Why are ticket inspectors so arrogant?

Question

Why are ticket inspectors so arrogant?

Answer 1

because they have to deal with attitudes all day long

Answer 2

I beg to differ... I ride two different railways DAILY and have YET to see an "arrogant" or rude ticket inspector on either.  Yes, some are short and quick in their tasks... but they share 6 other cars with another inspector and have to move along.

SOME of the Inspectors seem to have graduated from the "SouthWest Airlines School of Humor"... they sing, dance, and are DARNED congenial.

Also, on the RR's I ride, they have a Proof-of-Fare system (and have for the last 7 years)... yet local folks STILL try to say "oooops I didn't KNOW"... when there are 4 ft tall signs THROUGHOUT each station.

Sadly, CalTrain actually had to post notices to remind folks that Assaulting a Conductor / Inspector is a CRIME.

Answer 3

I think it makes them feel that they have some sort of special authority in their jobs, which must  be boring at times.

Answer 4

I am with you on this...why are they so arrogant? There have been several reasons but the bottom line is this.....they get paid to do a job and they knew they would be dealing with the public before they signed on to work. Part of that job would be to be courteous, friendly and helpful and if they aren't that way to you then complain. And start complaining with the person at the top...its quick and you get results faster.

Answer 5

In my experience they are not arrogant, they are the same as you and me.

Answer 6

They do a repetitive job day in and day out.

Answer 7

G'day David J!

The reason that they are so arrogant is that they are enforcing the law.  Their attitude is that you will do as I say or else!  (Oh, and you had better have a valid ticket...)  

One incident that I had with one of the inspectors was that she was so arrogant, I got my notebook and pen out, and asked her for her authority or warrant or ID, depending on where you come from.  Her reply was to say that she was in uniform and did not need to produce her ID.  Wrong answer.  I took note of the time, date, vehicle # and made sure that she seen that I was doing this.  I then went and filed a report.  Guess who is no longer working for that carrier???  (It is actually an offence for the officer when asked for their ID to refuse to show it.)

On the other side of the coin, I have met some inspectors that are decent, honest, considerate and not arrogant of the travelling public.  They use their judgement in who is being honest and who is not doing the right thing.  

As was told to me years ago...  it all comes down to the "Attitude test".  If you are civil and friendly towards the officer, you should get the same back...  If you are surly and nasty, you will get the same back, with no tolerance.  If the inspector is surly and arrogant towards you... just smile at the person, and remind them in no uncertain terms that it is better for their health and my mental state that they are not arrogant or surly.  Keeping this attitude up will result in a report being made.  I have used this attitude several times, with success each time.  If a person gets enough complaints against them, they can be removed from their job...  

I hope that this is of some help to you.

Ding.

Answer 8

The ticket inspectors on First Scotrail trains in Glasgow are usually rather friendly and sometimes they can be helpful but some can be rather rude.

Answer 9

Because they think they make the rules, where as they just enforce them.

Answer 10

Government bureaucrats are like that. They're invested with a sacred cloak of power and authority. They know that you have no defense other than complain to another government bureaucrat. Whose side do you think he's going to take?

Their jobs are so useless that don't attract decent people. Decent people create value and get paid for it. Government jobs don't create value.

Answer 11

Because the majority of people without tickets lie to them and often use bad language and physical violence too

Answer 12

They deal with folks like you every day.