On 14 Oct, 09:57, Roland Perry wrote:
In message
, at
15:10:22 on Tue, 13 Oct 2009, MIG
remarked:

The objections to Ryanair (despite the BBC's publicity for them in
that feeble Panorama) are that they tempt vulnerable people into
situations that end up costing them a lot.

Eh? Like getting on the wrong train by mistake and being charged a "full
anytime fare - no railcard discounts" ? *[EMT announcement of their
standard policy, earlier today]

Rules is only one aspect of it, but in their case it's constantly
changing rules that have no other purpose than to catch people out.

I agree that the rules have changed recently, but were people unaware of
this when booking? Another rule that's changed is the "advance
passenger" information required by the e-borders scheme. At least two
other airlines are threatening to charge a "fine" if you fail to fill it
in before leaving home.

Both Ryanair and Virgin Trains are absolutely ruthless in punishing
minor mistakes with punishments out of all proportion.

Both Ryanair and Virgin Trains brazenly refuse to comply with rules
when they are caught out bang to rights, and authorities have been
shown to be powerless in enforcing any rules.

Other companies may be the same. I find it objectionable; others may
consider it good business. Perhaps it's both.


No one should object to paying a low price and getting something basic
and, as far as I am aware, no one does. But they do object to getting
mugged.

Give an example of Ryanair mugging.

There are loads, but no doubt it's all "chattering".

I saw a headline in the trade press yesterday: "Panorama fails to
'expose' Ryanair" which just about sums it up.


I agree with that statement, although I wouldn't infer from it that
there was nothing to expose. The BBC has a habit of plugging Ryanair
by praising them with faint damnation.

In message
, at
10:45:22 on Wed, 14 Oct 2009, MIG
remarked:
Both Ryanair and Virgin Trains are absolutely ruthless in punishing
minor mistakes with punishments out of all proportion.

....

Other companies may be the same.

Most, if not all, of the long distance ToCs are like that now. eg GNER
were famous for it, and NXEC carried on the tradition. MML were pretty
stringent, but now Stagecoach have the franchise under the EMT banner,
the screws have been really tightened.

One of the worst offences is threatening to sell only "Open Returns"
even when off-peak; and without any railcard discounts. I suspect they
should sell an Open Single if requested (then you can use the other half
of the ticket, you already have, to return on the "correct" train this
time).

Or if you are time-rich/money-poor simply get an on-train 'penalty'
ticket to the next station, then get off and buy a discounted off-peak
ticket there, catching the following train to your actual destination. I
bet they never suggest that to people!
--
Roland Perry

On Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:34:40 +0100, Roland Perry
wrote:

One of the worst offences is threatening to sell only "Open Returns"
even when off-peak; and without any railcard discounts. I suspect they
should sell an Open Single if requested (then you can use the other half
of the ticket, you already have, to return on the "correct" train this
time).

I'd be surprised if they didn't sell a single on request. A single is
not, after all, a discounted ticket.

Or if you are time-rich/money-poor simply get an on-train 'penalty'
ticket to the next station, then get off and buy a discounted off-peak
ticket there, catching the following train to your actual destination. I
bet they never suggest that to people!

I have heard exactly that suggested by VT guards on several occasions.

Neil

--
Neil Williams
Put my first name before the at to reply.