Cannon Street has new gates lets use them for no reason.

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According to my wife I can argue with Southeastern about anything. She is right

So I had a little trip from London to Ebbsfleet the other evening. I usually go from London to Ashford but I was meeting in Bluewater so I thought I will get the fast train to Ebbsfleet and get the bus from there. I looked on the Southeastern website for info and this is what it said

UPGRADE + HS – this is shown on a supplement ticket and must be accompanied by a Southeastern ticket that is not valid on high speed services. Please note Earlybird ticket holders are not eligable for a high speed upgrade.

So I thought alright must be valid as there are no other trains that got to Ebbsfleet apart from the High Speed so you can just have a normal ticket to Ebbsfleet to upgrade.

I bought my upgrade at St Pancras, just missed the train (the law of sod strikes again) and sat around for the next 18 minute journey to Ebbsfleet.

I jumped on the next train and sat back for my quick journey. The guard or "onboard assistant" as he announced himself came around checked my ticket punched a hole in it and even looked at my original ticket.

I jumped off at Ebbsfleet the new concrete jungle in Gravesend don't know why they renamed it. Was Gravesend not glamorous enough. I put my ticket into the machine and it just spat it out and didn't open up  the gates. I showed it to one of the 2 guards (not sure what official name they have but I shall call them "gate inspector team twat officers" or Gitto's) . The Gitto looked at my ticket and said can I see your original ticket. I showed him my monthly ticket and he said "that says Ashford, you will need to go to Ashford its not valid" at this point my blood started to boil, Me "That is not what your website says and it wasn't pointed out by the onboard assistant! ". Gitto "I am only going on what our training says sir, it says you have to have a valid ticket to the destination to get an upgrade" . Me "Well I am only going on what your website says!"  Gitto "I am sorry sir you will have to buy a full ticket" Me "no I wont" at this point getting out phone to show him the website. Me "what must I do I look on the site I get my ticket checked on the train and at the end of my journey you tell me I have the wrong ticket, What else can I DO YOU TELL ME!" at this point starting to get agitated . Gitto opens the gate and walks with me to a counter and hands me a complaint form "I am letting you through sir and giving you a complaint form."  ME "you can bet I am going to use it" and off I saunter with a bit of a spring in my step. In my youth I would do a lot to avoid confrontation but now days it makes me feel alive.  Southeastern Tut tut etc. 

Nick.