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Best First Class Seat on Pendolino

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lewisdicks

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It has happened every single time I have attempted to sit in coach K (which I'll admit is nowhere near as often as you). But maybe some specific depots are worse for it than others, or perhaps they rein it in when the rest of the train is busier, if your First Class travel has tended to be peak-time whereas mine hasn't?

It's also not just me, there has been plenty of talk of it on here from others. So maybe you have been lucky.

I never knew this was a regular occurrence, any time I've been on a Pendolino it's always been Standard, this is my first time travelling in First Class so wasn't sure if K was genuinely quiet enough. I'll be interested to see what happens when I travel, honestly if there's an unreserved table of 4 I can have to myself I wouldn't complain, but I'm travelling from Euston during evening peak so likely this wouldn't be possible till say after Preston/Lancaster
 
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GrimShady

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I've experienced it multiple times coming from the Glasgow direction. The other similar experience is L on the 225 sets, even though there is a bay of two seats the staff still insist on sitting in the first bay of four in L, which is the quiet coach, chatting and laughing loudly. At least they don't ask anyone to move though unlike the WC crowd!
 

DarloRich

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never had an issue with staff the few time i have used first class. Perhaps it is because i am happy to talk to people.
 

LowLevel

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If you believe that... :D

(It's possible, I suppose)

I was once on a train that failed because a defective dishwasher flooded the kitchen. The water got into the electrics and caused a total loss of power to the whole unit and it had to be rescued. Rather embarrassing (as was handing out water in the dark using a torch to assist the traincrew!).

It's entirely realistic to keep the seats nearest the kitchen for the staff to have their break (this is the employer's choice - it saves them having to include breaks off the train in the crew diagrams and you know where every one is should they be required for anything) but if 390s are anything like the IC trains I occasionally work on board there are signs in the kitchen saying to bear in mind the customers when engaging in chit chat.
 

Bletchleyite

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never had an issue with staff the few time i have used first class. Perhaps it is because i am happy to talk to people.

No premium class passenger should ever have to "talk to people" to be allowed to occupy their choice of unreserved, unoccupied (by passengers) accommodation on a train.

Indeed, nor should a passenger in Standard. Staff are not supposed to occupy passenger seats when on duty (other than the last row in Coach K which is actually reserved for them).
 

Mag_seven

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The other similar experience is L on the 225 sets, even though there is a bay of two seats the staff still insist on sitting in the first bay of four in L, which is the quiet coach, chatting and laughing loudly.

I was on a York-Kings Cross service earlier today where that was exactly the case!
 

DarloRich

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As for which is the best seat I find them all good. Much better than cattle class. Much more comfortable, more space and free wifi. Sometimes you get some free food! Brilliant.

No premium class passenger should ever have to "talk to people" to be allowed to occupy their choice of unreserved, unoccupied (by passengers) accommodation on a train.

Indeed, nor should a passenger in Standard. Staff are not supposed to occupy passenger seats when on duty (other than the last row in Coach K which is actually reserved for them).

EDIT - changed to avoid trouble. OBVIOUSLY people shouldn't have to talk to people to sit somewhere. What I mean is that some people are better equipped to express their view without causing or scene or getting worked up.

When i read about issues posters here have while out and about I suspect some are not so equipped.
 
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GrimShady

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I have no problem with staff relaxing or having a seat but having to endure the ridiculous lies I've been told to get me out of my booked seat (either k12/9) every time I need to use a WC Pendolino is beyond a joke.

"Excuse me but there's an empty bay of four over there where you'll be much more comfortable"

"No thanks I'm fine where I am"

"But it's all to yourself"

"I book the individual seats for a reason, besides It may be full later on"

"Oh that won't happen"

"As I said.....No"

Few minutes later another crew member walks by.....

"No sure if you're aware Sir, but there's no service in this Coach"

"Yeah...right!"

Few mins again just after getting underway....

"Last chance for those seats all to yourself....sure you don't want to move??"

"No Miss I don't want to move, I know the game here, quit it!"

This was my latest experience from a few months back. Then the passive aggressive games commenced of loudly talking, smashing the trolley up the aisle, leaving the galley door open etc.
 

GrimShady

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I was on a York-Kings Cross service earlier today where that was exactly the case!

It's been that way for many years, which is one reason I don't use L anymore as its probably the noisiest coach on the train next to riding in the 91! :lol:

I much prefer the East Coast staff as they are much more down to earth than the Butlins Style Holiday reps on the WCML!
 
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DarloRich

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My experience of first class is much more limited than most posters here so i will bow to their experience. I have never had an issue. I have always found the first class staff polite and friendly even when i sat in the coach that posters seem to think is staff only.

"I book the individual seats for a reason

Each to their own but I don't understand why people are so keen to sit on their own all the time. Why limit yourself to a tiny space and tiny table when you are paying for that extra space? I quite enjoy talking to strangers.

Then the passive aggressive games commenced of loudly talking, smashing the trolley up the aisle, leaving the galley door open

this is, of course, subjective. Your loud is anothers normal.
 

Bletchleyite

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EDIT - changed to avoid trouble. OBVIOUSLY people shouldn't have to talk to people to sit somewhere. What I mean is that some people are better equipped to express their view without causing or scene or getting worked up.

When i read about issues posters here have while out and about I suspect some are not so equipped.

That may be so, but if I pay for a premium class ticket I should not need to enter into any discussion to sit in my reserved seat or in any available seat.

I'm not sure about the passive-aggressive bit, I suspect they were just being careless, however the scene @GrimShady set is near enough exactly the same as I experienced on one occasion, almost as if it was a script (or the same crew). Except I think I in the end said if they wanted me to move that they should ask the guard to get me to do so. Funnily enough, this was declined, most probably because the guard would tell them to get lost.
 

GrimShady

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My experience of first class is much more limited than most posters here so i will bow to their experience. I have never had an issue. I have always found the first class staff polite and friendly even when i sat in the coach that posters seem to think is staff only.



Each to their own but I don't understand why people are so keen to sit on their own all the time. Why limit yourself to a tiny space and tiny table when you are paying for that extra space? I quite enjoy talking to strangers.



this is, of course, subjective. Your loud is anothers normal.

I have booked the individual seat as I want to be on my own, I want the guaranteed minimum space which I run the risk of losing in a bay of four, I usually want to go for a sleep too, I want the leg room as I'm quite tall, maybe other people don't want you chatting to them?

When it was like having a group of school kids on or getting to the levels of a hen party then no I don't think it's normal.
 
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DarloRich

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That may be so, but if I pay for a premium class ticket I should not need to enter into any discussion to sit in my reserved seat or in any available seat.

I'm not sure about the passive-aggressive bit, I suspect they were just being careless, however the scene @GrimShady set is near enough exactly the same as I experienced on one occasion, almost as if it was a script (or the same crew). Except I think I in the end said if they wanted me to move that they should ask the guard to get me to do so. Funnily enough, this was declined, most probably because the guard would tell them to get lost.

But is such a attitude really needed ( on both sides?)

I have booked the individual seat as I want to be on my own, I want the guaranteed minimum space which I run the risk of losing in a bay of four, I usually want to go for a sleep too, maybe other people don't want you chatting to them?

When it was like having a group of school kids on or getting to the levels of a hen party then no I don't think it's normal.

Like I said each to thier own. it isnt a criticism!

It is fairly obvious if you understand social interactions to know if people want to talk. I am not, like some, posters frightened by social interaction.
 

GrimShady

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But is such a attitude really needed ( on both sides?)



Like I said each to thier own. it isnt a criticism!

It is fairly obvious if you understand social interactions to know if people want to talk. I am not, like some, posters frightened by social interaction.

Fair enough Rich, i'm not having a go.
 

LowLevel

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One thing I will concur with is that at time IC train crews do seem to treat work as a social club - I suppose that's to be expected to a degree as they spend so much time in close proximity to each other but as a lone worker effectively (I can only speak to the driver by phone and I occasionally get a revenue protection team or a trolley host) I do struggle with some of the standards of behaviour that I've noted on trains with large numbers of catering crew.
 

GrimShady

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One thing I will concur with is that at time IC train crews do seem to treat work as a social club - I suppose that's to be expected to a degree as they spend so much time in close proximity to each other but as a lone worker effectively (I can only speak to the driver by phone and I occasionally get a revenue protection team or a trolley host) I do struggle with some of the standards of behaviour that I've noted on trains with large numbers of catering crew.

It's not just trains, we have the same issue on Passenger Vessels.
 

RailWonderer

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I sat in the front coach of a 390 Pendolino, seat 18K on the two seats opposite each other, and despite saying reserved above some of the seats, no one got on from Birmingham to London, not at Int'l or Coventry. Comment about the staff chatting loudly is true, they tend to plonk themselves on the seat at the door of the buffet area and tended to tutt since I was only one of two people in that front coach on an evening train into Euston. The front coach is the smallest so it's nice for some privacy since there are few seats.
 

route101

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How many members of staff are on a Vt Pendlino?

Why is there rarely a standard trolley service on VTWC?

Seen a few southbound Glasgow to Euston services and First class has looked empty , this was Carlisle however !
 

anamyd

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I have stayed in there once, as I wasn't bothered about service and basically told them "if you want me to move out of this unreserved seat, get the guard to instruct me to do so and I will, but it is not within your power to do so yourself". They didn't get the guard, presumably on the principle that he wouldn't have supported them, but ignored me for the rest of the journey barring dirty looks. I put a formal complaint in about their conduct and got nothing more than an empty apology.

However, don't underestimate just how much hassle some of them will try to cause, and VTWC themselves tacitly accept it by doing nothing about it.
They gave you dirty looks because you didn't call the guard the "Train Manager"
 

GrimShady

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Next time I have to use a WCML service I'll be making sure to book K12 again just to annoy them!

The next dilemma will be Pendolino or LNER 800s which is least uncomfortable train??
 

Bletchleyite

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Next time I have to use a WCML service I'll be making sure to book K12 again just to annoy them!

The next dilemma will be Pendolino or LNER 800s which is least uncomfortable train??

To me Pendolino 1st is the most comfortable, and has the nicest feel to the interior, of any current UK domestic First Class[1]. All it needs to be spot-on is a few more single seats - about half the 1 side per coach would be spot on. No comparison - the Class 800 1st is garbage, I'd rather standard in a 350/1.

[1] I'm no great fan of the olde-worlde look of the GWR HST, and I don't like leather other than for the headrest.
 

GrimShady

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To me Pendolino 1st is the most comfortable, and has the nicest feel to the interior, of any current UK domestic First Class[1]. All it needs to be spot-on is a few more single seats - about half the 1 side per coach would be spot on. No comparison - the Class 800 1st is garbage, I'd rather standard in a 350/1.

[1] I'm no great fan of the olde-worlde look of the GWR HST, and I don't like leather other than for the headrest.

IMO the Mallard Mk3/4 is far superior to the Pendolino.

I had feared FC on the 800s was utter garbage, I will miss the Ex InterCity stock when it goes!
 

VT 390

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The coach K airline seats are misaligned and have a bit less legroom than the single ones in the other coaches which have half a window space.

TBH I think they should turn half the tables-for-two seats in the other coaches around and create some more single airline seats - they are very popular.

But then the seats would not line up as well with the windows
 

47271

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I don't like single seats, the tables are too small to work at.

If I sit down at a table for four in Coach G then I only find another person joining me one time in 20 to one time in 25, it really is that quiet when I'm on the move. Even if someone does appear there's still acres of space.

Regardless of mode there's no more comfortable way to travel in the UK than Pendolino Coach G in my view - LNER trains just don't have the spare capacity to compete with it. I don't waste money on GWR First since the IETs came in.
 
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