Great Western Coffee Shop

Split from "Overzealous TM" thread to discuss more gerenal topics. See http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=5200.0

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The lone person / traveller IS often put at a disadvantage - not only on the train, not only when travelling, and not always just as a result of inconsiderate decisions by a provider.

1. How to I go to the buffet without loosing my seat / return my luggage trolley ditto

2. How do I go to the loo without having my luggage stolen

3. How do I "note my table number and order food at the bar" ... I come back to my table, and someone else has grabbed it

4. Why am I always given the pokey little room / table tucked away around the corner

5. Why - when I am staying a a business hotel primarily intended for business travellers - do they offer "two for the price of one" meals in the attached restaurant - I find it a slap in the face  (it's a good chat-up line - 'are you alone too - would you like a free meal' ...)

6. I can sometimes buy a "groupsave" ticket ... but I can't buy a "singlesave"

7. Why is it when I go our for a walk with someone, no-one bats an eyelid, but walking alone I can be looked on with suspicion, or be asked if I am contemplating suicide when I'm just admiring the beautiful suspension bridge, and the view of the road far below

Hi

In particular reference to 1./2.

I have had, and have heard of other terrible experiences travelling on certain legs of the journey from the Westcountry to London. Primarily the services with stops at Westbury, so much so that in some instances, I now only travel with what I can carry personally without trolley and/or wait for the more direct services TAU-RDG-PAD.

Why?  Certain individuals board TAU, go up and down the train ascertaining which luggage has been stowed in the limited luggage facility - Get off at Westbury, and catch the next departure back to TAU.  By the time the legit traveller has reached PAD - too late.

So I cram everything into my 9kg "dolly trolley", and if the weather turns bad whilst away and have not packed accordingly, buy more at the destination.

While it would be possible for me to carry all my luggage with me to the buffet, and/or toilet, as previous posters have already stated, the carriages are crammed with little if any room for the human body to squeeze through, let alone carrying ones luggage et-al back and forth.

TM's etc would definately have something to say, if all passengers, even on one train we to start doing this.  (How about a test on the 18:03 ex-PAD on a Friday night!)

Fecks

It seems in Devon we have common sense, I visited the toilet on a local service and the Conductor simply asked me if those were my bags under the seat and the whole hoo-ha of unattended baggage is instantly solved.

Did you enjoy your visit? :P

Have you seen the "bus fleet" I am forced to travel on  ;D

At least with the Pacers, on the Barny Branch, we can visit the "facility", and without damage to neck etc, attend to the sea-sickness at the same time - of course with very careful aim on both counts ::)

Perhaps a sign in the toilet is needed:-

"First Great Western aim to please - will you aim too, please"  ::)........I'll get me coat.

My two penn'orth on this from the perspective of a regular solitary business traveller:


I know it's not considered very British to do this, but I have to say that the simple expedient of speaking to a nearby passenger is usually enough so solve this dilemma in my experience. "I'm just slipping along to the buffet, would you mind keeping an eye on my seat please?"

(I always say buffet even if going to the loo - and I also take my wallet and phone with me too)


I have to say, I detest this approach to "service" and if faced with it, I withdraw to find somewhere else to eat. I marginally prefer the approach where they present you with a wooden spoon with a number on it and expect the waitress or waiter to come find you. But generally, I dislike being referred to by number and would rather eat somewhere a little less impersonal if possible.


Not wishing to make you feel at all paranoid Graham, but I have to confess I'm completely unaware of this ever having happened to me! Maybe thought that's as a result though of my response to (3) (above)


Fair point, but one can't really blame a company for trying to encourage business. Their hope is presumably that next time, you will bring a colleague and thus increase their income.


Again, sorry if this induces paranoia, Graham, but I have to say I have never felt or been placed under suspicion when walking out alone - or not in this country anyway. Admittedly I've had odd looks in America, but that's usually because everyone else gets in the car and drives even to cross the road!

Do trains get a lot of luggage stolen from the luggage racks these days?

Here's the one to think about for those who suffer from SPS (single person syndrome).
You're sat at a table in a pub. The urge arises for you to visit the smelly room to make space for the next drink. Do you:

a) time it so you have finished the drink you have and then order a new one when you come back hoping that no-one has nicked your seat

or

b) Just go, leaving your glass with half a pint left, hoping that the bar staff don't come along thinking you've gone, clear your glass and then you find someone has nicked your seat....

Ah, the quintessential dichotomy ...  ::) ;D

Well, as a single traveler you get "one for the price of two" offers, don't you ?

Take a tatty jacket and leave it on the back of the seat, along with a little left in your glass, order second pint on the way back from the loo, fingers crosssed jacket and last gulp still at the table. Or, no jacket, no glass and five chavs!

 I think luggage theft may have become an issue.

 At Newton Abbot recently the customer information screens regularly 'flash ' up messages warning of luggage thefts etc.

Id love to know what people expect to find in a case of luggage!  How ob earth do yu know which bag to pick out of the 20.

Even worse, if you found your bag wasmissing as you went to get off of the train.... how would you deal with it, as the train manager would be nowhere to be seen before the train left the station. 

I recall a talk by a customs officer who told how they can look at people and luggage and judge which are the likely candidates to be carrying more than they should ... and I'm sure there is similar logic in looking at luggage alone.  Is the tatty old bag likely to be the one with valuables, or the post new one?  The one that's bulging at the seams of the one that isn't?   The one that's labelled nicely, or the anonymous one?  The black one or the pink one?  I don't know what that logic is / couldn't find any indications from a quick search online / really don't want to help thieves by speculation, but I'm sure THEY know how to make an educated guess at which bags are worth stealing. 

And ... let's face it ... if you're a baggage theif, you're taking a bit of a gamble, so you'll take a further gamble and enjoy the thrill of finding out what you have netted this time.  A sort of exciting form of fishing.

Well I ensure that I take off any luggage tags from an airport now as soon as I am off the threshold, that would have divulged where I had been (especially if i've drawn the short straw of travelling to/from a London airport) if couldnt fly from Exeter or Bristol.

One comment from the insurance company on my last claim surmised...
..anywhere / LHR usually business travel
..anywhere / LGW usually leisure/holiday travel
..No luggage tags - domestic, either business or leisure

As to what they expect is anyone's guess

Fecks

My way of dealing with nature calling when you've got luggage on a train is (where possible) to go shortly after leaving a station when everyone's settled down and there's at least 10 minutes till the next stop. Admittedly this works better if the train isn't overcrowded and there isn't anything of great financial value in your luggage - but at any rate, anyone who does steal it will still be on the train and your fellow passengers might see something.

On a lot of long-distance trains there's a load of luggage left at the ends of the carriages anyway which is presumably out of direct sight - luggage theft doesn't seem to be a massive problem as a result.

Theres a simple answer to the problem of going to the buffet. Buy some food before you travel and save your money. (there is a recession going on after all!!  :D) Simples  ;)

No, no, no. Use it or lose it. Don't give the TOC's an excuse to further reduce on train catering.