"Jobsworth denies Heroes travel"

[whole diary]

[JayMac]

As much as i'm not into the whole gung ho patriotism of the forces and quite frankly would become a rememberence protester if I happened to live in Wooton Basset I do think maybe just maybe the forces should get free travel on buses and trains.

After all, they are mentally disabled enough to risk their lived for either (1) the adrenaline rush of battle (2) some sort of bizarre belief the war is anything other than oil control (3) they are actually loyal to the gubbermint.

But really, the way we treat our troops is a bit harsh compared to some countries - it really wouldnt be that much of a dip in the profits to just let em travel for free.

But note:  I would never want to go the way of the US!  I was chastized last year.  My flight to Miami had some service personal in combats on.  By the time the captain had finished announcing their presence and wanted everyone to wish them godspeed, all I could do was mutter "for gods sake pass me the sick bucket".  The person next to me was not impressed.

Despite the two missing t's in Wootton Bassett, FA, I concur wholeheartedly with the sentiments in your post.

Bignosemac, a fellow Conchie.

I'll wear my white feather with pride.

[super tm]

The main point that has been missed is that the warrants should have been exchanged BEFORE boarding the train! I'm not sure if EMT^» (East Midlands Trains - about) guards get commission but west guards on FGW^▸ (First Great Western) are entitled to commission on each Unpaid fare noticed issued.

That's probably why I haven't been issued with one then 

Warrants dont have to be exchanged before boarding the train if the ticket office is closed.  The guards advantix ticket machine can issue tickets with warrants quite easily.  Reminds me of a trip some years ago on the Exmouth line.  The  guard was coming through the train checking tickets and we had them out ready.  Just before he got to us we stopped at Lympstone Commando and about 15 squaddies got on.  When we left guard comes out and gathers up 15 warrants and I said to my mum 'You can put away your ticket now he has more important things to do.'  The guard dissappeared not so be seen again until before Exeter Central when he dished out the tickets.  I did notice he had a large grin on his face 

[Super Guard]

It doesn't happen so much anymore as most of them exchange their warrants before they get on the train, although I had a decent 'haul' of squaddies paying on card/cash to such tropical destinations as Darlington and Leeds the other day... needless to say I had a few "do you not want my ^2.25 senior return to Central?" looks, but then I usually say "what a great job our forces do for us and deserve to be dealt with efficiently..." (translates to: better in my pocket than some XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) TM^▸ (Train Manager, or Ticket Machine, or Temple Meads (Bristol), depending on context) [sorry readytostart]...  )

[readytostart]

It doesn't happen so much anymore as most of them exchange their warrants before they get on the train, although I had a decent 'haul' of squaddies paying on card/cash to such tropical destinations as Darlington and Leeds the other day... needless to say I had a few "do you not want my ^2.25 senior return to Central?" looks, but then I usually say "what a great job our forces do for us and deserve to be dealt with efficiently..." (translates to: better in my pocket than some XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) TM^▸ (Train Manager, or Ticket Machine, or Temple Meads (Bristol), depending on context) [sorry readytostart]...  )

Getting personal now are we! They'd have to go the long way round for me to be selling them a ticket to anywhere, assuming I have summised your location correctly. I hope I have as hitmen arent cheap, even in these times of crunching the credit! I'll put the last comment down to a mutual respect between those who try and do best by the passengers, even if the company don't!
Off on a tangent, is rivalry between FGW^▸ (First Great Western) train managers more MTUal respect than mutual respect? See what I did there!

[Tim]

I'll wear my white feather with pride.

I'm not a pacifist on principle but the current wars that our troops are fighting are something I am deeply ashamed of. 

many soldiers are decent people and whilst I wouldn't agree the Islamofascist Choudry in calling them murders, I do think "Heros" is wide of the mark.