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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that if you haven't booked a seat on a busy train

285 replies

MrsSchadenfreude · 26/08/2017 10:29

You don't stand huffing loudly about young people having no manners and children should be sitting on their parents' laps, and leaning heavily on people who have reserved seats? Train to Cornwall, Bank Holiday weekend, was never going to be empty.

OP posts:
GeillisTheWitch · 26/08/2017 10:31

YANBU. I'd ignore the huffing but anyone leaning on me would be told to pack it in.

MrTrebus · 26/08/2017 10:32

Ignore ignore ignore YANBU! Or if you're lairy like me you'd say "should have booked a seat then like we all did"

NormaSmuff · 26/08/2017 10:32

i have never reserved seats on a train. how was it?
i spose if you get on at the beginning you are safe knowing that the likelihood of someone sitting in your reserved seats is lower.

enjoy the scenery on the way op

HarrietKettleWasHere · 26/08/2017 10:33

Oh how tedious. Is it the one from Paddington? It sits in the platform for bloody ages and is a massive long train, if you haven't reserved the seat then you need to get on it as soon as the platform is announced. PA displays towards other passengers is so annoying.

MrTrebus · 26/08/2017 10:33

Do you mean physically leaning?? I thought you meant like metaphorically leaning on people by moaning expecting them to react. Physically leaning I'd definitely be telling them to fuck off.

HarrietKettleWasHere · 26/08/2017 10:34

I mean, you need to find an unreserved seat as soon as the platform is announced.

NormaSmuff · 26/08/2017 10:34

people do physically lean on each other on trains, if they are standing.

are you packed liked sardines op?

PinkSquash · 26/08/2017 10:35

Coach F is unreserved if you don't get a seat, its tough.

We always tell people you can book a seat the day before as summer Saturdays are always absolutely chaotic

WaxOnFeckOff · 26/08/2017 10:36

We had to tell people to move from our seats last time we travelled. They then huffed and puffed as if we should let them stay and not take the seats that we have booked and paid for. Packed train too.

ElizabethShaw · 26/08/2017 10:38

I always book seats for me and the kids, even when they were babies! That might annoy people, but if I've booked and paid for the seat I'm using it.

Original poster
MrsSchadenfreude · 26/08/2017 10:39

Harriet, that's the one! Couple in their 60s. Were sitting in someone's reserved seats, who got on at Reading and actually asked the family who got on and claimed their seats if they couldn't have the kids on their laps. Were firmly told No. (Kids are about 6 and 8 so not tiny.)

OP posts:
HarveySchlumpfenburger · 26/08/2017 10:39

That train is always packed at weekends bank holiday or not.

If you don't bother to reserve a seat you don't get to complain. Just find a spot to sit on the floor like everyone else does.

Definitely tell leaners to pack it in. Or pay for a weekend upgrade and fuck off.

NormaSmuff · 26/08/2017 10:44

good for them saying No to that request.

AndNoneForGretchenWieners · 26/08/2017 10:44

I get more fed up with people who sit in reserved seats on a full train, then moan like mad when you ask them to let you have your seat that you reserved when you booked. The number of times I've had someone either refuse to move (but I can't stand all the way to London!) or complain loudly that I could just find another seat because they are settled now. If there is another available seat I will generally take that before moving someone, but if they are all reserved I'm not going to sit in someone else's seat, I want the one I have booked. Usually the train manager is helpful, but I got some awful abuse a couple of weeks ago from a drunk man who really didn't want to move, and his mates who thought I was being a total bitch. Tossers.

AndNoneForGretchenWieners · 26/08/2017 10:46

By the way, Virgin West Coast train managers don't take any shit. I have been upgraded to first class a few times after some appalling behaviour from other commuters.

RebootYourEngine · 26/08/2017 10:47

Who in their right mind goes away on a bank holiday and expects the train to be quiet.

Where i am we dont pay to reserve seats, they are just a courtesy. People can sit in them and be asked to move but dont have to. Theres nothing anyone can do if they refuse.

Original poster
MrsSchadenfreude · 26/08/2017 10:47

They are loudly wondering how many people will get off at Taunton. The answer seems to be not many but lots are getting on!

OP posts:
Fluffyears · 26/08/2017 10:47

Headphones on and ignore.

WaxOnFeckOff · 26/08/2017 10:50

Last time there were people in our seats the asked if we wanted all of them. Eh well there are 4 of us, weve booked 4 seats. DSs were adult sized teenagers, this was our 2nd train of 3, we'd not eaten lunch as we'd planned to do that on the train and the train was late. But if course it's fine for everyone to try to eat their food whilst standing squashed in different carriages and not in the table seats we've booked specifically for that purpose.

LassWiTheDelicateAir · 26/08/2017 10:53

Where i am we dont pay to reserve seats, they are just a courtesy

No train operators in UK charge for seat reservations. (do any anywhere?) On the contrary seat reservations are mandatory for the cheaper Advance tickets. I always book first class but it is usually the advance cheapo option which comes with a mandatory seat reservation.

TallulahBetty · 26/08/2017 10:54

Ugh I HATE this. If people haven't made the time and effort to book seats then more fool them. I always attempt to book seats for every train journey.

GabsAlot · 26/08/2017 10:54

what a cheek thyve paid in advance an reserved their seats why should the kids sit on laps

entitled much

happened to me years ago reserevd seats got on and people were alreay sitting in them claimed there was no ticket when they got on -conductor was very unhelpful didnt want to get involved

RobinHumphries · 26/08/2017 11:00

Enjoy the scenery around Dawlish.

LoniceraJaponica · 26/08/2017 11:02

"i have never reserved seats on a train. how was it?"

I always buy my tickets through TheTrainline and seats are automatically reserved. How do you manage to not reserve seats if you are buying online?

supersop60 · 26/08/2017 11:02

I had reserved seats on a train to Holyhead (virgin Train) and when I got on, the display said "No reserved seats", so my DC and I couldn't sit together at a table, because someone else was sitting there. Go figure.