Generals told to travel 2nd class
B Word
Granted - but who was talking about the view outside (I know its going to snow again soon but summer clothes will be out in force soon ...
)! But then I would also suggest that they (the Generals) won't be travelling at rush hour on commuter trains.
If they want to work then take the car (& driver!). Used to have a 2* in MB who would insist on a car to take him to meetings within London - wouldn't use public transport regardless of class
And I trust you shared a McEwans with your new 'friend'!
Granted - but who was talking about the view outside (I know its going to snow again soon but summer clothes will be out in force soon ...
)! But then I would also suggest that they (the Generals) won't be travelling at rush hour on commuter trains.If they want to work then take the car (& driver!). Used to have a 2* in MB who would insist on a car to take him to meetings within London - wouldn't use public transport regardless of class
And I trust you shared a McEwans with your new 'friend'!
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Travel Class
I am now a retired civil servant but I do want to dispel this myth about miilitary equivalents. They are there for accommodation and messing purposes only. They do NOT, repeat NOT, imply and job equivalence. Any one who peddles that line is talking "round objects."
I was entitled to first class travel during my civil service career but not in my military one. When travelling I used common sense - a little used commodity these days!! When travelling from London to Farnborough I would use Standard Class because I spent longer commuting to London in Standard Class. On longer journeys I would use First because I could get work done. Contrary to popular belief there is work at unclassified levels that emanates from MoD and a lot of this could be worked on in a train. You could also read magazines and journals that related to your work.
On another tack, I also used Easyjet to get to places in Northern England and Scotland because it was cheaper than rail and by judicious use of flights I could do business in a, admittedly long, single day and thus save the Ministry the cost of an overnight stay.
The trouble is that some people get very precious about their allowances and do not think "what is the best solution" mainly because the Treasury is always looking for an excuse to cut anything, except for the Treasury
I was entitled to first class travel during my civil service career but not in my military one. When travelling I used common sense - a little used commodity these days!! When travelling from London to Farnborough I would use Standard Class because I spent longer commuting to London in Standard Class. On longer journeys I would use First because I could get work done. Contrary to popular belief there is work at unclassified levels that emanates from MoD and a lot of this could be worked on in a train. You could also read magazines and journals that related to your work.
On another tack, I also used Easyjet to get to places in Northern England and Scotland because it was cheaper than rail and by judicious use of flights I could do business in a, admittedly long, single day and thus save the Ministry the cost of an overnight stay.
The trouble is that some people get very precious about their allowances and do not think "what is the best solution" mainly because the Treasury is always looking for an excuse to cut anything, except for the Treasury
Just been announced on The World at One - along with losing the right to claiming mortgage interest, MP's are to lose the right to First Class rail travel. Remains to be seen if this really happens , of course!
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Travelling on trains? When I was at Northolt, Their Airships travelled by 'private' jet operated by 32 Squadron. For short hops, avoiding the traffic jams on Western Avenue, CinC Strike had his own Whirlwind and CDS had his very own Gazelle. We could always make them march around to save them walking, I suppose. 
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It seemed to me that every time I got promoted in the RAF, the perks retreated by one rank and continued to elude me. I am not surprised that first class rail travel has finally been denied even to the most senior officers.
When I left and went into industry (and still, indirectly, working for the government), it seemed that the perks came down to meet me. However, while the many good times I remember in the Service rarely had anything to do with the terms and conditions of employment, I have to say that the good times in civilian work were seldom due to the sheer magic of the people.
When I left and went into industry (and still, indirectly, working for the government), it seemed that the perks came down to meet me. However, while the many good times I remember in the Service rarely had anything to do with the terms and conditions of employment, I have to say that the good times in civilian work were seldom due to the sheer magic of the people.
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I don't want to have to spend my time in cattle class having to sit next to a General or Airship.
Perks are not a popular thing these days, and it has been made worse by the press making our senior leadership to be remote and out of touch. One of my subordinates told me that it seemed pointless trying for promotion as there was nothing to reward you for putting in that extra work, other than more long hours and little recognition. The Armed Forces have some really great people, but the best way to get rid of them is to show how little you value them.
We shouldn't harp on about rail travel, the real issue is respect for what we do. Perhaps this has been forced onus due to cost saving, but surely saving money on train fares won't make much difference against some of the massively overspent headline procurement projects. The Army may end up with FRES and the Navy with its carriers, but they will be no use if there are no motivated men and women to operate them.
Perks are not a popular thing these days, and it has been made worse by the press making our senior leadership to be remote and out of touch. One of my subordinates told me that it seemed pointless trying for promotion as there was nothing to reward you for putting in that extra work, other than more long hours and little recognition. The Armed Forces have some really great people, but the best way to get rid of them is to show how little you value them.
We shouldn't harp on about rail travel, the real issue is respect for what we do. Perhaps this has been forced onus due to cost saving, but surely saving money on train fares won't make much difference against some of the massively overspent headline procurement projects. The Army may end up with FRES and the Navy with its carriers, but they will be no use if there are no motivated men and women to operate them.
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Look on the bright side, they are less likely to lose their laptops full of secrets if they are having to stand outside the Khazi whilst holding it for their journey...... should imagine as with MP's they should be able to upgrade at their own expense if required,
Odd thing though, this is a "cost cutting" exercise, but as the rail network the trains run on is already owned by the UK taxpayer and those companies providing the service as carriers on the said network in the UK pay the Government to carry the said passengers on it, were is it actually saving money? a simple 1st class rail pass would have served the same as we are already funding the seat anyway.
Odd thing though, this is a "cost cutting" exercise, but as the rail network the trains run on is already owned by the UK taxpayer and those companies providing the service as carriers on the said network in the UK pay the Government to carry the said passengers on it, were is it actually saving money? a simple 1st class rail pass would have served the same as we are already funding the seat anyway.
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I think its disgusting, when I got promoted to Cpl, the most satisfying aspect was that I dont have to be a T-Bar operative any longer... and when/if I get my third, I look forward to the day I can wear overalls but not really expect to get them dirty... Perhaps Generals / Admirals / Air officers would feel better about the whole thing if everybody else had to bunk the train sitting in the bog ?
