mallangong
Member
- Joined
- 26 Mar 2010
- Messages
- 14
Hello,
I apologise in advance as this is quite simply a rant.
I returned to the UK again today, arriving at LHR. I now work abroad in a developing country after previously commuting to London for a number of years.
1. My first issue was trying to get to Kings Cross, to catch a train to my final destination - Sandy. No simple route so I ended up getting the Heathrow Express and then traversing an appallingly signposted Paddington to get the Hamersmith and City Line (after there was no indication whether was better getting that of the Circle Line). Why is the routing not made clearer?
2. After making it to Kings Cross (a process which involved many flights of stairs with luggage) I then couldn't see the departures at first (screen broken) and then couldn't buy a ticket by my platform (6) as the ticket office has moved to the new concourse. The signs to the ticket office would have taken me outside in the pouring rain instead of through the quicker internal walkway. I ignored the signs.
3. I asked for a return. As I was not returning off peak this was not possible. I would have to purchase 2 singles. I presume there are some issues around open returns on routes close to London, but it is still madness.
4. I am now sat on the train being updated with the latest happenings in the sex life of the passenger next to me who finds it a priority update her friend by phone. As she accurately keeps telling the friend the signal is poor (albeit stated in more course terms) and so she is mitigating that by shouting.
Excellent. Although this has left me keen to get back I am not looking forward to the trip ack to LHR next week. At least it will all be sorted in time for the Olympics...
I apologise in advance as this is quite simply a rant.
I returned to the UK again today, arriving at LHR. I now work abroad in a developing country after previously commuting to London for a number of years.
1. My first issue was trying to get to Kings Cross, to catch a train to my final destination - Sandy. No simple route so I ended up getting the Heathrow Express and then traversing an appallingly signposted Paddington to get the Hamersmith and City Line (after there was no indication whether was better getting that of the Circle Line). Why is the routing not made clearer?
2. After making it to Kings Cross (a process which involved many flights of stairs with luggage) I then couldn't see the departures at first (screen broken) and then couldn't buy a ticket by my platform (6) as the ticket office has moved to the new concourse. The signs to the ticket office would have taken me outside in the pouring rain instead of through the quicker internal walkway. I ignored the signs.
3. I asked for a return. As I was not returning off peak this was not possible. I would have to purchase 2 singles. I presume there are some issues around open returns on routes close to London, but it is still madness.
4. I am now sat on the train being updated with the latest happenings in the sex life of the passenger next to me who finds it a priority update her friend by phone. As she accurately keeps telling the friend the signal is poor (albeit stated in more course terms) and so she is mitigating that by shouting.
Excellent. Although this has left me keen to get back I am not looking forward to the trip ack to LHR next week. At least it will all be sorted in time for the Olympics...