So I’m stuck.
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The train manager was friendly. So I’m on my #CrossBorderRail to Liège. In the bar for now…
@jon I see this as a win because the bar is the best spot and this is in no way dictated by the number of beer bottles available...
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And it is at moments like this that you realise that
COMPULSORY RESERVATION TRAINS ARE SHIT
I will happily stand the whole way from Paris to Liège, because better that than not getting there at all
But as the Eurostar is compulsory reservation I am likely not allowed on it
My need to get to my destination is higher than the mild inconvenience to some other passenger if I am standing beside them in an aisle
@jon Times like this, maybe a thoughtful company would offer volunteers an inducement to give up their reservation for a later one, like airlines used to do.
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@jon But you're right, having to rely on the courtesy of train staff is a terrible position to be in. That's what makes people take their car instead.
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@jon Times like this, maybe a thoughtful company would offer volunteers an inducement to give up their reservation for a later one, like airlines used to do.
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@quixoticgeek @etp but why would they? They’re the worst of public monopolists and rent seeking capitalists.
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As if today was not bad enough, I have just been sacked by College of Europe - my oldest teaching contract - in a email that ends "Thank you for you understanding and for your cooperation". No actually. Your conduct absolutely STINKS. For more than a decade of teaching there to end like this is 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬 #CrossBorderRail
@jon Shitty, even not on top of everything else
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As if today was not bad enough, I have just been sacked by College of Europe - my oldest teaching contract - in a email that ends "Thank you for you understanding and for your cooperation". No actually. Your conduct absolutely STINKS. For more than a decade of teaching there to end like this is 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬 #CrossBorderRail
@jon oh no! This is a terrible day. That is a terrible way to end a long employment!
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@quixoticgeek @etp but why would they? They’re the worst of public monopolists and rent seeking capitalists.
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@leo a few years ago I calculated it for Paris - Bruxelles. If you run the current peak timetable all day, run 16 carriage trains all day, and run double deckers you get 186% more seats. On existing infra! That’s before even factoring in if there’s extra space on the lines.
@jon Wow, that's impressive. I misinterpreted "Eurostar" as trains connecting London to "Europe" (i.e. the old Eurostar label). Would the cross-channel connections also have more capacity if operated at max?
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And it is at moments like this that you realise that
COMPULSORY RESERVATION TRAINS ARE SHIT
I will happily stand the whole way from Paris to Liège, because better that than not getting there at all
But as the Eurostar is compulsory reservation I am likely not allowed on it
My need to get to my destination is higher than the mild inconvenience to some other passenger if I am standing beside them in an aisle
@jon I can see an argument that for channel tunnel operations, they should know the exact number of pax (or at least the maximum number of pax) for logistics in case of evacuation.
But obv that doesn't apply to Thalys services...
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@jon I can see an argument that for channel tunnel operations, they should know the exact number of pax (or at least the maximum number of pax) for logistics in case of evacuation.
But obv that doesn't apply to Thalys services...
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As if today was not bad enough, I have just been sacked by College of Europe - my oldest teaching contract - in a email that ends "Thank you for you understanding and for your cooperation". No actually. Your conduct absolutely STINKS. For more than a decade of teaching there to end like this is 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬 #CrossBorderRail
@jon Oh no. That is terrible / disgraceful. So sorry to hear this.
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@jon Wow, that's impressive. I misinterpreted "Eurostar" as trains connecting London to "Europe" (i.e. the old Eurostar label). Would the cross-channel connections also have more capacity if operated at max?
@leo not quite that much. But you’d get at least 75% more, educated guess.
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What is the theoretical maximum number of people on a train that allows standing and doesn't require reservations?
Doesn't matter though, because for channel tunnel there must be an accurate count available because of passport control! No need for reservations.
(though I guess getting border force to share their data might be hard) -
What is the theoretical maximum number of people on a train that allows standing and doesn't require reservations?
Doesn't matter though, because for channel tunnel there must be an accurate count available because of passport control! No need for reservations.
(though I guess getting border force to share their data might be hard)@swaldman @quixoticgeek @jon it will be really easy after the first tunnel incident with mass casualties
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@swaldman @quixoticgeek @jon it will be really easy after the first tunnel incident with mass casualties
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As if today was not bad enough, I have just been sacked by College of Europe - my oldest teaching contract - in a email that ends "Thank you for you understanding and for your cooperation". No actually. Your conduct absolutely STINKS. For more than a decade of teaching there to end like this is 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬 #CrossBorderRail
@jon WTF !?!?!
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@quixoticgeek @swaldman @jon true, but also possible border police resistance would evaporate
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As if today was not bad enough, I have just been sacked by College of Europe - my oldest teaching contract - in a email that ends "Thank you for you understanding and for your cooperation". No actually. Your conduct absolutely STINKS. For more than a decade of teaching there to end like this is 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬 #CrossBorderRail
@jon What an unprofessional way to end something like that by email, and even worse with that sentence
I hope new unexpected opportunities will pass by soon
