Life on the tube

Round Three

2012-02-05T12:07:00.002Z

Been back in hospital for round three of the chemotherapy treatment. I had another bone marrow biopsy a week last Monday and the doctors are happy with the results and it looks clear of cancer cells.

The chemotherapy drug they are using this time round is a drug called Methotrexate at a very high dosage. Before, during and for at least 72 hours afterwards they also give me loads of fluid via the drip, at least 6 litres a day to help flush out the Methotrexate so plenty visits to the loo. The urine is checked for it's acidity and the PH level in order to prevent any damage to my kidneys. They also take extra blood samples every day and send them off to Great Ormond Street Hospital for testing the level of Methotrexate in my system.

Once the levels of the drug have reduced adequately then they will give me the next dose and it all starts again.

Unfortunately, my elder sibling who got himself tested to be a potential bone marrow donor isn't a close enough match so at the moment the doctors are seeing how the chemotherapy goes before they start to look for potential non-related donors on the global database as they say the risks outweigh the benefits.

Last day of chemo

2012-01-11T08:19:00.003Z

Today should be the last day of chemotherapy for this particular phase, so once my blood counts go back up (especially the white blood count and Neutrophines) I will by the grace of God be allowed to go home to prepare for the next phase of chemotherapy which is called intensifiction which just by the name alone sounds quite daunting.

I will also have to wait for my temperature to come down and stay down, it spiked at 40.1 last night although this was during receiving blood. I hope to have a word with the hospital admin today as everything they have given me either fluids or blood products such as blood, platelets or plasma it has always been very very late so you are constantly getting disturbed during the night which is of course not exactly conducive to rest and relaxation which is just as important in getting better as all the drugs and testing etc.

Neutropenic

2012-01-04T19:02:00.001Z

My blood counts have been dropping gradually day by day. My red blood counts keep dropping below 8.0 so they keep giving me blood. My platelets keep dropping below 50 so they have to give me platelets and the Neutrophils within the White blood cells have dropped below 0.5 so I am now Neutropenic. I have to wear a mask if I leave the room and not because I might scare people :) and I am on a 'clean' diet so no take aways, no soft cheese, no raw vegetables or salad etc etc.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Du Cane Rd,,United Kingdom

Infection

2011-12-30T15:52:00.001Z

The doctors think I have an infection as my temperature which is taken about every 2 hours has so far reached 37.9. To combat this I am now hooked up to the hated IV pump machine thingy and getting some penicillin.
The chemotherapy drugs are still taking a toll on me. Haven't eaten anything since Tuesday afternoon so they are considering feeding me intravenously throughout the night.
Other than the Mrs who has been great, nobody has bothered to visit me from my family, friends or colleagues so feeling pretty unloved and unwanted.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Du Cane Rd,,United Kingdom

Blood

2011-12-22T08:05:00.001Z

They had to give me a couple of units of A- last night as my haemaglobin level had dropped below 8.0. So thanks to my anonymous donor of blood especially as A- is quite rare. Apparently only 7% of people in the UK are of this blood type.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Du Cane Rd,London,United Kingdom

Adverse Side effects

2011-12-17T07:48:00.002Z

One of the chemo drugs that I am on this time round is called Cytarabine. I receive this for four consecutive days and then three days off and then it starts again. Unfortunately, this drug really takes a toll on me. I haven't eaten for two days, been vomiting and feeling really weak and lethargic.

To help combat the nausea they are also giving me four different ant-emetic drugs, one of which makes you feel very very dizzy, unbalanced and sleepy, so at least I had a decent nights sleep.

Saline drip

2011-12-14T01:59:00.001Z

Half-way through the first of two saline drips. Each one takes 6 hours so I will have to spend 12 hours connected to the IV pump.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Du Cane Rd,,United Kingdom

Noisy night

2011-12-14T01:56:00.001Z

The patient in an opposite bed for some strange reason has had an alarm clock going off every 15 minutes for the past hour. The nurse has had to come in each time, rouse the patient and tell him to turn it off. Unfortunately it keeps going off so the nurse has now confiscated the alarm and told him he will return it in the morning as it is disturbing everyone else. The same patient was also told off for having his TV on too loud and not using headphones. It's like being back at school.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Du Cane Rd,London,United Kingdom

Stage 2

2011-12-13T11:01:00.002Z

After been released from the hospital ward for the past 10 days I have been re-admitted yesterday for the second induction phase of the chemotherapy treatment. I am in a different ward to last time and so far this ward (D7) seems to be more organised and regimental but less friendly. I had to sign a waver upon arrival with regards to my personal belongings which I didn't have to do in the Weston Ward. There are numerous signs up in this ward saying that one is not allowed to enter this room or that room at certain times etc, again something that wasn't present in the Weston Ward.

The Weston Ward also had laundry facilities so I was able to wash and dry my own clothes, whereas on D7 they don't have that option so the Mrs will have to take my dirty clothes home and wash them for me.

The first chemotherapy for stage 2 induction I have been told will be administered later on today as well as my second intra-thecal dose of chemo. After my first IT chemotherapy I had really bad headaches for a week so hopefully that won't happen this time. Also suffering from what they call Peripheral Neuropathy which is basically numbness and pins and needles in my fingertips. Makes it a bit awkward to type, hold a pen, do up buttons etc, but this is a common side effect from the chemotherapy drugs.

I am still in a bay room so have to listen to my neighbours snore etc. Although they have said I should be transferred to a side room soon.

Plasma

2011-11-17T11:38:00.001Z

Couple of units if plasma as my coagulation is a bit low.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Back again

2011-11-17T08:38:00.004Z

Another long hiatus again.

Very little has happened at work since last time or at least nothing interesting enough to bore you with.

Outside of work though things have changed, I was diagnosed last month with Adult Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) and I am about 3 weeks into the first stage of chemotherapy treatment. My work are leaving me alone at the moment and haven't demanded that I leave the hospital to attend an interview or anything yet, so hopefully they will leave me to concentrate on getting better and in the long term getting back to work.

Assaulted

2010-10-28T06:19:00.001+01:00

Managed to get assaulted last Thursday. A very inebriated man decided to go for a walk down the track so I ended up wrestling with him trying to drag him back onto the platform. So after potentially saving his life he again assaults me and racially abused me before legging it prior to BTP arrival. Ending up finishing work 2 hours later than usual driving around in the back of a police car looking for the man and giving a statement to the police.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Change of scenery

2010-10-28T06:13:00.001+01:00

After nearly 10 years as a reserve supervisor I have finally been offered a rostered position on another group. Will be transferring in a couple of weeks. Hope the staff morale is higher as it is really low on my current group.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Strike 2

2010-10-04T10:40:00.001+01:00

Decided to come to work for this strike. Don't particularly agree with the strike anyway. Not too many staff booked on and a very limited train service operating from my station. Sone staff will continue to make themselves very unpopular by working overtime on strike days though.
Had to get a DSM to cover my meal break or the station would have had to close for 30 minutes.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Dyed notes

2010-09-28T22:34:00.001+01:00

We got a memo a few days ago to warn us about some stained £20 notes being tendered, presumably from a bank job or something similar. Well at least three of our group stations were targeted tonight with the alleged perpetrators buying a ticket from the ticket machine and then getting a refund. Thankfully a fellow eagle eyed supervisor got suspicious and called BTP. I think at least one of whom was caught. Aged about 12-13 as well so nothing will probably happen.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Serves them right

2010-07-26T15:27:00.000+01:00

Cycling home after work this afternoon. A woman in a Volvo estate was so engrossed in her mobile phone conversation she failed to notice the police motorbike rider behind her, nor did she appear to notice the traffic light was red as she sailed through it. The police rider hit his sirens and pulled her over. She was so shocked at this she tried hiding her mobile by throwing it on the floor of her car.

Tell the time on ones iPhone or Mac

2010-07-03T15:00:00.000+01:00

http://www.bijint.com/en/

Racism

2010-06-19T20:48:00.002+01:00

Had to deal with a very angry young Somali man last week. He initially jumped over the gates to enter the station, and when approached by staff started shouting and using very very abusive language with many utterances of the F-word. I was called on the radio to assist. When I approached the young man, he was still swearing, so I tried to calm him down as he was causing quite a disturbance. We managed to get him to leave the platform when he mumbled something in Somali. I asked him in his own language 'Excuse me, what did you say?' When he heard that he became even more angry and started shouting that it wasn't allowed for me as a white man to speak his language and this just proved that I was a racist as it was illegal for me to speak his language. In the end we had to get police assistance and he was carted off in handcuffs.

Stupid drivers

2010-06-04T22:40:00.001+01:00

On my ride into work tonight I had 5 near misses in a 50 minute ride. All caused by drivers having hand held mobile phones glued to their bloody ears. Is the law on this ever enforced?

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Wet ride

2010-05-17T08:34:00.002+01:00

Took a ride to St Albans yesterday, lovely ride on the way there. Nice weather, courteous passes by car drivers, a few nods and hello's from other roadies. Not so on the way back. 5 minutes after I set off for the return journey, the rain started, and started and started. For the whole ride back it rained non-stop, really heavy rain with a bit of thunder and lightening for good measure. I was completely soaked when I got back. Still enjoyed it though. :)

Busy day

2010-05-12T18:15:00.001+01:00

Was expecting a quiet day today as I was supposed to be on a spare duty. Got into work and was told about an earlier derailment of an engineering train so the Piccadilly line was suspended. Spent the first 4 hours of my duty on the platform assisting my staff in detraining trains and explaining to hundreds of customers alternate routes to their destinations. This would have been easier if people took of their headphones. I was then about to commence my meal break when we were informed about a one under at a neighbouring station so I went down to the next station to assist. Unfortunately the person was pronounced extinct and it took a while for the ERU and the police to hand the track back to us.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

CDP

2010-05-03T08:50:00.001+01:00

It's that time of year again where we have to renew our operational licences. So for the next 3 days I will be doing classroom based training. On a side note I was visited by the puncture fairy thus morning so had to take the tube.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Cranbourn St,London,United Kingdom

I'm rich

2010-04-29T15:45:00.001+01:00

Received my first cheque installment this morning for a bloke who tried to stab me with a wine bottle about 23 months ago. Now what shall I buy myself with this windfall?

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Currently Reading

2010-04-29T15:41:00.000+01:00

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Same contractors back again

2010-04-29T01:33:00.001+01:00

The same gang I had to contend with last night are back :( At the moment they are stinking my office out with the smell of greasy food.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Finally gone

2010-04-28T05:03:00.001+01:00

The gang of self opinionated Neanderthals have finally left and I have the office to myself for 4 minutes before I open the station. Tried to make myself some toast and they've somehow managed to break the toaster. Grrr!!!!!!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Rude staff

2010-04-28T02:46:00.001+01:00

One of the last trains was running late and seemed to be stuck at another station. I phoned the line controller to ask if there was a problem and he told me that there were two engineering trains before it. I then asked how long before it is due to leave as it was now 20 minutes late. Controller snapped back saying I've told you where it is so work it out for yourself and then hung up on me. :(

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Nights again

2010-04-28T02:42:00.001+01:00

On my first night of five and I have a gang of contractors working in my office. They don't seem to care about the disruption and annoyance they are causing. They are having very heated arguments about football, constantly swearing and shouting. I am unable to do anything. Can't read, eat anything, can't leave the office and can't even drink tea as they have completely taken over the office and mess room.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Lovely Ride Today

2010-04-19T18:08:00.002+01:00

My last day off for a week so took advantage of the sunshine and went for a nice long ride. Started in Heathrow, cycled to Bracknell, had a rest, cycled to Hammersmith to report my lost staff pass :( then cycled back to Heathrow via Barnes & Richmond. Ah well back to work tomorrow.

Uxbridge customer

2010-04-16T19:55:00.001+01:00

Customer complaining that he had to wait 6 minutes for a train to uxbridge. His argument was that because there are no flights all the heathrow trains should be diverted to uxbridge so he can get home quicker.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Double Shift

2010-04-16T17:18:00.001+01:00

Supposed to be my long weekend but I was asked to work one of my rest days today and am now doing two consecutive shifts. I started at 06:30 and will finish at 23:00. Today seems to be a day for one unders. We have had incidents on the Victoria, Central and Metropolitan lines.
Ah well. Only 5 and a half hours to go.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

No flights

2010-04-15T12:38:00.001+01:00

Now all flights to and from the UK are suspended.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Fire alert

2010-04-15T11:44:00.000+01:00

Just to exacerbate the problem we are now suspended Acton to Heathrow because of a fire alert at Northfields. Nothing to do with volcanic ash though.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Volcanic Ash

2010-04-15T10:53:00.000+01:00

Due to airpsace restrictions, in accordance with international regulations as a result of the on-going volcanic activity in Iceland, we anticipate that all flights in and out of heathrow airport will be suspended from 1200 today. Therefore, we strongly advise passengers intending to fly from this time not to travel to the airport today. We will provide further updates as we get more information from air traffic provider NATS

It's already affected our staffing levels for tomorrow as one of my staff is stranded in Los Angeles.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Power failure

2010-04-12T15:51:00.000+01:00

Not at work but in my local tescos. All the lights went off and we have to wait 15 minutes for the tills to reset.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Signal failure

2010-04-11T11:27:00.000+01:00

Just to make things worse for our customers we have just had a signal failure, performed a wrong direction movement and had to implement station control. We had no trains at all for over 25 minutes.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Tired

2010-04-11T09:36:00.000+01:00

Finished my nights yesterday morning and I am now on early shifts. My body clock is very confused. Lots of engineering works taking place at my station so lots if confused passengers.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Long Long time

2010-04-08T05:10:00.002+01:00

It has sadly been almost three years since I last posted. Nothing much as changed, I am still a station supervisor in the same location, still fighting the battle of the bulge. Lost 4 stones, last stone doesn't want to budge :( Still cycling though so hopefully the rest of the weight will go soon.

I am on nights this week at a very quiet station, had about 15 contractors last night checking all the station OPO cameras and mirrors. Just over 75 minutes to go and then a 45 minute cycle ride home.

Another nutter.

2007-08-24T19:09:00.000+01:00

I was in the ticket office this morning when the CSA informed me of a regular fare evader double gating. I then went onto to west bound platform to deal with him. Initially he tried ignoring me, then tried the old chesnut "no English" etc, then he started shouting at me in Polish, I know a little Polish including one curse word "Kurve" which I coudln't resist saying to him, he then started saying I was gay, and I was Elton John and an arse bandit. Amazing how the only English he knows is this. Eventually he got bored and left the station whilst continuing to berate me in Polish. The CSA also happened to be Polish so she translated some of what he said which was "If it wasn't for the Poles, then Trafalgar Square would be called Hitler Square, and it was the Polish army that won the war for Britain, ergo he should get free travel"

Whatever next??

Flooding

2007-07-20T16:28:00.000+01:00

We had to close part of out station for a short time today due to the flash floods, which caused a fair bit of flooding on the station which also had the lovely odour of sewage. Whilst dealing with our problem, it seemed like every couple of minutes another announcement came over our BBMS (Breakdown Broadcast Message Service) saying that yet another station had had to close due to flooding.

Moral Dilemma

2007-07-20T16:21:00.000+01:00

Thankfully I wasn't on duty when this happened, but what would you have done:

A few days ago, a mobility impaired passenger arrived on a train with one of those electric buggy/scooters. Unfortunately they were unable to get off the train with the buggy due to the gap, and our staff were unable to lift them off. Police and Fire Brigade wouldn't lift them off either. The line controller decided to empty the train of every other passenger and try reversing the train into the adjacent platform and let them disembark there. The customer refused to try this. In the end they took the train out of customer service, took the empty train with the mobility impaired customer back to where they started and then LUL paid for a black cab to take them to their destination which I imagine cost a fair packet. Now I don't want to seem callous but shouldn't some of the onus be on the customer to check before they travel to ensure they are able to exit etc. All of the other passengers on the original train were delayed and inconvenienced. A perfectly good train was removed from customer service, and also the additional expense of paying the taxi fare.

Close call

2007-05-23T17:50:00.000+01:00

Any drivers reading this please take note that when overtaking a cyclist, although it may cause a delay of a few seconds, then please give more than a few inches space.

Happy Birthday Northern Line

2007-05-22T18:39:00.000+01:00

For all you geeky trainspotters, the Northern Line will be 100 years old next month, and to celebrate LUL will be having two days of activities.

On the 23 June, Staff, friends & families are invited to an open day at Golders Green depot for a guided tour. There will also be ice creams, face painting & an oppurtunity for visitors to have their photos taken in a drivers cab.

On the 24 June, LUL will be putting an original 1938 stock train back into passenger service for 3 trips.

The first 2 trips are open to staff, customers and will cost £20 each which will include a commemorative book worth £10 on the history of the Charing X, Euston & Hampstead Railway £10.

The 3rd trip is only for staff and is free :P

If anyone (non staff) is interested, either contact LUL at the usual number or send a cheque payable to London Underground, Support Manager Northern Line, 4th Floor, 20 Cranbourne Street, London, WC2H 7RQ and specify which train ride you would like to reserve a place on:

1st ride is at 11:00 am, 2nd ride is 14:30 and each ride will last around 2 hours starting at Golders Green - Charing X - Mill Hill East - Kennington - Golders Green. Also remember to enclose a SAE with your payment.

Ticket Office Part 2

2007-05-22T18:20:00.000+01:00

We got another memo from the RMT confirming and detailing the ticket office closures and reductions. The following ticket offices will be closing:

Barkingside, Becontree, Boston Manor, Buckhirst Hill, Cannon St, Canons Park, Chesham, Chiswick Park, Chorleywood, Croxley, Debden, East Putney, Fairlop, Hornchurch, Goldhawk Rd, Ickenham, Latimer Rd, Mansion House, Mill Hill East, Moor Park, North Ealing, North Harrow, Northwood Hills, Park Royal, Perivale, Ravenscourt Park, Regents Park, Royal Oak, Ruislip, Ruislip Gdns, South Ruislip, Sudbury Hill, Temple, Totteridge & Wealdstone, Upney, West Acton, West Finchley, West Harrow, West Ruislip & Wimbledon Park.

In addition, LUL propose to close Canary Wharf (east), Seven Sisters (b), Southwark (west) & Waterloo (International).

Also the following will close on either Saturdays, Sundays or both:

Oxford Circus (Argyll St), Hainault, Wanstead, Waterloo (shell), Mornington Crescent, Goodge St, Alperton, South Harrow, Sudbury Town, Barbican, Moorgate (main), Shepherds Bush (H&C), Westbourne Park, Dagenham East, Dagenham Heathway, Elm Park, Bow Rd, Bromley by Bow, Baker St (Met), Euston Sq, Great Portland St, Eastcote, Hillingdon, Northwick Park, Ruislip Manor, Chalfont & Latimer, Northwood, Pinner, Rickmansworth & Watford.

And the list continues with ticket offices with reduced opening hours:

Lambeth North, Warwick Ave, Epping, Loughton, South Woodford, Woodford, Waterloo (shell), Dollis Hill, Mornington Crescent, Tufnell Park, High Barnet, Kennington, Bow Rd, Hainault, Redbridge, Snaresbrook, Wanstead, Woodside Park, South Harrow, Cockfosters, Westbourne Park, Dagenham East, Hillingdon, Ruislip Manor, Northwood, Pinner, Rickmansworth & Watford.

Lost Property

2007-05-17T19:43:00.000+01:00

Had two customers enter my office at the same today, and both of whom had lost their bags. Normally when I receive an item of lost property I inspect the bags, phones etc. very carefully for any possible contact numbers of the possible owner so they can be reunited with their property.

These two though were something different. The first man, had already travelled on a number of lines, and didn't have any idea as to what line his bag may have been on. Short of calling about 90 odd stations, I wasn't able to help him that much other than give him a lost property form and to inform the various line controllers to prevent any security alerts. The second individual had his head so far up his own rear I ended up escorting him out of my office. I asked him what the destination of the train on which he had travelled and he replied "the next stop" I informed him that our trains don't terminate at this station, and I needed more information to narrow down the search, he then started shouting, telling me to phone the f@@@ing stations, stop the service and find his bag. I asked him to stop swearing and he then proceeded to call me a cock and a quaver(??), as his diatribe continued to increase I had to make him leave the office empty handed.

btw, does anyone know what he meant by calling me a quaver??

Ticket Office

2007-05-17T19:40:00.000+01:00

We got a memo from the RMT today stating that LUL is planning to close around 40 ticket offices on the network and to also reduce the opening hours of many others. There won't be any staff redundancies although many staff will be displaced from their current places of work. These closures will probably start to take place from early 2008. So those of you who still renew your tickets/oysters at the ticket offices then prepare for much longer queues at those that will still be open.

Almost home time

2007-05-11T21:43:00.000+01:00

Only 1 hour to go before my relief is due in. I got soaked last night on the way home as I had left my waterproof clothing at home. I am fully prepared tonight as it is still chucking it down.

Control your dog, then control yourself.

2007-05-08T04:13:00.000+01:00

I took the train into work last night for the first time in months, and was disgusted to see some lout letting his pit-bull type dog defecate on the platform edge on my local station. When he got onto the train he then started to beat the dog with it's own leash. I phone BTP, but they didn't seem too interested and the lout then got off a few stations along.

Google analytics

2007-05-08T04:09:00.000+01:00

Just had a browse through my google analytics that shows be how people found the site and where they are from etc.

I've had one visitor from Guadalajara in Mexico, so hi if you are reading this.

Also a few people have found there way to the site via google search terms like last trains or oystercards, so I will post a link to the TFL info to assist these people.

I am on my last night shift for the week and what a busy night it has been what with all the contractors etc, 57 in total tonight.

"I saw a mouse" Where?

2007-05-07T07:26:00.000+01:00

Not really on the stairs, but in my office at work. I have been trying to catch the little blighter on my camera phone for the past few days just to prove to Initial (Rentakill) that I wasn't seeing things as they always seem not to believe us.

Taken of late again

2007-05-05T07:50:00.000+01:00

Unfortunately my colleague took me off late this morning by half an hour. It isn't a great amount of time, but on our group with the exception of one station, we ALL come in half an hour before the official start time, so although we are working the same number of hours, we get to leave half an hour earlier and thereby miss the rush. So instead of working an 8 hour duty I have worked for 9 hours; I won't even get paid the extra hour as it isn't official. Normally if one is taken off late, then the colleague in question would have the decency to first let you know in advance and also to arrange to make up the time, but this particular colleague is annual leave from tomorrow, so I don't even know when I will get the chance to get the time back as I am not based at his station.

Busy Night

2007-05-04T01:10:00.000+01:00

So far I have 83 contractors working on my station tonight, and they sure are a pain with their constant interruptions, asking for keys, and room locations etc.

I've also been playing with my new phone, a Nokia N95. It has GPS but for some reason I can't get it to work (no signal).

Any Nokia experts out there?

Nights again :(

2007-05-02T23:20:00.000+01:00

My duties for the rest of the week have been changed AGAIN, and I have been given nights for the next 3 shifts. I had to do 3 night shifts at short notice last week, and I have also got my normal allocation of nights next week, so that means I have been given nights 3 weeks in a row instead of the normal once per month.

This has really pee'd me off, I had plans to go out before work on Saturday with some friends as I haven't 'socialised' for over a year, what with work and other commitments, but this will have to be cancelled as I will be sleeping during the day. I don't why I bother to even attempt a social life. There are other reserve supervisors, but it only seems to be me that gets all the crappy shifts.

Strange complaint

2007-05-01T19:15:00.000+01:00

Just had some lady in complaining about one of the local NCP run car parks. She claimed that she had lost her purse which contained her car park pass and the car park were making her pay the full days rate for a lost ticket, as is their policy and is also signed as you drive in. I still haven't worked out as to why she felt it necessary to bring the complaint to me. We aren't even in the same building. Ah well, only 3 hours 30 minutes to go.

30 April 2007

2007-05-01T12:59:00.000+01:00

Pretty quiet shift yesterday, to help pass the time we tried playing tennis with one of our regular ticket touts/beggars. Whenever he showed his face in one part of the station, he sent him packing, only for him to turn up in a different part of the station, who then sent him back etc etc. By the end of the shift the score was 30-30.

Had a lovely cycle ride home, the weather was perfect for cycling with a nice tail wind. Also noticed 3 tube carriages on the back of 3 flat-bed trailers going down the Great West Road, I think they were H&C cars. Always seems a bit surreal seeing tube cars on a public road.

Silent Night

2007-04-28T01:11:00.000+01:00

For the first time this week, I haven't any contractors waiting to book on with me (yet). Station is closed to the public and as I am feeling peckish, I am going for my usual night time cycle ride and grab myself something to eat whilst I am out.

PRP

2007-04-27T04:46:00.000+01:00

We got the sad news today that we didn't reach our CSS (Customer Satisfaction Survey) targets for last year so we won't be getting our bonus payments of £250 each.

I don't think this is actually very fair as the main reason we didn't reach our targets was down to Metromess screwing up with the rail de-stressing last year. Not exactly something that is within our control as station staff.

Staff shortage

2007-04-27T04:43:00.000+01:00

We seem to be running out of staff on our group recently. We have a few vacancies anyway and now a couple of supervisors are off sick. I had to do a double shift yesterday and then resume after 12 hours rest. In 3 days I have worked over 42 hours, whereas normally it would be only 24 hours over the 3 days. Should get some nice overtime though, unless the dreaded taxman takes most of it.

Oyster watches

2007-04-27T04:38:00.000+01:00

Not sure if anyone has even noticed these yet, but about 100 of us have been issued with a Swatch watch which has our staff pass built into it. At the moment it is only a trial until the beginning of June, but if the trial is successful then they will become a part of our uniform issue.

They are a bit inconvenient though IMO, as the oyster readers on buses and on the tube are on different sides, and I do seem to getting slightly more error code 94 (unreadable) when using it.

Apologies

2007-04-27T04:35:00.000+01:00

Major apologies for the lack of service for the past few months. I sort of got bored, and basically couldn't be bothered.

Not much has happened, I have bought a house in Egypt, I am still on the same group and the same grade (station supervisor) and still trying to lose weight by cyling everywhere.

I will try and blog a bit more often than before :)

Selfish Driver

2006-07-26T16:05:00.000+01:00

On my way in to work some schmuck obviously thought it to be a good idea to block the cycle lane and force all the cyclist onto a very busy dual-carriage way.

Ride Home

2006-07-26T15:52:00.000+01:00

Thames Water were doing there usual bit to help save water by having a massive burst main in West London. The main street was completely gridlocked with one or two cars even floating in the water. All the buses were also stuck.

Drivers eye view

2006-07-05T11:58:00.000+01:00

Here's a very short clip taken from the cab of a tube train. It's not very long though:

Sick as a Parrot

2006-07-04T11:42:00.000+01:00

Thankfully I am very rarely ill, and even rarer do I vomit. Not so last night, I woke up around 03:00am with really bad stomach cramps, and after about 20 minutes or so, had the misfortune to be sick.

I assume it was something that I ate. All I ate yesterday was some grilled cod fillet, weight-watchers bread and 2 bananas. I'm not feeling too bad at the moment, just a little light-headed, so unless I am ill again, I will be cycling to work in about 2 hours.

Trouble seems to follow me

2006-07-04T11:30:00.000+01:00

I was working my rest day yesterday as one of the smaller stations on the group. The last time I worked at this particular station was about 6 weeks ago, when I had the unpleasant meeting with a young woman who thought the world revolved around her (her exact words), she refused to purchase a ticket, verbally abused and threatened me, and basically acted like the spoilt brat she was brought up to be.

Lucky me, she was back again last night with one of her equally chav-like friends. Her friend touched in with her Oyster only for Queen Chav to double gate. As it was so blatant I called her back from the gateline, only to be ignored. I then followed her to the stairs and told her to come back and purchase a ticket. Obviously she didn't want to do that, so she started verbally abusing me, threatening me, etc etc. Eventually she realised I wasn't going to back down (I threatened to stop the train until the BTP arrived) and she returned to the gate line and exited the station. As she did so, she turned around and threw her full bottle of water all over me. Whilst technically that was an assault, with the heat it was very refreshing so I thanked her; much to her disgust.

test video

2006-06-19T19:50:00.000+01:00

Had to go to the opposite side of London today to collect some goodies that I got from ebay. If this works I may post some more vids, perhaps some from a drivers eye view.

Anyway 10 points to anyone can guess where this is.

Health checks

2006-06-17T22:07:00.000+01:00

I had a blood test last week with my local GP, and the results came back yesterday. Apparently my cholesterol level is a little raised with a reading of 5.13, I also have low blood pressure with an average reading of 100/60. This seems a bit confusing as I don't drink, I don't smoke, I do at least 20 or so miles a day cycling (today I did 41), I eat very little red meat, maybe once a month, and I haven't eaten take away food for about 5 weeks. I am a little overweight (about 8 kg) though, which I am trying to lose.

Any health conscious people out there able to give me some advice and what may be causing these readings.

Part 2

2006-06-13T16:19:00.000+01:00

It started raining on my way to work this morning and I get completely and utterly drenched. I had water in my shoes and my Ipod headphones stopped working. Anyway, I managed to get changed and put the kettle on before we had our first problems. After yesterdays service I was hoping for an easy day, but it wasn't to be. The Picc. was suspended from Rayners Lane to Uxbridge because of signal failure and the District was suspended from Parsons Green to Wimbledon, also because of signal failure. Thankfully, the suspensions didn't cause too many problems. At 10:25 I was about to commence my break when the phone rang, and the LIA (Line information asst) gave us the news that they were preparing to suspend the entire District line and we had to detrain any trains in the area so they could run empty to the depot's. The line had a complete loss of radio communication and for safety reasons they have to suspend the whole line as the District don't have the staff necessary to double-staff the train cabs. The idea of a meal-break was obviously out the window. I then head down to one of the platforms and assists the CSA's and to give information to train operators and also to customers. Eventually the all clear came through with extremely severe delays to the whole line. Another 30 minutes overtime claimed as no chance of a break again.

Two days in row part 1

2006-06-13T16:01:00.000+01:00

I got into work yesterday about 06:10 and the night turn supervisor wasn't in the office, and the office was being baby-sat by a CSA. On of our trains was stuck in the sidings and then the signals went down. I quickly put my bike away and got changed so my colleague could go home. Eventually we get that sorted out, so then the priority lay in getting the kettle on for the morning boost of caffeine. After about 40 minutes or so, I am about to head to the DSM's office for my 6 monthly P&D (performance & Development) interview, when the other supervisor calls me on the radio to inform me that Acton Town had lost complete signal control and that everything in or out of Acton was suspended. I remain on the platform and start to detrain whatever trains were in the area, and start assisting customers with their alternative routes. Loads & loads of complaints but not too much abuse for once. I felt sorry for the Heathrow customers who either had to take 2 buses or change at Paddington and get the Heathrow Connect which were accepting our tickets at the time. Eventually the powers that be decided to put in a free special taxi for heather customers from another station which did alleviate some of the pressure. I was unable to get a break, so I had to claim 30 minutes overtime instead.

Verbal assaults & threats

2006-06-10T19:34:00.000+01:00

Unfortunately, because of engineering work, we have no service this weekend on the lines where I work. We do try to let the customers know well in advance by displaying posters at least a week in advance, it has been in the Metro newspaper everyday etc etc. Quite a substantial amount of our lovely customers either completely ignored the aforementioned information, or forgot. So they turn up at the station and normally one of two things happens:

1) They walk straight past the scaffolding, ladders, tools, the scores of contractors, posters and staff and go onto the platforms to await their trains.

2) They happen to notice all of the above, and utter various expletives to themselves and come and politely ask for and politely receive the information they require.

We also have a third category of people, who may initially do either of the above, then come and swear at our staff, threaten us and take it too personally as if LUL are only doing this engineering work to annoy them.

Just today whilst assisting on the gatelines and directing people to the replacement bus services etc, I have been threatened with a pitbull terrier, threatened to being stabbed and gutted, called a racist and too many verbal assaults and insults to count. I have a long 12 hours duty tomorrow, and I am not expecting to have any other staff, as my managers have neglected to cover the other duties. If that is the case, then I will be providing my service from the safety of the ticket office.

Spoilsports

2006-06-10T19:26:00.000+01:00

Normally I have very limited access to external internet sites at work as they are generally blocked by the firewall, websense. Not, usually a problem as I know how to get round it. One of the sites we can get though is BBC. Although I am not a major football fan, I try and follow the results of the world cup matches and maybe one or two of the England games, however the IT department has decided to disable the activex controls on the system and we are therefore unable to listen to the BBC radio commentary or watch the streaming live matches that the beeb is broadcasting on its site.

I was able to catch the first half of England lacklustre performance today by listening to the screams of the fans in the pub next door to the station.

Cycling

2006-05-25T10:17:00.000+01:00

I have managed to cycle every day to work for the last 2 weeks except for yesterday, because of the constant rain we have been getting. I was also thinking of complaining to my local council about the state of the cycle paths in the area, not that it will do any good. There are numerous pot holes, cars parked in them, broken glass all over the place, road works in the middle of the cycle path, and very uneven bumpy path where previous road works have taken place, and they obviously haven't taken care when resurfacing the path.

Ambient Music

2006-05-25T10:11:00.000+01:00

We have a couple of stations on my group that have had ambient noise speakers installed to play classical music in the background. The idea behind this, is that some 'yoof' (with the exception of 3.1 et al) detest this kind of music and no longer loiter around the stations and cause trouble. Only trouble is that the two stations that are using it on my group don't really have a major problem with loitering youths. We do get the odd gang of them steaming through the station, but they don't generally hang around, they're in and out. Not sure if any other stations have the same scheme going, I think some stations on the East End of the District line have them also.

XDA'S

2006-05-17T11:09:00.000+01:00

You may have seen some of the station staff using these recently, and some of my fellow bloggers have blogged about them. They provide real time information as to the whereabouts of the next trains, A-Z map of London, Journey Planner etc. Seems like a nice idea but half the time the staff can't get a signal or when they do then the page takes so long to load, then the information is no longer 'real-time'.

What is this?

2006-05-17T11:01:00.000+01:00

Whilst on my cycle to work, I go through Chiswick roundabout and there is a strange structure near the B&Q. Anyone know what it is?

Currently Reading ...

2006-05-11T11:51:00.000+01:00

Finished the last one, and just started this...

Spring Cleaning

2006-05-10T15:44:00.000+01:00

Seeing as my colleague accidently deleted his old blog, I decided to amend his link, and add a couple of others that also link to my blog. If I have missed anyone, I do apologise, just give me an email and I'll sort you out.

Nice weather

2006-05-10T15:29:00.000+01:00

Thought I'd take advantage of the nice sunny weather and my rest day by going for a cycle ride.

Left my house at 12:15 and got back at 15:15, so 3 hours riding aimlessy around. I'll probably regret it in the morning though.

Currently Reading...

2006-05-08T20:39:00.000+01:00

I read about 5 or 6 books a month, normally on the way to work and back, and if I am lucky enough to get an uninterrupted meal break during it. I normally go for horror, sci-fi, and the occasional language book, but for a change I am trying something new, I'm about half way through and it's not too bad.

Only one more to go

2006-05-08T20:37:00.000+01:00

Only one more night shift to go. Last night was the 3rd night in a row with the last trains more than half hour late. I do hope metronet pull their fingers out and get things back to 'normal'.

S.S.D.D.

2006-05-07T20:52:00.000+01:00

Just getting ready for my penultimate night shift. Last night was another late finish, but thankfully, we didn't get many conractors. Had to deal with the usual drunken idiots at the weekend who for some reason find it rather amusing to hold trains, drop their belongings on the track and jump down to retrieve them, lean over the platform edge to urinate, defecate on the platforms, etc etc. Thank G-d the weekend is over.

Another late finish

2006-05-06T18:45:00.000+01:00

Last night our last trains came through almost 45 minutes lates, due to what we were told at the time a SPAD (Signal Passed At Danger), when in actuality it was because of some drunken schmuck breaking the doors, and messing up the service.

Rant of the Day

2006-05-06T18:40:00.000+01:00

I'm half way through my current week of nights, and one thing that contractors ALWAYS seem to do, is leave the boswick open whenever they leave the station. Not fully open, only about 8 inches or so, but for some reason, customers think this means the station is open and proceed to enter the station, climb over scaffolding, and go onto the platforms to wait for their non-existent trains. 20 minutes later they come back and complain that there are no trains. I probably spend about half an hour each and every night chasing customers out of the station.

Any contractors reading this: "Please close the gates on your way out!"

Safe & Sound in Egypt

2006-04-25T13:52:00.000+01:00

I am currently in Egypt enjoying the last week of my spring holidays. Thankfully I am in Cairo, far away from the madness that is happening near Sharm el-Sheikh. I am due back on night shift again next week, so hopefully I will have something interesting to blog about. I have been having a few problems with my home PC so I am really tempted to splash out on a Mac.

I have been a PC user from the beginning and until very recently (ie now) have never used a mac before. Although some of the shortcuts etc do take a bit of getting used to they do seem to be more stable machines.

Back to work

2006-03-19T03:36:00.001Z

I got back from Egypt on Monday night, only to find the picc line was suspended because of radio communication problems. Ah well, only had to take 2 buses to get home, so it could have been worse. Apart from the fact that I left my jacket at home and was bloody freezing on the way home.

I am currently hard at work on my last night shift for the week, with one day off then back on early turns. When I get the chance I\'ll post some pics from Egypt.

No work for 10 days

2006-03-02T19:59:00.000Z

Off on a short 10 day trip to Egypt tomorrow morning, so no LUL for a while :) Nothing much has been happening at work with the exception of having very few staff since the introduction of the shorter working week. I think a few of our staff would probably prefer to go back to the old rosters as they seem to be working more hours than before.

I've finally got rid of the car. I was spending over £200 a month on petrol, insurance etc, which is a bit daft as I get free travel. Since I have to walk about 20 minutes to my local tube station, I should hopefully be losing a bit of weight.

Anyway take care everyone, and see you all in about 10 days. Don't work too hard either.

Best blonde joke ever ...

2006-02-08T09:26:00.000Z

An oldie but hey who cares?:-

blonde joke

Shattered

2006-02-02T04:37:00.000Z

Boy am I ready for bed. All of the evenings contractors have just booked off the station, after banging, drilling and cursing through the night, no doubt upsetting some of the local residents.

I have to give the OPO monitors a quick check, do a station check, do an emergency gate test, and then I can open the station to the public.

2 and a half hours until my relief turns up, then its a (hopefully) 30 minute drive home and straight to bed for about 4-5 hours before getting ready to pick the kids up from school.

Did I mention that I hate nights!!!

Strike action still on!!

2005-12-30T20:11:00.000Z

At the present time, and to the best of my knowledge, the planned strike for NYE is still on.

The strike is due to commence at 12 noon tomorrow until 12 noon on New Years Day, what this means is that any staff due to book on BEFORE 12 noon on NYE should still book on as normal, and finish their duty at the rostered time. Any staff due to start work AFTER 12 noon are being advised by the RMT NOT to book on. Also on New Years Day, any staff who start work BEFORE 12 noon are advised NOT to book on, and any staff starting work AFTER 12 noon on New Years Day should book on as normal.

I suspect a few depots may have a picket line to persuade train ops NOT to cross the picket line in support of their comrades, even though the train ops are not involved in this particular dispute.

What really adds insult to injury though, is that according to my trade union rep. BC is currently on holiday in Egypt (schmuck!!!!)

Strike called for on New Years Eve

2005-12-22T15:52:00.000Z

The RMT have announced strike action to take place from 12 noon on NYE until 12 noon on NYD. (link) In the ballot for strike action, there were 1,327 votes (84.6 per cent) in favour and 241 (15.4 per cent) against. In the ballot for action short of strike, there were 1,435 (91.8 per cent) votes in favour and 129 (8.2 per cent) against. I personally wasn't even ballotted but from the numbers above, it seems not even half of the station staff even voted (or received a ballot paper)

3 weeks of freedom

2005-12-21T15:27:00.000Z

Just got back from escorting the Mrs. to Heathrow who should be about now boarding her plane to go and visit some of her relatives in Africa.

Whilst the idea of 3 weeks alone, sounds good, I'm already missing her. I suppose after 11 years of marriage, it feels really weird to have the house to myself for such a long time.

Nothing happening

2005-12-20T18:57:00.000Z

Haven't blogged for a while mainly because nothing of interest has happened, and also because I've been feeling a bit lousy with flu-like symptons and stuff.

One of our regular VIP's (Visually Impaired Persons) who we assist to & from trains on an almost daily basis was considerate enough to bring all the staff a tin of chocolates to express his gratitude for our help throughout the year. Although I don't celebrate Xmas as I am not a Christian I thought it was a really nice gesture and thought.

I will be working as usual over the holiday period, although for once I am not doing late turns or nights so I shouldn't have to deal with all the drunks, even though we did have one drunk start a fight with one of our station tenants today.

Useless USB gadgets

2005-11-27T19:09:00.000Z

How about a USB powered fondue set, or a lovely pair of USB slippers (?), a USB drink warmer (just the type of thing you want near an electrical appliance). Perhaps a USB ashtray is more to your liking, or a USB noodle strainer, USB gloves & Eye massager/poker. The list is endless.

All quiet on the western front

2005-11-18T18:34:00.000Z

Only had about 30 contractors to deal with last night, fairly quiet compared to most nights.

Phishing

2005-11-18T17:27:00.000Z

I normally get about one email a week purporting to be from various financial institutions, paypal, ebay etc. On a good week, I get about 4.

My latest one is supposed to be from Barclays (I don't even bank with them)

Barclays Bank Membership Update

We recently reviewed your account, and we suspect an unauthorized ATM - based transactions on your account. Our banking service will help you to avoid frequently fraud transactions and to keep your savings and investments confidential.

To ensure that your account is not compromised please login to Barclays Bank Online Banking by clicking this link, verify and update your profile and your current account will be 128-bit encrypted and guard by our security system.

- Log-in on: https://ibank.barclays.co.uk/fp/1_2l/online/1,,logon,00.html
- Enter your personal membership details
- Verify and update with Barclays IBank

Thank you for using Barclays BankSecurity Check

Important information from Barclays Bank(R)

This e-mail contains information directly related to your account with us, other
services to which you have subscribed, and/or any application you may have submitted. Barclays Bank and its service providers are committed to protecting your privacy and ask you not to send sensitive account information through e-mail. You can view our privacy policy and contact information at www.barclays.co.uk. If you are not a Barclays Bank customer and you believe you received this message in error, please delete this e-mail.

© 2005 Barclays Bank Global

At least they have improved the spelling from the earlier attempts. Interesting that they haven't yet learnt to mask their message ID's yet. This particular email comes from Russia (obviously Barclays new HQ) (E1Ed0ZB-0008KH-29@daybreak.herold.ru) If anyone is feeling nasty send them some spam lol.

I do wonder if people still fall for these blatant attempts at fraud nowadays.

ITV1

2005-11-08T15:43:00.000Z

Just a rememinder that the first episode of the tube programme is starting tonight. Should be interesting as I know at least one of the people featured. I think it is also going to be repeated on sky travel.

BBC NEWS | Politics | Public transport drink ban plan

2005-10-30T16:02:00.000Z

BBC NEWS | Politics | Public transport drink ban plan

Can't really see this being enforced but one can always hope. :)

I give up.

2005-10-26T16:18:00.000+01:00

I don't think I will ever understand customers. Last week I had to assist a very irate customer who had a debit on her Oystercard. As the fault of the debit laid with both the customer for not getting an extension on her Oystercard and still touching in & out with it, and Wimbledon station for not doing so either; I wasn't able to speak to Wimbledon station staff as it is run by national rail.
I was then asked to come to the ticket office as the customer was refusing to leave the window thereby causing a long queue and inconveniencing other customers. I had to keep her waiting about 10 minutes as I was already dealing with another customer.
Rather than asking her to pay back the debit owed and apply for a refund, I instructed the ticket office staff to cancel the last pre-pay which would then bring her pre-pay balance back to zero and then her travelcard would work again. The ticket office could have just done from the beginning and saved everybody the hassle, but her attitude wasn't condusive. Eventually she went off and we even shared a joke about it as she left. This morning I get called to see the DSM.
I was extremely annoyed and angry to get called to the managers office because this person wrote a letter of complaint about me, said I was very unhelpful, rude and I needed retraining.

In my nine years since joining LUL I have never had a complaint, rather I have had numerous letters of thanks from customers. (well a few)

I think next time I'll just give then the generic card with the customer services details on it and leave them to it.

Other metro prices

2005-10-04T20:05:00.000+01:00

Japan (7 day travelcard) for the whole country: £140.80
Paris (7 day travelcard) £10.64
Madrid (single ticket) £0.88
Cairo (single ticket) £0.075p
New York (7 day travelcard) £13.70
Mexico City (single ticket) £0.10
Singapore (single ticket maximum price) £0.65
Bangkok (flat rate single) £0.14p
Newcastle (7 day all zones) £16.00

2006 fare increases announced

2005-10-04T19:55:00.000+01:00

The new proposed fare increases for next year have been announced by Ken, and to be quite frank I think they are a bloody extorniate rip-off.

Some of the highlights of the announcements:

The Tube Zone 1 Oyster fare down from £1.70 to £1.50 and as the equivalent cash fare will be £3, this will be a saving of £1.50.

A single journey in Zones 2-6 will cost £1 on Oyster if you pay as you go, compared to £3 if you use cash

Outside Zone 1, the cheapest cash single fare will increase to £3 from £1.30 but the comparable Oyster fare will be reduced from £1.10 to £1

The Family Travelcard will be withdrawn but a £1 Off-peak Child Travelcard will be available for up to four under 16s accompanied by adult Travelcard holders.

Its going to be the casual users, families & tourists who are going to be hit the worst by these price increases. They already got rid of the VERY POPULAR weekend travelcard (even now, we still get tourists asking for them), now they are scrapping the family travelcard. Whereas now a single parent & four sprogs can travel in central London at the weekend for £3.10 that option will no longer be available to them. I expect loads of people to complain and take it out on the station staff as usually happens every January.