"Richard J." wrote in message
...
Steve Dulieu wrote:
"Barry Salter" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 22 Dec 2003 01:05:58 +0000, Steve Fitzgerald
] wrote:

Don't forget, on the Picc, we have to make all the announcements
ourselves, not like the other lines that have all this auto stuff
:-)

Not strictly true. I've heard automated announcements on Piccadilly
Line trains before, such as the Victoria Line/National Rail
interchange at Finsbury Park and the Met/Circle/H&C/Norther/Vic and
Nat Rail at Kings Cross. And, of course, "Stand Clear of the Doors
Please".

You are of course correct Barry, that you have heard something that
sounds like an automated PA. (It's a recording of a genuine Arnos
Grove T/Op BTW) The problem is, that on the Picc. (due to the ever
popular "LUL massive cock-up"(TM)) in order to get the "automated"
announcement that he or she requires the driver to key in a 3 digit
code & hit enter on a piece of kit in the cab (refered to as "The
Toblerone" for those that are interested). The anouncement then plays
about 5 seconds later. Most drivers find it easier to just use the
standard PA than dick about with crap like that. (I know I did:-)) So
to all intents and purposes, "Automated PA" is not something we use
on the Picc.

On the contrary, I quite often hear those announcements on the Picc, but
they seem to blank out the scrolling displays afterwards. They are
however
a lot clearer than most drivers (present company excepted of course).

The blanking of the scrolling displays is another part of the "LUL MC-U(TM)"
mentioned above. Another reason why, when I was a T/Op I only ever used the
handheld PA. (Unless, of course, my train was the third or more eastbound on
the spin to tip out at Arnos, when I found that the "Thank You For
Travelling On The Piccadilly Line" auto-announcement always improved the
punter's humor as they waited in the wind and the hail for the almost
mythical "Next Cock" no end) ;-)
--
Cheers, Steve.
If The Good Lord had meant for us to be fiscally prudent, He would not have
given us the platinum credit card...
Change colour to PC Plod's lights to reply.

In message , Barry Salter
writes

Don't forget, on the Picc, we have to make all the announcements
ourselves, not like the other lines that have all this auto stuff :-)

Not strictly true. I've heard automated announcements on Piccadilly Line
trains before, such as the Victoria Line/National Rail interchange at
Finsbury Park and the Met/Circle/H&C/Norther/Vic and Nat Rail at Kings
Cross. And, of course, "Stand Clear of the Doors Please".

They are not automated as such, but pre-recorded announcements selected
by the driver as required. There's a whole 'library' of these
announcements. Personally, I prefer to just pick up the handset and
make a PA - quicker and easier.
--
Steve Fitzgerald has now left the building.
You will find him in London's Docklands, E16, UK
(please use the reply to address for email)