Ex TOC staff wearing their HVV still...bad idea?

[D2022]

So, I am ex TOC and ex Preservation. I do possess HVV and foul weather coats I use when the weather is crap, you can't beat a gore tex coat in the pouring rain I also use my various HVVs when I cycle, they are bright and saves buying some tacky yellow ones...

Until however I boarded a service out of Bath the other day to be told by the guard its extremely Ill advised in the modern terror climate due to potentially being perceived as impersonating a member of railway staff.

Thoughts anyone?

I must point out they are all branded companies that don't trade anymore...so legally it's not illegal.

 

[maniacmartin]

Is it possible to remove the branding/logos?

 

[185]

My Northern Spirit Trains jacket is excellent for keeping me dry whilst doing the beds and borders in my garden.

it's got this logo on it.....

 

[Tiny Tim]

I wear several 'branded' items of hi-vis, some of them railway related, for cycling. It's never crossed my mind that the providers of said clothing would object to a bit of free advertising.

 

[D2022]

Is it possible to remove the branding/logos?

Yes and no, they can be covered but not removed without ruining the coats waterproof surface, they are the heat applied style of logo.

 

[Wath Yard]

Modern terror climate? Impersonating a member of railway staff!?

Is that the new al-Qaeda tactic - go on missions wearing a hi-viz jacket? Who would impersonate a member of railway staff and what has it got to do with terrorism?

If I was to impersonate someone it would be a film or rock star, not a train dispatcher.

Sounds like someone who thinks they're rather important to me.

 

[D2022]

Modern terror climate? Impersonating a member of railway staff!?

Is that the new al-Qaeda tactic - go on missions wearing a hi-viz jacket? Who would impersonate a member of railway staff and what has it got to do with terrorism?

If I was to impersonate someone it would be a film or rock star, not a train dispatcher.

Sounds like someone who thinks they're rather important to me.

It's the new suicide bomber fashion regime you see the kind where you don't blend in and stick out like a massive tango can just to scare people...

I think your right, someone's got their hype on when it comes to their job a little bit.

 

[ralphchadkirk]

Just cover the logo up with a bit of silver gaffer tape. Problem solved, everyone's happy.

 

[starrymarkb]

Impersonating a member of railway staff!?

IIf I was to impersonate someone it would be a film or rock star, not a train dispatcher.

There is apparently at least one person out there trying to impersonate RPIs and charging 'Penalty Fines' to those that don't have tickets (and pocketing the money)

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=73870

 

[Roverman]

Not sure about the impersonation of a rail employee angle but I find it annoying when people wear these hi viz jackets/vests when not on duty as its patently their way of trying to look more important. I've even seen people driving along wearing them, now that's got to be close to 'impersonating a police officer'.

 

[D2022]

Not sure about the impersonation of a rail employee angle but I find it annoying when people wear these hi viz jackets/vests when not on duty as its patently their way of trying to look more important. I've even seen people driving along wearing them, now that's got to be close to 'impersonating a police officer'.

For some yes it is almost some sort of power trip.

I don't see it as one, I wouldn't be proud to be seen as working for FGW (I have in the past worked for them) given their more or less hated reputation, round here anyways.

Its a warm coat, and safe to cycle in (same with the HVV regarding cycling) and tbh I don't see the point in going and buying a yellow one just to please the police.

Consider this...I cycle roughly 6 miles to the station and back every day for work, mostly on a BMX since my fold up was stolen. I return fairly late at night, usually around 11pm. IF I wear a HVV I'm 'impersonating' someone...IF I dont and wear my usual clothing I more than often get stopped by the police for being out late on a bike and searched. Same situation when I go to stay at my girlfriends, I've returned on the last train at night before only to stopped on the way home and the police literally open my rucksack and tip the contents out....nice to show off all my clothes including underwear to the passers by eh.

I can't win either way it seems.

 

[swj99]

it's not illegal.

Exactly.
An old workmate of mine would have said,

Did you tell him to **** off ?
You should have told him to **** off !

I've got an old British Rail hat that I wear when welding or grinding, or if I'm working outside in the rain.
Anyone who objects to me wearing it, can FOAMYOB (see the **** Off And Mind Your Own Business Act 1994)

 

[michael769]

I would not recommend responding in that manner to a police constable.

 

[D2022]

I would not recommend responding in that manner to a police constable.

I have in the past when they've held me up for ages doing background checks one night. I'd brought some tools home from work to do some fiddling on my bike brakes which included a set of wire cutters to trim the cable ends, they only opened up to about 3mm but apparently that was 'going equiped'

I told the office to get off his high horse and f*** off back to burger king...

Spent the night being interrogated by Wiltshire Constabulary about going and stealing bikes...to which I said something like if I could cut a bike lock with those poxy wire cutters I kinda deserved to keep the bike. They didn't laugh

 

[michael769]

You failed the attitude test there .

 

[D2022]

You failed the attitude test there .

I did warn them I'd run out of smokes

 

[tony_mac]

Not sure about the impersonation of a rail employee angle but I find it annoying when people wear these hi viz jackets/vests when not on duty as its patently their way of trying to look more important..

Or to get free train travel - I've seen it happen!

 

[D2022]

Or to get free train travel - I've seen it happen!

I can believe that, often just get a nod if a guards walks through and I'm in hi vis...Mind you as I do the trip every day most of the staff know I board at Swindon which is gated or end up there on the way home.

 

[Crossover]

Not sure about the impersonation of a rail employee angle but I find it annoying when people wear these hi viz jackets/vests when not on duty as its patently their way of trying to look more important. I've even seen people driving along wearing them, now that's got to be close to 'impersonating a police officer'.

Have you thought that the people driving along in them may be doing so because of work?

In my line of work, when out in the works/shop floor (basically, the warehouse and yard, I am mostly office based) I have to be in hi-viz. When travelling to our other site a few miles away by car, it is sometimes easier just to keep it on (especially if it is raining and I'm wearing the hi-viz waterproof) as I'll need it when in the works at the other site.

That said, you probably wouldn't find undercover police in a top heavy 4 wheel drive Subaru Forester!

 

[swj99]

I would not recommend responding in that manner to a police constable.

Thanks. I'm not actually looking for advice on how to deal with the police, having had many dealings with them on a professional and individual basis, however, if you happen to be any good at website optimization, I've got a couple that need it.

 

[83G/84D]

Not being a spoilsport or anything but aren't ex employees supposed to return any uniform or PPE upon leaving the TOC/FOC or whoever?

 

[D2022]

Not being a spoilsport or anything but aren't ex employees supposed to return any uniform or PPE upon leaving the TOC/FOC or whoever?

It varies somewhat between companies, I've also aquired hi vis through preserved lines when I used to be involved with them, they don't require you too.

 

[michael769]

I cannot speak for the rail industry but I still have some clothing from past jobs - mainly because they preferred giving new starts new clothing rather than someone else's cast offs, and so did not bother to reclaim it.

 

[GodAtum]

A lot of cyclists keep their hi-vis on when travelling on trains.

 

[t o m]

I can believe that, often just get a nod if a guards walks through and I'm in hi vis...Mind you as I do the trip every day most of the staff know I board at Swindon which is gated or end up there on the way home.

Even just having my hi vis rucksack is enough to get a passing nod during a ticket inspection.

I usually tend to put my HVV on as the train is pulling in to the station so I can head straight down the AWR. I don't tend to wear it whilst travelling as I just get bombarded with questions from passengers...

"Do you work here?"
"No, sorry"
"Yeah but you know about trains and stuff"

I don't know, I just fix the signals and stuff...

During the Olympics an announcement said the order of the carriages and which passengers should wait on part A of the platform and which should wait on part B, depending on their reservations. After telling several people which end is A and which is B, despite there being signs, when the train arrived the carriages were opposite to what was said in the announcement, I must have looked a right idiot.