The totally off-topic thread

[erkpod]

Seeing Mal's situation reminded me of the time I was unlucky to get locked inside a toilet block.

I had parked my train on a side track & had about 20 minutes before my next trip. So I decided to go to the loo.

Then I couldn't get out of the building - the external door's inside handle had failed.

After calling for help & letting the powers that be that my train could be delayed, I had to wait.

Neither the guard or the Station Manager could open the door from the outside. The SM then suggested calling the Fire Brigade but added "They might not be able to get you out either."

Due to my role in a fire service, I knew that statement was BS. I knew that the nearest station was a rescue station but even a non rescue station would have been able to get me out.

It was then that I decided it would be quicker if I rescued myself. I kicked the door out. Job done.

The SM had a sookylala about the state of the door but as I told him, the firies would have done worse.

Result - Erk rescued himself. Train cancelled. Train transposed to be first stop Central & was on time for the next trip.

To this day, no one asked me if I was ok. Yet I was 3 minutes late out at midnight & delayed no one one night & someone saw me about that.

 

[Hvr]

I'm interested in opinions.
I was locked in a bank for 75 mins last night due to a mechanical failure. (Those who follow me on FB know the story... It is a good one). I was by myself but not in the main part of the bank.
Based on that length of time and understanding that I am a customer of said bank, what do you think is appropriate compensation?
Is a sorry enough? Or would you have a figure in mind?

I'd suggest that like all banks not much interest will be paid.

 

[Mal]

So how did you get out?

With bank staff assistance. But took three staffers and countless phonecalls to get the required authorisation. (You don't just reopen a bank at night).

I should have done as I was wanting to.. Call police and get them to smash the window. I was reluctant to do it as it was probably worth between £500 and £1000 and without my life being in immediate danger could get messy and end up in a charge.

 

[Mal]

Oh and I have three 'trapped' stories. Was locked in a toilet in a KFC once... The handle came off. Managed to sort that in about 5 minutes using a key and twisting what was left of the lock.

And years ago when I worked in retail I was locked in a dark walk-in fridge. Clambered mg way out somehow...

 

[QF WP]

Interesting article and gave to agree with it.

http://www.outsiderclub.com/charts-whats-wrong-with-america

 

[anat0l]

...and years ago when I worked in retail I was locked in a dark walk-in fridge. Clambered mg way out somehow...

The boss just told you to chill out?

(I'm sure it was not funny at all)

 

[markis10]

Pretty cool shot by one of Sydneys Channel 7 Cameraman !

\


Photo courtesy of our local BNE CH7 pilot https://twitter.com/PeterDoherty7/status/387498047988441088/photo/1

 

[docjames]

mrsdoc and I got locked in an ATM in Playa del Carmen.

Funny story......

 

[Mal]

mrsdoc and I got locked in an ATM in Playa del Carmen.

Funny story......

Please share

 

[Pushka]

Whose crazy idea was face time on the iPhone. OK, I get it for friends and family living interstate overseas, but today I was rung by a family member whom I see often. I was at work and have never used it before. I thought I was just accepting her call. Nup. Suddenly we are on video phone. Actually, make that speaker phone. So all and sundry at work heard her family issues. You cant switch to 'ear' phone. Just wait til people do this in the QP. Sometimes just because you can doesn't mean you should.

 

[anat0l]

Whose crazy idea was face time on the iPhone. OK, I get it for friends and family living interstate overseas, but today I was rung by a family member whom I see often. I was at work and have never used it before. I thought I was just accepting her call. Nup. Suddenly we are on video phone. Actually, make that speaker phone. So all and sundry at work heard her family issues. You cant switch to 'ear' phone. Just wait til people do this in the QP. Sometimes just because you can doesn't mean you should.

Don't wail - there are several people that outnumber you who are quite grateful for Facetime and it's "improvements", despite the fact that Skype and many others have been doing it for yonks beforehand (and I'm not talking about video conferencing - I mean audio and VOIP in the latest round of "innovations").

You could always plug in your earphones (I'd assume) so the audio reroutes to those rather than out loud. Otherwise, simply reducing the volume of output should result in a similar effect to a standard voice call (although you may not be able to put the phone right against your face).

 

[Pushka]

Don't wail - there are several people that outnumber you who are quite grateful for Facetime and it's "improvements", despite the fact that Skype and many others have been doing it for yonks beforehand (and I'm not talking about video conferencing - I mean audio and VOIP in the latest round of "innovations").

You could always plug in your earphones (I'd assume) so the audio reroutes to those rather than out loud. Otherwise, simply reducing the volume of output should result in a similar effect to a standard voice call (although you may not be able to put the phone right against your face).

Sure. It has it's uses. I don't normally have my earbuds at work. Just think there's a time and place but can see that this technology on a phone as opposed to a tablet will eventually have nuisance value.

 

[anat0l]

Sure. It has it's uses. I don't normally have my earbuds at work. Just think there's a time and place but can see that this technology on a phone as opposed to a tablet will eventually have nuisance value.

Unfortunately, once again you're outnumbered. Particularly as Facetime came first, on the iPhone which came first before the tablet of the same company.

Unlike yourself, many people I see (young and not so young) have their earbuds handy, probably because of Facetime and because many of them use the phone like a "hands free" style (i.e. holding the phone in front of them rather than up against their face, the "traditional" way).

Anyway, nothing like the benefit of experience.

 

[mono88]

Whose crazy idea was face time on the iPhone. OK, I get it for friends and family living interstate overseas, but today I was rung by a family member whom I see often. I was at work and have never used it before. I thought I was just accepting her call. Nup. Suddenly we are on video phone. Actually, make that speaker phone. So all and sundry at work heard her family issues. You cant switch to 'ear' phone. Just wait til people do this in the QP. Sometimes just because you can doesn't mean you should.

At the times you don't want to use Facetime, turn it off in the settings. I only turn it on when it is convenient for me to use.

 

[straitman]

At the times you don't want to use Facetime, turn it off in the settings. I only turn it on when it is convenient for me to use.

.... or just don't accept the call.

 

[serfty]

Or give facetime the boot and use something that lets you use the device like a 'phone - as can be done with Skype ...

 

[anat0l]

Or give facetime the boot and use something that lets you use the device like a 'phone - as can be done with Skype ...

Many iOS people scorn at such advice because the native iOS apps that achieve much the same thing have the benefit of being fully integrable with the iOS system and all of its features; plus, if you know Apple made it, it must be fully compatible with iOS and thus fully reliable.

One reason why I switched to Android - I can be the control geek that I want and there's not a whole lot that can stop me. Not having to deal with iTunes was a substantial sweetener, too!

 

[erkpod]

With bank staff assistance. But took three staffers and countless phonecalls to get the required authorisation. (You don't just reopen a bank at night).

I should have done as I was wanting to.. Call police and get them to smash the window. I was reluctant to do it as it was probably worth between £500 and £1000 and without my life being in immediate danger could get messy and end up in a charge.

The Police possibly may have just done what you did & call the bank.

 

[anat0l]

The Police possibly may have just done what you did & call the bank.

There's always that risk, but at least then the authorities know of the problem as well, which may be useful for a report later if any litigation was filed. Also, it may help to alleviate the whole "was he trying to break into the bank" thing...

Otherwise, you could always add the police apathy into the rant!

 

[QF WP]

I do love FaceTime when I am traveling within Australia - the kids love seeing my hotel rooms.

Tonight was my first time that the Parking Machine has eaten my ticket at BNE Domestic. Accepted the payment but sent the ticket to the back of the machine. Luckily, even at 11pm, there was CS staff in the room behind to give me an email address (so I can get receipt) and let me out when I reached the exit and even a tech who had the machine open and was rebooting it.