In contrast to my earlier posting about the difference between the train crews attitude towards customer service, I heard this story last night while chatting to two fellow passengers. Please bear in mind that I can't repeat the story verbatum so there may be the odd bit missing although the essence of the story remains true.
The GNER member of staff involved concerned a certain Miss Beckett and an attempt by the two passengers to have a meal in the restaraunt car. As the 2 passengers entered the coach they noticed plenty of seating available and sat down. After a short while this Miss Beckett approached the passengers to advise them that they were unable to serve them as they were short staffed and the restaraunt car was already full.
The pasengers took this on the chin but the gentleman asked Miss Beckett if GNER's refusal to serve them was at her discression. After avoiding the question a couple of time Miss Beckett eventually admitted that she did indeed have the dicressionary powers to serve the passengers or not. However as the gentleman had so firmly pressed Miss Beckett for an answer she went on to advise them that they had to leave the train at the next station which co-incidentally was P'boro.
Needless to say the passengers were stunned and rightly concerned. Consequently they went to the very back of the train to try and avoid her and ejection. We can only guess why Miss Beckett chose to eject two well spoken, highly educated, proffesionals like them but they beleived she felt threatened by them in some way and so decided to eject them. Unfortunately Miss Beckett found them cowering at the back and advised them that hiding wouldn't help and they would still be removed by the British Transport Police.
Thankfully another member of the train crew who presumably was senior to Miss Beckett overheard all this and told the 2 passengers not to worry and that he would sort it out. The train arrived and left P'boro with the passengers on board and they safely arrived in London.
After hearing this incredible story I promised to blog it and said my goodbyes. Take what you will from it.