to be a bit pissed off?

[MindTheGap6]

I get my trains from a station where the trains are late regularly so I'm a bit used to this. My 6 am train was delayed and it said it was arriving at 6:36. Being pregnant and uncomfortable I went across the road to sit down and get a coffee out of the cold. I thought fair enough. Saw the train arrive and leave at 6:15, tried to run for it but just couldn't get there fast enough. Next one isn't until 7 and I am now missing my connection to London. London train is fully booked so won't be able to sit down for the 2 hour 34 minute journey and can't imagine anyone giving me their seat when they've booked the reservation and on such a long journey.

AIBU to even be slightly annoyed that they said the train would be here at 6:36 when it was actually only 10 minutes late and turned up at 6:15?

Sat here nearly in tears as it is one of those mornings and I'm going to be in so much trouble at work for being late to a meeting in London. Prepared to be told that this is all my fault.

I think I would be having a little tweet to the train operating company about them running a train with empty seats, and not allowing a pregnant woman with a disability to use one, on a two hour journey. Fucking disgraceful.

Thanks everyone! You're all marvellous and I fell much much better!

Most people don't realise that if you haven't taken up a reserved seats within five minutes of leaving the departure station, you lose the reservation

ReLly??

Really even

Fuck me sideways he told you to get another train if you wanted a seat while sat on his hairy flatulent arse in first class? Get the fuckers name and tweet sod tweeting squawk complain to high heaven. What a complete shower of rude ignorant bullish incompetent useless cunts. for you OP.

Spoke to virgin trains and they just said 'sorry, we can't guarantee a seat in busy times' - they don't care...

Surely it's not true that you lose your seat reservation if you're not sitting down within 5 minutes of leaving the departure station? It can take 5 minutes to locate the seat/stow luggage etc.

Glad you got a seat OP. Now for a cuppa and a cake for breakfast!

if you haven't taken up a reserved seats within five minutes of leaving the departure station, you lose the reservation.

that doesn't make any sense, aren't people not allowed to go to the toilets or something to ensure they don't lose their reservations? Utter nonsense.

I would complain about the lack of customer service. On the busiest trains around here, 1st class are actually cancelled and opened to anyone because of the over crowding. Without going that far, who does it hurt if you seat on an empty seat?
I agree with others, there should be disabled seats accessible anyway.

It is true. Its to stop people having to stand when reserved seats are not being used.

I found this out to my cost several years ago when I had reservations from A to C but got on at B half way between the two.

Had to stand as I'd lost my reservation.

There really is no need to take more than five minutes to get to your seat!

Of course you can go to the toilet - just find you seat first, put your stuff down then go to the toilet!

I don't know if it's allowed to use a ticket on a different journey, even joining the train mid way - there's something about prices and some companies are funny about it, the same way you are not allowed to leave a train early apparently.
I don't know the details, but I have read a few stories about commuters having arguments about it (and I don't mean paying for half your trip, but taking a ticket for a longer journey than you mean!)

That aside, I would kick a massive fuss if someone stole my paid reserved seat. If it takes more than 5 minutes to go there, or if I spend more than 5 minutes in the loos, that's nothing to do with them.

You do not leave your belongings unaccompanied on a train, not only they can disappear but it goes against all the advice in these times of terrorist alert!

Those priority seats can be reserved, but only by calling the PassengerAssist helpline, or filling in the online booking form, and specifically requesting one. You can also get help with getting on and off the train, and to and from your seat, and with luggage.

I have to put in a word for the Network Rail help staff at Paddington. Great Western was my train service into London for many years, and the help was always prompt despite the pressures, and made my travel a lot easier. I was amazed the first time I asked them to take me to the taxi rank at Padd, I was delivered straight to the front of the queue and into a taxi. This was standard practice; I did feel guilty about it the first time, even though my mobility difficulties are visible.

I just wish the service was the same at St Pancras International, not just for me but other disabled people I've seen there as well. The staff do help when they can but there aren't enough of them, and the UK train service at STP feels like an afterthought after the shopping mall and Eurostar.

Spoke to virgin trains and they just said 'sorry, we can't guarantee a seat in busy times' - they don't care...

But there were empty seats in first class. They just didn't let you sit in one. Miserable bastards obviously don't give a shit about their customers.

@woolythoughts There really is no need to take more than five minutes to get to your seat!

You've obviously never had to catch the 18:30 from Euston to Glasgow on a Friday before a Bank Holiday!