First Class excuses....

[whole diary]

[EBrown]

Congratulations!

(Well someone had to do it :-p)

Joke of the day is won by... anyone but you. That was awful. You can go now. Thank-you.

I do enjoy the "medical conditions" I overhear... most relate to being afraid of enclosed spaces or being allergic to "standard class scum".

[thetrout]

Congratulations!

(Well someone had to do it :-p)

Your coat sir?

Sorry, but that did make me chuckle...!

[swrural]

'I didn't know it was first'.

We have done that.  After changing at Clapham Jcn onto a packed Southern train (is that not tautology?) for Gatwick, with cases, we saw some spare seats, which other standing pax were ignoring.  After collapsing, after 5 mins, I noticed the First signs.  We had assumed that the standing pax were piling out at E Croydon (they usually do) and thus were not bothering with a seat.  Southern is a bit like being on the Tube, frankly.

After leaving the seats hurriedly and embarassed, we decided that the real reason for our mistake was that the first class was such crap seating, it was forgivable that a stranger could be mistaken.

[Tim]

2.. Oh.. I didn't notice where I'd sat

Well it isn;t helped by all the standard class antimacassars having the word "first" on them.

A couple of times, I've seen standard class ticket holders in the standard class coach fretting that they are in the wrong part of the train. 

[Brucey]

We have done that.  After changing at Clapham Jcn onto a packed Southern train (is that not tautology?) for Gatwick, with cases, we saw some spare seats, which other standing pax were ignoring.  After collapsing, after 5 mins, I noticed the First signs.  We had assumed that the standing pax were piling out at E Croydon (they usually do) and thus were not bothering with a seat.  Southern is a bit like being on the Tube, frankly.

It is only like being on the tube on services within London.  Once you're outside, it is like being anywhere else.  Given the first class seats are identical to their standard counterparts in the front and rear coaches of their Electrostars, you'd be forgiven for thinking it was standard.  Especially on certain types of unit where there is no separating door between first and standard.

[paul7575]

Given the first class seats are identical to their standard counterparts in the front and rear coaches of their Electrostars, you'd be forgiven for thinking it was standard. 

You 'first' have to ignore quite a  few warning notices to 'not realise' you are in first on the typical SN 377, as in the composite photo below...

Paul

[swrural]

Thanks for your photos -brought it all back.  Imagine that you are climbing among one another and weighed down with cases and that the vestibule is packed.  I admit it was silly of us not to wonder why nobody had taken the two remaining seats but I explained that.

Actually it was a pleasure to get out of there as the genuine first class passengers opposite were stuck up types who talked loudly about how much money they had (just like the Harry Enfield 'rich brummy' sketch).  I'm not kidding.

All is forgiven Steve Norris (well not for Jarvis) - you were quite right, unfortunately.