I decided it might be a good idea to take my bike to Cambridge from
Stamford so called Central Trains to ask about it.  The hope was that I
could take my bike today but if not I would travel without my bike
hence I wanted to know before the train arrived.  It took 15 minutes to
more or less get no answer out of some guy who has no idea about the CT
route...

Guy:  "Thank you for calling.   Through to Central Trains. I am ... how
may I help"
Me:  "Is it possible to take my bike on the 1511 from Stamford to
Cambridge today?"
Guy:  "Is that Stansted airport?"
Me: "No, Stamford.  S-T-A-M(for mother)-F-O-R-D"
Guy:  "Stanford lehope?"
Me: "No, Stamford (Lincs).  S-T-A-M-F-O-R-D with an M"
Guy: "I need to speak other department"
<<hold music>>
Guy: "Thank you for holding, I appreciate your patience"
Me: "Yeah"
Guy: "So its Stanford lehop?"
me: "NO.  STAMFORD - it's between Oakham and Peterborough on the
Birmingham to Stansted line"
Guy: "Theres two stations here"
Me: "Do a timetable enquiry from the station to Cambridge.  If theres a
driect train at 1511 and it takes just over an hour you have the right
station"
Guy: "Theres no such staion as Stamford.  Do you mean Stanford or
Stafford"
Me: "NO. STAMFORDD S-T-A-M(for mother)-F-O-R-D.  This station only has
your trains running through it"
<<on hold>>
Guy: "Thank you for holding, I appreciate your patience"
Me: "Yeah"
Guy: "Stamford hill?"
Me: "No, thats in a different part of the country.  STAMFORD!"
Guy: "Ok.  Theres no reservations for that train you need to speak to
the guard in charge of the station"
Me: "The station isn't open"
Guy: "Speak to the guard on the train.  You can't make reservations on
that route at any time"
Me: "Are you sure?  What about for a train later that day"
Guy: "No, you just turn up with your bike and ask the guard"
Me: "But the national rail enquiries cycle guide says I need to make a
reservation"
Guy: "Yes thats right.  You have to ask the guard on the train"
Me: "So do I need to have a reservation or can I just take my bike?"
Guy: "Yes thats right"
Me: Hangs up as getting nowhere

Grumble grumble.  So what is the real answer?  Is it worth phoning and
asking someone else?

On 24 Jul 2005 05:41:38 -0700, "Chris"  wrote:


>I decided it might be a good idea to take my bike to Cambridge from
>Stamford so called Central Trains to ask about it.  The hope was that I
>could take my bike today but if not I would travel without my bike
>hence I wanted to know before the train arrived.  It took 15 minutes to
>more or less get no answer out of some guy who has no idea about the CT
>route...


You surely don't expect the people in these call centres to have any
personal familiarity with the UK rail system? They're just typing
things into a computer and read out what is displayed. 'Computer says
no....' :-)

Best regards, Paul
--
Paul Sherwin Consulting     http://paulsherwin.co.uk

Paul Sherwin wrote:


> You surely don't expect the people in these call centres to have any
> personal familiarity with the UK rail system? They're just typing
> things into a computer and read out what is displayed. 'Computer says
> no....' :-)


"Computer says no...." would have been fine "Computer says no need for
reservation but timetable and booklet say I need one and computer won't
sell me one for any jounrney on that route this week or next" is not
fine

Chris  wrote

>> You surely don't expect the people in these call centres to have any
>> personal familiarity with the UK rail system? They're just typing
>> things into a computer and read out what is displayed. 'Computer says
>> no....' :-)
>
>"Computer says no...." would have been fine "Computer says no need for
>reservation but timetable and booklet say I need one and computer won't
>sell me one for any jounrney on that route this week or next" is not
>fine
>

Oh i think the advert currently running on the box re call centres and 
chickens SUMS it up nicely.
  Though the thought of looking out the window to see a bunch of chickens 
roosting on a car roof had me in stitches

> Grumble grumble.  So what is the real answer?  Is it worth phoning and
> asking someone else?


Check out www.atob.org.uk/Bike_Rail.html for all the lowdown!