Was NXE ever this bad?
I don't think it ever actually got this bad but they were proposing at one point to remove all catering apart from a trolley.
Was NXE ever this bad?
Was NXE ever this bad?
Well, it would be rude not to reply, wouldn't it?Hello Dave,
Thank you for travelling with East Coast. We hope you enjoyed your journey and had a good trip.
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To be fair, they're all good people, but like most of us, they get bad days, lousy rotas, unexpected delays, indifferent management, illness*, inexplicable rosters and thousands of rude, stupid, exploitative or abusive passengers - none of which helps. I could never do a Guards' job (and that's without considering the ever-changing shift patterns).. . . . that notorious Newcastle Guard was resonably polite to me!
I'm sure I know who you are referring to!To be fair, they're all good people, but like most of us, they get bad days, lousy rotas, unexpected delays, indifferent management, illness, inexplicable rosters and thousands of rude, stupid, exploitative or abusive passengers - none of which helps. I could never do a Guards' job (and that's without considering the ever-changing shift patterns).
Even the catering crew have to deal with most of those challenges. But when they simply don't have the crew available to work a service, then what ARE they doing wrong?
My phropechy about standard class catering facilities going downhill came true on Wednesday when I travelled Newcastle to Kings Cross and the Trolley only came down once and that the Buffet's till machine was'nt working and every purchase had to be hand written on a recipt book.
I doubt anyone in First Class was getting much more.
Wednesday 1st Feb - 0800 KGX to EDB
As usual, everything offered on departure from Kings Cross. Full breakfast ordered, the person I was travelling with ordered the salmon and scrambled egg. Food was lovely, the only issue was the drink. My food came somewhere in Cambridgeshire. By this time the coffee and apple and rhubarb juice (which was fantastic, top compliments there) were long gone. On asking for another drink to go with the meal, I was informed the second run is "not until after York". My response of "you're kidding me?!" prompted them to fetch a coffee. You don't ask, you don't get.
Rest of the journey went well enough. FC hostess told me they were on an "Edinburgh week", ie not changing at NCL, so we had one crew all the way through, diminishing chances of a hungry passenger getting more food.
Thursday 2nd Feb - xx30 EDB to KGX
I blank out the exact hour as I'm pretty sure this crew was disobeying management instructions. A clue, though, it was either 1530, 1630, 1730 or 1830, so not the notorious Scone Express. Two drinks runs between EDB and NCL! Food was lovely - my friend had the brie and cranberry wellington. I had initially ordered this but had to swap for the very nice chilli jacket potato when it was presented to me full of cashews (allergic). Drinks straight after NCL, the trolley dolly almost forcing the bloke opposite to take something alcoholic. Funnily enough, he was driving and mentioned to me "they're never this forthcoming with drink, it's usually one beer and that's your lot; what a shame I'm driving tonight". Offer of sandwiches and more cake (from the same crew again) followed after both NCL and YRK. Drinks came again after YRK. After this we were non-stop to a station near London. Lo and behold, the drinks trolley appeared again - pretty sure it wouldn't usually.
Overall - what a fantastic experience. If every one were like that (4 or 5 cold drinks if wanted and the chance to have some hot food followed by a couple of sandwiches later in the journey) they'd have cracked it! Top marks to this crew.
This was my friend's first FC experience. I had warned her of the inconsistency in offerings, and the possibility she may be left hungry/thirsty. She found the outbound slightly disappointing but agreed the return was ten out of ten.
On your outward journey how many bits of toast were you offered ? - did you just have one or two.
Second journey sounds almost to good to be true - was the catering director onboard or something Seriously if the new service was always like your 2nd trip I for one would be delighted and not complain. This is how the new service should be delivered
Second journey sounds almost to good to be true - was the catering director onboard or something Seriously if the new service was always like your 2nd trip I for one would be delighted and not complain. This is how the new service should be delivered
But it hasn't (yet. as other recent posts illustrate), and I have to wonder if they ever shall.If this becomes the norm then it had only taken EC management 8 months to get their act together!
Does anyone know why EC staff no longer wear the hats? Bog mistake to drop them in my opinion.