I’m on a FGW train this morning. Tickets in first class being checked by first class host before he gives out complimentary refreshments. Pleased to see it. Is this now general (I’ve never seen it on GWR before) or is he just being very thorough.
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GWR First Class Host checking tickets
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I don't think I've ever had a first class journey where my ticket hasn't been checked before giving refreshments.
EuxtonNeutral
Member
Happens on avanti a fair bit
Silver Cobra
Member
I've only used first class with GWR twice over the years (in 2016 and 2018), but on both occasions, the first class host asked to see my ticket before serving me.
This doesn't appear to happen on LNER from my experience. While I haven't travelled with them in first class a lot (more than I have with GWR though), the times that I have the first class hosts have never asked for tickets to be shown to them; they just simply proceed with serving the refreshments.
This doesn't appear to happen on LNER from my experience. While I haven't travelled with them in first class a lot (more than I have with GWR though), the times that I have the first class hosts have never asked for tickets to be shown to them; they just simply proceed with serving the refreshments.
johnr57
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I travel 1st regularly on LNER and no the host has never checked my ticket
I do the weekend first upgrade withe GWR quite regularly. On time, the customer host called over the train manager to sell me the upgrade before offering the complimentaries. Another time, the host bawled out to the entire carriage "Has everyone here got a ticket? Don't make me check." Lovely.
Aye, me too. They're generally quite thorough on that front aren't they!
And TransPennine every time I've used First
MarlowDonkey
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Hull Trains checked before leaving Kings Cross. There were a couple of people who took unreserved seats and appeared to upgrade on the day.
Deepgreen
Established Member
On my GWR line (NDL, with clsss 165s), the guards don't seem to know what first class is, as I have never seen them challenge anyone, even school children, in first class who clearly don't have first class tickets! Catering provision is sparse too... 
lxfe_mxtterz
Member
I've experienced it on both GWR and Avanti in recent times.
RJ
Established Member
I've had a different experience on that line. Had the staff in the shop ask if I was aware I was going into First Class, to which I said yes, then she repeated herself with a funny look and said "First Class"? I said yes and kept going.
Then the host in First Class asked if I was aware I was in First Class. I said yes. Then he also repeated himself, asking if I was aware I was in First Class and I said yes. Then he asked to see my ticket before I was allowed to take a seat. I had a First Class All Line Rover.
Just made the whole experience awkward, they should leave the ticket inspections to the guards who are trained in how to check tickets without coming across as judgemental. When I worked for Virgin Trains as an on board CSA back in the day we were expressly told not to check anybody's tickets.
Requeststop
Member
Over the years travelling from Paddington to Truro or Penzance First Class, My ticket and Rail Card is usually inspected very early into the journey well before refreshments are offered. Travelling from Cornwall to London, my ticket is usually looked at before St Erth or St Austell, but refreshments are usually not offered until after Plymouth in many cases and my ticket usually not inspected again.
I was just wondering where the OP was travelling to today!
You may be reading too much into it. For all you know, their reactions could have been related to the fact that they knew the First Class offering wasn't particularly good and they were shocked that someone would actually pay money to travel in it. eg - not anything about you in particular.
WestCoast
Established Member
On EMR its standard procedure, the hosts always check all tickets in first class. They must receive some ticketing training as often that‘s the only onboard check and they seem quite good at recognising Seatfrog, Railcards etc.
I‘ve had it on XC too from catering staff but they seem to just be checking it’s a first class ticket and the guard also does a check.
Never had it on TPE or LNER, it’s always been the guard or other revenue staff But YMMV.
Avanti/Virgin never used to but not been First Class with them since the introduction of Standard Premium.
I‘ve had it on XC too from catering staff but they seem to just be checking it’s a first class ticket and the guard also does a check.
Never had it on TPE or LNER, it’s always been the guard or other revenue staff But YMMV.
Avanti/Virgin never used to but not been First Class with them since the introduction of Standard Premium.
I had it years ago: "You know this is First Class?" (the tone of voice was pretty clear). I was dressed like a yob, but had a cheap advance.
There's a legendary story of someone being told to check that a scruff who had boarded at Euston had a first class ticket. They came back and said "yes, Sir Paul McCartney has paid for First Class".
There's a way to do it, something like: "Welcome to First Class, have you reserved a seat or would you like me to find you one?" as an icebreaker.
Falcon1200
Established Member
I don't recall anyone other than the Train Manager checking tickets on Avanti or GWR, whereas on Cross Country and East Midlands it is usually the Host in First Class.
So easy to get right and I don't understand how so many manage to get it wrong. "Hello, may I check your ticket please?" "Thanks, that's a standard class ticket, are you wanting to upgrade to first class?" "No problem, I'll ask the train manager to come and do it for you/No problem, if you could move through to the standard class seats then. Thanks!"
Completely non confrontational, assumes honesty on the part of the customer and simply needs the host to be diligent about checking tickets after each stop which shouldn't be tricky on most TOCs that still offer "serviced" first class.
Completely non confrontational, assumes honesty on the part of the customer and simply needs the host to be diligent about checking tickets after each stop which shouldn't be tricky on most TOCs that still offer "serviced" first class.
Yes, usually very efficiently.
A couple of months back though one host loomed over me and shouted "pass or ticket ?", I replied "what is a pass ?" to which she responded "oh, a ticket then" but didn't ask to see one and offered tea or coffee. Fortunately never encountered her before or since - maybe she wasn't a real host and was just covering that day.
Indeed, I’ve had a few weekend upgrades on GWR recently and all of the staff have been more than welcoming and happy to serve me when I have pointed out my standard class ticket and asked them who can I buy my upgrade from.
What I do find rather strange yesterday was being asked to show some ID by an RPI for a standard Ride Cornwall ticket. A colleague pointed out to him you don’t require ID for that!
XC is the only TOC I have seen that sometimes checks tickets before even letting you board the train through the doors on the first class coach. Doesn't make it feel very welcoming!
Falcon1200
Established Member
I saw just today XC staff advising passengers that they were boarding the First Class coach, but for information; They did not stop them entering.
I have only once been challenged entering First Class, and I was too taken aback to make a suitable reply, such as 'How can you possibly know what ticket I hold without seeing it?'
On Avanti, I tend to see this when leaving the origin (especially Euston), but that’s it. I’ve boarded at Carlisle and been wined and dined without any ticket check all the way to Euston more than once!
whenever I travel in first class I like to dress as scruffily as possible, and also to "accidentally" somehow show some paperwork that has my Dr title on, just to highlight their own subconscious bias...
This certainly happens on the front set of a 10 Car GWR.
I believe GWR operate with a lead host who is trained in checking tickets.
D1537
Established Member
I use LNER first a lot and have never been checked by anyone other than the conductor.
Which is the correct way on LNER.
Only the Train Manager and Revenue Protection check tickets.
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