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

www.bbc.com/news/articles/ck7g3gp998ko

This!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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 👏👏

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.

Granted oldfrill. I missed that post.

NannaChirley

I travelled to London once, a long time ago and there was nobody in the ticket office on our station. I went to the machine and it was out of action. The train arrived so I got on and I went straight to the restaurant and asked To buy a ticket and she called the train guard. He said he’d be back in a minute and we arrived in London an hour later and he still hadn’t come back. The lady went looking for him through the train and guessed he’d gone to the loo… So she told me to go and explain to the guys on the barrier and they will sell me a ticket. The guy on the barrier was so rude, he wouldn’t accept my explanation and pointed me to assign that said you must not get on the train without a ticket, he £100 and when I objected he said he would call the police and have me arrested, I was totally shocked. I just paid the hundred pounds! And he charged me an excessive amount for the actual ticket and didn’t give me a return either, so I had to buy that when I was coming back. That was definitely not a day out for me.

Indeed NannaChirley, this is precisely the sort of “ridiculous overreaction” that I had in mind when I responded to OP earlier.
The railway authorities would of course state that you could have appealed in writing.
They should also have told you that, as well as how to go about it.
….But always they make sure that they get their money off you first
What a nasty way to be treated.
It seems to me that they do not hesitate in coming down hard on easy targets such as yourself but let others who might create some agro off. I mean is it likely that you would approach staff to purchase a ticket if you were attempting to get away with it?🙄

I’m sure it can be a a tough job, but they should not compensate by treating their customers in this shocking way.

The railways do seem to be a law unto themselves.
I do actually recall a government minister a few years back saying that they ought to stop “punishing” these minor mistakes with such draconian fines.
But clearly it is a nice little earner for the railway and a boost for “some” employees ego. A bit of power goes to some peoples heads terribly.

No she wasn't being a jobsworth, but she did stop you looking stupid on the train when you were asked for your card along with your ticket. She had no power to override the rule. To get a 1/3 off you have To have the railcard and you have to show it with your ticket when asked. Simple. If she'd sold you the cheaper ticket that was then checked, no railcard to be seen, she could possibly have lost her job.

Granmarderby10

Germanshepherdsmum

Why should she show sympathy? You knew you were breaking the rules.

Because it’s a humane way to behave. A spoonful of sugar 🎶 and all that!
Most of these heinous misdemeanours arent’t attempts to fair dodge. Just unfortunate mistakes.
It is possible to follow the “rules” of your job without turning into a stone.

Precisely.

Try doing a ticket inspector’s job before saying that. Having commuted by train for years, I wouldn’t want to have to deal with the abuse and threats which I witnessed.

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

There is no need for this sort of personal attack on a long-standing and respected member who, incidentally has gone above and beyond to provide helpful legal advice which woukd set you back many £££££££ elsewhere.

RosiesMaw2

There is no need for this sort of personal attack on a long-standing and respected member who, incidentally has gone above and beyond to provide helpful legal advice which woukd set you back many £££££££ elsewhere.

There is no need for a lack of compassion either when someone has just gone through what must have been a distressing ordeal at a hospital.

Thanks RosiesMaw. Perhaps Netherbyg, who I haven’t seen posting before, should read more widely.

It's such a minefield and mess up in the ticket system we have atm: not a jobsworth but my sympathy.

Read widely
Post wisely

Good advice

I agree Rosiesmaw, regarding GSM

Thank you.

crazyH

I agree Rosiesmaw, regarding GSM

I also agree!

We can all disagree on GN, but I deplore personal attacks.

That poster is total out of order.

Yes. You Are Being Unreasonable.