FGW 1st Class - ongoing discussion of the benefits and their apparent reduction

[whole diary]

[johoare]

I can't remember exactly but I had two weeklies leading up to Christmas so it would have been about the 7th December I imagine.. I always thought you had to renew within two weeks to get any sort of discounts? I didn't ask but I think the guy checked when I had my last ticket before selling me my new one.. It looks as if I just missed out though.. Oh well..

[NickB]

Incidentally when I looked at prices on line to day they are still offering First Class East bound only on annual season tickets so they obviously think there will still be enough First Class seats each morning for the next year

Full and standing in 1st on the 7.08 today. No ticket check carried out.
Happy new year.

[thetrout]

On the train this morning I took a seat in First Class. TM^‡(resolve) saw me get on and came down to move me. Yes, move, before even asking to see my ticket.

TM: "This is First Class sir, could you move down the train please?"
Me: "Why?"
TM: "Because this is First Class, you need to hold a First Class ticket to sit here." (TM Gestures down the train)
Me: "I know, I have a First Class Season thanks... So I have taken my seat correctly"
TM: "Yeah yeah, they all say that..."
*Gets season ticket out*
Me: "Yes, they do... But at least I can support that claim"

TM Storms off. No Apology. No anything. Just stormed off. Someone is having a bad 2015 then

Happy new year.

My sentiments exactly... I need to lose the hoodie


In all seriousness, happy new year. As I have yet to say this on the forum

[ChrisB]

I would have made a note of the name on their badge & complained....sorry, but hoody-ism is unacceptable

[johoare]

My first day without First Class was no better than with it in terms of delays..on the plus side I had a seat or two for nearly half of my journey before it got no better than the fast trains.. on the minus side I got to work half hour late.. Not a happy new year travel wise..

[Chris from Nailsea]

TM^‡(resolve) Storms off. No Apology. No anything. Just stormed off. Someone is having a bad 2015 then

... I need to lose the hoodie

I would have made a note of the name on their badge & complained....sorry, but hoody-ism is unacceptable

As you will have details of the specific train service involved, thetrout, I suggest that you do send in a formal complaint to the train operating company. They will be able to identify their own Train Manager. 

[JayMac]

My first trip this morning in a refurbished 'GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway)' 1st Class carriage. I'm on the 0716 Bristol TM^‡(resolve) - Swansea. I'm impressed. The WiFi is giving me 13Mbps which is excellent, although only two of us in the carriage and the other person may not be using it.

I think the yield management on this service could do wirh looking at though. Standard Class is healthily loaded but there are just two of us in the two full 1st Class carriages.

[SandTEngineer]

Dont you think the lighting is a bit dim now compared with before.  Perhaps FGW^▸ (First Great Western) are trying to pacify us into not noticing that the train is delayed by 30 minutes again 

[JayMac]

I like the subdued lighting. Much better than the star going supernova brightness in Standard!

[Oxonhutch]

The overall d^cor is somewhat darker too.  I suspect it is deliberate mood lighting - encouraging people to speak softly into their mobiles rather than barking orders, shouting, arguing and - if you are in HR^▸ (Human Resources) - discussing the hiring and vetting processes of various, not so anonymous employees. 

Really HR guys, if you appreciated that everyone in your carriage can overhear your conversation, and often that of the replier, you would be somewhat more discreet - and considerate to the rest of us. God, I miss my quiet coach!

[JayMac]

Sometimes I enjoy eavesdropping. Especially when it's  FGW^▸ (First Great Western) staff discussing their lot. You can learn a lot. A respect for their privacy, even if they are being a little indiscreet, prevents me posting what I just overheard...

[chrisr_75]

Sometimes I enjoy eavesdropping. Especially when it's  FGW^▸ (First Great Western) staff discussing their lot. You can learn a lot. A respect for their privacy, even if they are being a little indiscreet, prevents me posting what I just overheard...

Indeed, I have overheard assorted discussions myself. It is also possible to gather interesting snippets by engaging the buffet staff and/or train manager in friendly conversation on a quiet late evening service, especially if they recognise you as a regular (which I am no more)...!

[chrisr_75]

Dont you think the lighting is a bit dim now compared with before.  Perhaps FGW^▸ (First Great Western) are trying to pacify us into not noticing that the train is delayed by 30 minutes again 

On the subject of lighting, has anyone noticed if they have retained those ghastly mirror-like coated windows that are virtually impossible to see out of at night?

[IndustryInsider]

Is that the anti graffiti plastic laminate?

[chrisr_75]

Is that the anti graffiti plastic laminate?

Ah, that could be the culprit. The anti-graffiti coating used on Underground, where I know it is widely used, seems to be much less reflective at night, which is why I'd assumed the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) stuff was some sort of reflective coating or fancy glass that someone thought would be sensible, rather just graffiti proof. Either way, at night it pretty much turns each window into a mirror and I don't much like not being able to see out!