Having just travelled 4hours on trains today and a couple of hours yesterday I have come to the conclusion that First Class is rubbish.

Yesterday I had a Standard Class ticket from Salisbury-Exeter and the train was full, no seats in Standard or First. As the guard came round he singled me out and said if there was any seats free in First Class I welcome to have it. A very strange American style upgrade, however out of principle I refused it as I refuse to travel First on trains in the UK, free or not. I prefered to give it to an elderly lady who deserved it more than I did. I presumed the 'upgrade' was because I was in a suit unlike all the others standing up who were dressed all scruffy assed.

The only real advantage of travelling First is the increased chance of getting a seat but then its not much more comfortable.

I realise that unlike flying First on trains aren't 40x the price of Standard class and trains can't operate a classy First cabin by their very nature.

My two cents, now its your turn to give your two cents!

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'There are only two emotions in a plane: boredom and terror'
Orson Welles (1915–1985)

[This message has been edited by fbgdavidson (edited 06-23-2003).]