That's an interesting question. If anyone takes a 4 year old on a train and requires a seat, they should purchase a ticket for them, and also reserve a seat (if applicable). There's no evidence either way to suggest they did, or didn't, purchase a ticket, but it sounds like either they didn't obtain reservations or, possibly, their travel plans changed and they caught a different train.the article states that some of the children were as young as 4, what chance is they that they paid for the under 5s as if not they are less entitled to seats to other passengers!
That's an interesting question. If anyone takes a 4 year old on a train and requires a seat, they should purchase a ticket for them, and also reserve a seat (if applicable)
This is hilarious, if the article as printed is more than 10% accurate I will eat my hat.
- Was there any way of knowing the children had a disability? Something tells me this did not crop up in the original conversation.
- If they are disabled is 2 adults for 10 kids enough supervision? If one has to go the toilet that 1 adult to 9 kids.
- Even so, would it make a difference? They got the genuine XC experience
- Repeated polite requests are impossible, you can only be polite once, after that you are annoying and distracting regardless of how nice your words are. Anyone recall how annoying the polite phrase are we there yet? gets after it's said a while?
- Children are loud and it would not be fair on the paying First passengers to have their journey spoiled
- Someone sitting behind their computer screen reading a hilariously one-sided article calls for a disproportionate response.
It would not be acceptable to refuse a black man travel on the basis of him being black. Why should it be accept bale to prevent a disabled man from travelling on the basis that he is disabled?
Agreed....this story rings alarm bells ....
This is hilarious, if the article as printed is more than 10% accurate I will eat my hat.
- Was there any way of knowing the children had a disability? Something tells me this did not crop up in the original conversation.
- If they are disabled is 2 adults for 10 kids enough supervision? If one has to go the toilet that 1 adult to 9 kids.
- Even so, would it make a difference? They got the genuine XC experience
- Repeated polite requests are impossible, you can only be polite once, after that you are annoying and distracting regardless of how nice your words are. Anyone recall how annoying the polite phrase are we there yet? gets after it's said a while?
- Children are loud and it would not be fair on the paying First passengers to have their journey spoiled
- Someone sitting behind their computer screen reading a hilariously one-sided article calls for a disproportionate response.
Sadly though XC will cough up some form of compensation because it's ok to throw your staff under the bus for PR these days even though XC is possibly the only TOC that can afford to lose the custom.
For those who thought the TM said the wrong thing I bet you'd have given a round of applause had the kids been older.
tl;dr - the TM did her job and because the whiny customer didn't get their way they've embellished the facts of the matter, invented some extra details and gone crying to the media to get unfair and undeserved compensation. The action is despicable - but not the TM's.
It appears the basis of this discrimination is that these disabled types might upset the tender sensibilities of the normal population or ruin the ambiance of the carriage.
More like a large school party would do so. I mean, what's the point of paying extra for First if you have to put up with a bunch of screaming brats anyway?
As possibly the only poster on here who is a special needs child, I, or rather my Dad, will make a comment....
First off, our usual TOC is Virgin, and their staff, and staff at Carlisle station, are consistently pleasant and helpful and give us just a little extra time when needed or to have a quick word.
Second, we make seat reservations simply because I'm special needs and I'm surprised that a special needs GROUP apparently didn't do this. Just because you're special needs doesn't mean you can't help yourself a bit.
Third, if these kids were refused access to first class BECAUSE they were special needs then the TM and indeed the TOC are rightly in deep doodoo.
Almost everything else is conjecture
cheers
Cheds
Daily Record said:Rail workers refuse to let special needs children sit in business class.. claiming they would spoil journey of other passengers.......
<SNIP>
......... A spokesman for CrossCountry said: We are sorry to learn of the circumstances of the Stage Right Theatre School on their recent journey.
We expect our staff to be polite and helpful at all times and it is extremely disappointing if their behaviour was as described. We will investigate the circumstances as a matter of urgency and will be in touch with them as soon as this is completed.
We would like to offer our sincere apologies to Rebekah, Elaine and all the children for the poor quality of their journey back to Motherwell.
As possibly the only poster on here who is a special needs child, I, or rather my Dad, will make a comment....
First off, our usual TOC is Virgin, and their staff, and staff at Carlisle station, are consistently pleasant and helpful and give us just a little extra time when needed or to have a quick word.
Second, we make seat reservations simply because I'm special needs and I'm surprised that a special needs GROUP apparently didn't do this. Just because you're special needs doesn't mean you can't help yourself a bit.
Third, if these kids were refused access to first class BECAUSE they were special needs then the TM and indeed the TOC are rightly in deep doodoo.
Almost everything else is conjecture
cheers
Cheds
Some more info from the Daily Record. Same basic story as the OP but with another photo.
I can see it getting to the stage where the employees request that they be provided with and wear a video recording device so interactions with customers/passengers could be videoed. This would be done for the protection of customer/passenger and employee and is absolute in the evidence it provides about who said what during any questionable scenario
More like a large school party would do so. I mean, what's the point of paying extra for First if you have to put up with a bunch of screaming brats anyway?
[*]Children are loud and it would not be fair on the paying First passengers to have their journey spoiled
So what if "a bunch of screaming brats" had paid for tickets for first class? Would you still kick them out because they were loud? As far as I am aware there is no "code of behavior" for first class that is any different to standard class. Doesn't matter if they are loud, or annoying, or whatever.
Paying for first class does not make you any better than a "screaming brat". And if first class is declassified (which I agree there is a question mark about in this case), and some "screaming brats" do end up sitting next to you, then tough! It is what the rest of us normally have to deal with anyway.