The most stupid question you have been asked

[AndyLandy]

Stupidest Question of Yesterday "When are the Christmas lights in London switched off?"

I dunno, I think that's probably a reasonable question. It could be any time between Boxing Day (December 26) and Epiphany (January 6th).

 

[Lewisham2221]

I dunno, I think that's probably a reasonable question. It could be any time between Boxing Day (December 26) and Epiphany (January 6th).

Indeed. To be pedantic, around here the answer could be "midnight" as the lights are turned off from roughly 0000 to 1500!

 

[asylumxl]

That's if they aren't stolen first ...

 

[starrymarkb]

I dunno, I think that's probably a reasonable question. It could be any time between Boxing Day (December 26) and Epiphany (January 6th).

It isn't a question to ask in the Public Transport office in Devon!

 

[jon0844]

Not if you were going to London and asked it in a 'I don't suppose you know?' kind of way? Perhaps planning a detour to see them when visiting another part of town.

I've asked some odd questions (and made it quite clear it's a stab in the dark) and had answers because people actually knew or could find out. I guess I'd just Google today, but there was a time before you could get everything answered via the Internet!

 

[Oswyntail]

Which only goes to show - there is no such thing as a stupid question, only a stupid answer!

 

[Dave1987]

Which only goes to show - there is no such thing as a stupid question, only a stupid answer!

So when someone asks you what time does the 06.38 leave how can you not view that as a stupid question?

 

[ainsworth74]

So when someone asks you what time does the 06.38 leave how can you not view that as a stupid question?

That could be a different way of asking if it's delayed or if they know it's delayed they could trying to find out when it's now due to depart.

 

[starrymarkb]

Not if you were going to London and asked it in a 'I don't suppose you know?' kind of way? Perhaps planning a detour to see them when visiting another part of town.

I've asked some odd questions (and made it quite clear it's a stab in the dark) and had answers because people actually knew or could find out. I guess I'd just Google today, but there was a time before you could get everything answered via the Internet!

They just asked straight off on the phone no mention of a journey! - then they demand to be put through to someone who would know! I have a fairly high tollerance of stupid questions (need it in this job), but sometimes the public leave me lost for words!

 

[Soupdragon]

Early morning stopping service from Cleethorpes to Doncaster, all stops... even Althorpe!!!

Passenger says to me... "Who can i make a complaint to?"

Half asleep passengers sat adjacent rouse themselves from their slumbers....

Me: "How can I help Sir?"

Pass: "Why doesnt this train stop at Doncaster Airport?"

Me: "Sorry Sir, I thought i just heard you say Doncaster Airport, is that correct?"

Pass: "Yes, thats right, Doncaster Airport! Why doesnt this train stop there?"

Me: "Well, theres two reasons why not. One, there isnt a station there and Two, its not on this line!! there used to be a station at the old RAF Finningley quite a few years ago but it closed back in the 60's i think but it was on the Gainsborough to Doncaster line"

Pass: "Well, who do I complain to about it...?"

Me: "I suppose you could try either Network Rail Sir or maybe Doncaster Council, I did hear talk a while back that they were looking at opening a station there to serve the Airport but i havent heard anything on that since...."

Pass: Well, its not good enough!!!"

Me: "I'm sorry Sir, we're just arriving at Hatfield and Stainforth and i have to go do the doors....":roll:

 

[Dave1987]

That could be a different way of asking if it's delayed or if they know it's delayed they could trying to find out when it's now due to depart.

Alas no, I could have understood that this was a genuine what is the booked departure time of the 06.38 question. Everything was on time.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Which only goes to show - there is no such thing as a stupid question, only a stupid answer!

Alternatively, there are no stupid questions, just stupid people

 

[richw]

Interesting. Having worked for BT DQ myself, I know there is no reverse look-up facility. You wouldn't even know which network it was.

Back when mobiles were rare items, the Bt phonebook in the section where dial codes were had a list of the mobile dial codes and which network they belonged to. Think there was no more than 10 dial codes for each network.

 

[dvboy]

Back when mobiles were rare items, the Bt phonebook in the section where dial codes were had a list of the mobile dial codes and which network they belonged to. Think there was no more than 10 dial codes for each network.

That's definitely pre-2001 then. DQ operators don't have access to physical phone books anymore as it is all computerised (though I vaguely remember a dialling code look-up which would be geographical only, certainly any number starting 07 nowadays is not indicative of network due to the sheer volume and portability).

 

[richw]

That's definitely pre-2001 then. DQ operators don't have access to physical phone books anymore as it is all computerised (though I vaguely remember a dialling code look-up which would be geographical only, certainly any number starting 07 nowadays is not indicative of network due to the sheer volume and portability).

I've an old phone book from 1997 (dont ask why, I found it in an airing cupboard when we moved) naturally I had a look through it, and it has a list of dialling codes. I've now sent it to the recycling though.

 

[gimmea50anyday]

Do ppl automatically switch off their common sense when entering a railway station?

This is why the bins for The Three Guineas are conveniently located next to the entrance to Reading Train Station. For the travelling public to dispose of their brains before boarding the train...

 

[pinguini]

Ive had a passenger come up to me saying "the doors did not open at Thorpe-Le-Soken, you need to pay for a taxi back there for me now", I say ok will just check the doors are working ok and nothing has tripped out. Another passenger walks past and says to me "the doors did open, he was just asleep and didnt wake up till we were leaving the platform". Ok that will be you paying for a taxi to Thorpe then SIR. When things like that happen you doubt whether ppl are telling the truth even if it turns out they are.

On the other side of the coin (coming from myself, a passengers point of view)... train staff seem equally happy bend the truth for their passengers.

Last time I purchased a season ticket, I enquired at Worcester Foregate if I could purchase one that Wednesday evening to start Monday, or if it was too early. "You'll need to come back Friday evening". Not so convenient for me. I managed to purchase it just fine the next morning at Great Malvern station. So much for having to come back Friday evening!

 

[richw]

On the other side of the coin (coming from myself, a passengers point of view)... train staff seem equally happy bend the truth for their passengers.

Last time I purchased a season ticket, I enquired at Worcester Foregate if I could purchase one that Wednesday evening to start Monday, or if it was too early. "You'll need to come back Friday evening". Not so convenient for me. I managed to purchase it just fine the next morning at Great Malvern station. So much for having to come back Friday evening!

The station staff were correct telling you it couldnt be purchased until the Friday if you were buying a ticket valid for less than 1 month
If you are buying a month or longer can be renewed up to 7 days in advance
From http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/ticket_types/season_tickets.html

I need to Renew my existing season ticket or Travelcard -
7 Day Season Ticket or Travelcard
If the start date is a Sunday or Monday (or Tuesday after a Bank Holiday), the season ticket may be issued from noon on the previous Friday.If the start date is any another day, the ticket may be issued after noon on the previous day.
Season Tickets for 1 month or more
The ticket may be issued anytime up to SEVEN DAYS in advance

 

[pinguini]

To Rich,

Apologies about the image, as it may not be too clear, but the printing quality was not that good on the ticket.

Please see below a ticket of mine which I believe contradicts what you've posted above. 7 day season Start date 3rd September 2012, issued 08:26 30 Aug 2012

How does this work in this case?

 

[richw]

To Rich,

Apologies about the image, as it may not be too clear, but the printing quality was not that good on the ticket.

Please see below a ticket of mine which I believe contradicts what you've posted above. 7 day season Start date 3rd September 2012, issued 08:26 30 Aug 2012



How does this work in this case?

I dont know, I only posted a copy and paste of the correct process, along with link to source.
Maybe not a great idea to post a ticket that could highlight a member of staff having sold a ticket not following correct processed.

 

[pinguini]

I dont know, I only posted a copy and paste of the correct process, along with link to source.
Maybe not a great idea to post a ticket that could highlight a member of staff having sold a ticket not following correct processed.

That's not my fault though? I asked and was given

 

[richw]

That's not my fault though? I asked and was given

nope but i drawer your attention to your post just a moment ago

train staff seem equally happy bend the truth for their passengers

The only bending the truth or rules was of benefit to you, as the correct information was the one that told you, you couldnt buy a ticket until Friday afternoon, yet your post implies it to be a negative thing that they bend the truth. Exceptional customer service by the one willing to sell you the ticket, but in breach of ticketing procedure, and now your publishing publically they have done so.

 

[pinguini]

My whole point is the difference between COULDN'T buy a ticket until Friday or they choose not to sell a ticket before the Friday. Clearly it is possible to be done. Image removed upon your request

 

[trentside]

My whole point is the difference between COULDN'T buy a ticket until Friday or they choose not to sell a ticket before the Friday. Clearly it is possible to be done. Image removed upon your request

I can understand the confusion and frustration, but as others have said the clerk at Foregate Street was correct - and the one who sold you the ticket was going against correct procedure, but helping you out. Unfortunately, this is possible on Tribute (London Midland's ticket issuing system) - as it will allow you to override restrictions such as this - while it's a pro-customer approach, it can cause grief for those of us who don't have the option to bend the rules, because our TIS will not allow it. I regularly seem to get people saying "Well they can at X", and mostly those are stations that use Tribute where the clerk has been helpful and issued a season outside the specified times - from a customer service perspective, great - but when the customer travels elsewhere or decides to buy their ticket elsewhere it ends up with the poor clerk getting grief or being branded a 'jobsworth' because they are unable to bend the rules and sell the ticket in advance.

You could argue that the clerk at Foregate St was bending the truth, but have you considered that bending the rules could land them into trouble with local management?

 

[pinguini]

I can understand the confusion and frustration, but as others have said the clerk at Foregate Street was correct - and the one who sold you the ticket was going against correct procedure, but helping you out. Unfortunately, this is possible on Tribute (London Midland's ticket issuing system) - as it will allow you to override restrictions such as this - while it's a pro-customer approach, it can cause grief for those of us who don't have the option to bend the rules, because our TIS will not allow it. I regularly seem to get people saying "Well they can at X", and mostly those are stations that use Tribute where the clerk has been helpful and issued a season outside the specified times - from a customer service perspective, great - but when the customer travels elsewhere or decides to buy their ticket elsewhere it ends up with the poor clerk getting grief or being branded a 'jobsworth' because they are unable to bend the rules and sell the ticket in advance.

This is really interesting to know, thanks for your insight!

 

[Michael.Y]

Best one I've had for a while : at a station with reversible platforms and multiple routes:

"Excuse me, does this train go that way?"

 

[Butts]

"Do you want to be the next Scotland Manager" - asked to Gordon Strachan

His answer "Yes"

 

[TRN481V]

During my days driving rail replacement coach services, I was waiting at Nottingham to depart for Manchester. An intending passenger gets on and checks that I am the correct replacement coach, and then asks me if I follow the same route as the train. Ummmm....

 

[PR1Berske]

During my days driving rail replacement coach services, I was waiting at Nottingham to depart for Manchester. An intending passenger gets on and checks that I am the correct replacement coach, and then asks me if I follow the same route as the train. Ummmm....

That's not THAT daft. Some replacement services miss out stations and what not.

If they actually meant "Do you, literally, follow the railway", then yes, that's daft.

 

[455driver]

Arrogant passenger after poking me in the back as I walked up to the cab "Does this train go through Surbiton"

Me "yes"

25 minutes later we go through Surbiton


Doing 85mph!