To be fair, it is none of your concern whether the retired should get priveleges or not.
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Am I wrong to feel aggrieved...?
- Thread starter Johnny Lewis
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To be fair, it is none of your concern whether the retired should get priveleges or not.
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ANorthernGuard
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maybe not but this thinking of i'm alright Jack I have what I've got, what if the government did decide to get rid of the travel perks for retired staff, If I stuck by his meaning would he be happy?? of course not (and I would still treat ALL staff retired or otherwise) it should be an even playing field, this stupid non safegaurded/safeguarded garbage is pathetic divisive and I myself will not play that game..thats why I treat all staff the same
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I have read the thread. The OP has taken the pi33 and EVERY member of rail staff that has posted has lambasted him for it. No one is demanding free travel and no one is threatening strikes over it so what is the problem?
If you read the thread correctly you will see I have never advocated non safe guarded staff should get free travel in the same manner as safe guarded. As you say, as a new entrant I was well aware I was not officially entitled to it but that is not to say I think it is necessarily wrong for train crew to offer it up. Are you telling me you would refuse everything in life that was offered to you if you werent specifically entitled to it?
Must be quite nice sometimes to see things just is Black and White!
ANorthernGuard
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As per usual GB a very straight forward answer
Hydro
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Gave one of your compadres a lift the other day, ANothernGuard. I would've charged him but that might've been taking the **** a bit.
An interesting thread, that despite the naievity/greed (depending on your viewpoint) of the OP has provided a fascinating window into the thought processes of various railway staff members, who appear to think that free or upgraded (and also possibly free) travel is their's to give.
But is it? What do the TOCs these staff work for actually allow? Will these TOCs overlook what could be a disciplinary offence on the part of both grantee and recipient?
Like MrSpock I am a retired safeguarded staff member. My priv boxes and quarter rate travel are immensely valuable to me in retirement, I don't abuse them and never will, always being mindful that to do so could result in their permanent withdrawal.
I often find myself boarding non IC train services at unstaffed stations, and when not travelling on a box have always got both priv cards and means of payment ready to buy a ticket.
It is a continual source of embarrasment to me and my wife, that when I ask for a priv single/return to wherever with the money in my hand, I get told something along the lines of "that's alright mate" and the conductor walks away.
Please, if you are on train staff and are asked for a fare by someone with priv cards obviously prepared to pay, take the money and issue a ticket.
33056
Established Member
Quite. I was on a short journey which coat less than £1 recently; the guard, on seeing the box card, said "that's OK mate". Whilst the thought was appreciated, I had to insist on buying a ticket as I didn't fancy having to blag my way past the barriers at the destination, an action which could well have had repercussions for both of us.
AlexS
Established Member
A bit of pleasantry goes a long way - I once had my local train from Shrewsbury to Brum turn up as a 7 car 170 lashup - evidently the back unit was defective. As a result, the guard was stuck elsewhere so didn't come round to sell tickets, and the train was diverted round Perry Barr to get the working unit at the front for the return trip to Shrewsbury with the duff one at the back to be taken off to go to Tyseley.
As a result I nearly missed the last connection I could have used to my destination. I got on a Cross Country service without a ticket as a result, sat in first with the intention of explaining my situation and buying a first class ticket - it was also the closest place to the guard to explain what had happened and he was busy with his dispatch duties at the time, I literally had 90 seconds between the arrival of my delayed train and the departure of the connection (which was meant to be a comfortable 40 minute change at New Street).
When I explained to the TM when happened, he was entirely sympathetic, sold me a standard class ticket with a railcard discount, left me to sit where I was and even allowed me some freebies.
Had I tried to eff it no doubt I'd have been in for an SOR and a bollocking job.
As a result I nearly missed the last connection I could have used to my destination. I got on a Cross Country service without a ticket as a result, sat in first with the intention of explaining my situation and buying a first class ticket - it was also the closest place to the guard to explain what had happened and he was busy with his dispatch duties at the time, I literally had 90 seconds between the arrival of my delayed train and the departure of the connection (which was meant to be a comfortable 40 minute change at New Street).
When I explained to the TM when happened, he was entirely sympathetic, sold me a standard class ticket with a railcard discount, left me to sit where I was and even allowed me some freebies.
Had I tried to eff it no doubt I'd have been in for an SOR and a bollocking job.
Flamingo
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As I always say, if somebody has a problem and they find the guard to explain it rather than waiting for the guard to find them, they are much more likely to get a sympathetic hearing.
The only exception to this I haven't seen in a while. He used to approach the guard with a cock-and-bull story about either stolen bags, or missing stops whilst asleep. Him, I used to kick off!
The only exception to this I haven't seen in a while. He used to approach the guard with a cock-and-bull story about either stolen bags, or missing stops whilst asleep. Him, I used to kick off!
Solent&Wessex
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And that is fine. You and many others manage to follow the rules correctly. Sadly many people in possession of these travel facilities are not so honest. On Saturday I had no less than 6 issues with these "boxes". 6 people hadn't filled the dates in and were expecting free travel. 5 of them were dependents or spouses or retired. Now I'm sorry. As a current employee I don't get free travel. I don't have any grudge against those that do, BUT I do expect people who have the free boxes to use them correctly. Sadly many do not, and a bit like the OP expect to get more than they are entitled to. Of these undated boxes I insisted dates were filled in. 2 people got irritated. 1 especially so who was shouting and screaming that I would be disciplined as I was told "Do you know who my husband is? When you find out you'll be in for the high jump".
Flamingo
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The last time somebody behaved like that to a colleague, the whole family lost their boxes. It wasn't helped by the fact that dad turned up on the platform to abuse the TM who had put an X in Jonnies boxes after Johny called him a CXXX for filling in one box.
Johnnie2Sheds
Member
I'm a "retired" employee with these boxes for life. Theres NO WAY I'd extract the urine with their use. I value them too much.
Don't let the taxman know you are getting free rides because you are employees of of a TOC, he will want details so he can tax you on the benefit in kind that you are receiving. Just like he does for a company car or waiter's tips. Any benefit that you get due to your employment is income and is taxable. IIRC
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As it happens I am on a XC service where there is a widow whinging that she has just been told by the TM to date her box and move back from first to standard at the next station when there will be more room there. She is saying she will not move unless forced too because someone else needs the FC seat.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
As it happens I am on a XC service where there is a widow whinging that she has just been told by the TM to date her box and move back from first to standard at the next station when there will be more room there. She is saying she will not move unless forced too because someone else needs the FC seat.
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