Angry, Tired and disillusioned with the greedy tube workers (Underground in general)

Member Name: huggy2009

Product:	Underground in general
Date:	10/06/09 (48 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: When they work they are fairly efficient

Disadvantages: Dictated to by workers, old and shanky

Well this probably isn't the best way to start the review, but as one of the millions of people who have been inconvenienced by the tube workers general strike over the last two days, I am disappointed with the service we receive in ths country.

The underground network is fairly good in its structure it covers most of central london although it is really lacking in South London. For people like me who have an hours train journey before we reach London today has been a nightmare. Allied to the problems I experience at weekends with constant line closures and disruptions, and the fact its almost impossible to get a seat most of the time, the tube network in this country is weak and poorly managed.

The tube network works seven days a week from 6am until 1130pm at night, unlike the majority of world cities it is not a 24 hour service and unlike most other worldwide services i've experienced there is no real air conditioning.

The tube is a real mixed bag, you find workers at the entrances to check tickets but I often see people scam their way through, lie or jump barriers and the staff do nothing. Staff seem obsessed with health and safety over actual customer service and most of the time seem more interested in chatting than being a beacon of information.

Staff are well paid with the majority of tube drivers starting on £38,000, they need no qualifications, have very little to do other than pressing buttons and get 8 weeks holiday a year, the tube strike today is based around a desire for a 5% pay rise, well we'd all want that but people need to be realistic in this recession and accept that we have to take what is on offer, as we all have to make sacrifices.

The Lines are ancient and many of the trains should be in museums, they creak and croak and really take an age to get anywhere, I see tourists from around the world stare in bewilderment at this ancient monstrosities.

Today has been a nightmare, some staff broke the strike and worked and there has been a limited service and the bus network has been packed meaning the roads are deadlocked, sporting events such as the England match this evening have been ruined for thousands of kids, due to the greed of a few. It has been a hassle filled day and I feel the tube management should look at their work force and consider changing the structure, bringing in younger more enthusiastic workers who want to earn a wage, rather than tell everyone what they will and won't do. If I did that at work i'd be sacked immediately.

I have no sympathy for the strikers as my friends and family lose their jobs, having worked at TFL many years ago, i'm well aware of how cushy the jobs there are and how easy the tube drivers have it, they have an easy job with fantastic benefits and they want more, well tough.

Strikes are fair enough when your job is at risk or you have a real principle at stake but this is all about greed and trying to hold the public to ransom, well I would rather walk for miles, get home late and go to work early than give in tax payers money to these greedy people.

I am incredibly frustrated with today, with people I know losing their jobs, I feel for them, these people striking and causing chaos don't get my respect, I hope TFL and the Mayor stand up to them and bring in people prepared to work these cushy hours for a great wage in my view and get rid of the greedy minority.

My greatest thanks go to the workers who broke the strike I avoided the tube today, but these people at least helped people get home to their families at a decent hour, in a city that is dangerous at the best of times.

So along with the constant delays and closures at weekends, I have more gripes, I have no idea why I pay extortionate sums for a service where i'm dictated to in this way. Disappointing.

Summary: Angry, Tired and disillusioned with the greedy tube workers