Tork Smart One

So smart it will save you a fortune in toilet tissue costs but leave your customers in a state of poor bodily hygiene...



...and to think people call me mad for carrying an emergency packet of tissues

Only in Trowbridge

Postal Orders can still be purchased uncrossed

You run the risk of a verbal headache when someone is sat in your reserved seat each morning that's for sure...

As much as I want to say it's a good idea. In practice passengers aren't very bright when it comes to the railway. So they won't sit in a seat reserved from Bath Spa - Exeter St Davids if they are travelling from London Paddington - Bath Spa.

Whilst I am generalising there big time. It's predominantly true. I have got called out for sitting in reserved seats when making a journey that is not covered under the reserved label and told "You can't do that" by other passengers. Trying to explain the method is also hard work.

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Sidestepping this issue slightly. A friend of mine had to stand from Westbury - London Paddington (Standard Class Ticket Holder) and wrote an email to FGW^▸ (First Great Western). FGW refunded the ticket but took a ^10 admin fee... What is all that about?

If machine doesn't allow tickets to be collected then you should board the train and advise the conductor what has happened. At best they will allow you to travel to the end / interchange station to collect your tickets.

At worse they will be awkward and may write up an unpaid fares notice and take your details. This can be followed up with the TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company) at a later date as a failed TVM^▸ (Ticket Vending Machine) / Closed Ticket Office is the fault of the railway industry.

If you stray into London Underground stations and are still unable to get your tickets then it gets alot more awkward. From bitter personal experience I would avoid this but nevertheless if you still could not collect your tickets then you still have "the upper hand" so to speak and you should be able to get a UFN^‡(resolve) if you stand your ground. Do expect to be treated like a criminal for 20 minutes though...

This is possibly why I can't get a job in the railway industry...

I would have taken the trainer to task as it was a clear contradiction. I don't agree that he corrected himself at all. He seemed to just add confusion and complication to the task at hand. Whilst we were only shown snippets and sections of footage. The reporter should have asked him to clarify his earlier specific example when he tried to rectify himself. This reminds me of when FGW^▸ (First Great Western) were picking and choosing the rules to suit them when 2 contradicting "rules" collided and they took the option which was more beneficial to them than the passenger.

However I think the example of the return vs single example of Reading - Paddington he listed was a rather damming admission and I find myself asking why such an issue exists. ^2 extra per day could easily be ^40 a month which in turn is ^480 a year........

I also thought Northern's response regarding the ticket machine was poor. This is also an issue I've experienced myself and I've had some good feedback and some not so good feedback when raising the issues.

However it was very impressive that the Northern Ticket Office saved the reporter ^18 on a ticket to Bristol.

I also think the undercover reporting was reasonably accurate based on how FGW are being run at this present time. I also agree there are some excellent staff out there who go above and beyond. But I do have issue with staff / TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company) not following the rules when they need to and the passenger plays by the rules correctly.

Finally the comment from the Transport Focus chap was most intriguing... I am often told by rail staff I know more than they do and that "I am handy to have around when it starts going wrong..."

Welcome Paul

Going to be wearing the Santa suit again this year?

Whilst not on the day in question. The 22:23 TAU - BRI^» (Bristol Temple Meads - next trains) on 20/05/2015 was amended due to the partial cancellation of 1A37 (21:29 TAU - PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains)) 22:23 is booked as a Class 150 so 75mph top speed but runs non stop to BRI.

Despite the additional calls on a special stop order; we lost just 13 minutes. For an additional 6 stations thats an average of 2 minutes 10 seconds per station. So I'm not entirely convinced that removing all the stops was necessary in this particular case. It could well have arrived within 20 minutes of it's scheduled time.

However hindsight is a wonderful thing and I am sure that there was probably a reason this was done, however illogical it seems!

Almost... But not quite.

The Europe - Russia sleeper changes gauge at Brest on the Polish - Belorussian border. Sleeper cars are jacked up one by one and the gauges are changed.


http://www.seat61.com/Russia.htm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2plrM6dOcTQ

Also in Spain, many Alvia and Altaris trains change gauge on route. I know for certain this is true for Madrid - Alicante and Madrid - Murcia having done both routes. Train goes through a metal shed which changes the gauge as the train passes through. This is done at relatively slow speed for a Long Distance InterCity service. But with a station call shortly before/after (depending which direction you travel) the gauge changer it doesn't really impact on time of journey

That doesn't define if it will be for First Class ticket holders only, First Class will be complimentary and open to paying Standard Class passengers or everyone pays?

So I wonder what context the wording first class "Pullman" actually applies to...

On the DLR^▸ (Docklands Light Railway) Platforms so I'm guessing it's LU... All the signage is in LU Blue anyway


Even a 30 minute delay can be an issue. Board a train without a ticket as you couldn't get one but do have the means to pay and an immensely full bladder. What should you do?

Purchase your ticket and then go to the toilet? After all you have to purchase your ticket at the earliest opportunity

Or do you make a bid for the toilet, then go and buy your ticket and risk the possiblity of awkward questions as to why you "hid" in the loo...?

Sorry, I've been busy the last few days so haven't had the opportunity to come back to this till now.

I quoted The Independent as I didn't want to use the Daily Mail article or the Fox News ones I found on the issue.

I've read a few news articles about this story and it seems the parent is partially at fault. But nevertheless I think the Pilot seriously overreacted in this case. Whether this was miscommunication or just an "Oh great I have a kid on my plane making threats I'm not in the mood for this..." probably influenced the flight crews decision.

When quoting the article I tried to be impartial and made clear that I was basing my original comments on face value of the information available at the time. Of course me having ASD would lead to me reading the article in poor taste...

Dr Beegle is quoted in some articles as saying that she had taken snacks / food with her for her daughter but these were refused. This leads me to speculate that her Daughter was severely distorted from her usual routine of a hot meal at a certain time. This could cause any person with ASD some serious anxiety and "freakout" issues. ASD sufferers DO NOT handle change in routine at all well.

Whether this was an oversight by the parent, or they were at the airport and the cafes/restaurants weren't serving hot food etc we don't know. The Hot Meal was offered to be paid for and I think had the airline staff have accepted that and been provided the meal then none of this would have happened.

From other articles it's suggested they've flown before and not had problems. So I think this is just one of those moments of when all involved got it seriously wrong. So I think a certain element of blame lies with all involved.

What I do know is that Special Assistance is provided at Airports and through my own experience it's either very good or atrocious... Cannot fault Ryanair when I've booked it with them, I've always received the special assistance. So I am also left wondering that maybe arrangements were made which failed to get to the right people.

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Now for my personal belief. I think the parent is right to highlight the issues of ignorance to Autism. I have ASD and Schizophrenia, IBD and Continence issues... Now I have never declared Schizophrenia to airline staff because I know for absolute fact that it would raise concerns the moment I got near the aircraft. Some airlines actually require safety to fly for certain mental health conditions. So I adopt the don't ask, don't tell policy.

With this in mind if I received poor treatment from Airline Staff because I had an episode and hadn't disclosed the correct information beforehand, I wouldn't exactly go running to the press about it. That being said, I would absolutely do so if the correct declarations were made, I was deemed fit to fly by my GP and had made notice to the airline of my requirements.

This leads me back to an EasyJet experience where I had given EasyJet 2 weeks notice that I required an Aisle seat so I could gain quick and easy access to the toilet. This was to be at the front or the back of the plane. This was accepted, confirmed possible and that they would "look forward to seeing me"

Arrive at the airport and made myself aware to the Special Assistance team who indeed already had the paperwork from my phonecall with EasyJet. When we actually came to get on the plane (I hate flying remember) I started to get a bit agitated as I would do. The Pilot decided that I must sit in the Window seat. The Special Assistance team and myself protested that I had been told I could have an Aisle seat. The Pilot to cut a long argument short basically said "My Aircraft, My Rules, don't like it, don't fly on it or suck it up and deal with it"

Needless to say this seriously got my back up so I said that I had given reasonable notice to my requirements as of 2 weeks prior and told it would be fine so why was it now a problem. Playing Devils advocate I think he wanted me in the Window Seat so that if there was an emergency I wasn't going to be getting in others' way... Very distasteful... But probably bang on with the truth

This then caused the Senior Cabin Stewardess to intervene, Pilot has spoken so please take your seat. This was a rough version of the conversation:

Me: "No, Aisle seat or I don't fly, those are the choices"
Pilot: "You'll delay the flight even more sir, so please take a seat" - He then goes into the Cockpit
Me: "Then I'll be getting off, I am NOT sitting in that Window Seat"
Stewardess: "So you're really going to delay more than 100 people whilst we offload your bags etc"
Me: "Yes, absolutely. I made more than reasonable notification which you are now refusing to honor, so their delay is not my problem. Like your pilot said, suck it up </smug tone>"

Exactly this same incident happened a year later on a Ryanair Flight... However the Pilot said I could have the Aisle Seat provided that noone was sat next to me. This caused upset with fellow passengers who wanted to sit together. But as reasonable notice was given he upheld my request, The Crew were in a rather difficult position as the Pilot wanted me to be able to fly in as less an anxious state as possible. But it was all sorted and everyone was happy and the flight went without incident.

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Having digressed slightly there. I am trying to explain (badly) that I think United Airlines overreacted to the whole incident. That is opinion that may change if it becomes clear at a later date that there was indeed much more to the story than there is now.

Everyone saying "Parent is at fault yada yada yada" doesn't really solve anything. Whilst I don't want to start a serious flame war. I often find these comments come from those who have little to no knowledge of care for someone with a Disability or blind ignorance to that disability. This is not always the case. But from my experience that is mostly true.

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Much like has been said here regarding persons' with disabilities. I would like to lead as reasonable and normal a life as I possibly can and integrate with society / he community. However I am aware of the significant disadvantages I have and I know what / where my limits are. People get irate with me for going to the toilet often. On a good day the number is higher than average, but tolerable. But do people honestly belief I want to be visiting toilets upwards of 20 - 30 times a day? Of course I don't! But sometimes I really don't have a choice. So comments like "You should have gone before we left" I find depressing. So I tend to respond "Well I did, that was 20 minutes ago, this is now" - some people really can't take the hint can they...?

I have every sympathy for the teenager in this story. I recall my upbringing as a teenager and if any of that is a close resemblance to her, then I really do feel for her and hope she doesn't get tormented for this. I cannot condemn someone who reacted to a situation in a way they couldn't control... Throw me in a small room with many people and watch what happens!

Sadly, most with ASD are some of the nicest and most intelligent people out there. But often very misunderstood and dismissed as awkward/rude/annoying.

Woah, didn't expect this to go off like it has. I really need to leave those cans of worms alone

I am in partial agreement regarding the water. However I overheard most of the conversation and the TM^‡(resolve) had received multiple complaints from passengers regarding the child in question, who was visibly and very clearly distressed. Autism and/or a mental health condition was quite obvious. So in a sense I really cannot condemn the child. Having both ASD and Mental Health Conditions it would be hypocritical for me to do so.

I think the TMs lack of help was rather draconian as it was clear he had the power to do something and merely wanted to give the carer/parent a serious b*ll*cking for "noise" complaints. I was sat in the composite carriage and although the child was being noisy, they were by far nowhere near as loud as a screaming baby for hours on end.

Of course hindsight is an absolutely wonderful thing... But we are all human and we all find ourselves in situations that are less than ideal. It's all very well and good a third party saying "You should have done this" "You are at fault for that" - But it doesn't actually help the persons involved. We all make mistakes and provided we learn from them we should move on and put it down to experience.

That being said, even the most well thought through plans can go pear-shaped on you. I have backup plans for long distance travel usually. However to plan for 3 trains breaking down and a Signal Failure on the same day? Seems a little over the top right?

I've experienced just that... And it took me FOREVER to get to Newcastle - My colleagues had driven nearly 150 miles in a minibus; in that same amount of time I was still in Newcastle First Class Lounge watching trains getting later/cancelled left right and centre!

From the Independent - http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/autistic-teen-removed-from-plane-by-uncomfortable-pilot-10239739.html

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I've shared this article as I think it's worthy of discussion and shows what some, like myself, with Autistic Spectrum Disorders can encounter. Anything from clear discrimination and sheer ignorance to some of the best and exemplary customer service transport providers can offer.

I am sure there is alot more to this story than meets the eye. So my comments are going to be based on the article at face value

A known factor of autism is that one cannot express or explain themselves. A read of some of my own posts on this very forum shows I struggle to explain things and it takes me a good 3 or 4 posts to finally get my point across in a way they're understood.

The parent offered to pay for the meal. But the onboard crew decided to refuse and it resorted to what the Pilot deemed as a threat... The parent saying the girl may scratch someone...

Now from the pictures it is clear the girl was sat in the Window Seat. So the only person who would have got scratched are her parents - who would know how to handle the situation and what to do.

My personal belief is the mother asked for the meal to prevent known behavior which would not occur once the girl had eaten. That is not a threat - It is purely an explanation of what will happen if action is not taken.

Let me put that into context. 5 Years ago I took a Ryanair Flight to Madrid. There was terrible turbulence and the seat belt signs were on for the whole the journey. Eventually I needed the toilet so I asked the Stewardess if I could use the toilets. With an hour left to fly, I made it undoubtedly clear that waiting till Madrid wasn't going to happen. She had a word with the Pilot and she came back to me and said and I quote:

"Toilets all yours, but you hurt or damage yourself or someone else, it's on you, caphice?"

Common sense prevailed on that one... I have no doubts that Ryanair have a soiling charge

Ultimately I think landing the plane and announcing it as a passenger with behavior issues is the pilot being a bully. It's clear from the reports that passengers had no concern.

I actually think someone with a fear of flying is a greater risk of doing something stupid than the girl here. But as I said earlier, only one side of the story.

Hand on heart I say this, If I was travelling in the First Class cabin and for 1 moment thought this was going on... I would willingly forfeit my meal for them. As a hypothetical First Class passenger I would expect the cabin crew to honor that request as well.

Having seen a TM^‡(resolve) on East Midlands Trains refuse a parent/carer a bottle of water, (which she offered to pay for) as she couldn't leave her seat because of the high support needing child she was with. Whilst I was in the Buffet I asked for a complimentary bottle of water which was given without fuss. As I walked back to First Class I put the bottle of water on the table as I passed and just kept walking.

Some say it was wrong for me to do that. Some agree they would have done the same. I saw it as a good dead of the day, It was clear the lady was having issues with her supportee... So it just seemed the right thing to do

All in all I think this is indeed fear and misunderstanding with Autism. Common sense should have come into play here. I wonder how the airline would have reacted to a request to pay to upgrade to First Class.........

I guess I'll bite then

There also the toilets in the First Class Lounge if you are travelling First Class or Weekend First inbound only; as you can't buy Weekend First before departing!

A small handful of London Underground stations have toilets that I know of. Newbury Park, Earls Court and Stratford being some examples.

Whether they are open, working and/or clean is quite another story!

That's not to mention the staff who treat going from Train side of the gateline to ticket hall side as a break of journey. When if the toilets are in the station that is not the case.

London Underground are half way there by providing a map showing which stations have toilets. However I have found through bitter personal experience that 3-4 of every 10 visits results in success. That's before then having to strongly argue my case to get back to train side of the gateline. Of which I sadly have had limited success...