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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be 1 minute late?

137 replies

liladough · 25/04/2024 20:13

What would you do?

I have an appointment tomorrow at a healthcare facility. It’s an NHS appointment but at a private contractor. I have waited 6 months for this appointment.

I have to get the bus there, it’s an hour long journey (just one bus). The appointment is at 3:20.

I can either get the bus that gets there at 3:01, or get the bus that gets there at 3:21. I don’t want to be waiting outside for twenty minutes as it’s a really dodgy area, they have a cage on their door and you have to buzz up, just for context. There’s no where within a 5 minute walk I can go to get a coffee. Judging by their reviews I would have to wait quite a while to get seen anyway. So if I have to wait 30 minutes to be seen, that’s nearly an hour of waiting in there which would quite frankly do my head in.

On the other side, what if I get the bus that gets there at 3:21? Can I risk that the bus would actually get there for that time and not say 15-20 minutes late? What if I get there at 3:21 and they say sorry you’re late, we can’t see you, try again in 6 months.

YABU = 3:01 Bus
YANBU = 3:21 Bus

OP posts:
OutOfTheHouse · 25/04/2024 20:21

20 minutes really isn’t that long to wait, and that assumes that the bus runs exactly to time.

ThatBloatIsBloating · 25/04/2024 20:20

Earlier bus and get off a stop or 2 early and walk the rest to use up time? Or is the entire area undesirable?

Xmasbaby11 · 25/04/2024 20:20

Definitely the early bus. That’s the latest I’d want to arrive when reliant on public transport. 20 mins is nothing to wait.

PoppingTomorrow · 25/04/2024 20:20

Brainded · 25/04/2024 20:18

3:01 take a coffee and a snack and a book and wait.

This

Howisitnotobvious · 25/04/2024 20:20

Get the earlier bus which will be late then ask to go inside because you don't feel safe waiting in the street.

TheGriffle · 25/04/2024 20:20

Earlier bus. Could you not buzz to be let up when you get there so you’re not waiting out on the street? Do they not have a waiting room inside?

Trickabrick · 25/04/2024 20:19

You’re making a big assumption that the bus will run exactly on time! If you’ve waited 6 months for an appointment, I wouldn’t risk being late and not being seen. I’d get the bus that gets there at 3.01, or actually one earlier as I’d stress about being late.

Elephantswillnever · 25/04/2024 20:19

Earlier bus and be prepped for the wait.

Bumblebeeinatree · 25/04/2024 20:18

Get there early if the next bus is late or doesn't come it's going to be a big problem. I would have thought they would let you in a bit early.

Brainded · 25/04/2024 20:18

3:01 take a coffee and a snack and a book and wait.

FlabMonsterIsDietingAgain · 25/04/2024 20:17

I'd get the earlier bus, buses aren't renowned for running to time so getting one that you know will get you there late is asking for trouble.

Radiat · 25/04/2024 20:17

Buses are always late, in my experience. I wouldn’t risk having the appointment cancelled because of lateness.

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