London North Eastern Railway (LNER) First Class service

[All Line Rover]

The EC Lounge Pass seems to be rather too well used. Presenting my Anytime ticket the other day at Kings Cross, the staff member gave a sight of relief after saying the vast majority that afternoon had been presenting Lounge tickets which they weren't too happy about!

The fact that it is rather too easy to, erm... well, how do I put this - change the date in an e-mail - might not help with the amount of people using those passes. There seems to be no way to verify that each pass is legit. There's a "unique" number on each e-mail, but has anyone ever had these checked? East Coast should print out the pass using ToD.

Another problem is that because each new "East Coast Rewards" account gives 100 free points, and each pass uses only 50 points, people can have a perpetual cycle of free passes (and Wi-Fi if they so wish). East Coast should either raise the amount of points needed for the pass to at least 101, or lower the amount of free points given with each new account to no more than 49.

At the end of the day, East Coast should give First AP tickets holders free access to the lounges. There's no need for a "First Class lounge pass," which anyone can use - including those travelling with another TOC (First Capital Connect springs to mind ) or even those who aren't actually taking a train!
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And let's not forget the people with the lounge pass must have spent at least £50 with their company.

Not necessarily. ^^^

 

[142094]

On a service where complimentary refreshments were given out I'd feel quite aggrieved if I'd asked for another and were refused (apart from where stock has obviously run out). I'd also expect there to be a good reason - explaining a silly non-existant rule about one drink per pass doesn't wash particularly well with me.

 

[Jeremy B]

How is it for them to be unhappy or happy about it? They're just there to do a job. And let's not forget the people with the lounge pass must have spent at least £50 with their company.

Given the attitude of some of the passengers they have to deal with I'm not surprised if some of it rubs off onto the staff. On my trip last week I had the misfortune to be reserved across the table from one such person who had issues with the word 'or' in the menu card & why it should apply to him. He had one of these £25 promotion tickets but advised me against buying one as they didnt offer good value :roll:

 

[142094]

Given the attitude of some of the passengers they have to deal with I'm not surprised if some of it rubs off onto the staff.

No doubt there are some 'difficult' passengers but it should never rub off onto staff. Highly unproffessional and shows the company in a bad light. May also make it easier for others to complain about bad service.

 

[marks87]

Currently on the 10.00 ex-KGX-DEE and the tea/coffee run came round 4 times before York, and the food trolley twice. Not bad for a weekend service.

WiFi isn't working though and we're currently 27 down because one of the power cars has gone phut.

 

[Blindtraveler]

youl get caped at EDB

 

[marks87]

Yep, you're right.

Apparently buses are being laid on, but since my journey was at short-notice I've ended up with an Any Permitted ticket (and a horribly lighter wallet) so I'll jump on the 15.15 to Dundee. It's a Fife stopper, but still preferable to a bus.

Hopefully it'll have FC and I can use my Advance card to upgrade free of charge. Not so much for catering (timetable says there ain't none) but for a better seat. Anyway, off-topic now..

 

[Blindtraveler]

again off topick but thats often a 158 and if its a 170 the FC is declassified. However the bus wil beat it by a good 40 minutes

 

[marks87]

again off topick but thats often a 158 and if its a 170 the FC is declassified. However the bus wil beat it by a good 40 minutes

Meh, if it's a 158 I'll still be happy.

I don't mind if it's slower than the bus: I'm very much a train person and I'm prepared to have a longer journey in order to use one (within reason - I wouldn't get the train from Mallaig to Kyle of Lochalsh for instance!). Although I'd be surprised if it's 40 minutes - remember it'll take the A92 and not the M90, so it can serve Kirkcaldy and Leuchars.

Anyway...to update on the catering, there was an announcement saying that people joining at Newcastle can have sandwiches, while everyone else is down to just snacks.

 

[Blindtraveler]

are so the menue has failed also!

 

[Butts]

My biggest criticism is levelled at the Breakfast for the following reasons.

1. No Black Pudding

2. Toast "tightness" - not it's consistency but the lack of it (two slices should automatically be offered) with it's arrival at roughly the same time as the breakfast - not long before or after

3. Cereal (Little Kelloggs Boxes) should also be offered.

4. Each person should get a pot of tea or coffee

Cost less than £5ph - an Anytime Single from Edinburgh to London over £200

 

[DaveNewcastle]

. . . an Anytime Single from Edinburgh to London over £200

Correct. Its £201:50
But to be clear, we are specifically (and consistently with the thread's title) referring to 1st Class. That'll be £403 if you want to get home again.

 

[Butts]

Correct. Its £201:50
But to be clear, we are specifically (and consistently with the thread's title) referring to 1st Class. That'll be £403 if you want to get home again.

Correct - thats got to be worth steak and frites on the way back surely

Seriously do contributors feel our combined outpourings are actually going to make East coast sit up and take notice - or are the changes here to stay?

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Seriously do contributors feel our combined outpourings are actually going to make East coast sit up and take notice - or are the changes here to stay?

I highly, highly doubt EC would ever go back on such a bold and major change.

 

[Blindtraveler]

but stranger thing have happened

 

[Bungle73]

4. Each person should get a pot of tea or coffee

A pot each? Where are they supposed to keep all these pots? What's wrong with just coming around now and again with a big jug of tea/coffee like they do atm?

 

[markydh]

Let's just see who wins the new franchise...

 

[Butts]

A pot each? Where are they supposed to keep all these pots? What's wrong with just coming around now and again with a big jug of tea/coffee like they do atm?

Now and then being the appropriate expression - it's nice to have your coffee with your meal.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Now and then being the appropriate expression - it's nice to have your coffee with your meal.

agreed, it must be quite a challenge co-ordinate things on this service, I dont envy them. Breakfast is the service iv experienced least and when I have iv never had issues but again it seams to vairy

 

[Nym]

Do you get an actual breakfast that would be called one in the stations it serves towards the north of it's route though?

 

[Blindtraveler]

Let's just see who wins the new franchise...

its my understanding that whoever gets it must offer some kind of complimentary service over and above tea/coffee etc.

If Virgin Rail Group get it Im sure an almost identical service to what WC is offering will be introduced. If the lucky winner is First then this MAY be good news for lovers of something more than a baked spud as It wouldnt surprise me if the complimentary was scaled back to sandwitches and the traveling sheff consept and maybe a Restaurant on some runs was introduced.

If ArivaB get there mits on it it could go 2 ways - we could see the qualitty of WSMR, or the buffets, kitchens and catering staff could vanish in favour of a badly stocked trolley and for FC pax theyl just turn up the air con and say there supplying complimentary fresh air, something you dont get on a voyager!

 

[calc7]

complimentary fresh air, something you dont get on a voyager!

love it

 

[Blindtraveler]

Do you get an actual breakfast that would be called one in the stations it serves towards the north of it's route though?

if you mean a heaped platefull with 2 of everything with plenty beens and a few niceities e.g. Black pudding, no, but hay, its free, so we apparently shouldnt moan!

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love it

thankyou Sir!
They could, for veriety add a few bad smells to the fresh air!

 

[Nym]

Yeah... but for the extra I'm paying I could buy a comfy camping chair, sit in the wheelchair space, and employ someone to feed me grapes for the full length of the journey...

 

[Blindtraveler]

or if your going to spend the dosh anyway, fly and whilst wating go knock back a large breakfast with a large tee at the airport spoons for around £6!

 

[Bridge189]

its my understanding that whoever gets it must offer some kind of complimentary service over and above tea/coffee etc.

If Virgin Rail Group get it Im sure an almost identical service to what WC is offering will be introduced. If the lucky winner is First then this MAY be good news for lovers of something more than a baked spud as It wouldnt surprise me if the complimentary was scaled back to sandwitches and the traveling sheff consept and maybe a Restaurant on some runs was introduced.

If ArivaB get there mits on it it could go 2 ways - we could see the qualitty of WSMR, or the buffets, kitchens and catering staff could vanish in favour of a badly stocked trolley and for FC pax theyl just turn up the air con and say there supplying complimentary fresh air, something you dont get on a voyager!

Yes if rumours are to be believed the silver east coast look and branding is here to stay along with the current catering offer.

 

[marks87]

The tea and coffee run yesterday happened so often that by York, one of the crew members had remembered that I wasn't taking milk in my tea.

I've experienced the weekend offering twice and have to say, I think the service was pretty good. The real reason for that is probably because FC is lighter-loaded at the weekend, although the cynical side of me wonders if they make it better to try and convince the WF people to travel first class the rest of the week

I didn't have any of the food yesterday (related to why my trip was short-notice, if you catch my drift), but one of the sandwiches being offered intrigued me - "New York Deli". I may be wrong, but I thought that was a style of sandwich, and not an actual filling?

 

[Blindtraveler]

agreed. Anybody had one and is it nice?

 

[calc7]

Two experiences in Virgin FC today (long story).
On both occasions, perfect service of evening meal and dessert. Requests for drinks were taken whether or not the trolley was passing. When it did, a wine and a whisky+coke was happily served.
This is "spoiling you in First Class" - as much or as little as one wants (within reason). Not three cold drinks and a couple of sandwiches on a 5 1/2 hr Anglo-Scottish journey

 

[amcluesent]

Anybody had one and is it nice

Yep, all last week...salt beef and gherkin(?) I think. 7/10.