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AIBU?

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Original poster

Train passengers refusing to move

346 replies

HolyGuac · 30/11/2019 11:00

Well, I'm really disappointed in the general public. AIBU to be shocked at the hard faced people in our sets refusing to move?

I booked train tickets and reserved seats about three months ago as we are having a special pre Christmas Day out with my two kids and husband.

Get on the train and the seat reservation numbers above the seats (the digital display ones are on the blink), it says from Euston...we are going to Euston, there are people in our seats who are refusing to move.

One said there's plenty of other seats, there are other seats but not in a table which is what i had booked.

We moved on found separate seats (two two's behind each other) I've been back to ask them nicely if they could move as there are no other table seats, this is a special trip etc etc they've flat out refused.
One said someone took Her seat which is why she moved to our seats, I asked why she couldn't have asked for them to move and got some blather about just taking any seat as the displays are not working!

I'm really disappointed by people today, what a bunch of arses. They are sat there knowing it's not their booked seats.
I would never take someone's seat like that.

OP posts:
Pigwig10 · 01/12/2019 18:42

I would have lifted my children up and sat them on the table then perched my arse on the table too. Very close and comfy Grin

KatherineJaneway · 01/12/2019 18:45

@Aridane

I think they should do more of this over the festive season. I don't travel at Christmas by train much anymore but close to Christmas, lots of trains to Wales were a rugby scrum to get on. I remember one I managed to get to my reserved seat but until Cardiff, there was no chance of going to the loo or (as they had in those days) the buffet car). Packed tighter than sardines.

linsey2581 · 01/12/2019 18:46

Did the train start from Euston? If so you should have got on the train quicker then. When I travel by train im normally at the station around 45 mins before hand checking to see what platform my train is at. As soon I see the platform announced for my train I start shouting to the rest of my party MOVE MOVE MOVE! so we can get seats or find the ones we reserved. 1hr 45mins isn't exactly long on a train just find a seat and sit down.

Ibizababyy · 01/12/2019 18:49

I have to say I think YABU totally get that you reserved those seats but if there are plenty others available what is the problem?

2 weeks ago we were doing a 3 hour trip and I had stupidly booked our return train for the wrong day. I realised and bought new tickets the day before for the correct day but seat booking was then not available. We were travelling with me 23 weeks pregnant, a four year old and then just before we got on the train my DH has his foot run over by a car (don’t ask!). We got on the train early and the display said that the seats were available so we sat. Next station on get 2 girls who showed us on their phones that they had booked those seats- because there were no other seats we moved as they had reserved seats after all and due to my mistake we hadn’t been able to. Not what WAS disappointing was that of the whole train- and no not all the seats were reserved at all- not a single person offered to move for us despite the state we were in! That was until 2 school aged girls travelling with large musical instruments came and gave us their seats as they wanted to stay with their instruments= faith in humanity restored and all the selfish adults put to shame!!

changeforprivacy · 01/12/2019 18:55

Did the train start from Euston?

No. OP was travelling TO Euston. The reservation system was not in operation.

T0tallyFuckedUpFamily · 01/12/2019 18:56

It's no use encouraging people to dump their cars, at the same time as having uncontrolled immigration WTF! Do you want to shout Brexit, just for good measure?

keffie12 · 01/12/2019 19:01

Reminds me of many years ago (around 2006 time) when we had gone on a break to Sth Wales, with our 2nd son, to see my husband family.

On the way back, via Bristol we got on the train and our reserved seats were taken. Our son and I had gone up to get the seats and the people got quite gobby, refusing to move, until my husband appeared. He is a big 6:3 inch bruiser. Think Welsh rugby size.

He didn't have to say a word. They just looked at him and moved. My husband is a gentle giant however the sheer size of him usually makes people take notice. He is no pushover though.

We did smile about it though. It goes to show some people will try their luck and back down quickly depending on who your with and/or whom you are

woodchuck99 · 01/12/2019 19:11

As soon I see the platform announced for my train I start shouting to the rest of my party MOVE MOVE MOVE! so we can get seats or find the ones we reserved. 1hr 45mins isn't exactly long on a train just find a seat and sit down.

I really hate the way people do that at Euston. They are the ones pushing past me and nearly causing me to fall over.They don't notice or don't care that I have a walking stick as they are too busy making sure they get a seat at the expense of those who can't move so quickly.

Lincolnfield · 01/12/2019 19:16

@WendyMoiraAngelaDarling

I've realised the key is to get to the train as early as possibly - half an hour before if necessaey

Slight problem with that. Even if the train is at the platform, they don’t unlock the doors until about five minutes before departure when there’s an almighty rugby scrum with everyone trying to get on at once.

snoopiij · 01/12/2019 19:18

I wouldn't have moved till they moved I would have gone on and on you gave up too easily and they saw that, I would have sat on the table got my kids to perch on the table or on the seat they were sat on I would have made a stink!! if I booked those seats no matter what signs said it would have been mine!!! you need to toughen up girl!! niceness gets you no where!!! as you found out!!! people on trains are brutal you need to be too!!

CactusAndCacti · 01/12/2019 19:22

God there are some real arseholes on this thread

Yeah, threats of chucking the luggage up the carriage, sitting children on their laps, sitting on the table, passive aggressive remarks about being moved, shouting matches.... is quite the behaviour of an arsehole.

changeforprivacy · 01/12/2019 19:24

I wouldn't have moved till they moved I would have gone on and on you gave up too easily and they saw that, I would have sat on the table got my kids to perch on the table or on the seat they were sat on I would have made a stink!!

You sound like a delight Hmm

if I booked those seats no matter what signs said it would have been mine!!!

That's not how it works. Reservations were not in operation. The seats were not anybody's/

heartsonacake · 01/12/2019 19:31

Amtrak conductors in the US will happily boot CF's out of business class if they haven't reserved it.

MissConductUS Yes, but presumably you pay more for business class, hence why they would be chucked out. It’s the same here for first class.

if I booked those seats no matter what signs said it would have been mine!!!

snoopiij Those seats are not yours anymore if reservations have been cancelled. They are free, available seats for anyone to sit in.

Seat reservations are a courtesy, not a guarantee.

recycledbottle · 01/12/2019 19:33

I have witnessed screaming matches about reserved seats on trains and am always taken aback by how cheeky some people are. Not displayed, fine because tbf those without a booking haven't a clue where they are supposed to sit and if they move once, they could be moving 20 times. But I have seen it where the reservation is clearly stated.

Spiderbabe13 · 01/12/2019 19:36

I'd have made damn sure they moved.Id have been over them carrying on until they were so uncomfortable that they shifted.Cheeky buggers people are these days. Downright disgusting.If someone deserves seats then it should be honoured as such and the guards should shift them off. Never let bullies win...ever.

Watisiitallaboot · 01/12/2019 19:36

Really? Parents aren't always to blame for their grown children's attitude or behaviour.

Ticketybootoo · 01/12/2019 19:37

The exact same thing happened to us on the Eurostar to France . I spoke to the couple in English and then tried French . They looked out of the window and ignored us . They had their feet up on the seats and I remember them being expensively dressed mid thirties. What was great was that we were in France and I went and got the Gendarmes . They moved pretty fast when they turned up 🤣😂

malmi · 01/12/2019 19:39

If the reservation system isn't working, there are no reservations in place. I've been in this situation before, but I was the person that someone was trying to turf out. They refused to understand that the reservations were not in place. It's rude to expect someone to vacate a seat they have taken in good faith. When reservations are off, it's first come first served. If there are no seats available then speak to the conductor and see what they can do for you.

Meinmytree · 01/12/2019 19:46

I remember once finding a group pf lads aged about 18 sitting in reserved seats. They initially refused to move. They soon did when they realised they'd be surrounded by my entire Guide unit!!

busybarbara · 01/12/2019 19:46

All this nonsense about the reservation system “not working”.. if you have a ticket with a seat number on it, you have the reservation whether the system is “working” or not. If I go to the theatre with a ticket, I get that seat.

changeforprivacy · 01/12/2019 19:50

All this nonsense about the reservation system “not working”.. if you have a ticket with a seat number on it, you have the reservation whether the system is “working” or not. If I go to the theatre with a ticket, I get that seat.

It's not nonsense it's how the TOC's operate network wide. You can't just decide otherwise Hmm

malmi · 01/12/2019 19:51

@busybarbara
Not if the theatre announces that the seating policy tonight will be 'sit wherever you like'. You can stamp your feet all you like, but you're being rude to the person who paid on the door and took their seat in good faith. It's not their fault. Take it up with the management.

cheekymajeeka · 01/12/2019 19:51

Omg!!! I would have made them move seriously!!!! You reserved the seats prior, they are yours!!! Some people have a bloody cheek. It’s sad but true you need to stand up for yourself otherwise people will walk all over you. I hope you managed to enjoy your pre-Xmas family outing besides! You sound like good people, those losers who obviously have lack of disrespect for others will hopefully realise one day. Let’s live in hope!!! Merry Christmas to you & yours xx

GabsAlot · 01/12/2019 19:52

Was much easier when it was just a paper reservation-couldnt really argue about that

cheekymajeeka · 01/12/2019 19:52

Sorry * lack of respect!!Smile

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