Rather sit on a toilet than stand?

Yes, it does sound rather bleak - apparently that's what GA commuters have to face.

tight squeeze

Unfortunately there are speed restrictions at #stratford at the moment, so things are a little cramped. On the plus side I am on the 0740 rather than the 0759 - so it makes me feel like I am really making an effort coming in early (albeit later than usual).

What cracks me up though is the man who would actually rather sit in the disgusting toilet (not the seating area around the toilet carriage, I'm talking he must be full on sitting on the toilet seat) than stand up!! He was a rather large man, so maybe standing up was too much for him, but to be honest, I don't know how he has managed to fit in the toilet, it's tiny in there! I just can't wait to see when he comes out, I just want to look at his face, and give him a "wow, well done" look. I wonder if he's in there thinking about all the people that have done their business in there, never mind the other things that doesn't bear thinking about! (yes, your fellow travelers are filthy animals).

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/6077112/Twittering-on-the-toilet-Britains-bathroom-habits.html

Okay so he has just emerged just before Liverpool Street, he actually flushed the chain before he came out, so perhaps it was just the world's longest toilet session? Funnily enough, he has gone through the doors to the next carriage, so I imagine he knows that I am judging him.

Twitter RAGE!!

I am sure a lot of you are now aware of the new Twitter account and website GA Complaints where commuters are encouraged to share their views on Greater Anglia, in order to hopefully try and create a 'movement' towards change and improvement on the lines. I haven't had a chance to 'tweet in' yet, but I am certain I will have the occasion over the wet, leafy, frosty, winter months.

On the website there is a poll where you can rate your service - currently it's pretty bleak with 72% of the 645 voters saying they receive a 'poor service'.  I know it's a complaint service, but wow the Twitter page is a depressing read - people are on the war path!! 

Does anyone have anything good to say about Greater Anglia?  these days? Apart from that leaflet that I received in the post this week telling me with joy about the 'off peak deals' and 'weekend deals' that reminded me how much I effing pay per year and what a mark up they must have!!!

I try not to be too negative against GA, I genuinely, up until the last ten days, have been pretty pleased with the service I have received in the last six months on the whole.  However, I am not sure my sentiment will remain the same when I find out the price increase of my season ticket in the New Year.  

I have noticed that people are really upset with the condition of the trains - generally I don't find the trains in that bad a way in terms of cleanliness - try some of the regional trains in France - and then come back to me.  Additionally, half of the time, it's your fellow travelers that have left 'your train' in a shambles and it's often fellow travelers that even hold you up! 

Another one of my bug bears during this time of year is what I like to call 'The Goldilocks Effect' :

Take Mr. X - he gets on the train in a hat, coat, scarf and opens a window, then Ms. Y (she's in a T-Shirt)moans she is cold, they have an argument,their fellow commuters can empathise with both sides but no-one obviously diffuses the situation...the window does probably get shut in the end and Mr. X takes off his winter wear (tutting), and Ms. Y red-faced through frustration, but the rest of us are now sitting awkwardly, texting, bbming, facebooking, tweeting "awkward moment on train this morning, #lovecommuting, #moronontrain, #imstill hot."  I am sorry to say, you can't please everybody.  

Now, I am a fine one to complain, and don't get me wrong, I like to give GA a good bashing when the trains are delayed, lines are bad and it's not ideal - but please remind me what service is 100% perfect?  I no doubt expect some backlash from this, but I would like to say it's not only GA that ruins my £4.5k service!!