Odd things seen on the train
 

I was travelling on Beardie's trainset to Euston yesterday afternoon and as I got up from my seat to start walking towards the front of the train so that I could make my connection, I glanced at the passenger behind me and saw a very ,very senior RAF officer in uniform . I didn't think that sevice personnel were allowed out in uniform and given his rank why wasn't he travelling in First Class?

Probably a Walt. Why on Earth would a very very senior officer be travelling unaccompanied. How would he be able to find his way around?

I was going to say that, still he got a seat unlike some politicians, did you ask him if he was off to some fancy dress do?

We've been allowed out in uniform for years now. Although a VSO in Economy is a bit rare!

Are you sure he wasn't an RAC patrolman who's lost his van?

Was he clipping tickets?

Why would anybody want to impersonate a VSO?

If he was in first class someone would be on here to complain about the waste of taxpayers money. Damned if you do...
BV

Having done a bit of googling, I think that it was the Assistant Chief of the Air Staff. By a bit of judicious pre-booking first class tickets can be very cheap, and cheaper than a walk on standard fare.

I was going to be facetious and suggest politician or VSO when I saw the title, but fair play to him. Leadership by example, need more of it. That said, Bob is correct - it's largely a perception and image thing at heart. The rules say that First Class is now pretty much verboten, although I suspect that for VVSOs or on security grounds there may be exceptions. But the reason I cite image above all else is that IIRC, those same rules say First must be authorised by the someone equivalent to the PM or UN Sec Gen EVEN when CHEAPER than standard!

Fair play to him and I wish I had realised he was sat behind me as I would have enjoyed the opportunity for a professional chat to make the journey more tolerable.

Tolerable, Sir? Train journeys are meant to be stressful as an aid to character-building!

Even when issued a cattle class ticket I upgraded to first. After all tjhere is no excuse for travelling below your pay grade.

Perhaps he had just realised that he was responsible for RAF Training?

....or being an ex-Vulcan man he had confused HS2 with H2S?

Govt policy is very clear. No MOD/Mil/wider CS personnel, under any circumstances are to travel first class rail. If you do, then expect to face disciplinary action.

First Class rail travel as a 'perk' went nearly 10 years ago as one of the first cuts of austerity regime.

Just seems a bit daft when you can get an offer that makes First cheaper than Standard. Also never understood why the MOD never leveraged purchasing power to do a deal that permitted use of rail cards giving 1/3 off.

It can be cheaper on fixed trains, but that depends on VSO's diaries not overunning. Also never forget the Court of the Daily Mail...

Why not? If I were still in I'd be delighted to proudly walk around High Wycombe in uniform glaring at any beardy who eyeballed me.

p.s. Recently had RAF march through our town with bayonets fixed and band playing.
Although, to be honest, the only time I've seen an RAF bayonet draw blood was when a colleague, polishing his for parade*, fell off his bunk and gave himself a handsome duelling scar across the forehead.

* No sniggering at the back!

Well done that VSO!