London North Eastern Railway (LNER) First Class service

[calc7]

No hot food in 18.33 KGX to Bradford due to "operational health and safety issues"

What the bye-ek does that mean?

"We have no contract with you to feed you due to our wording, and we don't know how to run a business...get over it"

 

[Butts]

"We have no contract with you to feed you due to our wording, and we don't know how to run a business...get over it"

However to mitigate your disappointment we will be dispensing extra stock from our cold selection and ensuring the drinks trolley leaves everyones glass full for the entire journey - thats if your a light drinker and can make one stretch for four hours

 

[MidnightFlyer]

No hot food in 18.33 KGX to Bradford due to "operational health and safety issues"

What the bye-ek does that mean?

A microwave or oven playing up a bit?

 

[142094]

Sounds like it is getting worse. Which is rather unfortunate as I'll be using 1st on about 10 occasions in the next couple of months (and most are specificaally booked for HSTs).

 

[Butts]

If only RailUK Forums had a "snout" within East Coast this thread would have rapid resolutions and answers instead of wild speculation.(real answers not that bull on the EC Forum)

Mind you it would ruin the fun

 

[Blindtraveler]

the ovens blown a fuse or there a mouse in the grill

 

[jon0844]

Given what's currently being offered to many people, I would have thought grilled mouse might be quite tempting (and possibly bigger than some of the meals photographed and posted here).

 

[Blindtraveler]

ooh we so so badly need a like button for that one john!

Grilled mouse with creamed mashed potatoes, seasonal vedge and gravy, served on GNER china by crew who were proud to serve it!

 

[graham43404]

First time the food has been dire for us. On the 07:35 Leeds to Kings Cross and the menu says cheese and tomato crossaint for veggies but sadly its not, instead its that great breakfast item a cheese and roasted peppers twist!! I hate peppers btw

*update. The crew leader saw we barely touched breakfast and came back with a plate of egg/cress and cream cheese sandwiches with some crisps as well. Proof for us yet again we are far better driving over to Leeds as EC not only have the best trains, they also have the best staff

 

[amcluesent]

Well, it's just getting insulting now. Joined a LDS-KGX service at PBO around lunchtime and there was just a serving of coffee, no FC trolley of complimentaries whatsoever.

 

[John @ home]

No hot food in 18.33 KGX to Bradford due to "operational health and safety issues"

What the bye-ek does that mean?

It is likely to mean that there are indications that the refrigerated food has not been kept within the approved temperature range and that it will have to go in the bin.

 

[DaveNewcastle]

. . . it will have to go in the bin.

. . . because there is nothing wrong with the food, but if we serve you with this lovely food that you want, and then there is a 1 in 10,000 chance that you later become unwell, and then there is a 1 in 1,000 chance that you later decide to sue us, then we would not be able to sue our food supplier if we hadn't kept the produce within the precise temperature range. Its actually fine to eat and probably fresher that anything you could buy in the local convenience store. But we don't like loosing money (and we've not very good at making money either which is why you see us employing so many staff purely so that they can give food and drink away for free).

You see, we are listening to you, and you told us that you don't want to be unwell, so we're letting you travel hungry this evening so that we don't get sued by you for giving you this lovely food for free. We have another statistic somewhere which is also a big number - maybe it was the number of times we say that we're listening to you.

Thank you for telling us that you think we're useless, your opinions really do matter to us. And we're still listening, (though we won't take any action on account of anything you do say, your comments will have to go in the bin, along with the food).

 

[bnm]

I used to go 'skipping' round the back of supermarkets. Food that had failed 'temperature control' or 'chill chain' had to be thrown away. Food that doesn't look 'presentable' (particularly fruit, veg, bakery and dairy) is also thrown away. Even food with long shelf life (tinned, dried etc) is binned if the packaging is damaged. Retailers won't even give this stuff away for fear of litigation.

All the times I helped myself to this 'waste' food, I never once got ill.

 

[Bungle73]

. . . because there is nothing wrong with the food, but if we serve you with this lovely food that you want, and then there is a 1 in 10,000 chance that you later become unwell, and then there is a 1 in 1,000 chance that you later decide to sue us, then we would not be able to sue our food supplier if we hadn't kept the produce within the precise temperature range. Its actually fine to eat and probably fresher that anything you could buy in the local convenience store. But we don't like loosing money (and we've not very good at making money either which is why you see us employing so many staff purely so that they can give food and drink away for free).

You see, we are listening to you, and you told us that you don't want to be unwell, so we're letting you travel hungry this evening so that we don't get sued by you for giving you this lovely food for free. We have another statistic somewhere which is also a big number - maybe it was the number of times we say that we're listening to you.

Thank you for telling us that you think we're useless, your opinions really do matter to us. And we're still listening, (though we won't take any action on account of anything you do say, your comments will have to go in the bin, along with the food).

You have got a bee in your bonnet about EC, haven't you?

I'd rather they didn't take chances with their passengers' health tbh. These rules are in place for a reason.

I used to go 'skipping' round the back of supermarkets. Food that had failed 'temperature control' or 'chill chain' had to be thrown away. Food that doesn't look 'presentable' (particularly fruit, veg, bakery and dairy) is also thrown away. Even food with long shelf life (tinned, dried etc) is binned if the packaging is damaged. Retailers won't even give this stuff away for fear of litigation.

All the times I helped myself to this 'waste' food, I never once got ill.

They don't chuck dented tins out, they sell them off cheap. As for the other stuff if the packaging damaged there's a risk of contamination, and you don't know what may have got inside.....or been put inside.

 

[DaveNewcastle]

You have got a bee in your bonnet about EC, haven't you?

Do you really want a reply?

If so, it would make a connection between 5 facts (not opinions):
I spend more of my life in EC's company than I can with those that are nearest and dearest to me *;
I require and enjoy food and drink;
It is very practical to combine my consumption of food and drink with my travel;
I have many good companions working in EC;
This thread is dedicated to food, drink, East Coast & their passengers.

Following from those, wouldn't it be curious if I didn't comment on here about their analysis of our (passengers') views on thir 'offering', their statements about, and their actual service of, food and drink to their First Class passengers?

[ * Even if I only make one journey in a week, that's equivalent to a whole working day in most people's lives]

I'm afraid my experience of other operators is only handfuls of journeys a year so I'm less likely to be able to contribute to a comparable thread about their offerings. if there was one.

 

[calc7]

Perhaps out of any of the posters on this thread, DaveNewcastle has the most reason to be perturbed. By far and away the most frequent EC traveller out of the posters, and has, at first hand, witnessed the declining offering and the rising prices.

 

[Bungle73]

Perhaps out of any of the posters on this thread, DaveNewcastle has the most reason to be perturbed. By far and away the most frequent EC traveller out of the posters, and has, at first hand, witnessed the declining offering and the rising prices.

Maybe, but he keeps going on about stuff like the FC ticket points thing, which EC always said they were going to do, but apparently they "misled" their customers by doing it; and this food thing, which apparently means EC aren't "listening" to their customers because they don't want them to get food posining.

 

[jon0844]

Thank you for telling us that you think we're useless, your opinions really do matter to us. And we're still listening, (though we won't take any action on account of anything you do say, your comments will have to go in the bin, along with the food).

Surely the current trend is to spin things to make it sound like a good thing?

"You asked us to serve fresh food without fear of getting ill, so we listened and decided to throw it all away. This means you can now enjoy a journey without any risk to your personal welfare - and at no extra cost."

 

[Harlesden]

I was booking my £11.55 Advance tickets (London-Grimsby Town via Doncaster) yesterday and I could have upgraded to First Class for an extra £31.50. Did I miss much by not doing so?

 

[MidnightFlyer]

What day of the week / departure are you on?

 

[DaveNewcastle]

Did I miss much by not doing so?

A Saturday?
No, you didn't. Coffee tea some soft drink, biscuits probably.
Free WiFi and more space to sit in definitely.

 

[Butts]

Surely the current trend is to spin things to make it sound like a good thing?

"You asked us to serve fresh food without fear of getting ill, so we listened and decided to throw it all away. This means you can now enjoy a journey without any risk to your personal welfare - and at no extra cost."

"As the progressive forward looking company we are, at the first opportunnity a member of staff will be despatched to purchase a selection of sandwiches from an alternative outlet. Whilst we appreciate these may be of a higher standard than our normal fayre I hope you will appreciate the intiative and enpowerment devolved to our staff in order that your journey will be memorable and most importantly SUSTAINING"

 

[Welshman]

"As the progressive forward looking company we are, at the first opportunnity a member of staff will be despatched to purchase a selection of sandwiches from an alternative outlet. Whilst we appreciate these may be of a higher standard than our normal fayre I hope you will appreciate the intiative and enpowerment devolved to our staff in order that your journey will be memorable and most importantly SUSTAINING"

The ultimate would be:-

Your comments matter to us, and we have listened with great attention. We are aware of the disappointment you must feel when boarding your train and finding the catering does not meet your expectations. So we have decided to cancel this train entirely.

 

[amcluesent]

The ultimate would be:-

To save us bothering with complementaries, we're declassified FC to let the Scottish football supporters spread themselves out in comfort! Hoots!

 

[Marton]

Perhaps out of any of the posters on this thread, DaveNewcastle has the most reason to be perturbed. By far and away the most frequent EC traveller out of the posters, and has, at first hand, witnessed the declining offering and the rising prices.

I feel the same. Just looked up my 2011 spend on my EC account, it was over £13k, 95% on NE to London.

Declining standards and rising prices sums it up.

Add 6% for 2012, the carriages need a deep clean, especially the loos. Many of the Mallard seats are either fixed up or down or won't lock.

Following on from the the mouse/fridge comments earlier. If you have a chance just look at the gap between table and window edge. A mouse's treasure island and there must be fungi in there.

 

[Blindtraveler]

agreed. Minging, and I cant even see it!

Been working in INV this weekend and as was headed for Glasgow streight after took the G10 Citylink Gold coach which was launched as an alternative by Citylink to FC Rail.
For £9 advance single I got a cumfy leather seat with tray table, wifi, free tea, coffee, juice, sandwitches and biskets.
Amazing

 

[Smoggy]

I'm currently on the 18:00 Edinburgh-Kings Cross, which I boarded at Doncaster at 20:53. All the cups etc had already been cleared away.
All that came through was the cold drinks trolley after Newark. I asked for a bottle of water and orange juice, only to be told I was only allowed one or the other! The only snacks available were the usual biscuits or chocolate tiffin, again limited to one or the other!

I asked for coffee and was advised it would be coming through later, but never showed up! I havent seen any staff since before Peterborough

Its the first time I've used First Class on a NE service, but in future will stick with Leeds services where the weekend First Class offering is a lot better!

 

[Blindtraveler]

oh dear. Not good.

 

[sidmouth]

Sounds like some one from EC management needs to get a grip quick. If it wasn't for EC being a partly nationalised company I would say they are on the way out, a bit like the last throes of a dying swan.

Was NXE ever this bad?

 

[Yew]

Perhaps out of any of the posters on this thread, DaveNewcastle has the most reason to be perturbed. By far and away the most frequent EC traveller out of the posters, and has, at first hand, witnessed the declining offering and the rising prices.

I feel the same. Just looked up my 2011 spend on my EC account, it was over £13k, 95% on NE to London.

Declining standards and rising prices sums it up.

Add 6% for 2012, the carriages need a deep clean, especially the loos. Many of the Mallard seats are either fixed up or down or won't lock.

Following on from the the mouse/fridge comments earlier. If you have a chance just look at the gap between table and window edge. A mouse's treasure island and there must be fungi in there.

I'll agree wit you there, the first class carriage of the electra I got a few weeks ago was getting pretty grubby, but nothing a good deep clean wouldn't sort out!