London North Eastern Railway (LNER) First Class service

[A-driver]

That's not true - you count from when you start drinking. Your liver doesn't stop processing just because you're drinking. It just tries to keep up as best it can.

So while you're right to say it can take 2 hours for things to get properly started, that means at most you'll still have only one "excess" unit at any given time (again, in theory). For the vast majority of people, that's below the drink-drive limit, never mind their "tipsy" threshold.

My general point being is that it's a bit disingenuous to claim that 8 drinks (normal-sized) over an 8 hour period is an indication that the service is designed for alcoholics.

I never said it was for alcoholics! All that my point is is that expecting 8 free drinks in 8 hours included in a train ticket which includes complimentary food and drink is asking too much and I can't see how it can reasonably ever be expected. If you get 1 free drink and are expected to pay for others (which you are not) then it would still be providing a good service.

As I keep saying, you buy a ticket to get to your destination. Not for a full free restaraunt and bar service.

My point about providing too much free drink is just that I can't see TOCs wanting to get to the situation where the free drink they provide starts leading to an increase in shrunken behaviour causing staff abuse/assaults, delays due to kicking people off or upset caused to other passengers who travel first class not for to get every freebie they can!

 

[marks87]

I never said it was for alcoholics!

Your post #3896:

...8 drinks in 8 hours, that would not only get very expensive for them but also lead to an increase in drunk behaviour onboard, will annoy those in first class who don't want to be constantly disturbed by the trolly and seems very excessive for a train journey that isn't designed to cater for alcoholics!

As I keep saying, you buy a ticket to get to your destination. Not for a full free restaraunt and bar service.

That would be fair enough if a substantial part of East Coast's advertising for First Class wasn't promoting the complimentary offering. It's held up as one of the main reasons to travel FC and someone sampling it for the first time might reasonably expect "complimentary" to mean an almost constant stream.

 

[A-driver]

Your post #3896:



That would be fair enough if a substantial part of East Coast's advertising for First Class wasn't promoting the complimentary offering. It's held up as one of the main reasons to travel FC and someone sampling it for the first time might reasonably expect "complimentary" to mean an almost constant stream.

Re read what I actually said as I didn't exactly say that 8 drinks in 8 hours made you an alcoholic, more that most people will be happy without drinkingthat much on a train.

As for the sat point, I completely disagree. No where in the promotional material do east coast give the impression of a constant stream. No where at all. Infact, with reading their website again, as a 'first timer' I would imagine it to mean a complimentary drink, not more than one. Generally if a hotel, restaraunt, airline, bar etc offers a complimentary drink it mean one and you are then expected to pay for the rest. The fact east coast offer more than one is beyond what a reasonable person would expect and even if the trolly dosnt pass through, if you are that desperate you can go and find a host or got to the buffet AR and ask for more drink which they won't charge you for.

 

[Butts]

If you travel regularly like I do, you will notice that some people don't have any alcohol at all - in fact quite a few depending on the time of day.

A few people having an extra tipple will not "upset the apple cart " with regard to cost or drunkeness.

Good staff always invite you to "double up" on each run if they are not going to be back for a while or it is the final run.

 

[A-driver]

If you travel regularly like I do, you will notice that some people don't have any alcohol at all - in fact quite a few depending on the time of day.

A few people having an extra tipple will not "upset the apple cart " with regard to cost or drunkeness.

Good staff always invite you to "double up" on each run if they are not going to be back for a while or it is the final run.

But you personally would like them to serve you with more drinks...so your entire argument is what you would personally like? As I say, most people are more than happy with what they are offered and its only a small minority who would upgrade to first class purely to get free alcohol! Why not go standard and spend the money saved on a 6 pack to take with you if you want more drink than they offer?

As I say, I have no problem with people complaining when nothing at all is served but when you get more than one free alcoholic drink in a journey then you a already getting more than they advertise. They will never manage to please everyone-you need a butler for that, not a train. Plus, as I say, if you a really that desperate for more alcohol find someone and ask them, they should be fine giving you another and if they feel you have had too many freebies then you can always buy more at the buffet which is more than reasonable...

 

[Butts]

But you personally would like them to serve you with more drinks...so your entire argument is what you would personally like? As I say, most people are more than happy with what they are offered and its only a small minority who would upgrade to first class purely to get free alcohol! Why not go standard and spend the money saved on a 6 pack to take with you if you want more drink than they offer?

As I say, I have no problem with people complaining when nothing at all is served but when you get more than one free alcoholic drink in a journey then you a already getting more than they advertise. They will never manage to please everyone-you need a butler for that, not a train. Plus, as I say, if you a really that desperate for more alcohol find someone and ask them, they should be fine giving you another and if they feel you have had too many freebies then you can always buy more at the buffet which is more than reasonable...

It all depends on the staff , some are generous others are a bit tight

I did a daytrip from Edinburgh to London and back and necked around 8 doubles in total - which is sixteen single scotches

I could still walk in a straight line and catch my connection in Edinburgh to Falkirk

 

[Darandio]

Why not go standard and spend the money saved on a 6 pack to take with you if you want more drink than they offer?

I believe quite often Butts is on a First advance that is actually cheaper than Standard! Hardly good practice to pay more and then buy your own refreshments!

 

[A-driver]

I believe quite often Butts is on a First advance that is actually cheaper than Standard! Hardly good practice to pay more and then buy your own refreshments!

No, but I'm not going down the route of how much drink a cheap advance entitles you to. Try going into a bar or restaraunt with e same 25 quid you spend on a ticket and see how far that gets you in comparison.

My only argument is people's unrealistic and quite frankly incredibly greedy expectations.

 

[gordonthemoron]

Do East Coast do alcohol at breakfast? Virgin don't, have they never heard of Bucks Fizz?

 

[Butts]

I believe quite often Butts is on a First advance that is actually cheaper than Standard! Hardly good practice to pay more and then buy your own refreshments!

Are you inferring I'm some sort of cheapskate Darandio

Gosh the truth hurts
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Do East Coast do alcohol at breakfast? Virgin don't, have they never heard of Bucks Fizz?

Yes, they have caviar on the Evening Meal menu as well !!!

Bucks Fizz - you'd be lucky to get the orange juice never mind Champagne

 

[HST Power]

Are First Class tickets purchased through FCC valid for use in the East Coast First Class lounge? I have a First Class Anytime Ticket between Kings Cross and Letchworth. The journey planner suggests that my quickest route (based on my travel times) is with East Coast via Stevenage. I'll have some time to spare when I get to KX tommorow, so I'd be curious to know if I can go in (or not). Thought I'd ask as I am travelling with EC anyway. Thanks.

 

[ainsworth74]

As long as the route is 'Any Permitted' (so not FCC only) and you can use the ticket for at least part of the journey on East Coast it should be accepted. You may have to tell them you're travelling on EC to Stevenage and changing there but they should let you in.

 

[HST Power]

As long as the route is 'Any Permitted' (so not FCC only) and you can use the ticket for at least part of the journey on East Coast it should be accepted. You may have to tell them you're travelling on EC to Stevenage and changing there but they should let you in.

Thanks - it is routed 'Any Permitted.' I will have a go tommorow.

 

[island]

I'm on a very quiet 0705 to Leeds and the Full English and vegetarian breakfasts are off

 

[Butts]

I'm on a very quiet 0705 to Leeds and the Full English and vegetarian breakfasts are off

Enjoy the toast and croissants

 

[island]

Toast or croissant.

So says the first class host

 

[marks87]

Ask for a toasted croissant.

 

[Blindtraveler]

1 or the other? Bit stingy given the hot breakys off

 

[HST Power]

Tea, coke, biscuits, a platter of cheese and onion sandwiches and a packet of salt and vinegar crisps.......on a twenty minute journey between KGX and Stevenage.

God knows how I finished it in such a short period of time, but the trolley runs kept coming and I couldn't say no!

I was on the EMT HST set. Didn't have time to go in the FC Lounge, but having stuffed myself with all that for just £11.50, the only thing complaining is my digestive system.

 

[Butts]

Tea, coke, biscuits, a platter of cheese and onion sandwiches and a packet of salt and vinegar crisps.......on a twenty minute journey between KGX and Stevenage.

God knows how I finished it in such a short period of time, but the trolley runs kept coming and I couldn't say no!

I was on the EMT HST set. Didn't have time to go in the FC Lounge, but having stuffed myself with all that for just £11.50, the only thing complaining is my digestive system.

Greedy Pig .....

Were you seated close to the "start of service" ie Cafe Bar ?

Did the booze not reach you in time ???

What did you get on the FCC leg of your journey to Letchworth? F.... All

 

[HST Power]

Greedy Pig .....

Were you seated close to the "start of service" ie Cafe Bar ?

Did the booze not reach you in time ???

What did you get on the FCC leg of your journey to Letchworth? F.... All

Greedy perhaps, I prefer to think of it as getting my money's worth! (£11 )

I suffered momentary confusion as I was expecting to see a Class 91 waiting for me, but the EMT layout is identical, and I sat at the table near the cafe bar. The seats aren't quite as comfortable as they are on a normal east coast set, but good enough.

There was booze on the trolley (the gentleman across from me got an Old Speckled Hen) but I stuck to the tea and the coke.

However, you would have enjoyed my leg to Letchworth, the guy seated opposite me decided that the railway laws didn't apply to him - he was smoking all the way!!

 

[westv]

Smoking? What a tosser. I would have pointed out his error to him.

 

[Bungle73]

Why didn't the train crew do anything about it?

 

[voyagerdude220]

Just had the chicken with lemon jus. I was very happy with it. Much more substantial portion size compared with my experiences with VT. Now just wondering what the Malt chocolate Ovaltine tart will be like.

 

[westv]

I hope whoever takes over the franchise keeps both the free food and the points scheme as fhey are.

 

[HST Power]

Why didn't the train crew do anything about it?

This wasn't on East Coast, it was on my connection from Stevenage to Letchworth, which was operated by FCC. No staff in sight.

 

[RochdalePioneers]

Now just wondering what the Malt chocolate Ovaltine tart will be like.

Was awesome when I had it


Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Butts]

This wasn't on East Coast, it was on my connection from Stevenage to Letchworth, which was operated by FCC. No staff in sight.

I thought you were joking....are you sure it was not an e-ciggie rather than a Benson and Hedges Gold, manufactured in Northern Ireland by Gallaher a division of Japan Tobacco International.

If you tried your journey in reverse ie Stevenage to the Smoke I doubt you would get much fayre for your fare

 

[HST Power]

I hope whoever takes over the franchise keeps both the free food and the points scheme as fhey are.

If they remove the free food I think this forum will be the starting point for the mutiny that will follow!

I thought you were joking....are you sure it was not an e-ciggie rather than a Benson and Hedges Gold, manufactured in Northern Ireland by Gallaher a division of Japan Tobacco International.

If you tried your journey in reverse ie Stevenage to the Smoke I doubt you would get much fayre for your fare

I've got no idea what the brand was (don't smoke myself ) but I thought E-Cigarettes were smokeless? I could see the smoke coming out of this one.

Are E-Cigarettes an exception to the 'no smoking' rule then?

 

[YorkshireRider]

In the main yes, E ciggies are allowed but it depends on which train company your travelling on, EC does allow it subject to no complaints from other passengers, however i know Northern does not permit there use, no idea about FCC
On another note a new menu starts Monday 13th.