massive inconvenience for passengers and caused media intense discussion and caused media intense discussion and political mayhem and the governments tended to back down. now with the companies being paid a small amount to operate the network and the changes in passenger use and the fact that we are used to making other arrangements, the fact that we are used to making otherarrangements, in the fact that we are used to making other arrangements, in every corner of our lives, has blunted the power of our lives, has blunted the power of the strike as a tool and the government finds it easier to sit back and let it run its course. that does the rest of us no good at all, but it is a fact of life as to where we are. ., ., but it is a fact of life as to where we are. . ., .,, ., we are. can the train operating companies we are. can the train operating companies afford we are. can the train operating companies afford more - we are. can the train operating companies afford more than i we