Ian From The London Underground Vs An Elderly Man
Today, just after 230pm, I saw an elderly man with his arm trapped in the closing door of a faulty train at Holborn Station.
We all thought the train was heading further east but actually, for reasons we shall never know, the train was terminating at Holborn and we were ushered out onto the platform by two (shouting) staff in Underground uniforms.
The elderly man was slow to get off in the mad rush, hence the entrapment.
A few people around called to staff to open the door again so he could be released.
About 30 seconds later the doors opened again and he removed his arm.
I watched as he calmly relayed his experience to the staff member (who was called Ian by the way).
Ian didn’t think it was a problem – in fact, he was furious that the guy had mentioned it at all, especially as the guy was standing close to the track.
After a while, Ian started shouting at the guy to “stand back there is a fucking train approaching“.
The elderly guy quietly questioned why Ian had to swear (as did several other passengers).
Ian literally screamed in this guys face (and I quote): “because there is a fucking train approaching and I need to make sure nobody is over the fucking yellow line“.
The elderly guy stood his ground – admittedly the wrong side of the yellow line (which was hard to see as there were hundreds of stranded people on the platform).
Ian then told the guy that he wasn’t allowed to get on the next train and had to “come upstairs to speak to the police“.
That was when I pulled out my video camera.
The below clip is taken immediately after Ian’s initial outburst and you can hear him repeat the police part too.
All seems fine until the incoming train arrives and the elderly guy tries to get on it – although watch how twitchy Ian is during the train arrival..
You will hear Ian telling him not to get on and then threatening a halted service until he gets off again.
Listen to what Ian says. Watch the reaction of the other passengers.
But then – right at the end of the clip (at exactly 50 seconds), you will hear Ian exclaim (again, I quote): “sling him under a train“.
I’m not sure this is cool. I felt compelled to blog it.
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As I write this piece, I am looking at the front page of the London Lite paper which is running the headline tonight: “Oysters up 20%, Congestion Charge up 25%”.
This is a story about the Mayor of London raising transport prices to address the ‘black-hole of £3.2Billion’ in his transport budget that he claims was inherited from decisions before his time.
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So we have two things.
Staff threatening to throw passengers under trains and in return, prices going up.
London is already more expensive than most, if not all, European cities. Added to this, it has terrible reliability issues and by the above account, staff with dubious intent.
I suppose we are meant to feel happy with this situation? Are we, the people, supposed to tolerate this?
What are our options?
Where and how is the elderly quiet gentleman who got stuck and then abused?
The monopoly that is our system leaves us few alternatives. We just have to suck it up – absorb the threats and pay the difference.
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By the way – at the end of the video clip, you will see the look of utter disdain from the female guard who I didn’t catch the name of.
She asked me to stop filming, so I did. But as I left, I said one thing:
“He will lose his job for this“.
She laughed and walked away – in the assumption that we have no power.
Let’s see shall we?
I have alerted TFL to this blog post….oh, and the press.
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http://tumblr.com/xpm2eoptt8
A map showing where the tube will be affected during the strikes
This is
so interested! Where can I find more like this?
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Have you nothing better to do with your time then write stuff like this? You need to get a job.
The quality of underground staff is disgraceful.  Ask for advice, you get grunted at.  Ask for help to get through barriers with a pushchair or wheelchair, you get ignored or grunted at.  This Ian character is really the sort you meet on the Underground on a daily basis, and I thank Mr McDonald for bringing this to everyone’s attention.  I am currently in dispute with a train company where a Train Guard actually assaulted me.  Given that there are so many posters for this company saying “they take zero tolerance for assaults on staff” it appears if the member of staff assaults a passenger, then it’s fine and not worth the bother.
Pot kettle black springs to mind……
I guess you’re Ian….. and it’s not your system it’s londons system and all the people who live there. If this is an employees view of London underground you truly are a disgrace!
On the video Ian was asked what the reason was for him not being able to get on the train, and he said “hes a jumped up something or other”. NO Ian you are the jumped up jobs worth prick who if anyone deserved to be call a little girl… its you!
maybe he’ll be around to help you out on day… Dick
To be honest pal, the traveling public can be the most ignorant, down right disgusting, senseless, demanding group of people I have ever come across.
The amount of shit we get of you lot, it’s no wonder members of staff break like this Ian has.
Railway staff do not do the job 100% efficiently 100% of the time. Who does?
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At this point, I don’t know what is expected of us.
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There have been posts on here over the past few days saying that we shouldn’t stop for a breather ever!
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We are expected to be constantly alert, constantly “respectful” (whatever that means), enforcing rules without fear or favour, yet using “discretion” in every possible case.
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However, passengers are never to be queried, let alone told what to do (like stay in a place of safety), and every ticket irregularity we come across is an honest mistake and should be overlooked.
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The trains we work must always arrive early at their destinations (for the unofficial connections), but leave late (for the late-running passengers).
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If someone produces a video camera and shoves it in our faces, we are supposed to smile, and show our good side, as with a little judicious editing it will be on News at Ten and going viral on YouTube showing us as jobsworth nazi’s.
Very well documented. Ian was only doing his job, the old man got his hand stuck and probably needed to write a statement and have the problem resolved so he didn’t sue the train company etc. Nevertheless Ian doesn’t realise how he comes across, especially with the way he uses language. i.e you need to be away from the fucking oncoming trains etc.
Its just a misunderstanding that should be closer to “stop being a baby you need to miss your next train so we know your arms alright.” He just dealt with it incorrectly and unsuccessfully.
You are rigth. I feel shame on them and on the whole transport thing in London. It is so esxpensive that we should have good treatment, no delays and with this whole recession and unemployee people, I would love to see that guy fired I am sure somepne else would love to do that job in the way it should be.
Until just a few moments ago I did not know who had broken this story, I had been thinking about this after watching the recent video of the Bath Road rage incident of that vulgar woman with the Audi and how a spot of social media justice is just the tonic these days. Â anyhow a belated congratulations on a brilliant spot of blogging!
John your a fucking cunt for getting this guy sacked! you dont even know the whole story you tosser that old guy was giving the woman staff shitloads of abuse you never got that in film ya! I know cos i standing next to you! prik
P-R-I-C-K spells prick. Though people probably usually shout it at you so you probably wouldn’t have known.