AIBU to think that the Ticket Inspector was a 'Jobsworth'?

Granted oldfrill. I missed that post.

Germanshepherdsmum

I think that rather than using discretion, GoldenAge the inspector realised your cousin had learning difficulties and was confused, and probably doubted her mental capacity. They probably have training about how to deal with people such as your cousin and those with other obvious mental health problems such as dementia.

I know the above post was completely well intentioned but I feel I must point out that dementia is a physical not a mental illness.
Dementia is a collective term used to describe neurodegenerative disorders of the brain that affect cognition.
Fundamentally, dementia does affect an individual's mental health, but in itself is not actually a mental health illness.

singingnutty

Having read the comments posted recently I am very relieved that not everyone thinks I was trying to cheat the system. I made a genuine mistake. When my railcard didn't arrive on the morning we were travelling DH quickly printed off the email saying my railcard was on the way, and I just folded it up and put it away safely. I didn't read the bit which said I must not travel without it. I was wrong to think that the ticket inspector was a Jobsworth - she was indeed doing her job and I have total respect for people doing difficult jobs. So I made lots of mistakes, but we are never too old to learn from our mistakes and I shall think carefully in future before even imagining what I 'might have said' in a stressful situation. Thanks for all your comments anyway. Pleased to say that my son was able to go to work on Friday for the first time in weeks, so that is the most important thing above all else.

Said with good grace singingnutty 👏👏

Anneeba

Nothing about being polite as far as I can see and the suggestion was she was not empathetic.

Here is OPs post where she said the ticket inspector was polite. I don't see why she should have been empathetic/sympathetic to two adults strangers. She sounds like she carried out her duties in a professional manner.

Singing Nutty @ 11/07/2024 14:59

Actually, of course, yes. No-one came to check our tickets on the way to London though. Just as well, or we would have had the situation twice. I do understand people have to do their jobs and she was polite, but a few words of sympathy and then enforcing the rule would have helped.

Nothing about being polite as far as I can see and the suggestion was she was not empathetic.

There are always these jobs worth people around, but on a positive note. My DD who was about 5 months pregnant, felt unwell after we were in London to see an afternoon Show.
We had day returns and you have to be on certain trains. We went to the ticket office to see if they could change the time of our return which was a few hours away, I explained why and said happy to pay for another tickets, but the chap behind the counter told us to put our money away, he changed the times reissued the Tickets for the next Train no charge, he wished my DD best of luck.

Anneeba

In a totalitarian state you would be absolutely in the wrong. In a country that is not ruled by such people there is always room for a little empathy, even if the rules are applied. Would it have hurt the I inspector to show a little kindness? I think not. The thing I find disconcerting is how rigid some folk are. I know being on the spectrum does not allow for shades of grey, I have close family who are autistic, but surely not all the responders jumping on the bandwagon of slating the OP are autistic? Some are, I spotted them on here long ago, but I feel sorry for the OP who just expected a little understanding and was not trying to scam the railways.

OP said the Ticket Inspector was polite and told her how to gain a refund.
Seems perfectly acceptable to me.

I wonder if you can still download the app or if you have to do it at point of purchase?
I've not had a "real" card for years so I'm not sure.

Having read the comments posted recently I am very relieved that not everyone thinks I was trying to cheat the system. I made a genuine mistake. When my railcard didn't arrive on the morning we were travelling DH quickly printed off the email saying my railcard was on the way, and I just folded it up and put it away safely. I didn't read the bit which said I must not travel without it. I was wrong to think that the ticket inspector was a Jobsworth - she was indeed doing her job and I have total respect for people doing difficult jobs. So I made lots of mistakes, but we are never too old to learn from our mistakes and I shall think carefully in future before even imagining what I 'might have said' in a stressful situation. Thanks for all your comments anyway. Pleased to say that my son was able to go to work on Friday for the first time in weeks, so that is the most important thing above all else.

In a totalitarian state you would be absolutely in the wrong. In a country that is not ruled by such people there is always room for a little empathy, even if the rules are applied. Would it have hurt the I inspector to show a little kindness? I think not. The thing I find disconcerting is how rigid some folk are. I know being on the spectrum does not allow for shades of grey, I have close family who are autistic, but surely not all the responders jumping on the bandwagon of slating the OP are autistic? Some are, I spotted them on here long ago, but I feel sorry for the OP who just expected a little understanding and was not trying to scam the railways.

www.bbc.com/news/articles/ck7g3gp998ko

This!

Since you ask, yes you are being unreasonable. The woman was doing the job she is paid for and applying rules that she is not allowed to set aside.

I realise that you had had a tiring day after probably a lot of anxiety for quite some time, but that is not a excuse for being unreasonable. You did not have a rail-card, so that's that.

A good thing you did not make the remark you were tempted to.

Baggs

Conductors on the trains I most commonly travel on sell tickets on the train. This seems like a civilised approach.

Same for me. Many of the stations on the route I use are unmanned.
However, the train is often so busy that the ticket inspector can't get to everyone. We just pay at the barrier.
I find the staff at Glasgow Central are usually very understanding on the occasions when I have made a mistake.

You'd be surprised how many people claim they're waiting for a Railcard to try and blag a cheaper trip. That's why the measurements are in place. So that genuine people are able to claim it back if they have genuinely applied for one and are entitled.

Reported.

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lots of delivery scams, beware.

Suggest you call the delivery office and ask, westendgirl - or pop in if it's close...

eek . i though that was a pic of entrails, or a snake.
well, actually . . .
reported.

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Eil4

Funnily enough I renews my railcard this morning choosing to do so digitally - in the past I would be in a panic in case I lost the card. Now it’s on my phone, happy days!

I renewed my railcard digitally this morning as well. Took less than 5 minutes and I won’t have to do it again for 3 years.

PS Delighted to hear that your son’s condition has turned out to be less serious than it might have been. It must’ve been a really stressful day for you, and I doubt you were as a resilient as you might as you might have been other times. So not BU, just a bit emotional x

Could the inspector catch the lads jumping over the barrier though? don’t think you can say ‘well I shouldn’t pay because they didn’t’
You were very lucky to not be charged on the way down SingingNutty I wouldn’t make a fuss you were lucky you didn’t get caught on the way down

cannot help but wonder what would happen if your electronic device such as mobile phone ran out of battery
Nana Tuesday you can always use a portable power bank if you are on a long journey or a day out and anyway most trains have charging points under the seat front If they are charged up before a day out and you are not continuously on the phone watching films or listening to music it’s highly unlikely to run out in 12 hours

I think there’s an element of luck with this stuff. I’ve had lots of times where train managers have been really great and flexible when I’ve made a mistake of some kind, but I’ve equally heard situations happening around me where the train manager is showing no flexibility at all. And I agree with the points that other people have made about how unpleasant travelers can be towards staff. That’s public transport for you - all human life is there as they say!