Reply to: Standard or First Class Travel to client site

[tranceporter]

FGW standard class monthly travel card is exactly half price of the first class, from swindon to London. Standard class monthly is £805. I just cannot justify paying £1600 for the first class..

[d000hg]

I don't think I'd take a gig that required a non-trivial train commute unless the rate made 1st-class travel possible.

Some of them have really crap 1st-class though... pre-packaged sandwiches and coffee in paper cups is NOT 1st-class fodder.

[Scoobos]

Only on very long trips is it worthwhile imo. You also usually have to be accosted by a fat sweating git in a suit opposite who cant seem to sit without his legs at 180 degrees.

Too much money for too little advantage , unless you travel in the peak of rush hour.

[kal]

I was with you right up until the mention of the Guardian...are you sure you're cut out for this contracting m'larky?

Hahaha, it was the Guardian or the FT!

[Troll]

Well I have stumped up the extra 100 notes to go 1st class this week to give it a try.
One coffee and a copy of the Guardian in the 1st Class lounge then onto the train at 8 am, The comfort is miles ahead of the standard seats with plenty of space. Another coffee, bacon roll, a tea, 2 rounds of toast, an orange juice and some fruit made for a very pleasant journey. WIFI is fast and a nice to have. Am on the 6.15 pm train back which means a hot meal (and a couple of drinks!) should be in the offing

I was with you right up until the mention of the Guardian...are you sure you're cut out for this contracting m'larky?

[Old Hack]

Yeah you're right. Getting hold of one nowadays is damn near impossible. They're only issued to anyone that was railway before 1996 (classed as what is known as "safeguarded" status) that reached a certain grade (old BR days). They're eligible for gold, blue or silver status passes (of which first class travel is included). Usually safeguarded staff are a bit more level-headed because they're entitled to a pass that is no longer issued, so if they lose it, there's a chance they won't get it back.

PRIV staff though, different matter. PRIV holders are non-safeguarded rail staff that joined after 1996. Those that lose PRIVs at a rail company usually jump to another rail company and are re-issued one. They're easier to come by, but they don't entitle holders to first class or any of the cool perks that gold come with (such as free travel).

Still though, I held PRIV but would constantly ride in first class. Ticket inspectors never kicked up a fuss but I always knew to move the **** out of the way if a ticket holder needed a seat because that PRIV pass saved me at least a couple thousand for the time I had it and I damn sure didn't want to lose it because of a passenger.

He seemed to see reason, but I didn't even know they existed to be honest. Quite shocked me when he said no.

Pissed with the guard though, and I did report this to GWR, although have heard nothing back... Still, at least I now know I can kick up a fuss about it

[kal]

1st Class Day One

Well I have stumped up the extra 100 notes to go 1st class this week to give it a try.
One coffee and a copy of the Guardian in the 1st Class lounge then onto the train at 8 am, The comfort is miles ahead of the standard seats with plenty of space. Another coffee, bacon roll, a tea, 2 rounds of toast, an orange juice and some fruit made for a very pleasant journey. WIFI is fast and a nice to have. Am on the 6.15 pm train back which means a hot meal (and a couple of drinks!) should be in the offing

[NDawg]

I am antiquated with a couple of people who have cards which are definitely valid for "free travel, all stations, first class" (except Tyne and Wear Metro or something bizarre like that). They are career railway people but not that old, certainly they are a long way off retirement. I think the story was that there are a fixed number of the "Gold passes" in circulation with a waiting list and getting one is "dead man's boots".

Yeah you're right. Getting hold of one nowadays is damn near impossible. They're only issued to anyone that was railway before 1996 (classed as what is known as "safeguarded" status) that reached a certain grade (old BR days). They're eligible for gold, blue or silver status passes (of which first class travel is included). Usually safeguarded staff are a bit more level-headed because they're entitled to a pass that is no longer issued, so if they lose it, there's a chance they won't get it back.

PRIV staff though, different matter. PRIV holders are non-safeguarded rail staff that joined after 1996. Those that lose PRIVs at a rail company usually jump to another rail company and are re-issued one. They're easier to come by, but they don't entitle holders to first class or any of the cool perks that gold come with (such as free travel).

Still though, I held PRIV but would constantly ride in first class. Ticket inspectors never kicked up a fuss but I always knew to move the **** out of the way if a ticket holder needed a seat because that PRIV pass saved me at least a couple thousand for the time I had it and I damn sure didn't want to lose it because of a passenger.

[EternalOptimist]

I dont know about spending more on first or second, flying or driving. I just try to maximise my profits.
I dont do this sh1t for fun

[Wanderer]

acquainted I think you mean.
Antiquated means you're an old fart.
Which to be fair you might be as well

Hey, how did you know?

[KentPhilip]

I am antiquated

acquainted I think you mean.
Antiquated means you're an old fart.
Which to be fair you might be as well

[Wanderer]

Make it clear next time it happens that PRIVs are only valid for travel in standard class (if they're REALLY old they could be part of the BR days where first class concessions were issued, but it's rare you'll see many of those around. I certainly never did

I am antiquated with a couple of people who have cards which are definitely valid for "free travel, all stations, first class" (except Tyne and Wear Metro or something bizarre like that). They are career railway people but not that old, certainly they are a long way off retirement. I think the story was that there are a fixed number of the "Gold passes" in circulation with a waiting list and getting one is "dead man's boots".

You clearly know more about this than me, but I'm pretty sure that was the gist of it. They are definitely at pains not to abuse what is a valuable privilege.

[NDawg]

I know a few people who have these passes. Some are valid all stations, first class. I'm pretty sure they are supposed to give up their seat if there are standing passengers. Certainly, if a seat is prebooked then they have to move so this passenger and the ticket inspector should have both known better. Most likely it was a bit of an old boys club and the inspector didn't want to make waves because what comes around goes around.

I would have got my phone out and discretely recorded the conversation making it clear that this was your pre-booked seat, the other passenger is travelling on a staff concession pass and you want to take the seat you have booked. If they refuse then casually let them see that you are recording the conversation and invite them to reconsider.

I doubt that they would lose the card for abusing it like this but they will certainly get a bollocking over it if a passenger complained.

They will lose the card. I'm ex-railway. The tickets these folks have are referred to as PRIVs (75% off standard fare). They aren't usually eligible for use in first class, but rail folks usually get away with travelling there because as you mentioned, the ticket inspector's part of the same old boys club as the traveller and doesn't care too much.

Make it clear next time it happens that PRIVs are only valid for travel in standard class (if they're REALLY old they could be part of the BR days where first class concessions were issued, but it's rare you'll see many of those around. I certainly never did) and the guidelines for usage state that fare-paying passengers have priority for seating and you'll be fine. If he still refuses to move, get his name and threaten to file a complaint.

Those PRIV passes/photocards are worth far too much money to lose over a seat. I guarantee you not a single railwayman will kick up a fuss if you're serious enough about reporting him, especially since we can technically ride back-cab on the train.

[Wanderer]

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...

I know a few people who have these passes. Some are valid all stations, first class. I'm pretty sure they are supposed to give up their seat if there are standing passengers. Certainly, if a seat is prebooked then they have to move so this passenger and the ticket inspector should have both known better. Most likely it was a bit of an old boys club and the inspector didn't want to make waves because what comes around goes around.

I would have got my phone out and discretely recorded the conversation making it clear that this was your pre-booked seat, the other passenger is travelling on a staff concession pass and you want to take the seat you have booked. If they refuse then casually let them see that you are recording the conversation and invite them to reconsider.

I doubt that they would lose the card for abusing it like this but they will certainly get a bollocking over it if a passenger complained.

[Jubber]

I always go first if it is a route that has trains with proper first class seats. A big, comfy seat away from the mob is worth the money, the little extras are a bonus.

If the trains only have standard seats with a bit of cloth wrapped around the top with 1st printed on them, I don't bother.