Riding first class to avoid pickpockets
Jan 3rd 2005 | 3:38 am
#61
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Riding first class to avoid pickpockets
chancellor of the duchy of besses o' th' barn schrieb:
> I can't argue wrt Italian trains. I've only ever travelled standard
> class on them, and never noticed what first class is like.
Less crowded. As train fares in Italy are generally inexpensive, you might
want to travel first class to have more space anyway, regardless of thieves.
> I don't know if passengers in first class necesssarily make richer
> pickings. They don't necesarily carry more valuables, cash etc., do
> they?
Many of them are business travelers who tend not to carry more than
necessary, I think.
> I'm not suggesting choosing either class to avoid thieves by the way.
> The best way to avoid having your stuff stolen is to be alert, and keep
> your bags within eyeshot.
ACK.
... Martin
> I can't argue wrt Italian trains. I've only ever travelled standard
> class on them, and never noticed what first class is like.
Less crowded. As train fares in Italy are generally inexpensive, you might
want to travel first class to have more space anyway, regardless of thieves.
> I don't know if passengers in first class necesssarily make richer
> pickings. They don't necesarily carry more valuables, cash etc., do
> they?
Many of them are business travelers who tend not to carry more than
necessary, I think.
> I'm not suggesting choosing either class to avoid thieves by the way.
> The best way to avoid having your stuff stolen is to be alert, and keep
> your bags within eyeshot.
ACK.
... Martin
Jan 4th 2005 | 5:35 am
#62
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Riding first class to avoid pickpockets
<< The security person held out a telephone handset to me that was
on the end of a long coiled cable and which only reached a couple
of feet out of the door and I talked to the consular person there
on the sidewalk.
I wondered how it would be handled if we really needed consular
services. >>
It would probably vary according to the request. Unfortunately, security and
budget constraints have greatly limited the amount of public contact the
consular people can have on a daily basis, especially to handle routine
questions. There has been, as in private industry, a trend toward automation
and answering such questions via telephone or handouts which are often
available.
The Finnish employee probably could have handled the situation better by
explaining the alternatives. If not, the person on the phone surely should have
been able to do so, if asked.
I have dealt with US consular employees in various countries and they are
usually swamped with work. That said, I believe their current policy is that
any American citizen asking to speak to an American officer will be
accomodated.
A polite letter to the Consul General would probably elicit a more
comprehensive response.
As to the wall, Congress and administrations of both parties have come to the
conclusion that the security requirements will outweigh aesthetics. That is US
policy and it would take considerable political pressure from the public to
change it. There is no such pressure as most recognize the regrettable
inevitability of such measures.
on the end of a long coiled cable and which only reached a couple
of feet out of the door and I talked to the consular person there
on the sidewalk.
I wondered how it would be handled if we really needed consular
services. >>
It would probably vary according to the request. Unfortunately, security and
budget constraints have greatly limited the amount of public contact the
consular people can have on a daily basis, especially to handle routine
questions. There has been, as in private industry, a trend toward automation
and answering such questions via telephone or handouts which are often
available.
The Finnish employee probably could have handled the situation better by
explaining the alternatives. If not, the person on the phone surely should have
been able to do so, if asked.
I have dealt with US consular employees in various countries and they are
usually swamped with work. That said, I believe their current policy is that
any American citizen asking to speak to an American officer will be
accomodated.
A polite letter to the Consul General would probably elicit a more
comprehensive response.
As to the wall, Congress and administrations of both parties have come to the
conclusion that the security requirements will outweigh aesthetics. That is US
policy and it would take considerable political pressure from the public to
change it. There is no such pressure as most recognize the regrettable
inevitability of such measures.
