Virgin on the Ridiculous 1st Class

[Butts]

Warning the "tight wad" EC approach to catering may be spreading to Virgin Trains.

On Friday I took a Virgin Service from Glasgow to Preston.

When the drinks trolley came around I asked for a Cider and Whisky Chaser - only to be informed that "It is only one alcoholic drink per run from the trolley"

This is the first time those words have ever been uttered to me on a Virgin Service - Pendelino or Voyager in countless trips between Scotland and England.

Perhaps it was a "one off" and I am going to write to virgin to complain about it.

 

[Pauljsgreen]

It wasn't a one off! I just experienced it half an hour ago on the 1240 Glasgow to euston. Exact same sentence followed by a whispered "cutbacks".


Paul

 

[jon0844]

Another example of competition in action. If EC has cut the service and lowered expectations, other companies can lower their service too.

Why is it that this so often happens? Instead of someone cutting the service and the competition saying 'Come to us - we still give you X, Y or Z!'... (no need to answer that question!).

 

[Yew]

Maybe virgin are trying to lower the standard of first class service, so in their tender for the next fanchise, they can say they will bring it back. If theu did it stealthily like this (instead of announcing the offer as new and improved like EC) they might be able to slip it past competing TOC's

 

[Butts]

I had a response back saying this sometimes happens if they are running out of stock in order that everyone can have a drink. This is balderdash as a lot of passengers don't have any alcoholic drinks.

This together with the fact the attendant stated "it was one drink per trolley service" rather shoots that out the water - no mention of stocks. Also they did another run and I got the whisky eventually.

I responded asking them to check the circumstances with the attendant who was on duty and not generalise. I am attempting to weed out the fact there is no "1 drink per run" rule which I will carry with me on further journeys.

The BIG question or elephant in the room on both this and the EC thread is how the alcoholic stock is accounted for bearing in mind the amount issued will be dependent upon customer demand. Until this is answered I don't believe we will get to the bottom of the matter.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Maybe there was a botched stock order, or they hadn't received any / as much alcohol as per usual, and the CSA was using a different, yet in a sense truthful, excuse for passengers...

 

[Tim R-T-C]

Maybe there was a botched stock order, or they hadn't received any / as much alcohol as per usual, and the CSA was using a different, yet in a sense truthful, excuse for passengers...

Wouldn't explain the comments in the second post then.

Simply another chance to cut costs I presume. Just ask for lots of non-alcoholic drinks to make up for it.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Wouldn't explain the comments in the second post then.

Simply another chance to cut costs I presume. Just ask for lots of non-alcoholic drinks to make up for it.

Did they have to mention stock though. Surely just saying one drink only implies lack of stock without it having to be said.

 

[Tim R-T-C]

Did they have to mention stock though. Surely just saying one drink only implies lack of stock without it having to be said.

See comment below:

It wasn't a one off! I just experienced it half an hour ago on the 1240 Glasgow to euston. Exact same sentence followed by a whispered "cutbacks".

Seems unlikely that two trains would have the same problem with the staff giving the same phrase and neither mentioning stock issues.

 

[bengolding]

Over the space of a few weeks, I've travelled on two Pendolinos which had Scotish-based crews on. On both occasions, I was also told "only one alcoholic drink per trolley run".

Never had this problem before on the London/West Midlands-based crews before who are only too happy to oblige.

Talking about Virgin First Class, aside from teh two Light Bites sandwiches, they also have a salad/quiche box which I find is often never advertised unless you specifically ask for it. What's that all about? And why in the run up to Christmas did they not have any Turkey sandwiches? The Mulled Ham was disgusting!

 

[12CSVT]

Maybe the reason for the 'one alcoholic drink' rule was that they didn't want any p!*$heads causing havoc on the train.

 

[neilmc]

My son seems an expert in getting First Class Virgin advance tickets for less than the cost of Standard.

The last journey he had before Christmas was almost empty and they had a bottle of wine which had just been opened and needed "using up". He obliged.

 

[Butts]

I can't find the original thread but I complained to Virgin back in December about only being offered one drink on a Glasgow-Preston Service in December (I asked for a chaser to go with a Cider and was refused)

The letter contained the following "I can confirm there is no policy stating that only one alcoholic drink should be served on each trolley ride"

They fobbed me off on the first letter but I persevered and today received a Rail Travel Voucher for £15

I shall be carrying this letter with me on all future "Virgin Journeys" - just in case

 

[calc7]

I can't find the original thread but I complained to Virgin back in December about only being offered one drink on a Glasgow-Preston Service in December (I asked for a chaser to go with a Cider and was refused)

The letter contained the following "I can confirm there is no policy stating that only one alcoholic drink should be served on each trolley ride"

They fobbed me off on the first letter but I persevered and today received a Rail Travel Voucher for £15

I shall be carrying this letter with me on all future "Virgin Journeys" - just in case

That's great news - thanks for the update.
I refuse to travel on EC on anything but dirt cheap First Advances, as I resent being treated like a greedy incovenience for expecting more than 3 drinks on an Edinburgh - London 5-hour journey.
It is good news, therefore, that I will be able to continue to furnish Virgin with my custom.

 

[kylemore]

I wonder if they have the same policy on Virgin Atlantic in the First Class cabin?!
Also if you're Scottish you can put the "frighteners" on them by complaining of racial and cultural discrimination as a traditional "Hauf n' a Hauf" (a Half and a Half) usually a half pint of "Light" ale and a measure of Whisky is a traditional alchoholic refreshment, particularly in the west, my Dad would never have anything else.
Threaten them with the Daily Record or even better the Sunday Post and they'll soon see the error of their ways!

 

[Butts]

That's great news - thanks for the update.
I refuse to travel on EC on anything but dirt cheap First Advances, as I resent being treated like a greedy incovenience for expecting more than 3 drinks on an Edinburgh - London 5-hour journey.
It is good news, therefore, that I will be able to continue to furnish Virgin with my custom.

I concur with your "cheapskate outlook" - the same maxim with me would apply to Virgin Fares as well as East Coast - the cheaper the better