Great Western Coffee Shop

I broke my foot last night - which is why I was on the 0841 and not the 0632 from WOS

On both my morning and evening journey - FGW staff were more than helpful despite me not notifying in advance since I'm not disabled - I just have a broken foot (and am self employed so dont get sick pay!)

Morning train - they had a surfeit of crew and I got my bag carried and helped off

Evening train - I had pre bought a wine but asked to keep cool in the buffet - no FC host in sight - TM came buy - explained my situation and that I would normally fetch myself - 2 minutes later my wine arrived!

And I got helped off the train

Have arranged with client to work from home for next two days until swelling goes down - but just wanted to say - FGW on the ground staff are generally ook

(but I do question if I as SC would I have got the same help  - I did NOT make myself known to crewe because I knew as FC they would realise but if I were SC and said to platform or FGW staff my situation - would I have gotten assistance with bags???? I doubt it)

I don't feel that you got that help just because you were in First, I feel that would be a pretty unfair comment to make. If you got help on the train, they aren't going to know you are First Class unless you tell them, or perhaps if they know you as regular.

Maybe it is because I am a regular but this was post ticket check?

It would be nice to think you would get the same treatment no matter what class you were in :)

So would I - I just dont know how an SC passenger if they didnt make a fuss would get that known

It would only really be known if it was obvious they required help.

Hi, Mookiemoo!

I'm just catching up with posts, and read this topic: I'm sorry to read about your foot - hope it's not too painful?  Best wishes for a speedy recovery, anyway!  ;)

As Ollie says, I'd like to think FGW staff would be helpful to any passenger in such a situation?  I've certainly seen them helping passengers at Bristol Temple Meads, for example, and there's been no suggestion that the staff check the passenger's class of ticket first?

I've even been known to offer a lady some help with her suitcase up the steps to a platform myself, sometimes. (Mind you, I have occasionally regretted this, when I try to lift her case and find she must have 16 breeze blocks in it!)  ;D

To be honest, a lot of staff would probably help SC more than FC, alot of FC passengers(not you mookiemoo!) expect everyone to bow their every command so there can be a little bit of contempt. hope your foot gets better soon.

I guess its because I didnt ask for help that I was surprised - and I didnt because I'm going to be in this state for a few weeks and life goes on and I cant expect everyone to lift me carry me and fetch me so one way or the other I have to learn to cope!