Passing the time

As it would seem likely that you'll be delayed this evening I thought I'd write some handy things to do whilst you wait.  

Look out the window. Today I saw two kids on a roof playing tennis. I also saw three people pick their nose and one woman look so enraged I thought steam would come out of her ears, Drop Dead Fred style. 

Moan. But make it clean. No one wants a Grace Dent style sacking because they dropped the C Bomb.

Make a new friend. I've tried this several times with varying success. But even the ones who look at you like you're mad are worth engaging, if only to see the look of horror on their face. 

Take bets on how delayed you'll be with a fellow passenger. You could be quids in and unlike the Grand National, no competitors will get shot. 

Take on some canapés and share with those in your carriage. Perhaps you might even be able to bribe yourself a seat. 

Read a book. Plenty of time to kill. I can strongly suggest the new Stephen King book, by the way. 

Most importantly, gerrome safely!

@My6Percent 4 @SW_Trains

I have always liked the social side of the Internet, ever since I first played Doom online at a (significantly richer) friend's house. And ever since the days of chat rooms and the early message boards, there has been abuse. It seemed alright when it was just us saddo's (I was only interested in chatting about mid 90's Neighbours) who sat there being abused by faceless humans. But now chat rooms are not just for the indoor types. They're for the outdoor types, the cool types, the mature types and even the Royal types. There is a certain type of rage used by people online. It is harsh and cruel and immediate. Yet, if you met face to face with these humans, they'd, in the main, be perfectly reasonable.


As much as I feel aggrieved by the service of South West Trains and believe me, I do. I'm also painfully aware that running their twitter account, as the WICC do, must be tough. So I don't begrudge them a little nibble at me if I point out things they don't want to hear. When the C bomb has been dropped on you on a daily basis (not by me although I've wanted to), you're going to feel monked off.


So @SW_Trains keep going! When the service is good and you're not spending your day apologising for all the delays, I guarantee the social universe will be more kind.


Cuppa tea?

You win SWTrains - a guest blog by @monkeybuxton

Introducing another ordinary commuter's story. Thanks @monkeybuxton for taking the time to write this. Gosh, if only there were something we could do to change this appalling abuse and complete monopoly over passengers:

I realised the other day that I've been travelling on SWTrains for nearly 11 years. First in my bachelor days in Chiswick, then from Twickenham as I began to settle down, and finally out to the very edge of the M25 to start a family. And it's that little girl that's caused the problem.


Delays and cancellations just used to mean 20 minutes standing on a cold platform, or being half an hour later than everyone else to the pub. But now it's more than that. Being late for work means I sometimes don't work my contracted hours. But being late home means that I miss that precious 30 minutes with my daughter. Just to dwell on that for a moment, there are days when I don't see my daughter because of the poor and unreliable service that my train company provides, and that kills me.


It happened recently, on Valentine's Day, and I made my third ever complaint. The guard shut the door in my face and the train left early after a late connection forced me to do an unsuccessful 'Weybridge Dash'. The nice man in Customer Services sympathised and empathised (he has a daughter of his own and so completely understands how frustrated I must be.) I've just had my reply; they've checked the data and the train left on time, all correct procedures were followed, it's up to passengers to be there 30 seconds before departure etc etc.


And that's when it struck me. You've got me SW Trains. Because of where I've chosen to live, and because it's too far to cycle and the traffic's so bad on the A3, you've got me. I'm slinking off defeated with my tail between my legs. You don't care about me and I can't make you. You win.