Virgin Trains. Pregnant. No seats.

[MindTheGap6]

Starting a whole new thread on this one!

Missed my train this morning due to delays. Got on the next train to London. Virgin train. No seats, 5 months pregnant, painful joints, very unsteady and uncomfortable. All seats booked apart from first class. Found conductor to see if he could find me a seat as I'm pregnant and unsteady. Was told no to sitting in a practically empty first class, and that I should get off the train and get a less busy one if I want a seat. Three members of staff currently on duty sat in first class (fine, but would've expected them to at least help me find a seat). Wasn't told about priority seats. Had to wait until a very kind woman spotted me and loudly said that she couldn't believe nobody allowed me to sit and that people should be ashamed (this is after I nearly fell over trying to pull my terribly uncomfortable maternity jeans up!). Originally had a seat booked but connection was delayed so missed it (whole other story!). Feeling frustrated and stupid.

AIBU to think that this is pretty poor form? Or do I need to suck it up and get on with it as 'being pregnant isn't an illness' as I've heard many times before on MN (prepared for that)

How is that virgins fault in any way?

The complaint refers to the way that the train manager did nothing to help OP find a seat, even if it was just to point out where the priority seats are etc.

West coast or east coast virgin?

I would have let you sit there without hesitation if I'd been the staff member. Because I have some compassion and humanity. Being pregnant is a very big stress on the body in all sorts of ways, but in particular can make it very uncomfortable to stand (unfortunately sometimes it stays uncomfortable to stand after you've had the baby, but that's another story).

Ideally I guess someone able to stand in standard should have given you a seat, but it's so awkward to ask, knowing that you are making that person have an unpleasant journey.

You’re right it’s not an illness and doesn’t entitle you to sit in first class when you haven’t paid and others have. There will be lots of people with bad backs, knees, etc who will be uncomfortable standing so you’re no different.

What a sad old world we live in I would be ashamed to have watched someone struggle who was in a position less able than I! What has become of morals and good manners... my Father travels frequently with Virgin and pays a lot for his seat, he has often given it up just because it was a female having to stand (queue the feminist responses... he's very old fashioned!) Unfortunately, whilst it would have been a 'nice' thing for Virgin to do, appreciate they have 'rules' where would they draw the line... Pregnant women, the elderly, someone with children, a minor injury... Obviously, you are pregnant, but I could see a lot of chancers taking advantage (I.e. Sticking a jumper up their tops ) to get free food and first class service, and they're hardly able to ask you to prove it. It's worth making a complaint as, you never know but I wouldn't hold much hope out. Posting to Twitter usually gains a response, as they have a reputation to uphold.

*offered to give his seat up even...

Meanies. What a sad world wen a pregnant woman can’t sit in an empty seat at least until it’s clsimed. Piss poor service.

I was almost 8 mths pregnant (and had a huge bump) on my way back from London on the train. No seats and I sat on the floor by the doors. No great issue there. But when we got to next major station I had to get up to allow people on and off. You should have seen how quickly all the men who also had no seat ran to claim the newly vacated ones as I then slunk back down onto the floor again. I was perfectly comfortable and I'm all for equality but it was really rather surprising!

What is wrong with people??? I’m disappointed with the ‘I’m pregnant and don’t complain’ comments and the ‘you’re pregnant that’s your own fault so suck it up’ comments. Can’t we just show a bit of empathy now and again and try to help somebody who is struggling for WHATEVER reason? I’m on my third pregnancy and suffered all kinds of mental and physical challenges because of all three. No I have never EXPECTED special treatment but when somebody shows an act of kindness because they have seen that at the time I really needed it then I have been more than grateful to them and it has turned my whole day around. If OP was having a rough morning and feeling unwell and unsteady then it’s not unreasonable to expect to be treated with a bit more kindness. It’s not like she was demanding people give up their first class seats if there were plenty available!

You are being unreasonable. What selfish attitudes some people have. We should look after pregnant women, disabled people, the elderly. It's just common decency and kindness.

NOT being unreasonable that should obviously say!!

I See this has now ended up in the daily fail.