Black People Now Need To Prove They Are Allowed In First Class Carriages

[sp1814]

Why do black people in first class get challenged, but not white passengers?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5819331/Virgin-Trains-forced-apologise-Olympian-Louis-Smith-challenged-class-seats.html

Furthermore, why would they be checked by a waiter, rather than a ticket inspector?

Was Virgin Trains right to apologise?

[Old_Geezer]

Rarely go on trains. Doesn't everyone get challenged ? Have to show tickets ?

Does seem a rum do if one is singled out. Was he wearing a hoodie ?

[dannyk13]

Yes, a waiter had no authority to challenge him or anyone else.

[naomi24]

//Why do black people in first class get challenged, but not white passengers?//

Do they - or is this a one off done for a reason? If it isn't, I'm surprised we haven't heard about it before.

[sp1814]

Seems he was the only one challenged.

...and he was challenged by a waitor [sic], rather than a ticket inspector.

[sp1814]

naomi24

The power of social media. Louis Smith has a quarter of a million followers, so when something happens to him, and he tweets about it - more people will know than if it happens to your average Joe.

[DarceyK123]

I'm white and I've been asked (not challenged!!) to show my ticket. Which I have been happy to do.

[dannyk13]

Darcey, by a waiter?

[ummmm]

By a waiter, Darcey?

[naomi24]

sp, in my experience when black average Joes feel they've been unfairly targeted they're not reluctant to say so. This can't possibly be normal procedure. It must have been prompted by something.

[gingejbee]

The title of this post suggests that ALL black people on ALL train journeys need to provide proof etc......wildly incorrect.

[sunny-dave]

I suspect this was probably a petty bit of racism - but (quite a big but) ...

... most staff on trains are multitasking - he may have been serving drinks, but could also quite easily have been a 'train manager' (or whatever they call guards these days) and entitled to check tickets - that's certainly the case on East Mid Trains when I use them.

[sp1814]

DarceyK123

I’m black and have regularly been asked to show my ticket...but never singled out. The whole carriage has been asked.

[Gromit]

Checking tickets by the waiter is not allowed. That is the job of the Conductor.

So well done that Waiter for doing extra unpaid work above and beyond his post. If only all British workers were so flexible in their working practices.

[Old_Geezer]

Two were asked. I've no idea if waiters are given instructions to check but if so it's a situation that can cause all sorts of trouble. Yes the apology was appropriate given the potential interpretation. The company need to review procedures and spend on staff training. Hopefully that particular incident is done with.

[DarceyK123]

Yes, I think they have the same authority to ask and as I had nothing to hide I showed him.

[naomi24]

//Checking tickets by the waiter is not allowed.//

I doubt that very much.

[Gromit]

The man was a waiter, not a Guard or Conductor, as clearly stated in the Tweet. The Train Manager said the waiter is not allowed to i spect tickets, only ask where a passenger is seated.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/06/08/08/4D07E04100000578-5819331-Double_Olympic_silver_medallist_Louis_then_went_on_to_explain_ho-m-10_1528443417949.jpg

[dannyk13]

Darcey, from the article:-
It is understood that the train manager apologised for the waiter's behaviour, and said that he was not even allowed to check passengers' tickets.
.

i

Earlier this year, TV stylist Gok Wan hit out after he was told off for tidying up his first class table.

Following an on-board row in February, he posted: 'After being told off once, now The train MANAGER has now just come up to me and told me off for putting my rubbish in my cup!

'He said to me "Remember, this is first class" you can let him I know it's first class, I bought my ticket!'

Former European champ Smith tweeted his 255,000 followers that the worker asked the black passenger to prove that he had a first class ticket, before continuing to serve other passengers teas and coffees

[Old_Geezer]

Wow. Too much information.

[DarceyK123]

I think sometimes, black or white, fat or thin you always look for a reason as to why you have been 'singled out'.

i thought at the time maybe it was because i was in my scruffs that i always wear for travelling. but who knows how they make their minds up who to ask.