First Crass.
The First Class compartments on First Capital Connect trains are a token gesture.
There's nothing classy about them. The term First Class suggests they're above the usual standard. Not with FCC. As far as I can see, the only difference from Standard Class is an A4-sized doily on the headrest, which hardly warrants the entrance fee. Anyone who wastes money on a piece of tracing paper has serious problems.
I once travelled First Class from Euston to Stoke-on-Trent with Virgin Trains. Coffee and breakfast were included in the ticket price, which helped take the sting off my final destination. The only plus point of paying for a First Class ticket on a First Capital Connect train is potentially avoiding the steely glare of a wronged ticket inspector. Is this worth the effort?
Why don't they scrap First Class and free up more seats for the average punter? Maybe then I'd feel a little less like cattle in transit.