A WEEK ago, I returned from a two-week break and had an odd experience at Manchester Airport.

I had travelled halfway across the world on three flights totalling 15 hours, plus an awful lot of waiting time, and wanted to get home — but luck was against me.

After collecting my bags, I ran through the terminal, desperate to catch the next train and avoid an hour wait.

Already exhausted, I sprinted like a madman over travelators and through corridors, my cases trailing behind me.

I saw the train, almost ready to depart and the conductor doing his final checks.

“Hang on, please, mate,” I said, in a desperate attempt to get his attention.

While it is down to the discretion of conductors, it is quite common for them to let passengers on through the cab door once the passenger-access doors have closed.

But this chap, who works for TransPennine Express, was having none of it.

He ignored me and when I followed up with: “Please let me on, I’ve been travelling for two solid days and want to get home without waiting another hour,” he replied: “Well I’m not going to let you on now you’ve sworn at me.”

I was stunned — and so was the TransPennine Express worker stood next to me on the platform, who, like me, had heard no swearing.

When I pointed this out, the conductor replied: “Tough luck, you’ll have to wait.”

I looked at his name badge and told him I’d make a note of it — and this is where the rudeness turned up a notch.

His reply: “Take it mate, you’re the numpty who is left on the platform” and, as the train pulled away, he made a beeline for the cab and sarcastically waved at me through the window.

The rail worker on the platform was even more gobsmacked than me and advised me to complain, which I have.

Train staff have a very tricky job and they sometimes have to deal with abuse from idiots, which is not on.

In this case, my criticism is not about not being allowed on the train, but about the way he spoke to a customer. It was out of order. Respect must flow both ways.