More aggogance from one of Lord Snooty's geriatric chums

[TW]Fox;15990236 said:
I take it you've tried to work with papers in a standard class coach?

Didn't think so. You can't do it. You can if you simply need a laptop, but I've seen MP's on adjecent tables and they've usually got all sorts of documentation etc etc.
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Actually most standard class passengers in the trains I get don't use the tables at all as most are listening to their iPods or reading books. When I have to work on the train it tends to be with papers, not with a laptop. Never had a problem using the entire table if I need to. I just ask the other people at the table first.

Next self important assumption please.
 
Halfmad said:
Actually most standard class passengers in the trains I get don't use the tables at all as most are listening to their iPods or reading books. When I have to work on the train it tends to be with papers, not with a laptop. Never had a problem using the entire table if I need to. I just ask the other people at the table first.

Next self important assumption please.
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You might be happy to spread work related documents across a table with 3 other complete strangers sat at it, but I suspect most people, including your average MP, is not.
 
I travel a lot on the train, mainly to London and Scotland 2 or 3 times a week using Virgin rail and virtually always travel First Class. Most of the standard seats are gone on all London trains at the time I travel and it is a fact that First Class is a better environment to get work done in. I can't think of the last time I had to have a word with someone tish tish tishing at me from their iPod and bar one or two exceptions its simply quieter and a nicer place to be with at seat service which is great when you have a long trip and work to do. May stick in the claw with some, but it is a fact and it's why I travel First Class. I want quiet, space, service and a nicer seat and that, for me, is worth paying for.
 
As Housey and Fox have said, complete non-issue. I'm lucky in that I can often get the train back home from London to Cheltenham in 1st for under £20 and it's a complete no brainer. I fully respect why MPs want to travel 1st class - most companies have a policy of allowing 1st for journeys especially over a certain timescale (mine has just increased it to 3hrs though which is a shame). Why should MPs be any different? Alright, it comes out of the public pocket but MPs need to travel a lot and work while travelling due to the very nature of their job - 1st class is the obvious choice.
 
stockhausen said:
I don't think that anyone is objecting to MPs paying for quiet, space, service and a nicer seat. I suspect that the problem is that the taxpayer is paying for it ;)
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And? We pay for the cost of most business travellers going 1st class in the cost of the goods we buy. I really don't see an issue here at all - it's small fry in the government budget and really damaging to be focussing on things like this when billions are wasted every day on an overinflated public sector!
 
I removed this post as I don't want to enter into a dialogue.

I take offence at "Lord Snooty" and don't wish to have a discussion with such children.
 
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meghatronic said:
I have no problem whatsoever with MPs using first class travel.

People like to think MPs should be on the same level as us, but ultimately they shouldn't. It's the way it should be. Don't like it? Become an MP.
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They are like 'us', just some of 'us' travel First Class. Not sure many people travelling First Class would even notice or pay any attention to it, it's really a non event that an MP wants to travel First Class. My local MP often gets the same train and always travels First Class.
 
Once again the media spin pretty normal and sensible comments so it looks like he's saying "anyone who travels in standard class are scum" which he's not, he's just saying the completely obvious, First Class is quieter, more comfortable, more private and thus much easier to get work done.

I normally travel standard class. Normally it's fine and I don't mind if there are Hen nights or Stag dos or whatever going on, that's perfectly fine by me. But if I need to get work done I shell out the extra premium for the benefits of first class travel so I can actually work. I don't mind doing the same for my MP.
 
MP's should be allowed to use 1st class if they so wish, don't see the issue. My friend who worked for the government on 25k pa was entitled to first class, if you want to save money do it there.

How many high up managers in the private sector would travel second class?
 
It's true that in standard class when someone farts in their seat it's common to follow through.

Watch where you sit!
 
I'm somewhat old fashioned but I seriously fail to understand why anyone needs to work whilst travelling/eating etc.

I once had a stand up row with a very self important **** in a restaurant who was on the next table; his laptop was open and he was holding a rather heated conversation with his secretary or whoever; I asked him if he had an office and if so, WTF wasn't he using it instead of disturbing all the tables surrounding him in a nice restaurant?

I got some applause too!

Get a job where you commute whilst reading the paper and having a coffee: NOT where you have to work outside the building.

The graveyards are full of "indispensable" people.
 
singist said:
I'm somewhat old fashioned but I seriously fail to understand why anyone needs to work whilst travelling/eating etc.

I once had a stand up row with a very self important **** in a restaurant who was on the next table; his laptop was open and he was holding a rather heated conversation with his secretary or whoever; I asked him if he had an office and if so, WTF wasn't he using it instead of disturbing all the tables surrounding him in a nice restaurant?

I got some applause too!

Get a job where you commute whilst reading the paper and having a coffee: NOT where you have to work outside the building.

The graveyards are full of "indispensable" people.
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A somewhat simplistic view of life.
 
I was born and grew up in and until 8 years ago lived in macclesfield. The MP in question is a ****** and its about time he left office, he is widely known to ( allegedly ) take back handers and yet swoon around like mr teflon.

However i admit i have to come to his defense and reiterate that the "outrage" he has supposedly caused by calling standard class travellers "different type of people" is just the idiot interviewer twisting what he is saying.

Its plainly clear he means that the typical standard class passenger is not a business person who is there to do work, with the travel being incidental. Of course there ARE people doing work but as a generalisation most are not.

The issue is this.... should MPS get free first class travel, or should they have allowances like the private sector and top it up themselves?

I get the impression that MP's are genuinely upset they "shock horror" should have to actually spend some of the money they get paid to live! buy food, buy clothes and pay bills.... you know like everyone else does.
 
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Housey said:
A somewhat simplistic view of life.
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Perhaps but if you're in a restaurant then it is hardly polite to continue working (particularly on a laptop) where you are potentially ruining the experience/ambience for other patrons. If you/they must really have a working lunch then have some consideration and do it quietly, especially if it is a nice restaurant, there are times when it is appropriate to be loud and others where it is not as I'm sure you are aware.

Sir Nicholas has indeed worded his statement insensibly, however if the majority of the time in first class is going to be used for working then I'm not particularly bothered about it. That said a bit of common sense and discretion comes into play, just booking first class "because you're entitled" isn't a good use of public funds and it should be remembered that is what we're talking about here. Sometimes it is perfectly appropriate and with a bit of forethought it needn't be hugely more expensive to use first class but to always use it irrespective of any other considerations isn't necessary.
 
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