TBH. If i'm going to upgrade people into first class to create room, it will be the quiet older passenger, not the group of 10 kids.
In the last few weeks I've seen in first class:
An woman of about 60 who plonked herself in first class without asking, saying she was disabled. I pointed out I could have found her a seat if asked. She started to complain. My view, if she wanted the space (and the whole use of a table) she should have bought a first class ticket. But to just sit there and say I'm disabled, I've got a disabled pass, so I can sit here, is not on. Its not like our first class seats are any different to the rest. (there were seats available further down the train).
A pass with a first class season, who on a peak weekday service had brought his wife and 2 kids with him. Problem is, they had standard class tickets. I found them 2 mins before we arrived at their station. I told him that next time, if he wanted them to join him in first, they would need first class tickets.
The problem is, when your dealing with these situations, in the back of your mind is if they complain to customer services, they often get replies, of so, sorry, will investigate, here are some vouchers, or you get in the news for throwing a disabled grandmother out of her seat on a 'busy' train.
Anyway, on a lighter note. Passenger of the week.
Victoria to littlehampton/Eastbourne splitter. Coaches 1-4 for Lit, 5-8 for ebn
Passenger in coach 3.
Me, you have a ticket to plumpton. this train is not calling at plumpton, and this section is for the other way around.
Pass. I was told this coach went to plumpton
Me. No, however if you change at heaywards heath and wait 30 mins, there is a direct train to pumpton
Pass. i was told this coach went to plumpton
Me, sorry, that was incorect, this section goes via hove to littlehampton
Pass, well thats not what someone else said.
Me. Again, sorry, but if you want plumpton you will need to change and wait 30 mins, or you could join the rear 4 coaches and go to wivelsfield or lewes.(ie in the right direction for plumton)
Pass. i was told this coach is going to plumton.
Me....gives up and walks off.:roll: