I can see why this discussion must be baffling to people outside the UK, where our inbuilt, inherent obsession with class and privilege hardly resonates at all.
On GWR`s new style sham of what is rumoured to pass as 1st class I simply don`t bother as it isn`t worth it anymore since the HST has gone.
My employer only permits standard class (unless first happens to be cheaper) and there have been times when I've stopped work if there's a risk somebody sat next to me may be reading my screen.
this is possibly the most embittered childish thread I’ve seen in some time.
If people choose to pay for 1st class be it for the free gin, the extra space, relative calm or they quite like the colour of the curtains as the sun rises over Doncaster then that’s there choice. And those who don’t pay vice versa.
it’s the new vogue of the social media era. Everyone must fit into a box, everyone must have an opinion on said box and anyone disagreeing with that opinion of my box I shall criticise.
Hmmmm
I wondered why first class was virtually the same price as standard when I booked Penzance to Paignton for tomorrow morning. I was hoping for some breakfast on the train - is this not provided any more?
A standard class table seat provides a perfectly adequate workspace. Anyone claiming they need to be in first in order to get some work done is just trying it on.
Please explain for the benefit of everybody here just what you mean by that obtuse comment.... This is going nowhere, and trying to have a reasoned debate with people who admit they have no idea what paragraphs are is getting pretty tedious. ...
Please explain for the benefit of everybody here just what you mean by that obtuse comment.
I have thought very hard about posting in this thread as my views aren't popular. I have no issues with first class. I do have an issue with many posters here getting cheap first class and then whining about standards not being good enough. I get grumpy because next year my season ticket will cost me £6K plus. For that I, often, don't even get a seat and find it galling when people who, on the face of it, contribute substantially less than me into the system complain about not getting an extra rasher of bacon or moan about a second class pleb daring to use their first class toilet.
If that's to/from London to/from Fenny/Bletchley, you need to consider your choice of trains. I have a near 100% record of a seat for that journey.
Depends on the timing. Since they took away the 0713 and let wrong uns form Northampton or MK on board..........................
WiFi doesn’t help. I always find it better to tether from my phone.I have thought very hard about posting in this thread as my views aren't popular. I have no issues with first class. I do have an issue with many posters here getting cheap first class and then whining about standards not being good enough. I get grumpy because next year my season ticket will cost me £6K plus. For that I, often, don't even get a seat and find it galling when people who, on the face of it, contribute substantially less than me into the system complain about not getting an extra rasher of bacon or moan about a second class pleb daring to use their first class toilet.
So what would I do about it? I would cut first class provision ( and get rid of it entirely on commuter trains) and transfer the majority of the space on intercity trains into standard class accommodation. I would increase the price and make it a true premium product aimed at business people and offer a true business class service. I would remove cheap advance tickets and remove railcard discounts in first class. At the same time I would improve the standards in cattle class and I would offer free rewards to people paying the most. Got a £6k season ticket sir? Would you like a free cup of tea? If you are on a cheap ticket you get nowt.
What many here miss is that for most of us in the real world first class is a treat not a right. Perhaps show some self awareness and think about that next time you complain about something you get for free.
PS don't tell me you HAVE to travel first class to do any work on a train. That is utter balderdash. I travel all round the country for work, and I always manage to work on my lap top in second class. What would make it easier is free wifi, more plugs and access to some kind of decent waiting room at the station.
We pay a lot but people highlight we cost per journey is cheap so they are subsidising us.
Got a £6k season ticket sir? Would you like a free cup of tea? If you are on a cheap ticket you get nowt
I would get rid of 1st class on LNR, but it wouldn't make a great deal of difference really- there's always a decent 1st class loading to Herts and Bucks- and would cost LNR revenue. That loss would get passed on to you.
Annual season tickets are already heavily discounted and, in your neck of the woods, you get a free railcard thrown in for nowt.
Complain. Even the UK’s worse TOC GTR give us free brews. While we are telling them how poor they are at the meet the manager sessions.I am already paying £6k+. I suppose I could sell half of my liver. ( BTE You also assume all of those people in first have a first class ticket ) Any sign of my free brew yet?
I was taught to use paragraphs to divide text into topics or sub-topics for easy of comprehension, which is what I always do and have here. I don't see what your comment means in respect of this thread.I am on my phone on a train so can’t C&P.
Your final comment on post #118 implied that I was asking you to leave a space between each sentence. That is not what I meant by paragraphs.
Complain. Even the UK’s worse TOC GTR give us free brews. While we are telling them how poor they are at the meet the manager sessions.
But i agree with your point about rail cards and APs. I don’t know when the 16-25 railcard was able to be used in first. Many years ago but certainly not when I had one. But i suspect filling up 1st wasn’t the intention of it.
I would have love to have met our managers. The train failed and they all went home. ( and i was a way when the Euston one took place)
Complain. Even the UK’s worse TOC GTR give us free brews. While we are telling them how poor they are at the meet the manager sessions.
By the way, on the way home, go for the 1816 and change to the Southern at Leighton (it's basically a guaranteed connection because of the delay sending the Southern out in front would cause - they'll hold it at Ledburn to let you in front). As long as you board it 10 minutes or so before it goes and walk all the way to the front you'll get a seat. About 50 people do that connection daily.
They could make your tea from the excess heat from the radiators of your 230.I want to be home by thenI do go for that one when I am in the office later. My main worry is the connection onto the Vale at present!
I get grumpy because next year my season ticket will cost me £6K plus. For that I, often, don't even get a seat and find it galling when people who, on the face of it, contribute substantially less than me into the system complain about not getting an extra rasher of bacon or moan about a second class pleb daring to use their first class toilet.
I was taught to use paragraphs to divide text into topics or sub-topics for easy of comprehension, which is what I always do and have here. I don't see what your comment means in respect of this thread.