Thanks for that very well-reasoned post, Oxman.
So, if you say to the gateline staff, can I go on to the platform to kiss my girl/boyfriend goodbye, the answer should be no - do it on the concourse side of the gateline You would not be allowed to go airside at an airport to kiss someone goodbye, so why expect to do it at a station.
The problem there, I think, is that we're comparing modern purpose-built airport facilities and layouts with rather less flexible (sometimes based on Victorian) railway station facilities - I refer to
BTM▸ , for example.
However, I do agree with you on the barriers: I think they are good at separating ... er, the wheat from the chaff, if you'll pardon the expression?
What I mean is, those passengers who have valid tickets for travel (which is most of them) can just use them to go through the barriers. Those who
don't have a ticket need to present themselves to a member of staff, to explain their reason for still wanting to go beyond the barriers.
So, the staff don't need to have any involvement with the majority of passengers (who go through the barriers with tickets): they can thus give their full attention to anyone who doesn't have a ticket, for whatever reason. So, the barrier staff can then deal on an individual basis with those who want to escort an elderly relative aboard, nip to the loo, get some cash for a newspaper, meet someone in the cafeteria, reclaim some lost property, obtain a customer comment form from the enquiry desk, and so on.
And, in my experience, the barrier staff get it right, most times!
C.
