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Mistaken for Staff?

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bicbasher

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I was waiting in the ticket hall for a train in my normal work gear when passengers started asking me for train times. I work in a library!
 
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455driver

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hairyhandedfool said:
Some Northern staff (with ID) have been refused access to a platform, due to not having a ticket, by G4S staff. The Northern staff in question were on duty and due to work a train.
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I had a couple of hours to kill before work so went to Woking platform 3 (London end bay) because I am out of the way there and it is reasonable for photos, after about 10 minutes I was approached by a platform bod who informed me that photography was illegal, I needed permission etc, I politely stated that it wasnt and I didnt so he escorted me off the station. I stood outside and rung the TCS (as was) informing them I wouldnt be at work because I was unable to get a train to work as I had been removed from the platform and been refused entry and they would need to get the duty covered.

After the TCS had a (not so) quiet word with him I was allowed back on the platform, he still doesnt talk to me, cant think why! :lol:
 
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EbbwJunction1

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I often get asked for help, despite wearing different clothes to train / station staff; if I can, I help, but if I can't, I say so. I don't often get abuse if it's the latter, though.

Off topic, I know, but I was mistaken for a plain clothes policemen once. I was in a suit and going to a funeral, but decided to make a note of something before going into the Church. I made the note in a little black notebook, and a lady thought that I was booking her for illegal parking!

:)
 
Nym

Nym

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Someone asked me how to get to Victoria while pulling into Euston off the Crewe train, I get the feeling they wanted to get to Gatwick Airport, needless to say I could have helped them quite a lot, but to be honest, after someone else explained in great detail how to get to Victoria they then asked me so got a, "No, I don't know."
 
JB25

JB25

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Slightly the other end of the spectrum I really don't get why when I am stood in uniform at a platform people seem to think I'm a walking talking train timetable... <D

I was stood by the 6 car mark, Platform 4 at East Croydon last week and a guy came up to me and asked me which way the exit was. :roll: Not being funny but it clearly wasn't the direction beyond me where there were loads of running lines. :shock:
 
Starmill

Starmill

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Manchester77 said:
;) :lol:

No I was stood by the change machines and a guy came up to me saying '[you] better stop standing around and get on with my job because they're in an awful state'
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I was going to say! Did you take your mop and brush for a day out in London or something!!!
 
Flamingo

Flamingo

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bicbasher said:
I was waiting in the ticket hall for a train in my normal work gear when passengers started asking me for train times. I work in a library!
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Did you reply "Shushhhh!"? :lol::lol::lol:
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455driver said:
I had a couple of hours to kill before work so went to Woking platform 3 (London end bay) because I am out of the way there and it is reasonable for photos, after about 10 minutes I was approached by a platform bod who informed me that photography was illegal, I needed permission etc, I politely stated that it wasnt and I didnt so he escorted me off the station. I stood outside and rung the TCS (as was) informing them I wouldnt be at work because I was unable to get a train to work as I had been removed from the platform and been refused entry and they would need to get the duty covered.

After the TCS had a (not so) quiet word with him I was allowed back on the platform, he still doesnt talk to me, cant think why! :lol:
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Spotter! :p:lol::lol::o
 
RJ

RJ

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Hmmm - the terms of my contract of my present work for a TOC state I must remain in full uniform, name badge included when travelling pass to/from work on one of our trains. I suppose this is so there is an increased sense of staff presence, especially on DOO routes. I always tend to wear my shirt, tie and suit jacket to work. If ever I walk through the carriages, people's heads always turn as I open the carriage door. People start rummaging for their passes, whilst others just stare and take on a look of fear. I gather they assume I'm a ticket inspector and one of the nastier ones at that. I could just as well be one of those friendly guards or customer service staff so I'm not sure why people react like that :(
 
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pemma

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RJ said:
Hmmm - the terms of my contract of my present work for a TOC state I must remain in full uniform, name badge included when travelling pass to/from work on one of our trains. I suppose this is so there is an increased sense of staff presence, especially on DOO routes. I always tend to wear my shirt, tie and suit jacket to work. If ever I walk through the carriages, people's heads always turn as I open the carriage door. People start rummaging for their passes, whilst others just stare and take on a look of fear. I gather they assume I'm a ticket inspector and one of the nastier ones at that. I could just as well be one of those friendly guards or customer service staff so I'm not sure why people react like that :(
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You need to have a non-uniformed friend on the train and to ask to see their ticket. However, they don't have one so you threaten an undiscounted ticket, penalty fare, BTP etc. That would really scare the ticket-less travellers in to buying a ticket the next day. :D
 
MCW

MCW

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Hyphen said:
In EMT areas I'm often standing on a platform and people will come up to me asking if this is the platform for the train to X or how they get to Y. I'm not sure if they're mistaking me for staff (unlikely, I'm usually on my phone and have a large rucksack on my back) or if I just look like I might know about trains!! :oops:

It never bothers me, I'm usually happy to help and will fire up National Rail Enquiries or RealTimeTrains to help get them to where they need to be. :)
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same happens to me and my mates at Leicester all the time, I genuinely think some people ask us because they realise we are enthusiasts and that we potentially may be able to help them.
 
Monty

Monty

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The slightly ironic thing is that it's very possible we've worked a turn together in the past and never been the wiser!
 
pinguini

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My old style corporate clothing at the bank I used to work for had identical ties at one point in time to the FGW staff ties. I would often get waves and smiles from FGW staff as I stood on the platforms at Worcester. What a friendly bunch, I thought :D
 
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455driver

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Monty said:
The slightly ironic thing is that it's very possible we've worked a turn together in the past and never been the wiser!
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very true.
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Flamingo said:
Well, if you both wear a pink carnation... :lol::lol:
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That would go down well in the messroom, anyway it wouldnt work as I am not based at Strawberry Hill.;)
 
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