Someone called Thameslink Satan and it turns out they don’t like it up them
Well when we say ‘someone’ it’s Holby City actress Catherine Russell and it turns out she’s had enough of Thameslink’s pisspoor service.
I don’t think I’ll ever be able to hear again, “we apologise for any inconvenience caused” without having a Pavlovian reaction of rage & despair @TLRailUK
— Catherine Russell (@catherinerusse2) June 12, 2018
In fact, she’s so fed up with the constant delays and cancellations that she said this.
Please, for the love of sanity Satan – sorry, sorry @TLRailUK stop with the, “see it, say it, sort it” announcement. I beg of you. Given that we’ve SEEN your new timetable, have SAID it doesn’t work, yet you still haven’t SORTED it, it really irks. Blessings upon you fall.
— Catherine Russell (@catherinerusse2) June 14, 2018
Very clever it was too, appreciated by all her followers and fellow travellers.
As much as this is a rubbish situation I just have to that your tweets are just the BEST & never fail to make me smile X 😄
— LS18 (@toongirl) June 14, 2018
It wasn’t the only time she referred to them as ‘Satan’.
Hi Satan (AKA @TLRailUK) about 20 mins ago I checked 2 see if your 1st train out of #Streatham, the 6.03, was running 2 #Elstree (all pay respects to the deceased 5.48am) & joy, it was! Double checked just now & you've cancelled it, why? Once again we'll be very late 4 #HolbyCity
— Catherine Russell (@catherinerusse2) June 10, 2018
No! No! No! Satan (aka @TLRailUK) what fresh Hell is this? You’ve now cancelled the 5.48, the 6.03 and now the 6.18am from #Streatham FFS THIS IS APPALLING ‘SERVICE’ & seriously disrupting filming @ElstreeStudios What the f**k is going on?! @ChukaUmunna
— Catherine Russell (@catherinerusse2) June 11, 2018
Oh Satan (AKA @TLRailUK) are you trying to gaslight us?! Now the 6.18 from #Streatham appears to be back on tomorrow morning?! Which is it? Running or not running? I could scream!
— Catherine Russell (@catherinerusse2) June 11, 2018
Hello Satan, any news? Are you running the 6.18am out of #Streatham to #Elstree tomorrow? @TLRailUK I don't suppose it's even worth asking about the 6.03am. (Gawd Bless the 5.48am)
— Catherine Russell (@catherinerusse2) June 11, 2018
And it was at this point that Thameslink just couldn’t take it anymore.
Hi Catherine. The 06.18 is expected to run – https://t.co/bmg0Twjqwt
Appreciate you are frustrated but please refrain from calling us that. This is a customer service account so we will not tolerate any abusive terms.
— Thameslink (@TLRailUK) June 11, 2018
So the Holby City actress tried a different approach.
Dear, sweet, adorable @TLRailUK (apparently Satan hurts their feelings, bless) the 6.46 from #Elstree is delayed, stuck at St.Albans because it’s waiting for a driver & the 7.01 is stuck behind that. How do I get home? XXX
— Catherine Russell (@catherinerusse2) June 14, 2018
Didn’t quite work though.
I don’t personally find it offensive but religious members of our team do find it offensive. We did DM you mentioning that it was causing offence and I’m disappointed that you continue to find offending customer service staff funny. ^Neil
— Thameslink (@TLRailUK) June 14, 2018
Woe there Trigger, I did NOT call ANYONE Satan just then. And if all jokes that caused offence were banned it would be a very sorry state of affairs, as I said in my last, most respectful DM which you chose not to reply to…And breath. #censorship
— Catherine Russell (@catherinerusse2) June 14, 2018
Service is still rubbish though.
Unacceptable abuse or bit of fun for commuters shelling out thousands of pounds a year for a pisspoor service? You decide …
Perfect response – well done thameslink twitter team. It’s not fun dealing with anger all day especially when it’s corporate, take no notice. I’m sure Catherine is not being awful personally though – but winding you guys up won’t change anything.
— mini (@minithedog1) June 11, 2018
Don’t think that is being abusive. If the timetable didn’t keep changing within minutes & not knowing from one day to the next if you can get in to work on time, then anyone is going to be highly frustrated. Please stop the lottery of cancelling much needed busy trains every day.
— Angela Bland (@Cup_saucer_lady) June 12, 2018
Satire clearly lost on @TLRailUK
— Tom Johnston (@TomJohnston9) June 12, 2018
To conclude …
Now it would appear that my ribbing @TLRailUK is gaining some attention. But folks, let’s not be rude. Angry, yes. Frustrated, yes. And, dare I say it, attempt to be funny. Jokes are important. But our despair shouldn’t turn into aggression. #Banter
— Catherine Russell (@catherinerusse2) June 14, 2018