Standard or First Class Travel to client site

[original PM]

Oi! We travel first class to avoid the likes of you.

evidently not all of them!

[kal]

how does the extra £400 per month compare to your day rate?
Would you do anything useful on the train or will you just be sat in first class picking your nose and watching Game of Thrones?

£400 is less than my day rate. To be honest if I had a table to myself I probably would do a bit more work related stuff (self learning and admin mainly), half the problem in standard is that the few table seats are always full/reserved and trying to use a laptop on those little fold down mini-tables behind the normal seats is more trouble than its worth...

[Old Hack]

£400 is less than my day rate. To be honest if I had a table to myself I probably would do a bit more work related stuff (self learning and admin mainly), half the problem in standard is that the few table seats are always full/reserved and trying to use a laptop on those little fold down mini-tables behind the normal seats is more trouble than its worth...

One thing I found out, the hard way, the other day, was ex BR people. Apparently, they have tickets which allow them to sit in first class all the time. One was sat in my pre-booked table seat and refused to move. Even the ticket collector wouldn't move him. He did eventually...

[TheFaQQer]

Morning

Was wondering if any of you who do a daily commute by train elect to travel first class rather than cattle (standard). At the moment I travel on Virgin between Birmingham International and Watford/Euston on a daily basis. Its costs me approx £1070 a month on standard class. I was thinking of maybe upgrading to first class, a months travel is £1490, roughly £100 a week more. It does mean that I get to avoid the huddled masses (some of those trains are full to bursting, especially in the evening), free wifi and I hear that they serve breakfast and dinner/drinks as well (which may offset the extra £££).

Any of you do this? Is it worth the extra money for a more pleasant journey. Are the food/drinks on offer of a good standard or is it similar to the ropy buffet car subsistence on offer in standard?

Breakfast on that train (IIRC) is a microwaved bacon roll and a cup of tea. I used to go Preston to Reading, changing at Stafford.

Preston to Stafford, it's the London train, so you get proper food. I had enough time to get my smoked salmon and scrambled eggs in, before changing trains. Then I'd grab a bacon sarnie after Birmingham to keep me going.

Voodooflux would have been proud of me.

[NotAllThere]

One thing I found out, the hard way, the other day, was ex BR people. Apparently, they have tickets which allow them to sit in first class all the time. One was sat in my pre-booked table seat and refused to move. Even the ticket collector wouldn't move him. He did eventually...

So, hypothetically, what should you do to get the result?

I'd always travel first class for work. The saving of standard isn't worth it. One time I was flying to Birmingham, then getting the train to Leamington Spa. Second class was £2.20. First class £4.50. So, £2.30 got me a seat, somewhere to put my luggage, a bacon sarnie, a cup of coffee and a copy of the Times.

[Old Hack]

So, hypothetically, what should you do to get the result?

I'd always travel first class for work. The saving of standard isn't worth it. One time I was flying to Birmingham, then getting the train to Leamington Spa. Second class was £2.20. First class £4.50. So, £2.30 got me a seat, somewhere to put my luggage, a bacon sarnie, a cup of coffee and a copy of the Times.

I just stood their talking him out of the seat; I had work to do, couldn't he take another seat, this one I had specifically booked. He was mid 60's, and looked ot be the obstinate type, so I knew arguing with him wouldn't be the go, so thought I'd plead my case. It worked, but I was getting to the position of dragging him out, but that would have done neither of us any good.

I agree about 1st class travel. I like mroe space, less noise. Although the dining car can get rowdy at time

[KentPhilip]

I just stood their talking him out of the seat

Did the seat have a ticket on it denoting that it was reserved?

[Old Hack]

Did the seat have a ticket on it denoting that it was reserved?

Yup

[BoredBloke]

I've got free weekend travel on Virgin in first until nov 2014. I quite like it, mainly because it costs £0

[TheFaQQer]

I've got free weekend travel on Virgin in first until nov 2014. I quite like it, mainly because it costs £0

When I had that, I still found it difficult to get a ticket on the trains I needed. Managed to get quite a few one ways, but very rarely the return leg.

My first class train next week is cheaper than standard class, but no doubt clientCo will complain because it breaches their policy.