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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Waiting for a train - who gets priority

52 replies

PhoebeGeebee · 23/07/2016 17:02

Travelling back from a meeting yesterday and waiting for the train (which, for some reason, you can never get reserved seating for)

I stood on the platform for a good 15 minutes, didn't sit down as I knew the train would be busy and wanted to get a seat. Train came and I made a move toward the door, the same time as another woman. She gave me a look and said "excuse me, but I've been waiting for half an hour for this train".

I'm not a fan of confrontation so I let her on. However, whilst she had been waiting longer, she'd been sitting in the waiting room on a nice comfy seat. I had been standing in the heat on the platform.

So who should get first dibs on the seat? The one who's been waiting longest, or the one who's put themselves out more?

OP posts:
Unescorted · 23/07/2016 17:03

Who ever has the sharpest elbows

HowLongTillTippingPoint · 23/07/2016 17:03

The one who's waited the longest. Obviously.

Palomb · 23/07/2016 17:04

Whoever gets to the door first IMO.

ExtraHotLatteToGo · 23/07/2016 17:05

The one who got to the door of the train first.

HowLongTillTippingPoint · 23/07/2016 17:05

How do you know she was sat on that chair comfortably? Maybe she needs to sit so got there extra early to make sure she got a seat in the waiting area and then also needs a seat on the train?

YouCantBeSadHoldingACupcake · 23/07/2016 17:05

Whoever gets to the door first

ChocChocPorridge · 23/07/2016 17:05

Whoever gets to the door first in your case..

You were closer, having been waiting in discomfort whilst she's waited longer, but in the cool - so a draw.

WorraLiberty · 23/07/2016 17:06

There doesn't seem to be a queuing system for trains here.

I suppose because you just get on through whichever door is nearest.

So I suppose it's whoever gets to the seat first.

Whataboutwhathuh · 23/07/2016 17:06

It wouldn't even occur to me to let anyone on in front of me. You form a queue and you get on. If you aren't waiting on the platform to get on you aren't waiting to me.

DamsonGinIsMyThing · 23/07/2016 17:06

When it comes to getting on a train there are no rules.

WeAllHaveWings · 23/07/2016 17:06

There aren't queues for trains, its basically whoever is lucky enough to be nearest the door when it stops.

60sname · 23/07/2016 17:07

The one who's nearest the doors when they open! Trains (usually) arrive at a set time - it's your look-out if you want to arrive massively early for them

MyNewBearTotoro · 23/07/2016 17:07

As far as I'm concerned it doesn't matter how long someone had been waiting of where on the platform/ in the station they were waiting. Whoever gets to the door first can go through it first.

ToTheCrystalDome · 23/07/2016 17:08

Trains? What are they?! (Southern Rail commuter here!)

sallysparrow157 · 23/07/2016 17:09

Trains are timetabled, you know when they're going to come so if you've been waiting for hours for a train it's bad planning on your part, you could have gone for a cuppa or gone shopping or something. It's not like waiting for a taxi or something which could turn up at any time. Waiting for a train whoever is closest to the door gets on first

WeAllHaveWings · 23/07/2016 17:09

......although it would be polite to make way for the elderly, infirm, babes in arms etc.

Cheby · 23/07/2016 17:12

If neither had a greater need for a seat (elderly, pregnant, disabled etc) then its first come first served. I've done a lot of train travel and most people use a take no prisoners approach.

venusinscorpio · 23/07/2016 17:13

You don't get to sit in the waiting room and then stroll out and go to any door and push in front of the queue on the platform.

NotYoda · 23/07/2016 17:14

If I knew full well that someone had been waiting longer than me, I'd let them go first. But they'd have to make themselves visible. Otherwise I will get my elbows out

However, I'd let disabled or infirm people, or those with small children ahead of me.

HowLongTillTippingPoint · 23/07/2016 17:14

Oh I agree, if she was still sat in the waiting area you wouldn't wait for her to walk over and get on the train before you. However, if you're both at the same door and you know she's been waiting longer than you then surely you'd let her on first? If you didn't know though then really it's just whoever steps forward first.

venusinscorpio · 23/07/2016 17:14

Obviously if someone was disabled etc I would hope most people would let them on first. But not just because they'd been waiting in the waiting room.

NotYoda · 23/07/2016 17:14

Yes, I agree you don't get to wait in the waiting room then go first.

LordRothermereBlackshirtCunt · 23/07/2016 17:16

So she expected everyone to clock that she was in the waiting room and for any queue on the platform to part for her like the Red bloody Sea? What a loon!

venusinscorpio · 23/07/2016 17:16

The queue forms around the door on the platform, not in the waiting room, cafe, front of station etc.

venusinscorpio · 23/07/2016 17:17

It doesn't sound like she gets trains very often.