Feet on seats

[Nick279]

Merseyrail were criticised for being too heavy handed over customers who put feet on seats, I`ve always believe this type of behaviour to be a sign of a poor upbringing and just plain bad manners, but maybe I`m being old fashioned? However many seem to do it and no one appears to take much notice, not even the guards on some services. I`ve pulled people on the preserved lines for this sort of thing. I`d be interested to learn the views of others.

heres the link foir anyone who hasnt seen it;
http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk...-over-feet-on-seats-crackdown-64375-19733157/

 

[class 313]

If I'm going to be honest here, I do it a lot. As people who have been with me on trips would know. I don't do it to cause trouble, or to stop people sitting down. In fact, I always return to a normal sitting position when entering a station, just in case.

Another thing is, I try and make sure my feet aren't dirty, depending on what shoes I have on, and how busy it is. I will take my shoes off so I make sure I keep the seats clean!

But the main point here, why do I do it? Well, because I find it a lot more comfortable than in a normal sitting position, I don't know if this is just me, but after a while I would much rather be in a laying position.

 

[Nick279]

haha, maybe you just get tired on train journeys. Back in the late 60s and 70s when we used to do the all line rover thing, we would sleep on the seats and pull the blinds down, we always took our shoes off though, Looking back I think we were out of order and was pulled on a couple of occassions by guards, and rightly so.

 

[me123]

They used to be rather strict in the SPT area, with notices attatched to the walls and strict guards. Nothing as strict as that you'll be glad to hear, but still pretty firm. Now, it doesn't really happen so I've never seen anyone been told off. Perhaps the firm-but-fair system worked up here.

I admit that I have done it occasionally on quiet trains late at night when I'm really tired, but very rarely and even then only for a few minutes whilst I catch my breath. I know it's no excuse, but I'd never do it on a busy commuter train or anywhere where seating is at a premium.

That story, though, it's almost laughable! Why anyone would pull someone to court over such a petty "crime" is baffling, and as said by the JP, Merseyrail really should get real when it comes to this.

 

[Max]

I've done it a fair few times, but again, only on trains where there are plenty of other seats, and with my shoes off.

 

[CosherB]

Well, a lot on here admit to it.... but with their shoes off! I don't think anyone would have a problem with that, since the issue is dirt off the bottom of shoes ending up on the seat and then on the clothes of the next person to sit on that seat.

I see it done lots - by louts WITH shoes on and that's a selfish and thoughtless thing to do.

But..... When travelling 1st on a Pendelino at a 'table for 2' with no-one opposite, I like to recline both seats, TAKE MY SHOES OFF, then lie back with my feet up on the opposite seat!

CS

 

[Max]

Well, a lot on here admit to it.... but with their shoes off! I don't think anyone would have a problem with that, since the issue is dirt off the bottom of shoes ending up on the seat and then on the clothes of the next person to sit on that seat.

I think this is the main issue really. Additionally, repeated abuse by shoes can also cause seats to wear more quickly, with the material becoming worn and threadbare. Clearly not as bad with soft socks!

 

[djw1981]

, Merseyrail really should get real when it comes to this.

They did get real. This is just the rail equivalent of Zero Tolerance policing. i.e. if you punish people for minor anti-social behaviour, you send out a message that such behaviour will not be tolerated.

Consider a building with a few broken windows. If the windows are not repaired, the tendency is for vandals to break a few more windows. Eventually, they may even break into the building, and if it's unoccupied, perhaps become squatters or light fires inside.

Or consider a sidewalk. Some litter accumulates. Soon, more litter accumulates. Eventually, people even start leaving bags of trash from take-out restaurants there or breaking into cars.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broken_Windows

Indeed Merseyrail say that since implementing their 'feet on the seats' campaign, the general level of anti-social behaviour has dropped.

However, in order to implement such a policy they must have required more staff, and maybe even BTP resources. Would these resources alone have lead to the decrease in crime and disorder? We can't tell.....in fact the 'feet on seats' prosecutions may be just a 'headline grabbing' activity, but they drew attention to the antisocial behaviour, what the company was doing about it, and the penalties imposed.

[controversial]
If teh girl involved had been a 16 year old chav in pink velour tracksuit with RnB blasting from her mobile, instead of a late teenage middle class student, would we all (including the media) be so upset that she was prosecuted for the same offence?
[/controversial]

 

[me123]

They did get real. This is just the rail equivalent of Zero Tolerance policing. i.e. if you punish people for minor anti-social behaviour, you send out a message that such behaviour will not be tolerated.

Indeed Merseyrail say that since implementing their 'feet on the seats' campaign, the general level of anti-social behaviour has dropped.

I don't argue that it's the little things like this that count; I just think pulling a girl up in court for such a thing is, well, petty. As said, an on-the-spot penalty would suffice.

 

[djw1981]

But that doesn't send out a message. Any such campaign is at least as much about PR and sending a message as it is about catching people....It's only a civil charge anyway, so no harm done to her employment prospects AIUI.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
She's a 19 year old student, not a girl!

And why are we dragging up a story which is over 6months old?

 

[Coxster]

Does anyone else find it amusing how people here moan at the Carlisle station manager for doing something that they are within their rights to do, yet later admit they themselves [some people here] do something they're not technically allowed to do on the railways but consider themselves in the right?

 

[adamp]

Ive done it...like that article said. Im sure everyone at one point has done it.
For me, I find riding around on trains all day not only interesting, but relaxing. So when its an empty train ill make sure my shoes are clean and just put my feet up! I cant see a problem as long as your not stopping people sitting down, resting your feet so it sort of deforms the seat like right on the edge and not putting mud on the seats.
I wont do it no matter what if there is a sign next to me which says "Please Do Not Put Your Feet On The Seats"
If people are caught doing it and there isnt a sign I cant see why there would be a consiquence as there is no warning. Its not asif they say at the end of their announcements "keep your feet off our seats".

...My opinion

 

[richa2002]

If I'm going to be honest here, I do it a lot. As people who have been with me on trips would know. I don't do it to cause trouble, or to stop people sitting down. In fact, I always return to a normal sitting position when entering a station, just in case.

Another thing is, I try and make sure my feet aren't dirty, depending on what shoes I have on, and how busy it is. I will take my shoes off so I make sure I keep the seats clean!

But the main point here, why do I do it? Well, because I find it a lot more comfortable than in a normal sitting position, I don't know if this is just me, but after a while I would much rather be in a laying position.

You're a disgrace . Hehe, I think having your feet on the seat is acceptable if the person takes their shoes off but if someone does it with their shoes on, no matter how clean, it just looks bad. My opinion only of course .

 

[class 313]

You're a disgrace . Hehe, I think having your feet on the seat is acceptable if the person takes their shoes off but if someone does it with their shoes on, no matter how clean, it just looks bad. My opinion only of course .

Sorry to offend you all-mighty Harpenderners who want their independence *

*No offence is meant to be caused by the above post, just a harmless joke that me and RichA use all the time, eh Rich

 

[me123]

But that doesn't send out a message. Any such campaign is at least as much about PR and sending a message as it is about catching people...

And it's made them look rather petty in my eyes. I would respect them more if they simply did an on-the-spot fine which would not have caused as much emotional distress as this appears to have done.

I don't want to repeat myself, so I think we'll need to agree to disagree. Let it be said, though, that I support the cause not the methods of ensuring order.

 

[djw1981]

But is she contested an on the spot fine then the case would go to court anyway, and it seems like she was fighting it....

 

[Nick279]

yes she was, she should have just payed the on the spot fine, signs are displayed and she knew she was in the wrong, if she intended being a teacher she could at least learn respect for public property
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

But that doesn't send out a message. Any such campaign is at least as much about PR and sending a message as it is about catching people....It's only a civil charge anyway, so no harm done to her employment prospects AIUI.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
She's a 19 year old student, not a girl!

And why are we dragging up a story which is over 6months old?

yes very well said and quite right of course, its all about sending out a message, well done merseyrail, as for dragging uop a story which is old news now, i didnt realise these things had a time scale, its still as relivent to my post now as it was then, I was simply using it to illustrate a point, some members may have missed it and I wanted members opinions and to discuss the issue.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

And it's made them look rather petty in my eyes. I would respect them more if they simply did an on-the-spot fine which would not have caused as much emotional distress as this appears to have done.

I don't want to repeat myself, so I think we'll need to agree to disagree. Let it be said, though, that I support the cause not the methods of ensuring order.

it may have made them look petty but it had the desired effect, how wouild you have dealt with it?

 

[thefab444]

I expect all this sensitivity on behalf of the woman involved was just a ploy to get some compensation from Merseyrail?

 

[Nick279]

Does anyone else find it amusing how people here moan at the Carlisle station manager for doing something that they are within their rights to do, yet later admit they themselves [some people here] do something they're not technically allowed to do on the railways but consider themselves in the right?

nobodys said it right do and whats Carlisle got to do with this?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
"Please Do Not Put Your Feet On The Seats"
If people are caught doing it and there isnt a sign I cant see why there would be a consiquence as there is no warning. Its not asif they say at the end of their announcements "keep your feet off our seats".


I nevedr actually noticed a sign that says dont spit in the passageway, dont crap on the seats or dont mug the guard, but we all know the difference between right and wrong surely without having signage all over the place.

 

[hairyhandedfool]

A boss of mine used to take his shoes off, put his feet up and rest his eyes. On one occasion he actually fell asleep and woke to find someone had come along the train and nicked his shoes! It was leathering it down that day too!

The thief got off the train at Harpenden apparently!

 

[Nick279]

haha, they would certainly nick your shoes up here, probably the shirt off your back too

 

[class 313]

A boss of mine used to take his shoes off, put his feet up and rest his eyes. On one occasion he actually fell asleep and woke to find someone had come along the train and nicked his shoes! It was leathering it down that day too!

The thief got off the train at Harpenden apparently!

Well that's the people on the MML for you

I'm looking at you Rich

 

[schmoo_smith]

this is nuts, i get punched on a train and the lads who did it get arrested and let straight back out again, yet some goes to court for putting their feet on seats, ridiculous

 

[richa2002]

A boss of mine used to take his shoes off, put his feet up and rest his eyes. On one occasion he actually fell asleep and woke to find someone had come along the train and nicked his shoes! It was leathering it down that day too!

The thief got off the train at Harpenden apparently!

Lol! I apologise on behalf of Harpenden.

 

[Nick279]

this is nuts, i get punched on a train and the lads who did it get arrested and let straight back out again, yet some goes to court for putting their feet on seats, ridiculous

thats terriible, I`m sorry to hear that, maybe if these people were show some discipline earlier, this may not have happened of course.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Lol! I apologise on behalf of Harpenden.

he still wants his shoes back though

 

[RailwayBear]

This is one of my pet hates as a guard i make people take there feet off the seats but the minute mybacks turned the feet are back up another thing that annoys me is workmen warning oily overalls sitting on the seats i make them stand because the seats get dirts with there dirty clothes

 

[Nick279]

good on you mate, I`m all in favour of penalty notices for this sort of thing, its just down to a lack of respect and ignorance

 

[hairyhandedfool]

.....another thing that annoys me is workmen warning oily overalls sitting on the seats i make them stand because the seats get dirts with there dirty clothes

I think there is a byelaw for that, can't remember the number but it is along the lines of:

'Thou shalt not spoil railway property'

Just after 'Thou shalt not kill' I think!!!!!!!!

 

[Nick279]

haha, I think it say 'Thou shalt not strangle the passengers!!!!!!!!. Its a great shame other don`t share our respect for the railways, you spend years restoring a teak Gresley coach to better than new standard and some women comes along with a pushchair chipping chucks of wood from the passages and allowing their off-spring to deposit sticky sweets all over the authentic seat coverings.