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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to be soooooo cross with NCP car parks?

6 replies

TheYoungVisiter · 15/09/2007 20:01

Ok I secretly know I am being a bit unreasonable but I need to rant so please indulge me and tell me the steam coming out of my ears is perfectly acceptable!

Just got back from holiday and parked the car with NCP at Gatwick and the sodding shuttle bus made us fold DS's buggy both ways. Outbound I was a bit cross but it was busy so accepted that (in spite of the enormous suitcases gratuitously blocking the aisles) I ought to do so for the sake of cramming more people onto the bus.

But on the way back the shuttle was almost empty and the driver still made me fold DS's buggy, in spite of the fact that we were wrestling with three enormous suitcases, plus a rucksack, plus hand luggage, plus of course sodding folded buggy. It was a total power trip on the part of the driver - there was no reason why we couldn't have got on with the buggy, we were the last people in the queue and the bus pulled out as soon as we'd got on, so it wasn't even as if he was saving space for more.

To add insult to injury he informed me it was a company policy that all buggies have to be folded to secure "the safety of your child". I would like to know on what planet it is safer to have a wildly over-excited toddler staggering around unsecured?

I've frequently travelled with Pink Elephant who have no problem with letting you use a buggy - why are NCP so weird about them?

Ok, rant over.

OP posts:
noddy4 · 15/09/2007 20:40

I don't know about that but thought i'd reply to make you feel better....
I recently tried to go on the Severn Valley Railway...just me and my toddler, had to fold up the pushchair, carry that, and bags, and follow an awol child...no one helped...there were no seats in the end so was told to get off. Then i had to get off the train, unfold the damn thing again,on my own,and try and keep hold of a child while the train staff watched me struggle...
i was fuming so i can see where you are coming from!
My rant over, too!

TheYoungVisiter · 16/09/2007 19:31

it's so mean! Poor you - I think children bring out both the best and worst in people - I am always amazed and touched when total strangers really go out of their way to help me on the tube, or chat to DS in restaurants, or give up their seats on buses so I can sit down holding DS. But it seems to bring out a weird power-trippiness on the part of a certain type of jobsworth.

Anyway thanks for replying, Noddy, I don't know why it makes me feel better that you suffered too, but it does!

OP posts:
edam · 16/09/2007 19:34

Why do people have to be so unhelpful?

Noddy, am shocked at your experience, we've been going on the Severn Valley since ds was a baby and have always been welcomed even with buggies (ds and his cousin). Will mention your post to my dad who helps to run it.

3littlefrogs · 16/09/2007 20:55

I had a lot of this when I had a baby and a 2 yr old and no permanent home. I was living with friends and relatives for a few weeks at a time and travelling alot on trains and buses.

I don't know if this is useful, but I had the baby in a sling, and the 2 yr old in the buggy, but also on reins, so when I had to fold the buggy, I stood him on the ground and put one of my legs through the loop of the reins. At least he couldn't run under the train/bus, I had both hands free, and could unwind myself once the buggy was folded.

It is infuriating - even the station staff would just step over us while we struggled on the platform. I practically burst into tears once when a kind old gentleman offered to carry my suitcase.

Nothing changes. That was 16 years ago.

YANBU

noddy4 · 16/09/2007 21:01

message to Edam- yes my experience of it was pretty cack, but it was Meet Thomas day,very busy, and being on my own probably wasn't the best thing!
Tell your Dad to get onto the staff at Kiddy for standing there and not helping me! I won't be in a rush to go there again if i'm honest....but the miniature railway was brilliant! Left my pushchair somewhere, by then couldn't care less if it got nicked...., and we had the best time on that for 80p! My Thomas fiasco cost £8.50!

edam · 17/09/2007 00:02

The miniature railway is fab, isn't it?

Severn Valley should really be able to cope with buggies at a Meet Thomas day.

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