Trivia: unwritten etiquette as a railway passenger

[61653 HTAFC]

If you swing yourself around in say a pub and knock the drinks on a table over you will be expected to replace them. Alternatively you could take your backpack off first and carry it in front of you and do this before you enter same as on a bus train.

Wow, that escalated quickly!

I'd better watch out for the luggage police in future.

 

[greyman42]

Wow, that escalated quickly!

I'd better watch out for the luggage police in future.

Or the common sense police.

 

[Ken H]

If you swing yourself around in say a pub and knock the drinks on a table over you will be expected to replace them. Alternatively you could take your backpack off first and carry it in front of you and do this before you enter same as on a bus train.

rucksacs are for mountaineering. Why people use them for visiting cities I dont know. Surely a wheely case would be better.

 

[Facing Back]

Or the common sense police.

If you call them, 9 times out of 10 they will be busy or too short staffed to attend unless it is a major incident and will refer you to railway stafff

 

[CaptainHaddock]

rucksacs are for mountaineering. Why people use them for visiting cities I dont know. Surely a wheely case would be better.

Don't get me started on wheely cases! My rule of thumb with luggage is that if it won't fit in your rucksack then you probably don't need to take it on a train.

 

[gnolife]

rucksacs are for mountaineering. Why people use them for visiting cities I dont know. Surely a wheely case would be better.

Maybe I should try attaching a wheely case to my dogs when traveling. I'm sure it would go well.

 

[nanstallon]

rucksacs are for mountaineering. Why people use them for visiting cities I dont know. Surely a wheely case would be better.

A rucsac leaves your hands free, e.g. for taking photos. I find people in front of me with wheely cases a pain in the proverbial.

 

[Bletchleyite]

rucksacs are for mountaineering. Why people use them for visiting cities I dont know. Surely a wheely case would be better.

Wheely cases are a trip hazard, particularly the stupid little ones people have laptops in. I get you might need a large wheeled suitcase, but if you're just carrying your laptop a rucksack or messenger bag is much better.

 

[MCSHF007]

Wheely cases are a trip hazard, particularly the stupid little ones people have laptops in. I get you might need a large wheeled suitcase, but if you're just carrying your laptop a rucksack or messenger bag is much better.

100%. Totally unnecessary and a definite trip hazard.

 

[Facing Back]

100%. Totally unnecessary and a definite trip hazard.

Speak for yourself. I use one when I'm away for 2 or 3 days and I don't need a full sized wheelie bag. It fits into a regional airplane locker end on so takes up half the space of a regular one and I have too much stuff for my rucksack or messenger - even before the insistance of my chiro and physio not to consider using these with that much weight.

My advice to people who trip over them is to watch where you are going - and as most who do are on their phones I'm not feeling a lot of guilt if you crash into me.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Speak for yourself. I use one when I'm away for 2 or 3 days and I don't need a full sized wheelie bag. It fits into a regional airplane locker end on so takes up half the space of a regular one and I have too much stuff for my rucksack or messenger - even before the insistance of my chiro and physio not to consider using these with that much weight.

My advice to people who trip over them is to watch where you are going - and as most who do are on their phones I'm not feeling a lot of guilt if you crash into me.

More usually I find their owners cut across my path causing me to trip. Most users of wheelie cases have no spatial awareness of where their case is at all.

The capacity of one of the stupid little laptop ones is about 20-30l. A rucksack or small holdall is far better.

 

[MCSHF007]

Wheely cases are a trip hazard, particularly the stupid little ones people have laptops in. I get you might need a large wheeled suitcase, but if you're just carrying your laptop a rucksack or messenger bag is much better.

Speak for yourself. I use one when I'm away for 2 or 3 days and I don't need a full sized wheelie bag. It fits into a regional airplane locker end on so takes up half the space of a regular one and I have too much stuff for my rucksack or messenger - even before the insistance of my chiro and physio not to consider using these with that much weight.

My advice to people who trip over them is to watch where you are going - and as most who do are on their phones I'm not feeling a lot of guilt if you crash into me.

Were I to trip over such a pathetic excuse for a "wheely case" I would be praying to my choice of "sky fairy" that the laptop in question would be more likely to suffer fatal injuries than myself.

 

[Facing Back]

Were I to trip over such a pathetic excuse for a "wheely case" I would be praying to my choice of "sky fairy" that the laptop in question would be more likely to suffer fatal injuries than myself.

The laptop is expensive so the pathetic case - which is expensive too - has a solid shell around the computer compartment plus padding. The manufacturer warrants against any damage to a laptop inside it. I believe from the expletives I hear from idiots who walk into it that it’s quite painful. I understand that it is rarely fatal.

 

[Ken H]

Lets be clear here
A day sack is one that would carry a waterproof, a sandwich box and drink bottle, small laptoop, and weigh a few Kg.
A rucksac is something far bigger with the capacity for several overnight stays

 

[zwk500]

My advice to people who trip over them is to watch where you are going - and as most who do are on their phones I'm not feeling a lot of guilt if you crash into me.

I believe from the expletives I hear from idiots who walk into it that it’s quite painful. I understand that it is rarely fatal.

This sounds like you are not just unbothered about hurting people, but quite enjoying running over their feet. You may even be doing so deliberately (or being deliberately careless about doing so). Which is saddening.

 

[kristiang85]

I despise wheely cases - I've lost count of the amount of times I've nearly or actually tripped over one because someone is trailing it too far behind them, or when someone suddenly stops at the top of the stairs and swings their case round to hold it without checking how many people they are about to knock over like bowling pins. And even if nobody trips over them, it often means one person takes up for too much space for themselves in a crowded place (e.g. a LU tunnel). Honestly, they woould be banned from stations if I had my way. The 4-wheeled ones are OK as people can drag them next to them, but most people should be absolutely fine carrying a case or having a small rucksack.

Even the mere mention of them works me up

 

[Techniquest]

Don't get me started on wheely cases! My rule of thumb with luggage is that if it won't fit in your rucksack then you probably don't need to take it on a train.

I have to disagree here. I went on an 8 day adventure recently, and there was no way I wasn't taking a 4-wheel case with me! My hiking boots alone would have taken up too much room in anything smaller than that! I don't own a rucksack big enough for an 8 day adventure, especially not one with my boots inside such a bag. There's also the fact I wouldn't want all that weight on my back, I did similar on a multi-day tour in October 2020 and it was not nice!

Cramming onto a peak time Underground train, or similar Metro service, I'd understand the displeasure of others! Personally, other people are more likely to get in my way with my case, I don't hang about moving it around. The poor thing was new before my adventure, but the streets of Amsterdam were not well received by it! To be fair, I seriously doubt the manufacturers ever expected the case to go on a high-speed tour of Amsterdam's rough surfaces, or on a power walk between Dalston Junction and St Pancras International!

 

[ANorthernGuard]

Just quite simply have manners (and as a Guard have your Railcard ready as well as your ticket)

 

[duncanp]

rucksacs are for mountaineering. Why people use them for visiting cities I dont know. Surely a wheely case would be better.

Rucksacks are not just for mountaineering.

A small one can be ideal for short trips away, as it means that you have your hands free.

Half the problem these days is that people are too busy looking at their phones to pay attention to their wheeled suitcase or rucksack. Quite a number of times I have been on a bus or train when someone realises at the last minute that this is their stop, and rushes to get off after people have started boarding.

Proper etiquette in this matter is to be aware of your surroundings, and be considerate of other people.

 

[Runningaround]

rucksacs are for mountaineering. Why people use them for visiting cities I dont know. Surely a wheely case would be better.

So how do those living in a City get them to the Mountains? Rucksacks are better for carrying shopping than carrier bags, it' just relies on the person carrying it to show some consideration and awareness. They'd remember to remove it off their shoulders in a cramped place should an opportunist use the situation to take advantage and start emptying it of valuables.

 

[Runningaround]

Just quite simply have manners (and as a Guard have your Railcard ready as well as your ticket)

And for guards to have there device switched on before asking for tickets, have their ticket machine with them and enough change. So passengers are not holding their phones out continually refreshing the screens waiting for you to warm up your scanner, they do not have to wait for you to finish the rest of the train then head back to your cab fish out your machine and then realise you didn't bring any change with you.

 

[Skiddaw]

I can see the rucksack debate is going to run and run.... Personally, I carry a rucksack most of the time (in various sizes depending on what I'm doing- including climbing fells I should add). I've only once taken a wheelie suitcase on a train and a right pain it was (we were on our way back from a wedding at which I was one of the bridesmaids and had to resort to the train because our car blew up but that's another story! )

 

[James185]

And for guards to have there device switched on before asking for tickets, have their ticket machine with them and enough change. So passengers are not holding their phones out continually refreshing the screens waiting for you to warm up your scanner, they do not have to wait for you to finish the rest of the train then head back to your cab fish out your machine and then realise you didn't bring any change with you.

Is that a regular occurence or an isolated incident?

I couldn't imagine being so unorganised. The role is demanding on stopping services and effective time management/organisation is key to safety, punctuality, customer service and revenue duties (contrary to popular belief we're not all sat in the back cab all day)

 

[Runningaround]

Is that a regular occurence or an isolated incident?

I couldn't imagine being so unorganised. The role is demanding on stopping services and effective time management/organisation is key to safety, punctuality, customer service and revenue duties (contrary to popular belief we're not all sat in the back cab all day)

Frequently even on routes where Guards sell tickets as frequently as they do on the Cambrian Coast, they just assume everyone's bought before boarding then need to go back for the machines during the very frequent request stops, but still after shouting ''tickets please'' you get your phone ready and the guard gets to you and is looking for his scanner or trying to switch it on, or hasn't got any change, this is for trains carrying kids travelling alone and won't have bank cards.
Funnily enough the staff who have been there since BR days when almost every transaction was by cash through them are the least well organised.

 

[LowLevel]

And for guards to have there device switched on before asking for tickets, have their ticket machine with them and enough change. So passengers are not holding their phones out continually refreshing the screens waiting for you to warm up your scanner, they do not have to wait for you to finish the rest of the train then head back to your cab fish out your machine and then realise you didn't bring any change with you.

Ahem...

"Hang on... I just need to turn my phone on.../wait a minute, it's downloading.../oh.. are we in a tunnel?/my friend sent it to me, why does it matter that they've chopped off half the barcode in WhatsApp?/you'll have to show me how to.../bear with me, I'm not very good with this.../what do you mean "inbound"/*removes earphones* what? Oh. It's a split ticket, hang on"

After I've had 3 passengers take 10 minutes to successfully show me a barcode to scan you'll have to forgive the fact that occasionally the bloody scanner switches off without warning

 

[Facing Back]

This sounds like you are not just unbothered about hurting people, but quite enjoying running over their feet. You may even be doing so deliberately (or being deliberately careless about doing so). Which is saddening.

I think perhaps your dislike of these bags is letting you read more into this than is the case.

If I run someone over (their feet) - which I haven't done in decades - then I am at fault, apologise, check the person is OK, and endeavour to do better the next time.

If someone runs into me or falls over my bag then I am polite, solicitous, concerned if they are hurt and sympathetic. I do not feel responsible or guilty and do not apologise. If they fall over my bag then generally I assume that they are embarrassed and shocked so I ignore any umbrage, unless its a bit over the top in which case I will respond. Frequent travel is hard on luggage so mine is designed to protect it's contents.

I had a young chap in an airport, moving at speed and staring at his phone come a significant cropper and his phone was smashed as it flew onto the hard floor. I was stationary at the time and it is fair to say that we didn't agree on who's fault it was and who would pay for the phone. At a Swiss airport, I was moving at speed and not paying attention and I joined an escalator, not seeing the vertical pole at the bottom designed to stop trolleys being pushed onto it but cunningly topping out at testicle height for a running man. I didn't blame the pole or the airport for me not seeing it and having to be wheeled onto the plane in a wheelchair. People need to pay attention to where they are going.

Yesterday on a 75% full Northern service, a young family got on, the chap had a rucksack with a smallish child in it and a pack on his chest with a todddler and he had 2 large bags. His wife had the hands of 2 small but walking age children. They were apologetic and courteous and as one everyone sitting stood and offered them the 4 seat areas that they were in. It was quite warming to see.

Ahem...

"Hang on... I just need to turn my phone on.../wait a minute, it's downloading.../oh.. are we in a tunnel?/my friend sent it to me, why does it matter that they've chopped off half the barcode in WhatsApp?/you'll have to show me how to.../bear with me, I'm not very good with this.../what do you mean "inbound"/*removes earphones* what? Oh. It's a split ticket, hang on"

After I've had 3 passengers take 10 minutes to successfully show me a barcode to scan you'll have to forgive the fact that occasionally the bloody scanner switches off without warning

haha. My step-kids can access any content on any of the 700 apps they have on their phones in less than a second. I have to make sure I've downloaded the ticket before I get on and test that I can retrieve it at least twice and then leave the app it is on open so I can flip to it when asked or when I get to a barrier. I now carry a power brick too just in case. I do believe that e-tickets are brilliant though. I prefer the oyster card to using my phone on the tube but I'm sure I will grow out of that at some point.

 

[Archie810]

People with massive holiday suitcases (the ones Ryanair would rather you post to the destination airport) left in the aisle. and its especially irritating when its busy and is something like a sprinter with narrow aisles

 

[Ken H]

People with massive holiday suitcases (the ones Ryanair would rather you post to the destination airport) left in the aisle. and its especially irritating when its busy and is something like a sprinter with narrow aisles

what do the conditions of carriage say about large luggage?

 

[Facing Back]

what do the conditions of carriage say about large luggage?

if you can carry it you can bring it I think - there is a maximum number of items

 

[AndrewP]

The choice of luggage is a very personal thing and the key with it is to not let it get in the way of or hurt others whatever it is.

I tend to use a briefcase / messenger bad for day trips, a small backpack for one night with city trips or by rail, a small laptop wheelie case for ones with airport changes due to the miles of corridors in airports, a small spinner case for longer trips (still cabin size) and a large spinner for hold baggage on rare occasions. All this makes me think I have spent a fortune with samsonite over the years! Oh and if I am moving house I use Pickfords not LNER unlike some seem to