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Dress codes for PRIV holders?

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JN114

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This whole story about United Airlines is complete nonsense. The passengers wearing the offending attire were 10 year old girls: in what sense could they possibly have been representing the airline? We regularly find ourselves discussing the antics of a small number of TOC staff who seem completely unable to apply common sense to situations; it would appear that airlines have one or two staff members with a similar inability to do the right thing.

The United dress code is as much a condition/rule of use as many of the conditions placed upon PRIV holders. While many would argue common sense should prevail, it's exactly that kind of exception-making that has eroded societal values and respect for ones fellow man. Once you make an exception once, you are making a statement that there is some flexibility in the rules. "But last time this was fine" - sound familiar? The bane of anyone working in a customer facing role, having to cover for colleagues lackadaisical application of rules - be it a returns policy; dress code; giving out freebies; letting someone off without a ticket.

By all means the rule is stupid, but once the rule is in place it should be enforced unwaveringly. That alone is the fairest way of implementing them.

These legging wearing girls- they may not have been the only united freebie flyers on the flight. Other passengers who have gone to the effort to adhere by their conditions of travel see a couple of tweenagers in leggings get waved on... bit of a smack in the face.
 
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Mag_seven

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These legging wearing girls- they may not have been the only united freebie flyers on the flight. Other passengers who have gone to the effort to adhere by their conditions of travel see a couple of tweenagers in leggings get waved on... bit of a smack in the face.

Except that they weren't waved on - they were refused travel - the whole reason for the Social Media outrage.
 

JN114

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Except that they weren't waved on - they were refused travel - the whole reason for the Social Media outrage.

I know, you've misinterpreted the way I've written it (as much my fault as yours) - I was speaking in support of the fact they were refused travel - had they not you may have ended up with the smack in the face hypothetical scenario I described.
 

amarshe

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As a full fare paying passenger, I think in standard class anything reasonable (i.e. acceptable on the street) is fine.

In First Class...well it would be nice, but as others have said it is 2017 and really my main concern is people behaving themselves *during the week*. A few drinks, some lively but tempered chatter is fine. At weekends I'm prepared for anything, even if I don't agree with it.

In this case though it was pretty clear - there's no such thing as a free lunch.
 

bramling

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As a full fare paying passenger, I think in standard class anything reasonable (i.e. acceptable on the street) is fine.

In First Class...well it would be nice, but as others have said it is 2017 and really my main concern is people behaving themselves *during the week*. A few drinks, some lively but tempered chatter is fine. At weekends I'm prepared for anything, even if I don't agree with it.

In this case though it was pretty clear - there's no such thing as a free lunch.

I don't quite understand the obsession with dress, why is it anyone else's business what someone else is wearing, and how in any way does someone else's dress affect others?

Myself and the other half recently got dirty looks is a hotel breakfast room and a comment from some stuck-up old woman about dress, which unfortunately is a fact of life when on an outdoors holiday exploring things like disused railway tunnels. I took great delight in pointing out to her that we were in the luxury suite, the most expensive room in the hotel, so perhaps she should shut her mouth rather than make judgements. Behaviour is far more of an issue than dress for me- much more important.
 

Shaw S Hunter

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The United dress code is as much a condition/rule of use as many of the conditions placed upon PRIV holders. While many would argue common sense should prevail, it's exactly that kind of exception-making that has eroded societal values and respect for ones fellow man. Once you make an exception once, you are making a statement that there is some flexibility in the rules. "But last time this was fine" - sound familiar? The bane of anyone working in a customer facing role, having to cover for colleagues lackadaisical application of rules - be it a returns policy; dress code; giving out freebies; letting someone off without a ticket.

By all means the rule is stupid, but once the rule is in place it should be enforced unwaveringly. That alone is the fairest way of implementing them.

These legging wearing girls- they may not have been the only united freebie flyers on the flight. Other passengers who have gone to the effort to adhere by their conditions of travel see a couple of tweenagers in leggings get waved on... bit of a smack in the face.

Yes the rule is stupid at least in as much as it is utterly pointless being applied to children. It is certainly necessary to prevent adults from travelling in completely inappropriate clothing, and there have been cases where the worst offenders have indeed been airline employees on "priv" deals, but it's difficult to see how children are ever likely to be dressed in a manner that could be found offensive by anyone. As a general point I would suggest that truly good customer service depends on being prepared to delegate a certain amount of responsibility and authority to front-line staff, not expect them to slavishly follow a set of rules dreamed up by some corporate suit in their ivory tower.

I don't quite understand the obsession with dress, why is it anyone else's business what someone else is wearing, and how in any way does someone else's dress affect others?

Myself and the other half recently got dirty looks is a hotel breakfast room and a comment from some stuck-up old woman about dress, which unfortunately is a fact of life when on an outdoors holiday exploring things like disused railway tunnels. I took great delight in pointing out to her that we were in the luxury suite, the most expensive room in the hotel, so perhaps she should shut her mouth rather than make judgements. Behaviour is far more of an issue than dress for me- much more important.

Provided clothing is not likely to soil or otherwise damage a particular environment I completely agree.
 

gimmea50anyday

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Having witnessed a certain priv ticket holder (well, on a staff pass) at 3am running screaming down platform 16A at Leeds nothing surprises me.

He was wearing trainers.

No inappropriate clothing. Infact, no clothing.

:roll: :lol:

How come we havent heared of this in Newcastle then?

Or York for that matter....
 

philthetube

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Dress code using a priv,

I would not be happy to dress down to travel on a 142
 

infobleep

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Back in the 1930s, the Southern Railway rule book stated, very early on, that no member of staff may enter any refreshment room or any hotel on or adjoining company premises without permission. I assume that's to stop smelly and dirty steam engine workers from turning up. This however wasn't in the 1950 British Railways rule book. Progress for you.

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AlterEgo

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I took great delight in pointing out to her that we were in the luxury suite, the most expensive room in the hotel, so perhaps she should shut her mouth

Ah, the reverse in-your-face DYKWIA move...

I get funny looks in Business Class on planes sometimes.

Why not just ignore her? It works for me. Be zen.
 

bramling

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Ah, the reverse in-your-face DYKWIA move...

I get funny looks in Business Class on planes sometimes.

Why not just ignore her? It works for me. Be zen.

A bit difficult to ignore some pretty conspicuous tut-tutting, comments under the breath, and then a direct comment from her. On the second day it got sufficiently irritating that something needed to be said to shut her up.

I saw something similar last week. A fat person sat down in a train, and an older man commented loudly to himself "grotesque, disgusting, hasn't he heard of a diet?". I could sort of understand if the person was encroaching on his space, but he wasn't. Some people simply need to learn to mind their own business.
 
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amarshe

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I don't quite understand the obsession with dress, why is it anyone else's business what someone else is wearing, and how in any way does someone else's dress affect others?

Myself and the other half recently got dirty looks is a hotel breakfast room and a comment from some stuck-up old woman about dress, which unfortunately is a fact of life when on an outdoors holiday exploring things like disused railway tunnels. I took great delight in pointing out to her that we were in the luxury suite, the most expensive room in the hotel, so perhaps she should shut her mouth rather than make judgements. Behaviour is far more of an issue than dress for me- much more important.

I have friends who by their own admission dress like tramps, others who wear salwar kameez and others who wear hats. They're all human.

People can wear whatever they like, and I'm admittedly shallow for expecting people to dress neatly in First Class (by that I mean no tracksuit trousers or dirty clothes; I'm usually dressed in jeans and trainers myself).

If I'd overheard your exchange with the lady at the hotel, I would form the impression that you were all badly behaved. Best to just ignore her, or telling her that if she carried on like that, you would inform the staff and ask her to be removed.
 

philthetube

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A bit difficult to ignore some pretty conspicuous tut-tutting, comments under the breath, and then a direct comment from her. On the second day it got sufficiently irritating that something needed to be said to shut her up.

I saw something similar last week. A fat person sat down in a train, and an older man commented loudly to himself "grotesque, disgusting, hasn't he heard of a diet?". I could sort of understand if the person was encroaching on his space, but he wasn't. Some people simply need to learn to mind their own business.

Sad to say, this sort of inappropriate behaviour from the elderly is often an early sign of the onset of alzheimer's.
 
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bramling

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If I'd overheard your exchange with the lady at the hotel, I would form the impression that you were all badly behaved. Best to just ignore her, or telling her that if she carried on like that, you would inform the staff and ask her to be removed.

Here we go again, people forming impressions about things that are simply none of their business. Not everyone goes on holiday to sit around in restaurants or breakfast rooms judging other people. I deal with enough idiots at work at times, I don't need totally unnecessary hassle when trying to have a quick hotel breakfast before heading out for a long day.

In the real world what does one expect the hotel staff to do? The chances of removal are minimal, so all it will do is create even more of an atmosphere for the rest of the time. All completely unnecessary just because one person can't keep their thoughts to themselves. I get sick of some of the over self-important people in this country, like with most things it's a small minority but one which really makes their presence felt at times. Being charitable it points to a deficient education, judging a book by its cover springs to mind, and I've no time for it.

Ignoring doesn't address the problem, it just gives these people more self-confidence that they can get away with it next time, sadly.
 
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amarshe

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Here we go again, people forming impressions about things that are simply none of their business. Not everyone goes on holiday to sit around in restaurants or breakfast rooms judging other people. I deal with enough idiots at work at times, I don't need totally unnecessary hassle when trying to have a quick hotel breakfast before heading out for a long day.

In the real world what does one expect the hotel staff to do? The chances of removal are minimal, so all it will do is create even more of an atmosphere for the rest of the time. All completely unnecessary just because one person can't keep their thoughts to themselves. I get sick of some of the over self-important people in this country, like with most things it's a small minority but one which really makes their presence felt at times. Being charitable it points to a deficient education, judging a book by its cover springs to mind, and I've no time for it.

Ignoring doesn't address the problem, it just gives these people more self-confidence that they can get away with it next time, sadly.

As others have stated if she was elderly she may have either suffering from the onset of dementia or Alzheimers. Both of which I have seen in my family. Elderly people do literally go quite nuts.

If she was younger, she may have been slightly autistic or have a form of Aspergers (again, i've seen that in real life).

But it's a free country, so carry on with your Victorian attitude, and blame it on deficient education or weak nerves.

Oh - and apologies, it is indeed none of my business; but as you posted on a public forum I felt compelled to reply :)
 
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reb0118

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And realistically how would this be enforced?

Could you expect people to rat out their colleagues due to their choice of attire when they are not on duty?
A colleague popped round to mine the other day as we were both rest day. We went for a wee spin in the car to Callander & the Trossachs. I almost stopped on the motorway to throw him out when I noticed he had white trainers on.

There are standards in this country. White gutties are for the tennis court - sturdy brogues for the Scottish countryside.

#peasants

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SpacePhoenix

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Would someone like to explain what a PRIV is?

Is basically discounted tickets for TOC employees. I believe that each TOC has their own restrictions on what routes and/or services that PRIV can be used on
 

pitdiver

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Is basically discounted tickets for TOC employees. I believe that each TOC has their own restrictions on what routes and/or services that PRIV can be used on

Not only TOC employees but also some ex LUL staff as well. I think those pre 1994 but I may be wrong. I have one so consequently so does my wife..We get discounted travel on National Rail and if I had a PRIV Oyster on LUL as well
 

GusB

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Thanks! I had a vague idea that it might have something to do with staff travel, but wasn't entirely sure.
 

Sunset route

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Would someone like to explain what a PRIV is?

This might be wholly accriate but should be nearly correct and I'm sure elements will be corrected lol :lol:

Railway Staff PRIVileged leisure discounted and free travel on National Rail and unless stated otherwise privilege rate tickets on London Underground (including some free transfers) and depending when you joined British Railways/privatised companies you will have a decending rolling scale of endorsements.

British Rail Safe Guarded Staff.

Which may or may not include Wightlink ferries, Tyne & Wear metro, Caledonian MacBrayne ferries, National Rail & London Underground only, Eurostar, Stena Line or P & O (Dover/Calais), First class privilege tickets between former G.W.R. Stations, Eurostar & London Underground only and National Rail only subject to certain conditions.

Post Privatisation Staff.

No Railtrack (after the cut off date which i think was 18-24 after RT was separated from BR) or Network Rail Staff are entitled to Priv Tickets and i beleive but im not totally sure that this also applies to all new FOC and Infrastructure Staff.

But there is a intercompany agreement between all if not most TOC staff offering PRIV tickets as well as TOC specific ones.
 

Busaholic

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A colleague popped round to mine the other day as we were both rest day. We went for a wee spin in the car to Callander & the Trossachs. I almost stopped on the motorway to throw him out when I noticed he had white trainers on.

There are standards in this country. White gutties are for the tennis court - sturdy brogues for the Scottish countryside.

#peasants

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And where were his spats? There's nothing like a spat in the Trossachs, I always find.
 

455driver

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As others have stated if she was elderly she may have either suffering from the onset of dementia or Alzheimers. Both of which I have seen in my family. Elderly people do literally go quite nuts.

If she was younger, she may have been slightly autistic or have a form of Aspergers (again, i've seen that in real life).
Or she could have been a gobby, self opinionated prat! ;)
 
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