest ones have a new interior.
Not sure about the brown, but it's all a bit less garish and more subdued than the current interiors, seems to feel a bit more open as well.

 

[Boppawombat]

I am a member of railway staff (I work for one of the TOCs) and have just been charged the (whopping) £25 upgrade to travel in First Class from London Kings Cross to Leeds.

This is the first journey in a long while where I've been charged - I'm wondering if it is because of the free food that is now being offered. I received 4 sandwiches, a can of orange juice and a piece of lemon shortbread, served in a somewhat grudging fashion.

I know I should always expect to have to pay the upgrade, but 99% of the time, the Guards / Conductors don't seem to charge staff. Indeed, I travelled in First without paying from Manningtree to London earlier today. I'd never sit in First during the week, but weekends are a different matter. So I can't help feeling just the tiniest bit miffed.

What do people think?

I believe one day the TOCs will find a reason for you to pay them upfront a small deposit for use of the toilet roll next (along with an admission charge of 30p like they do in main line stations: hello Ryanair!!) - to avoid needless wastage of resources. You will forfeit the deposit, of course, if you actually USE said piece of toilet roll.....

 

[jon0844]

I actually doubt that will happen!

 

[Scotrail84]

The newest ones have a new interior.
Not sure about the brown, but it's all a bit less garish and more subdued than the current interiors, seems to feel a bit more open as well.

That is f***ing horrendous and far too much like the manky mob from Gorgie.

 

[Eng274]

The newest ones have a new interior.
Not sure about the brown, but it's all a bit less garish and more subdued than the current interiors, seems to feel a bit more open as well.

I saw a couple earlier today on the 4, they look quite smart from the outside - they have matrix displays at the back rather than the auto roller blinds of old. The interior will take some getting used to though, at least it fits in with the general colour scheme. And the embroidered city landmarks on the seats are a nice touch!

 

[WestCoast]

That is f***ing horrendous and far too much like the macky mob from Gorgie.

Lothian's "garish" interiors are distinctive. The rest of the UK is mostly First Barbie (not great IMO), Arriva Light and dark green (yuck) or Stagecoach blue and orange....

 

[90019]

I saw a couple earlier today on the 4, they look quite smart from the outside - they have matrix displays at the back rather than the auto roller blinds of old. The interior will take some getting used to though, at least it fits in with the general colour scheme. And the embroidered city landmarks on the seats are a nice touch!

I think they're currently keeping them on the 4 and the 27. It's good that they've kept the blinds on the front, and I prefer it with the LEDs only on the back.
The interior is starting to grow on me already, but the brown will take a while to get used to.

 

[Boppawombat]

I actually doubt that will happen!

Oh dear......... :roll:

 

[90019]

I actually doubt that will happen!

It wasn't even a serious idea for Ryanair, just an attempt to get some publicity, IIRC.

 

[Minilad]

It wasn't even a serious idea for Ryanair, just an attempt to get some publicity, IIRC.

As indeed most of Ryanair 'stories' in newspapers are

 

[Mr Spock]

I treat protected and non protected exactly the same luckily your views are easily in the minority of Railway staff so agreed we will put this one to bed.

Hope the first part of this is not something to do with me as I have never said that you treat thr 2 groups differently.

As for the second part that is only your view, mine is that you are in the minority but as neither of us can prove it either way I will leave it there.

 

[ANorthernGuard]

Hope the first part of this is not something to do with me as I have never said that you treat thr 2 groups differently.

As for the second part that is only your view, mine is that you are in the minority but as neither of us can prove it either way I will leave it there.

if you think that my view is in the minority of railway you are so very much mistaken, just read the numerous posts over the last year or so from the numerous threads, the majority of railway staff feel the same as me, the majority of non railway feel the same as you

 

[Invincibles]

Interesting now that there is a quote on a railway forum that allows it to be suggested that staff abuse their position at the expense of put upon commuters.

Just thinking this is an easy win for a journalist who can then use some of the replies to create a perfectly legitimate story about rail workers and free travel.

Maybe I am too cynical

 

[ANorthernGuard]

Interesting now that there is a quote on a railway forum that allows it to be suggested that staff abuse their position at the expense of put upon commuters.

Just thinking this is an easy win for a journalist who can then use some of the replies to create a perfectly legitimate story about rail workers and free travel.

Maybe I am too cynical

Just slightly lol as quoted before if you are railway staff you are expected to give your seat up for a paying pax, which myself and 99 percent of staff would do, however on a quiet train it costs the TOCs nothing and I will not change my belief regardless of some I'm alright jack attitudes

 

[Mr Spock]

Mr Spock, you really are coming across as "I'm alright Jack".

Let me ask you, how does it personally affect you if a guard uses a little bit of discretion in letting non safe guarded staff travel?

It has nothing to with with being "i'm alright Jack", some people have protected travel facilities and others don't so what. Those that don't were told what facilities, if any, they are entitled to and signed a contract to that effect - if they upset you that much then you should not have signed the contract .

In trave lterms it probably does not affect me at all but it sure bothers my "whats right and whats wrong" thinking.

Love the term "a little bit of discretion", perhaps you should read the thread and you would see that the attitude of some staff is that they should be allowed unlimited free travel and some guards have implemented this as an unofficial policy.

Now you answer a question - explain WHY you should be allowed to travel free when you are not entitled to.

 

[ANorthernGuard]

It has nothing to with with being "i'm alright Jack", some people have protected travel facilities and others don't so what. Those that don't were told what facilities, if any, they are entitled to and signed a contract to that effect - if they upset you that much then you should not have signed the contract .

In trave lterms it probably does not affect me at all but it sure bothers my "whats right and whats wrong" thinking.

Love the term "a little bit of discretion", perhaps you should read the thread and you would see that the attitude of some staff is that they should be allowed unlimited free travel and some guards have implemented this as an unofficial policy.

Now you answer a question - explain WHY you should be allowed to travel free when you are not entitled to.

The thing is tho Mr Spock, I was a defender of retired travel privileges, now people like yourself are starting to make me think, why should you get free travel after you retire, you are opening a can of worms, that maybe should be kept shut