To not give up my seat?

[bottomfellout]

Currently in the middle of a 5 hour train journey with my 7yo. We got on at the first station and will be getting off 3 stops before final station. We are sat in our reserved seats, confirmation on the little display above our heads saying reserved from our starting and finishing stations.

At the last station 20 minutes ago a man got on and said ‘you’re in my seat’ and started to move my bags. I told him I wasn’t, grabbed my bag, showed him my ticket and the seat display. He showed me his ticket and he’s also reserved for the same seat. I told him he should go and find the guard, that there are plenty of free seats (although don’t know if they’re reserved).

He won’t go and find the guard, he wants his seat. He’s now standing right next to me (probably watching me type), having just had a loud phone call (which I’m pretty sure was imaginary as we went through a tunnel) about how he can’t prepare for the presentation as a stuck up bitch won’t move out of his seat. He’s huffing and sighing and I’m wondering whether he’ll stay standing over me for the next 2.5 hours.

I don’t want ds to hear this bloke being a prick but I really don’t see why I should move. Ds is currently plugged into his iPad so hasn’t noticed.

Won't the guard be walking up and down , he won't allow him to sit obstructing everyone .
There had been a mix up with the train tickets but any decent man would go and ask instead of intimidating a woman and child .

He’s currently sitting on the floor (despite several free seats in the carriage), sighing dramatically and glaring at me.

Is he, in fact, a child?

What a twat!

Stay put, OP! And definitely try and get in touch with someone, tweet/phone etc. His behaviour, trying to grab your stuff and calling you a "stuck up bitch" is unacceptable.

Great idea- tweet the company now. Tell them exactly what’s happening including his intimidation and passive aggressive aisle blocking.

Have just seen that he is sitting on the floor rather than taking a free seat. Maybe offer him a go on the ipad to watch Peppa Pig ? (Not reallly, obviously.)

check your and his tickets are for the correct date, just in case one is dated for tomorrow.

Are you sure he is booked for the same time train?
Seems odd that your tickets and overhead displays match but he also has a ticket for the same seat
He’s probably on the wrong train

Won't the guard be walking up and down

This ^^ When one appears or the ticket inspector call them over and inform them LOUDLY what is going on and how that pig is intimidating you and your child

Hahaha, what a dick head!
Don’t you move OP, relax and enjoy your seats.

Good grief! What a dick.

Shame you haven't got a toddler. You could have passed him a dummy!!

He wouldn’t even look at my ticket, just started to try and move my stuff. He looks like he’s around 50 and is smartly dressed. Daft got. We’re stopping at a station soon so he’ll have to move to get out of peoples way.

There’s been no sign of a guard as yet. There was the trolley person who came through but that was before he got on.

Are you sure both of you are on the correct train and in the correct carriage. I lady swore I was in her seat yesterday (it said unreserved on the display) when she showed me her seat reservation it was for a completely different train (going to a different London station!)

He's being a tit. Leave him to it until the ticket inspector comes.

I am invested in this thread now... I want to know what he does when the train stops and others get on, and what happens when the tickets are checked...

I’m so hoping he’s on the wrong train.

There’s been no sign of a guard as yet. There was the trolley person who came through but that was before he got on.

Well make sure you call them over when sme does appear, that's not on, it's harassment and I'd imagine very intimidating. And he's 50?? Shameful carry on

Eurgh if there were no spare seats I could understand him being disgruntled, but not to act like a child and touch your bags!

As long as you are 100% sure you are in the correct seat, in the correct carriage and on the correct train then his issue is with Virgin, not with you. Just keep repeating that if he starts up again.

How dare he call you a bitch though. I would record him quite overtly and either speak to the guard or tweet Virgin.

Make sure your ticket is for the right day as well if it was pre-booked

what an idiot. Hope the inspector gets on soon and makes him move.

HEs behaving appalling
He could sit elsewhere and then raise it with the inspector if he’s that fussed.

Only concern for me would be if you aren’t correct about your train/reservation. Going to be a bit humiliating if you end up getting moved.

Nasty entitled bloke tho.

Why won’t he get in a free seat

Definitely just breeze it out

If he's petty enough to choose to sit on the floor rather than a vacant seat and huff and puff, just ignore him. When the guard or ticket inspector comes along, tell him quite clearly (and loudly) that this man has called you a bitch and tried to intimidate you. Stay put!

I reckon that he's waiting until you or dc need to go to the toilet, then he'll seize the seat! Preemptive action is needed! Is there any way to contact the guard from your phone?