HIGH-VIS VEST - only a passenger for heavens sake!

[PUFFINGBILLY]

Got to share this with you folks..................
Heritage Railway.
Sunday morning first train.
Booked party boards for return trip.
On entering carraige one chap proceeds to don a high-vis vest.
Said chap takes seat.
At terminus chap alights, with many others (normally dressed) watches engine change ends and returns to carraige.
At journeys end removes high-vis vest before leaving carraige.
Now please .......what was that all about?

 

[ralphchadkirk]

Probably to feel important. Anyone does that when I'm about then they will be asked to remove them (save people with a legitimate reason), for the reasons of being mistaken as staff - and they're not heritage! I only wear mine when on or about the line or when it would be inappropriate to remove it.


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[Schnellzug]

Probably to feel important.

That's exactly it. They've seen linsiders wearing them, so they think that people will take them for one of the Lineside Elite, and perhaps ask them for their autograph.

 

[scotsman]

No, it's a requirement now. If they're the right side of the fence in it, you know to keep away.

In all seriousness, if they want to look like they're doing community sentence, they can feel free...

 

[Hydro]

Some people just like to feel important.

 

[Yew]

I have a Hi-Vis coat that is really warm. I took it to download, and all the stewards did a doubletake as they tought I was a manager or something

 

[Schnellzug]

I've often wondered if there isn't there some regulation about only staff being permitted to wear hi vis vests while on Stations (or if there isn't, perhaps there ought to be), or, on heritage lines, only wearing them when you're off platforms, since someone could easily be taken for staff, which could perhaps lead to confusion.
Of ocurse, on heritage lines, the staff don't always wear high vis vests, so perhaps it's a way of identifying the gricers.

 

[The Decapod]

My guess is this: The man arranged to meet up with someone on the train, and he said "I know what, I'll put on my orange high-viz vest so you can spot me more easily" Either that or he had a workwear fetish.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

I seem to remember a railtour company or preserved railway (I can't remember which) displaying in their literature that non-staff hi-vi wearing is not permitted.

 

[Bedpan]

If it was a large booked party of people who did not know each other well (rambling club for instance) I suppose it would be reasonable for the gtroup leader to wear a high viz vest to identitfy himself to other group members who might otherwise not know who he was (like these guides who hold up an umbrella or placard etc). If not, then it would be interesting how long he continued to wear it if a succession people made a point of going up to him and asking him questions, or better still, to run errands. Used to drive me mad when I wore a suit to work and went for a browse in W H Smiiths at lunch time.

 

[scotsman]

I've often wondered if there isn't there some regulation about only staff being permitted to wear hi vis vests while on Stations (or if there isn't, perhaps there ought to be), or, on heritage lines, only wearing them when you're off platforms, since someone could easily be taken for staff, which could perhaps lead to confusion.
Of ocurse, on heritage lines, the staff don't always wear high vis vests, so perhaps it's a way of identifying the gricers.

Passengers (that's if they're even travelling!) shouldn't be off the end of the platform without a lineside pass (not available everywhere)

I'm told I'm only allowed to wear hi-vis when I'm lineside - fair enough really

 

[142094]

I've often wondered if there isn't there some regulation about only staff being permitted to wear hi vis vests while on Stations (or if there isn't, perhaps there ought to be), or, on heritage lines, only wearing them when you're off platforms, since someone could easily be taken for staff, which could perhaps lead to confusion.
Of ocurse, on heritage lines, the staff don't always wear high vis vests, so perhaps it's a way of identifying the gricers.

Hard to police as there seems to be a whole load of people these days that wear hi-viz jackets - from cyclists to builders to whatever else. There was an article recently on BBC News about the proliferation of Hi-viz jackets, good read if you can find it.

 

[PUFFINGBILLY]

Probably to feel important. Anyone does that when I'm about then they will be asked to remove them (save people with a legitimate reason), for the reasons of being mistaken as staff - and they're not heritage! I only wear mine when on or about the line or when it would be inappropriate to remove it.

Now there's a challenge in a crowded carraige to ask a passenger to remove his choice of clothing just because he might be mistaken for a staff member. What about the crowd of anoraks, usually big blokes, snapping away at the platform end, how do you ask them to remove their high-vis vests?
As for signage, who reads, let alone obeys, signs these days?

 

[ralphchadkirk]

Now there's a challenge in a crowded carraige to ask a passenger to remove his choice of clothing just because he might be mistaken for a staff member.

Not a challenge at all. Quite easily done in fact. I'm presuming that the HIvI isn't the only thing they've got on, otherwise in the seeking of dignity i won't ask!

What about the crowd of anoraks, usually big blokes, snapping away at the platform end, how do you ask them to remove their high-vis vests?

They don't need to wear them. If they are, then they will be asked politely to remove them. If they act threateningly or are abusive, as your post implies, then depending on the circumstances they will be asked to leave.

 

[Schnellzug]

A hi-vis isn't something that's too much of a challenge to take off, is it? You can just slip one off in a moment, usually.

 

[PUFFINGBILLY]

for the reasons of being mistaken as staff -

Have just remembered an anectdote which is not rail connected but is connected with the misuse of a high-vis vest - and I was the guilty party.

Arrive very early at air show featuring ground runs and static displays of aircraft, including classic jets from the sixties.
Much later and stuck in long queue is chum driving fabulous Aston Martin DB4 who I knew would be worrying where to park safely away from oiks who might fling their doors open and dent his precious car. I had spotted a display of English Electric Lightnings well away from the public car park but surrounded by open space and nice green grass. Persuaded keepers of said planes that it would make a wonderful photo opportunity to have an iconic classic BRITISH sports car displayed alongside their classic iconic BRITISH aircraft. So I donned the high-vis vest I always carry in the car should I encounter or be involved in an emergency or accident, and noting my friend waiting marched up to the long line of cars waiting to enter. In an authorative tone I told one of the high-vis vest wearing official marshalls high-vis that I was extracting the Aston Martin for a special display, and then promptly waved my friend out of the queue and bid him follow me to my pre-arranged parking and display spot. He was wetting himself laughing and of course enjoyed a relaxing worry-free day with his car safely parked away from the riff raff, alongside the Lightnings and basking in their shared limelight.

All fun and smug BUT I'm aware that whilst it was a harmnless prank it serves as a warning how easy a high-vis vest can be usedto fool others for more serious or harmful purposes. What about that lorry that has just reversed into the goods yard and under the supervision of the man in a high-vis vest is being loaded with metal?

 

[scotsman]

What about that lorry that has just reversed into the goods yard and under the supervision of the man in a high-vis vest is being loaded with metal?

They'll likely have cheap, non-approved vests (they don't have velcro/poppers on shoulders and sides) without a logo on the rear. If in doubt, call the cops.

 

[jon0844]

Or follow it back to Dale Farm.

(ducks!)

 

[Flamingo]

It was a common dodge a while back, passenger wearing high-vis, when asked for ticket, say "Staff, mate".

Doesn't work that easily now, we've all cottoned on to it.

 

[YorkshireBear]

It was a common dodge a while back, passenger wearing high-vis, when asked for ticket, say "Staff, mate".

Doesn't work that easily now, we've all cottoned on to it.

All well and good, but when admin looses your working members pass form 3 times so after a year of volunteering i still dont have one, wearing the hi vis is all i have....

 

[The Decapod]

I must remember not to wear a maroon fleece next time I go to Sainsbury's !

 

[ACE1888]

I always get the feeling regarding Hi-Vis vests that a lot of people who don't work on either the national network or indeed preserved lines feel they 'fit in' more with the masses if they do wear them as often as possible:roll:
Wearing them in the middle of a field or no where near any potentially 'operating' area, is rather silly I feel...

 

[PinzaC55]

It was a common dodge a while back, passenger wearing high-vis, when asked for ticket, say "Staff, mate".

Doesn't work that easily now, we've all cottoned on to it.

Very true. I remember that when Leeds station was being rebuilt one of the builders got on my Middlesbrough train and immediately "fell asleep". The poor mite must have been working too hard!
I "woke him up" wherupon he asked for a single ticket to Thornaby - the **** had tried to dodge his £27 fare back home.

 

[Tim R-T-C]

Arrive very early at air show featuring ground runs and static displays of aircraft, including classic jets from the sixties.

Bruntingthorpe fan eh?

Good thing there were not any tail draggers - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TY5KzmCwXmM

 

[jopsuk]

A hi-vis isn't something that's too much of a challenge to take off, is it? You can just slip one off in a moment, usually.

Vest yes. Other clothing? I now have (yellow) hi vis waterproof trousers for cycling.

 

[PUFFINGBILLY]

Bruntingthorpe fan eh?

Good thing there were not any tail draggers - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TY5KzmCwXmM

Yes to Bruntingthorpe. It was an OK place and show but all a bit desperate and meek after a lifetime of seeing the real things flying.

 

[Tim R-T-C]

Yes to Bruntingthorpe. It was an OK place and show but all a bit desperate and meek after a lifetime of seeing the real things flying.

Yeah pity not to see them in the air, but I did appreciate the fact that we were able to get so much closer than at the big flying shows and more interesting that just seeing them static like they would otherwise be. Got a selection of pics from the May show this year.

 

[9K43]

When these jackets first came out, if you went out and about on the railway without one, you were looking for another job.
These garments are a part and parcel of an individuals PPE, and should be worn when on about the railway.
In my time on the railway, I put my Hi Viz jacket on at home, and took it off after I had done my turn.
It did not worry me on jot about being someone who is elite or cos I'm a volunteer I am immune from being run over by a train it was part of my job.
It appears on some railways that the wearing of Hi Viz jacket if frowned upon cos the punters want to pretend they are in the 1950's. They have to dress in Suits and trendy shoes.
I would always stick to my PPE, as if a train hits you, its big and heavy and hurts you when it hits you.

 

[ralphchadkirk]

The only time you need a HiVis is when you are on or about the line, working at height or another similar activity. You don't need one if you're just standing on a platform, in a guards van or pulling levers in a box.

 

[SouthEastern-465]

I've seen a few enthusiasts on the ends of platforms filming or taking photographs wearing hi-viz, I'm just assuming they put it on to feel like they are some form of authority with a little orange jacket... What a joke...