Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Random Tube Ride

58 replies

jossi · 15/07/2023 20:30

Hi, I just wondered if anyone has ever had an experience like I did after work last week. I was exhausted and was waiting for my tube ride on the Jubilee line where the front of the tube stops. It was hot and the tube was packed. I must have looked fed up because the tube driver opened his cab door and asked if I wanted a seat in the front of his cab. I hesitated but thought what the hell. He proceeded to tell me how the train operated and it was fascinating travelling 9 stops through the tunnels. He wasn't dodgy but a lovely man. He said he offered rides to pregnant woman and the elderly when conditions were like this. My partner was horrified and said this guy could've lost his job. Has anyone else ridden in the front like this?

OP posts:
nasanas · 15/07/2023 20:32

Incredible. Where did you sit?

Original poster
jossi · 15/07/2023 20:36

I sat next to him as he drove. I asked him to turn the lights off so I could see down the tracks. It felt surreal and like some kind of ride! He had proper air conditioning so it was really comfortable!

OP posts:
nasanas · 15/07/2023 20:38

No you didn't.

dovesong · 15/07/2023 20:38

This sounds brilliant!! Quite jealous.

Stichintime · 15/07/2023 20:39

Lifelong Londoner. Never seen or heard of this.

SoullessInSeattle · 15/07/2023 20:55

Yes! Baker Street to Northwood Hills on the met line a long, long time ago.

QueenBodicea · 15/07/2023 21:10

Sounds great.
Don't understand the bit about you asking him to turn the lights off. Surely he would only do that if that was normal procedure, not because you asked him to!

Original poster
jossi · 15/07/2023 21:32

The light was on in the cab and I said I was having trouble seeing down the tunnel. He asked if it was possible to turn the lights off so I could see more clearly. Very demanding I know! I still can't believe it happened as you have to pay big money or enter a competition for things like this!

OP posts:
Original poster
jossi · 15/07/2023 21:33

I mean I asked if it was possible to turn the lights off!

OP posts:
JayAlfredPrufrock · 15/07/2023 21:36

Not on the tube but on a packed Euston to Manchester train in the 1980s I was sitting on the floor by the toilets. The guard beckoned to me and took me into the guard’s van with the bikes and parcels. I was so bloody grateful as it stank by the toilets.

Nothing untoward happened.

BarbaraofSeville · 15/07/2023 21:41

That sounds like the sort of thing that might have happened decades ago, but wouldn't now for many reasons.

HaveYouHeardOfARoadAtlas · 15/07/2023 21:44

Were you on the DLR line? 😁

HerNameIsIncontinentiaButtocks · 15/07/2023 21:45

Ah, that's great! I used to get this very occasionally back in my yoof, I must have been one of those teens who either look trustworthy with this sort of thing or needed a break :) Couple of train driver cabins on the Surrey trains, plus pretty regular in the guard vans due to having a bicycle with me a lot, and for a flight to Spain asked for a look in the cockpit before takeoff and got to sit there while the crew were doing checks and explained stuff to me, in the 90s. Good memories.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 15/07/2023 21:51

Well I never!

KnickerlessParsons · 15/07/2023 21:58

I'm pretty sure the driver would be sacked if anyone found out so you might not want to tell anyone IRL.
You could have caused an accident, and he would have invalidated any insurance.

Original poster
jossi · 15/07/2023 22:03

You got to sit in the plane cockpit and stay there! Wow that beats my story!! It's sad that my first thought was wondering if he was an axe murderer! I am a lucky person. I was on the way to the Maldives and my partner got the flight wrong. The checkout had been closed for half an hour and they said no of course. We were walking away and the manager came and said, 'Because it is Christmas we will let you on.' We had to get on with our luggage in tow.

OP posts:
RenegadeKeeblerElf · 15/07/2023 22:08

Several decades ago, as a young child, I spent most of a transatlantic flight in the cockpit, playing hangman with the navigator (I did say several decades ago!). I don't really remember much about it sadly, would be much cooler as an adult for that reason!

Original poster
jossi · 15/07/2023 22:11

My partner pointed out it was dangerous. It seems he does this on various lines when the person is pregnant or old. I was neither or maybe old!!!

OP posts:
nasanas · 15/07/2023 22:17

jossi · 15/07/2023 22:11

My partner pointed out it was dangerous. It seems he does this on various lines when the person is pregnant or old. I was neither or maybe old!!!

A set next to the driver, air con, lights off at your request and he drives other lines?

None of these things could possibly be true.

YourNameGoesHere · 15/07/2023 22:19

BarbaraofSeville · 15/07/2023 21:41

That sounds like the sort of thing that might have happened decades ago, but wouldn't now for many reasons.

Agreed. I honestly can't believe the driver randomly lets people into the front of his cab voluntarily knowing how he could lose his job, be accused of all sorts and how he would be putting all the other passengers at risk should the person he invited in try to be an idiot.

If he's doing this he sounds like he needs reporting to be honest.

Original poster
jossi · 15/07/2023 22:22

It is all true. I know it sounds unbelievable but it happened. Like I said, he said it is not the first time. He's an experienced driver apparently.

OP posts:
DappledThings · 15/07/2023 22:22

I got taken into the cab of a Chiltern Line train once when I was helping a woman and her two small children who had been separated from her sister and other children on the platform. Driver needed to pass us a message about making an u scheduled stop to reunite them.

That was pretty cool. So many buttons!

YourNameGoesHere · 15/07/2023 22:24

jossi · 15/07/2023 22:22

It is all true. I know it sounds unbelievable but it happened. Like I said, he said it is not the first time. He's an experienced driver apparently.

So you're totally ok with this man inviting an assortment of random strangers into the front cab whilst he's meant to be concentrating on driving the tube?

If true it sounds like an accident waiting to happen and I hope someone reports him asap.

SmallTreeDeepRoots · 15/07/2023 22:26

We were on DLR once that was being driven manually. The front seats were blocked off, and transport-mad DS was fascinated. The driver said DS could sit next to him as long as he kept his hands to himself. DS sat on his hands and was in silent (and totally motionless) raptures of delight for the next 15 minutes. Will always remember it.

Toottooot · 15/07/2023 22:28

Fars yir photaes?

Swipe left for the next trending thread