Ted Smith

HR/OD Consultant, Author of Hidden Disabilities. Publisher. Mentor. Chair Ideas Foundation. Live sport and live music are my "thing".

[Ted Smith @uktedsmith]

First pre-orders being taken now. All profits to @macmillancancer Hidden Disabilities and Conditions: Creating an Inclusive Workplace by Ted ... https://t.co/BRBhSyuP1F via @AmazonUK

[Ted Smith @uktedsmith]

@GNRailUK absolute joke this evening. Huge delays at WGC then finally a slow Tran. Rammed full. Driver is asked to terminate at ally pally and not finsbury. Unsafe pushing at ally pally as a full at for M tries to enter a full train (the alternative!)

[Ted Smith @uktedsmith]

@TicketmasterCS i would like to know why you do not refund handling fees when an event is postponed and people cant make the new date

[Ted Smith @uktedsmith]

@nationalrailenq Why are we returned to finsbury abd the driver hasnt opened the dloors

[Ted Smith @uktedsmith]

@GNRailUK Marxh April and May all show lots of planned works and then the calendar stops. When will the east coast signalling digitalisation be completed?

[Ted Smith @uktedsmith]

@chunkyboyjames @stevie_ste @JSB93x @LNER I agree with your points James, and grats on holding steady against the abuse. Having said that, we have had successive governments who have supported private companies pushing prices up for too long - I wish we had the subsidies and public ownership of most Euro countries.

[Ted Smith @uktedsmith]

@jo_regular @TLRailUK Trains moving now - but lots of trains out of place

[Ted Smith @uktedsmith]

@jo_regular @TLRailUK Staff say that someone had a panic attack. Train stopped at Welwym North. Someone jumped off train and ran around throwing stones. Police now in charge. Trains moving again soon

[Ted Smith @uktedsmith]

@GNRailUK If the train has broken down north of WGC, why can’t the WGC to Moorgate shuttle work?

[Ted Smith @uktedsmith]

@TLRailUK Due to a communication alarm north of WGC? Can’t the WGC to Moorgate shuttle still operate?

[Ted Smith @uktedsmith]

@AvantiWestCoast currently four different problems all at once? Signalling, overhead wires, congestion and points failure. Seems like a bad travel day :(

[Ted Smith @uktedsmith]

@AvonandsomerRob Imperious

[Ted Smith @uktedsmith]

@JohnLewisRetail when is a £70 pair of boots not a £70 pair of boots? It’s when you get to the till and they say it’s £140. You say I’m. Or paying that and get a new offer of £100. Nope, I walked away. Disappointed. My invitation to treat was denied.

[Neil Bolton @NeilBoltonRSPL]

True story.
Australian guy, close friend, with American born wife, two teenage kids, returns with family to America for the >100th time.

At LAX the border control guy takes him into a separate room.

Sir, what you say now will determine whether you will be detailed pending deportation or allowed to enter the US. Is that clear?
Yes.
What is the purpose of your trip?
Holiday.
Do you have accommodation booked?
Yes.
Where is it?
The Sheraton in Beverley Hills.
Do you have proof of that?
Yes, here is the invoice. (Two king executive suites for 16 nights).
How do you intend to pay while you are here?
Mostly credit card, plus cash.
How much cash do you have?
$9,800
Don’t lie to me.
I have, I think, exactly $9,800.
Give it to me. (Agent takes cash, counts it - $9,800, returns it.)
What credit cards do you have?
Amex and visa - we use Amex almost exclusively.
What is the credit limit?
There isn’t a limit.
Sir, don’t lie to me! There is always a limit! What is the limit?
There is no limit on the Amex - I haven’t had a limit for twenty years.
Sir! Don’t lie to me! Credit cards are never without a limit! That’s how they get their names!
This one has no limit.
(Agent now very cross.)
Give me your phone.
(Hands it over - burner.)
Open it.
It’s open.
Show me what calls and texts you’ve made.
There is none - it’s a new phone.
Sir, stop lying to me! (Agent getting significantly distressed.)
Where is your phone?
This is my phone.
WHERE IS YOUR PHONE!!! (Officer now shouting.)
This is the only phone I have with me. My company issues clean phones and computers when we travel to the US.
Sir, I am telling you again - your answers are what will get you detained and deported! Where is your real phone?
In Australia.
Why don’t you have it with you?
My company doesn’t permit us to bring our personal phones into the US.
Open your computer.
(Opens it.)
Show me your emails.
It’s a new computer - it has no emails. It’s never been turned on except for when it was built and me logging on once.
(Border control officer goes out of room, returns ~two hours hour later with another officer.)
How are you getting to your hotel?
Sheraton has a driver waiting. I hope they still have anyway. Here is the notice on the invoice.
DON’T LIE TO ME! Hotels don’t have drivers just waiting!

They eventually got into America.

The Sheraton driver was still waiting.

Context:

He’s white.

He’s employed by a large American company as Senior Vice President; had been with the company for 30 years. He’s in the top 0.1%

He’s been married to his American wife for 23 years who is an American citizen. They have two teenagers.

His credit card has no limit. He had a new phone and computer because of company policy.

He’s been a Senior VP for at least fifteen years, has hit the ceiling because he doesn’t want to work in America. He’s traveled for business and pleasure to America more than a hundred times.

I’ve known him for ~35 years.

Welcome to Trump’s America.

[Ted Smith @uktedsmith]

@LatitudeFest news on why the traffickers c is so so bad this year. Never known this.

[Ted Smith @uktedsmith]

@GNRailUK Sadly, we always do

[Ted Smith @uktedsmith]

@scissorsisters @BBCiPlayer I wish we could. It’s just messed up.

[Ted Smith @uktedsmith]

@_TruthZone_ Yes. 100% that was me.

[Ted Smith @uktedsmith]

@BBCBreaking Etna has erupted with tourists on the mountain but you’re not covering the story?