Precisely. Bean counting on the railways is really ****ing me off recently, especially when the companies forget the tax subsidies they are getting (and I'm by no means left-wing).
The trolley is one of the last remnants of proper customer service on the railways. I am far more likely to buy something on a trolley from a polite and cheerful dolly/wally that fight past people's luggage and elbows, falling into others and generally disrupting my comfort just to get a cuppa. I can count on one hand the number of times I have used the shop on Virgin (despite travelling with them three or four return trips each week) and similarly on EC.
It's also nice to have some banter with the trolley dolly/wally as they pass, too.
Let me guess - you're the one who tries to order a kebab and chips?
Fighting past luggage - easy. A bit of creative Jenga on the luggage rack and you're away. Elbows, shoulders and even heads... why do people not move when they hear / see you coming? On a 175 the trolley leaves about half an inch of space either side as I come through. I'm certainly not going to stop just because some numbnut in the aisle seat won't shift his Sunday Times over a couple of centimetres while I go past.
The worst bit is people who leave their plates of meat in the aisle as I'm approaching. The amount of toes I've squished with my size 8 steel-toecapped Railway-issue safety shoes I shudder to think. The amount of handbag and laptop bag and rucksack straps and buckles poking out in the aisle too... that tell-tale bump as you run something leather over...
Having said that, I love my job, I really do. I get to ride some fantastic machines throughout some beautiful countryside yet (to an extent) not have to worry about the actual running of the train. Yes I'm a glorified teasmade but who cares? Better than being stuck in an office.
When they were advertising for a new steward on the ATW webbo, I posted this as my Facebook update. I think it sums up my feelings rather well (but then I would!):
I work with businessmen, students, families and retired people. I cover hundreds of miles in a day, thousands a week, seeing coasts, mountains, cities, international ports and countryside out of my window. I earn commission on my sales, am self-motivated, promote a variety of products and sell them on at a handsome profit. And so could you