LNER apologise for Train Manager's language

[Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g]

You'll need to brace yourself for this. What the Train Manager said is really horrific. You can tell that from LNER's apology on Twitter.

London North Eastern Railway
@LNER Replying to @laurencec123
I'm really sorry to see this, Laurence, our Train Managers should not be using language like this, and I thank you for bringing it to my attention, Please could you let me know which service you are on and I will ensure they remain as inclusive as we strive to be at LNER.

OK, steady yourselves now. I attach a screenshot of the original complaint, which I saw on another Twitter account. The complainer has made their Tweets private, probably because of the avalanche of robust and forthright hateful responses to the LNER tweet above.

I trust the Train Manager has been sent for re-training (as it were). Poor bugger.

@YetAnotherSpartacus

Personally, I don't think sex or gender is relevant here. I'd prefer 'Good Morning Passengers' personally. For a start, I ain't no lady.

Good morning? GOOD morning - how dare you! My toast was burned this morning and the milk had gone off - my morning has been very traumatic, how insensitive of you to make that comments, not inclusive of those who had not had a ‘good’ morning.

And as for the concept of ‘morning’ - this was invented by the druids as a ways of controlling the population and shaming those who preferred to be active in the night.

Yet again, a digital comms person taking it upon themselves to cave, capitulate and throw people under the bus on the whims of just ONE silly, immature complaint, as usual best ignored.

It's clear whoever this social media person is is on side with the Lawrence's politics and considered themselves on the side of the 'oppressed'. But that's really not what their job is for, and look what a stupid mess it makes - derailing all communication to centre on one niche issue that totally blows up.

I can't imagine the social media manager at my work would ever try anything like this, nor get away with it and I really hope I'm not being naive. It makes everyone look like fools.

@YetAnotherSpartacus

Personally, I don't think sex or gender is relevant here. I'd prefer 'Good Morning Passengers' personally. For a start, I ain't no lady.

What about people who are using the train but identify as pedestrians?

@YetAnotherSpartacus

Personally, I don't think sex or gender is relevant here. I'd prefer 'Good Morning Passengers' personally. For a start, I ain't no lady.

It's one of those storm in a teacup things - yes, there are often simpler forms of address which are polite and can offend no one. There's nothing wrong with 'good morning everyone'.

It's the manner of the complaint, the nonsensical idea that anyone doesn't belong to one or other of the sexes, and the way the complaint has been handled which is the problem.

It's the manner of the complaint, the nonsensical idea that anyone doesn't belong to one or other of the sexes, and the way the complaint has been handled which is the problem

Oh, I agree. I also think we need to be careful not to reify sexed, gendered or sexist language where it is not necessary.

There aren't enough eye rolls in the world for this indulgent shite.

I identify as the Fat Controller

It's the manner of the complaint, the nonsensical idea that anyone doesn't belong to one or other of the sexes, and the way the complaint has been handled which is the problem.

YY.

Personally, I would wish to identify as the train driver and ride in the cab so I could play with all the buttons and switches. Would make a commute a lot more enjoyable.

Serious note... The point of announcements on trains is to give out safety information, and other operational matters. If a passenger felt the message could be more inclusive, they could send a serious suggestion to the operator. Not showboat on Social Media.

Thank you for sharing findyourbacon Amidst this train wreck of a non issue, this made me properly laugh:

twitter.com/leokearse/status/1392556684728545290?s=21

Oh, I agree. I also think we need to be careful not to reify sexed, gendered or sexist language where it is not necessary.

Yes. In most situations there's absolutely no need for sexed language. In some, it's absolutely essential.

@boireannach

I identify as the Fat Controller

Cackling at this.

"doesn't apply to me so I won't listen"

I've got news for you Lawrence. You're not special or unique, most passengers don't think that announcements apply to them and therefore don't listen. This is why I get asked stupid questions.

Perhaps I need to make my announcements more inclusive. Some people don't seem to think that they need to buy a ticket. Perhaps they would respond better to "Ladies, gentlemen, and drug-dealing scrotes hiding in the toilet...". That's more inclusive of all of the various occupants of the train, isn't it?

I am more concerned that rather immature type of person in any position of authority. What would happen if something serious happened? A crash, a fire, an attack?

I can’t quite imagine wither pretty this dynamo duo calmly donning a high viz vest, organising an evacuation, calming panicking customers, liaising with the emergency services...

Firefighter on loudspeaker “ok ladies and gentlemen... the incident is at the far end of the platform - can you please make sure you...”

‘Eeeeekkkkkkkkk! Did you just use gendered language? Hate crime! Someone call the police!!!!”

I'm really intrigued on the hire criteria for those managing social media accounts for businesses.

twitter.com/LNER/status/1392201792407187465?s=20

Most junior and keen members of staff...

*Firefighter on loudspeaker “ok ladies and gentlemen... the incident is at the far end of the platform - can you please make sure you...”

‘Eeeeekkkkkkkkk! Did you just use gendered language? Hate crime! Someone call the police!!!!*

Which is why ATTENTION ALL is much clearer and more succinct.

Jesus christ, this has proper tipped me into a new demographic. I read this and thought, "A spot of National Service would sort Lawrence right out".

God help us if there's a war, etc.

Attention all - if there’s an flipping emergency. Otherwise ladies and gentlemen (sex based) is absolutely fine. You are - quite literally - one or the other.

An RMT union activist complaining sounds a bit rich. Look at all the men (no women) on their 'about us' page.

www.rmt.org.uk/about/

Look at all the men (no women) on their 'about us' page.

Well, unless they identify as women of course. If 50% of them do that then everything is fair.

If I announced "Ladies, Gentlemen, and those with their headphones on..." does anyone think that there would be a reduced chance of the latter group missing their stop because they weren't paying attention?

My speculation if it was an RMT activist, the train manager belonged to another trade union (ASLEF, TSSA perhaps) or was non-union. Any reasonable transport worker would have just gone and spoken to the train manager concerned.

As a tfl driver myself we’ve had this nonsense drummed into us for a while now. I tend to go with a cheery good morning/afternoon. Have known some colleagues receive complaints about the use of ladies and gentleman.

[quote newnortherner111]An RMT union activist complaining sounds a bit rich. Look at all the men (no women) on their 'about us' page.

www.rmt.org.uk/about/[/quote]
I'm wondering what job this person did on the railways before/alongside becoming a rep. Won't have been clerical as they're represented by TSSA and drivers mostly by ASLEF. I doubt that they'd cope with anything involving unruly drunks so not a guard, ticket inspector, barrier staff or dispatcher. I'm assuming that they are employed by an operator though I suppose that they could be in a Network Rail signalling grade but that also seems unlikely.

I hope that my union subs aren't funding this BS. I also hope that this person isn't getting released from duties or days of overtime from their employer to do their agitating. As someone who hasn't had a Sunday since March and only one RDW, I'd be very annoyed.