AIBU to think empty first class should be opened on crowded trains?

Isnt it simply case of you asking to pay for a first class ticket then. Walk towards empty carriage. Told its first class only. How much extra is a ticket. Pay the extra and there you go.

Or do you want the extra benefits without paying for them. Is that what this is about.

You can generally pay on the train to upgrade to first class, so presumably anyone on the train had this option and for whatever reason didnt choose to.

People (not me btw) pay extra for first class for all the reasons you mention so yabu - if id paid and that happened i would ask for a refund. Train travel is a nightmare atm though so many issues and I do emphasise with you there, but dont agree this is the solution

It makes absolutely no sense. All those seats empty.giving no revenue. Can’t imagine the cost of pulling around an empty train carriage.People standing that paid for a seat. People paying a premium for an antimacassar believing they are paying for solitude.
Anyone that would rather see people standing in a hot cramped carriage than joining them in first class is a selfish twat.

Anyone LOL - people not as good as you? Why do you care if other people get a seat, would you honestly want the family in this scenario to have to stand rather through no fault of their own planning because you don't want the commoners in first class? Maybe if they declassify they could pay the rightful first class people back for the difference in fair and I suppose compensation for having to seat near 'anyone'

Its extremely classist though isnt it. Im looking at going to london in a few weeks, standard class is £74- first class is £230 extra. Ridiculous price. And as for not sharing a carriage with people who haven't paid, I cant understand the attitude.

Surely any decent person, at seeing 20+ seats around them free and carriages full to the rafters, would not begrudge people seating in the empty bloody carriage? I mean, come on. Its the same attitude as first / third class on the titanic isnt it.

Also I've sat in first class once in similar circumstances. It was the Manchester train from london - all trains were getting cancelled, hot and packed in other carriages. I actually got off and thought sod this, then got back on. On the busier trains, especially peak times, conductors dont generally check tickets. Got on, thought if I cant sit there will plead ignorance and move. As it turned out, the seats were declassified so perk for me.

Admit its annoying for those who've paid first class when they could have just not. But in my experience when first class is declassified, you can get a refund on the first class bit of your ticket.

I genuinely cant believe that there are people who would enjoy sitting in an empty carriage and not think about the rest of the people stood on packed sections for hours. Who would rather they have their precious plenty of space (which i dont get as someone sat across the aisle from you hardly makes your own seat bigger or leg room more) thsn extend a bit of human kindness.

Madness. I will continue chancing my luck in future if I need to. Im not standing on a train for 3hours for absolutely no reason.

Stations aren’t long enough for longer trains in lots of places. Nor are sidings, track sections, etc. Longer trains also cost money - millions per carriage.

Bloody hell. I can't believe some of the responses on here. Who knew there were so many people wealthy enough to afford first class who cant even read? IT. WAS. EMPTY.

However I can believe that there are many selfish twats who seriously think people in the standard carriages should be crammed in a shrunk down train containing ppl displaced from an earlier service, causing immense discomfort for them rather than allowing them to breathe the same air as those in first class. I get it about the paying for it but the train operator should commute all tickets to standard in that scenario and manage the occupancy of the train in a more equitable way. The small print in the first class offer should include a caveat that the first class service is offered where operationally possible.

We did this recently-£53 for family on the day, £100 in advance for return journey on a 4hr journey- was lovely and so worth it in this weather.

i absolutely agree. the sensible thing to do in a situation like this is to open first class and refund any first class passengers who are there the price of that ticket.

this will likely turn into a class/money debate but a lot of people book first class for this exact reason - if they have disabilities or young children and just don’t want to have to deal with the sh*tshow that is British trains or not getting a seat! So no I don’t think they should open it up to be honest.

You do know that planes don't take standing passengers at all, don't you? Not at all the same thing.

OP - if you ever find yourself in this situation again and can't get a seat, it's worth speaking to the train staff. Over the last decade I've asked for help on numerous trips where this has happened, and explained that we reserved seats because DD is disabled and needs to sit for the journey. They usually give us a seat in first class at no extra cost.

I know some people will probably disagree with staff doing this, but I don't ask for or expect to be placed in first class, and we haven't always been put there. I just explain DD needs a seat due to disability and go wherever train staff decide is appropriate.

First class can be better for some disabilities because of the seating and not all standard has a trolley service so access also to refreshments on long journeys can be difficult.

In the case of you and your son or someone without a seat with a babe in arms as described, the train manager should try to seat them. This could include facilitating someone more able to stand to offer their seat in standard (if this hasn’t naturally happened).

I appreciate in this case it was nearly empty, but sometimes it is full and don’t think in general they should open up the whole of first class as then first class ticket holders might not be able to get seats.

They wouldn't be in there if it was ABIT shitty, they would only be in first class if it's overcrowded else where.

A plane is completely different. There are never more people than seats on a plane.

So would you expect the same on a plane? First class if economy is a bit shitty?

It does make a difference if it means people who paid for a first class ticket can't get a seat! You can't always reserve although fine if disabled and get on at Euston.

It's hard for me although I am disabled rather than needing to change nappies.

When I was on the deadly commute from Euston to Coventry I have, more than once, led a group of overcrowded, stressed and tired passengers to sit in first class. This makes no difference to those who bought a first class ticket. The seat sizes remain the same and the 'lower class' don't get the free sandwich 😁 Booking first class only guarantees you YOUR first class seat and perks, not having a near empty carriage! What entitled CF behaviour to expect otherwise!

When you are on a train for 2+ hours you find a way. I've changed many nappies on a moving train and I've used the accessible toilet. It's not that hard

You have every right to travel on the train with a suitcase, if the other poster didagrees they can use a coach.

If everyone can fit in the available carriages there is no need I guess? Getting suitcases on and off I am guessing carriage class won’t make a difference. My DC is registered autistic and I know how awful public transport is for some, in fact I salute you as we can’t get ours on public transport so many places are out of reach for us. At a push I’d have to pay for 1st class and they would be fine if 1st class carriage was mostly empty and quiet. They’d have a huge issue if the first class was full (!) as even the slightest noise / shuffle is an issue. So we just have to drive everywhere, or sadly not go which is often the default option for us a lot.

We have to pay over the odds all the time for a lot of things or, not go. I do feel for you and if your DC can cope with public transport keep going (or opt for 1st class).

Why should people who have paid a lot more have to share it though?

What a horrible attitude. Why should people who have booked and paid for a ticket and reserved a seat have to stand, in overcrowded conditions, in a heatwave no less, just because they have less money than you.

Certainly ask for a refund on the difference on the difference in price if you want, but insisting that others stay in vastly more uncomfortable conditions rather than be able to sit down on an empty seat just because you've paid more! That's a disgustingly selfish attitude.

But it’s exactly what you are saying really isn’t it ?

you are being unreasonable, I travelled today my train was cancelled too , people were kicking off at the station and it was embarrassing, autistic or not you nor your child should be entitled to first class if you havnt payed , why didn’t you ask to upgrade ? My son is physically disabled and is on the spectrum so I plan ahead and book what’s relevant to his condition