You know what I think FGW should do (and perhaps Virgin and others)*.
1. Do a survey for first class passengers over a few weeks, or emailing season ticket holders, to ask if they'd be prepared for increased ticket checks on services - with the acknowledgement that it might delay their alighting at terminal stations, but ultimately help to reduce the number of standard class ticket holders walking through and standing in first class upon arrival.
This is particularly important.
2. Place posters on trains to state that first class accommodation may be subjct to ticket checks before arrival into London (generally speaking, this is where the problem must be worst given FC is at the London end).
3. Every now and then, revenue teams will stand ON THE PLATFORMS to check people getting off the train. Likewise revenue will also stand between first class and standard class for those 'attempting to escape', meaning a little pre-planning is required to have people on the train.
Obviously the pending check will be announced so first class ticket holders can get their tickets/passes ready and be allowed through as quickly as possible. Other staff can be on hand to help people off with bags (although doing so may get bad publicity, as some sort of suggestion of favouritism so maybe scratch that).
4. All people caught will be charged an open anytime first class ticket from the last station the train called at.
5. When the inevitable happens and social media gets swamped with stories of ill treatment from rude train staff, and how it inconveniences first class ticket holders (rest assured, this will be an argument used by those who didn't have one!), FGW and others immediately kick into gear by a) pointing out that first class ticket holders unanimously agreed for such checks to be made.
6. FGW follows up by pointing out that first class is reserved for people who wish to get work done, families that want to enjoy some extra space, people enjoying an extra bit of luxury on their holiday and are treating themselves.. all stuff so as to dispel the myth that FC is only used by people in suits, likely MPs on expenses or working at a major bank that is helping other fat cats avoid taxes. First class on a train is, after all, not quite like on an airline - and so ANYONE can go first class if they wish. Perhaps have a prepared series of examples showing that booking in advance can mean cheaper first class tickets than standard!
Do this only a few times and I'm pretty sure the problem will end, and even the Daily Mail will struggle to make FGW and other IC operators look bad.
* I'm not stupid. I know it won't happen, but it would if I worked there!
