Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2012 15:23:02 GMT
I also thought a saw a second person from the last series, a female ticket inspector. Did anyone else spot her?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2012 17:51:19 GMT
Really enjoyed this, and looking forward to the following episodes. I like how this was shot, and particularly focused on the people involved at all levels and places, giving it an informal touch, instead of being very much a documentary.
|
|
|
Post by adehare2012 on Feb 27, 2012 16:12:22 GMT
I'm fairly new to the forum, but this threat has certainly caught my eye. I like what I've seen of the series so far, and notice from the trailer on BBC2 that tonight they are giving some limelight to the Ticket Inspectors and als noticed that female inspector that's features I'm pretty sure she was on the tube on ITV1. I'm so glad its not teh bloke she used to go around with in that series, he was horrible and did nothing at all to dispel the myth that Ticket Inspectors are just bullies in or out of uniform. I'm not their biggest fan, and have had regular reason to tell LU this, as I do find them a nuscience especially when they stand in front of a nice line of automatic ticket gates, but I guess they do still have some purpose to the organisation. I wonder if they will be shown dealing with people with learning difficulties or visual impairment (I am visually impaired) and think I find them worse because there seems to be no awareness of the needs of disabled people, such as explaining things one bit at a time or in my case, moving out of the way of someone with a white cane or guide dog. Does anybody know if they receive disability awareness training. Looking forward to having my views of them changed though
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 27, 2012 22:03:48 GMT
Those two undercover ticket inspectors aren't so undercover now are they?
|
|
metman
Global Moderator
5056 05/12/1961-23/04/2012 RIP
Posts: 7,400
|
Post by metman on Feb 27, 2012 22:11:38 GMT
Ha ha! Shame half the progamme was about S stock! The lad in Derby saying ''I hope they work'' ;D Least there was some A stock being shown.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 27, 2012 22:22:05 GMT
Another interesting episode as usual
Good to show what work goes on at the depot
|
|
|
Post by auxsetreq on Feb 27, 2012 22:35:07 GMT
I've never heard the term "pocket dancing" before, and I must admit I thought she was referring to "pocket billiards" Which if one keeps one's oyster in that region would occur.............
Not so many daft comments as last week. Apart from that board with the quotes. Do the punters actively look for it? Reach the top of the escalators, blink and you'd miss it.............
Great look at the revenue side. Sometimes I earwig as they plan their military campaigns in the canteen. They take no prisoners.............
|
|
Phil
In memoriam
RIP 23-Oct-2018
Posts: 9,473
|
Post by Phil on Feb 27, 2012 22:46:08 GMT
And another forum member plays a starring role .
|
|
Phil
In memoriam
RIP 23-Oct-2018
Posts: 9,473
|
Post by Phil on Feb 27, 2012 22:51:45 GMT
Those two undercover ticket inspectors aren't so undercover now are they? true, but 1. They are all so non-descript you'd have trouble remembering their faces and 2. How many regular fare-dodgers are the same sort of people that would sit down in front of BBC2 on a Monday night? Especially as they are the folk that hate LU so much they refuse to pay for it!!
|
|
|
Post by Tubeboy on Feb 27, 2012 23:06:10 GMT
Did the Beeb have to show how can you can get through without paying by covering the lenses? As for the grey haired female ticket inspector, I have worked on a station at the same time with her, and found her to be very confronational with the public. Seems she toned down for the cameras. As for mimicking the Asian Lady's poor English, I thought that was rude and patronising. All other staff came across well.
|
|
metman
Global Moderator
5056 05/12/1961-23/04/2012 RIP
Posts: 7,400
|
Post by metman on Feb 27, 2012 23:20:08 GMT
She was in the last series! She doesn't muck about! ;D
|
|
Oracle
In memoriam
RIP 2012
Writing is such sweet sorrow: like heck it is!
Posts: 3,234
|
Post by Oracle on Feb 28, 2012 7:42:19 GMT
Well done the undercover guys..but where were the BTP with that thug? I did think though that the female inspector could have been a bit more customer-friendly.
I was just amazed that serial offenders, for that is what they are, can be tracked and traced. Is this a side of Oyster that has been a 'hidden' advantage?
|
|
|
Post by alex92ts on Feb 28, 2012 11:47:46 GMT
Very interesting yet again.
Typical how one of the cocky idiots was heading for Loughton, which is my home town! Quite a few people like that in 'TOWIE-town'.
Enjoyed learning about the undercover revenue inspectors, and seeing the S-stocks being made.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2012 16:05:20 GMT
Was it just me, or did the people seem less surprised this time about plain clothes ticket inspectors checking tickets on trains than on the ITV series? Presumably this tactic is used more widely than it was 10 or so years ago.
|
|
|
Post by trt on Feb 28, 2012 16:07:40 GMT
The week before last, I had my ticket checked on the (tube) train for the first time in the 20 years I've been a regular user of the system!
|
|
|
Post by alfie on Feb 28, 2012 16:19:21 GMT
Happens more often on the DLR where PSA's have less to do..just don't let Boris on there!
|
|
|
Post by adehare2012 on Feb 28, 2012 16:30:03 GMT
I couldn't agree with you more Tubeboy. If that had been me she'd mimicked, she would have received a formal complaint for that behaviour. Absolutely no excuse for it, and I'm afraid it just reinforces the reason why I have no liking and definitely no time for these people. She should be disciplined for that behaviour, assuming any bosses at LU saw this programme.
Her colleague on the other hand (I assume that's what she was as I heard their voices at the same time) did seem to come across well and had GENUINE empathy and sympathy for the customers she came across, even when they were upset (whether genuine upset or faking it to try and get off).
I repeat again, I do understand why they do what they do, and I hadn't realised my interchange to the tube at Seven Sisters was such a problem, although perhaps I shouldn't be surprised by that, given the area its in. BUT, I'm afraid I still don't agree with the way they treat passengers, even those who are trying to evade their fares. Literally demanding details, that is the job of the Police, and yes, I'm afraid I have called the Police in the past when one of these people (I refuse to use bad language in public) has tried to get my details cause they didn't like the fact I went past them because I COULD NOT SEE THEM!!! I will do the same again and inconvenience them next time.
There are nice ones as well, and I have even complimented one or two to LU, but that's a rarity I'm afraid.
Any comments from passengers or even LU staff
|
|
|
Post by Tubeboy on Feb 28, 2012 17:47:40 GMT
Well as a member of LU staff, my opinion and I stress it is my personal opinion is that I have not been impressed with revenue control staff whenever I have worked with them.
Taking the gateline over from the resident station staff, the high handed attitude they have to both passengers and fellow colleagues. Going completely over the top over ticketing irregularities. Threatening people with court, when a mild ticking off would do. They are very cliquey. That i can understand with the nature of their role. But their jobsworthy and supercillious attitude is completely unnecessary, and just alienates me from them. In almost 10 years of working on LU, I have met maybe two revenue staff who I felt I had the right approach.
I am glad the revenue staff on the programme last night have moderated my previous views. The blonde lady in particular came across as human, friendly but carrying a tone of authority. She spoke to people with courtesy, tact and basic human kindness. I found this refreshing. Her grey haired colleague on the other hand, who I have worked with previously from my Northern line days, was the opposite. Her confrontational tone, aggressive body language and speech as well as her offensive, patronising, and possibly even racist way of dealing with ticketing irregularities. She should not be in the role IMHO.
|
|
|
Post by 21146 on Feb 28, 2012 21:27:07 GMT
They actually showed how to evade the fare using Oyster Cards!?
|
|
|
Post by Tubeboy on Feb 28, 2012 21:53:51 GMT
Indeed. Not only scamming by entering and exiting at the same station, but also by covering the lenses.
|
|
|
Post by londonstuff on Feb 28, 2012 22:47:35 GMT
I've just watched it on iPlayer - I was surprised at that myself. They actually showed how to evade the fare using Oyster Cards!?
|
|
|
Post by bassmike on Feb 29, 2012 1:46:26 GMT
I agree about revenue staff in general. I have also met some of them who were participating in an all -night tour on the Paris metro a few years ago.Most of them had this jack the lad attitude along with childish boasting to all and sundry about what they had done etc: and one of them actually tried to start throwing his weight about with the other tour participents (very soon put down!) I think the job attracts the type of person who does not have much going for them and so likes to hide behind a uniform or peaked cap to attain minor authority. Traffic wardens parkin g attendants etc:
|
|
|
Post by bassmike on Feb 29, 2012 1:48:07 GMT
should also add not all but certin police officers as well
|
|
|
Post by Geoffram on Feb 29, 2012 5:59:10 GMT
The fact that the Revenue Staff were in plain clothes seems to suggest that they were more interested in catching cerain individuals out rather than preventing it happening. On the buses they got rid of conductors, but then had to employ loads of revenue inspectors (at a more expensive rate, I'm sure). Some of the inspectors took great delight in 'interviewing' members of the public: what relevance does someone's job have to the fact that they didn't pay the correct fare? Puzzling attitude of the public too: if you were coming out of a Tube station and there were cameras and a crew filming, would you risk not paying? Also, why would you grant permission to the filmmakers to be included in the film...assuming everyone's permission had been sought? On a more general point, whereas the Channel 4 documentary a few weeks ago was just criticism of the way LU is run with no positive points, the first two programmes of this series seem to be squeaky clean without a sniff of anything negative being said. I wonder if LU had granted permission for the crew to spend a year shooting without demanding any input editorially.
|
|
|
Post by adehare2012 on Feb 29, 2012 6:59:44 GMT
Interesting set of views, and they tend to back up what I feel. That most of the Ticket Inspectors (sorry that's what they are, nothing more, well nothing that can really be put on this forum anyway) are high handed, overstep their job, overstep the mark and then try demanding details, which only the Police are allowed to do (at least with any consequence if you don't give your details to them). Its such a shame, because they could and should be giving a positive impression of London Underground, but they don't. I can now just imagine the Olympics. Nobody able to get out of Stratford Station due to these people deciding to stand right in front of a gateline. Why on earth do they insist in checking tickets in front of a gateline, I think that's what winds me up most, the gatelines have more personality and do the job better. As for taking over the gateline from resident station staff. Surely the Station Supervisor can step in and tell them to butt out and go somewhere else on the station to annoy the passengers and let his staff get on with doing what they do, look after the station. Personally at Seven Sisters I know some great station staff, I have to sometimes when I need help getting to the trains (or buses when the tube is suspended), they are fantastic. Also, and I'm sure this isn't so they can get their story straight when dealing with a passenger, but why always 2 or 3 on one carriage? ? Um, surely one would be enough. Keep the good ones, chuck out the bad ones (like the one mimicking the poor passengers accent) Have to say though, this series so far has impressed me, although from listening to the snippet about next weeks episode on iPlayer, I'm a bit nervous about how much information we are going to get about wht happens when the unthinkable happens and someone ends up under a train. Surely, that will have been quite tightly controlled to prevent upsetting staff, passengers or any relatives.
|
|
|
Post by trt on Feb 29, 2012 9:25:50 GMT
Also, and I'm sure this isn't so they can get their story straight when dealing with a passenger, but why always 2 or 3 on one carriage? ? Um, surely one would be enough. Safety. If you had to risk assess that particular operation, what would your risk mitigation include?
|
|
|
Post by Tubeboy on Feb 29, 2012 10:40:51 GMT
Indeed, lone working isn't an option for them considering their role. As to taking the gateline over, I let them after a while and took an extra coffee break. At my current station, a team of them turned up unannounced, and didn't even sign in with the supervisor. Some of them have a real chip on their shoulder, Mike was right IMHO, the role does attract a certain type of person. Wannabe coppers, bit like PCSO's, but that's for a different thread on another day!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 29, 2012 11:45:45 GMT
As for taking over the gateline from resident station staff. Surely the Station Supervisor can step in and tell them to butt out and go somewhere else on the station to annoy the passengers and let his staff get on with doing what they do, look after the station. Personally at Seven Sisters I know some great station staff, I have to sometimes when I need help getting to the trains (or buses when the tube is suspended), they are fantastic. They certainly can. The station supervisor is in charge of the station regardless of any visiting staff. They are trained in the operation of their station and should be aware of any potential safety hazards. So as such all visitors (inc managers) should follow their instructions (providing of course they are reasonable). When I was working at Tottenham Court Road in the early 90s as a DSM, I received a phone call from the Station Inspector (Pre Company plan!) that RCIs were blocking exiting passengers in the ticket hall and creating a potential safety problem. At TCR the area between the top of the escalators and the gateline is very restricted. We needed to process a large number of customers through the gateline in a very short space of time. If we could not, then passengers would quickly block back on to the top of the escalator resulting in potentially serious consequences. I arrived in the ticket hall to find customers barely clearing the top of the two up escalators and around 5 RCIs dealing with passengers on the gate line. They had put a “block” on certain ticket types which meant the gates would reject the pass and “seek assistance” would appear referring them back to a member of staff. Unfortunately the block was one which ensured a high number of rejections. I had two options – stop the escalators or ask the inspectors to remove the block (or moderate the block to something less disruptive) until the peak had passed. They refused, as a result I told them to remove themselves from the station as they were causing a potential safety hazard. Again they refused. So I powered down the gate line, effectively allowing the build up to clear. However one continued to argue with me as if he owned the station. As a result I told him I was removing their visitor status and I wanted them to leave the station. If they failed to do so I would call the Police. So the argument continued. I wanted my gates back up and running, but not with these individuals carrying out a clearly well intentioned block at the wrong time of day. So having refused my instruction and declining to leave the premises I called BT Police. Realising I had done just that, they packed up and left the station. I was the talk of the line for years after that! Various RCIs would often refer to me quite negatively in conversation and of course this was referred back to me through the line. However despite their snipping, the RCIs treated me with a bit more respect after that.
|
|
a60
I will make the 8100 Class DART my new A Stock.
Posts: 743
|
Post by a60 on Feb 29, 2012 11:50:28 GMT
During Doug's bit about the A Stock, he sounded slightly crestfallen when he admitted they have to go.
|
|
|
Post by 21146 on Feb 29, 2012 12:25:48 GMT
London Buses had their own share of such "wannabes". In the 1980s when plain-clothes lone working had just started, one would use an official police-branded notebook when taking offenders' details. Not content With that, during an interrogation he would shift his body stance to reveal a pair of handcuffs attached to his belt. His career in Revenue ended when he requested police assistance and, upon their arrival, they found the passenger handcuffed to an RM seat stanchion!
Regarding LU Revenue Control, it was interesting to see the different tactics applied to "Flat-cap man" and "Red Headphones man". The former already had a history of aggressive behaviour yet it was the latter that was met mob-handed.
|
|