Platform Acrobats

[O L Leigh]

Is it just me, or have any other drivers noticed a marked increase in the number of (ahem) "comedians" hanging around on station platforms over the past couple of weeks?

You can spot them quite easily as they usually gather in groups of about three, one of whom will walk over towards the platform edge as a train approaches and perform some variation on the comedy prat-fall to the great amusement of his compatriots (though it isn't an exclusively male passtime). I've seen so many of them over this period (easily averaging three per day) that the comedy value has long since worn off, but it has left me wondering which asylum was left unlocked overnight.

They don't even merit a blast on the horn as I think that it rewards their behaviour. A reaction from the driver is what they want. What does leave me a little worried is that I might miss the genuine jumper and fail to take any action until way too late.

O L Leigh

 

[Respite]

Yeah mate, we have them too. Along with a lot of legs over the platform edge danglers. The pretend to fall hilarious people are just idiot's, winds me up big time to the point I want to stop the train & give them some grief.

 

[TDK]

Is it just me, or have any other drivers noticed a marked increase in the number of (ahem) "comedians" hanging around on station platforms over the past couple of weeks?

You can spot them quite easily as they usually gather in groups of about three, one of whom will walk over towards the platform edge as a train approaches and perform some variation on the comedy prat-fall to the great amusement of his compatriots (though it isn't an exclusively male passtime). I've seen so many of them over this period (easily averaging three per day) that the comedy value has long since worn off, but it has left me wondering which asylum was left unlocked overnight.

They don't even merit a blast on the horn as I think that it rewards their behaviour. A reaction from the driver is what they want. What does leave me a little worried is that I might miss the genuine jumper and fail to take any action until way too late.

O L Leigh

I think the despatch staff at Shrewsbury need rebriefing:grin:

 

[O L Leigh]

If I actually thought that the BTP could get themselves out to the various locations quickly enough to deal with the miscreants, I might be tempted to call some of these in as potential suicides. I would imagine that they would be as unimpressed as I am when they say "Nah mate, I was only muckin abaht" and actually be able to do something about them as a result.

O L Leigh

 

[Metroland]

Sounds like a lot of dumb sheep, influenced by a certain film Bah!

And the media doesn't influence people ha ha ha! Dare them to scrap their advertising budgets as well.

 

[The 158 Man]

They don't even merit a blast on the horn as I think that it rewards their behaviour. A reaction from the driver is what they want.

I agree a short blast is what they want (i.e a reaction from you).

You should just hold the high note on until it ****es them off! (and probably everyone else in the vercinity)!

 

[O L Leigh]

No, mate. Don't give them so much as a flicker of recognition for their idiocy. I'll give them a toot if I consider that they are endangering themselves, but I do that anyway when people wander along the very edge of the platform oblivious to my approach.

Quite honestly they'd be doing me a favour. It's not everyday that you get the chance to claim £1000 and have as much time off as you could ever want. These numpties are just potential Darwin Award winners.

O L Leigh

 

[466.networkers]

I've seen it happen a few times, most recently at Kemsley station, a man sat on the edge of the platform, legs dangling, along comes a 466, long blast of the high horn, the guy nearly jumps onto 3rd rail!

 

[driver9000]

I thought it was just me who had seen this new fad! Even other drivers at my depot seemed to not know what I was talking about!

One day they will make the mistake and do it in front of a non-stopper or fall off the edge...

 

[Phoenix]

One day they will make the mistake and do it in front of a non-stopper or fall off the edge...

So let them, I mean I feel for the driver's who have to take this cr*p but if someone want's to be an idiot if anything go faster than normal.

Action's lead to consequences and people need to learn that the hard way.

 

[dave12435]

one long blast make em jump enough to scare them enough into not doing it again