London tubes AIBU?

[mumstheword1x]

I’m really nervous to get on a tube tomorrow, it’s only one tube and about 5 stops- but it’s my first time doing it alone and it’ll take about 15 minutes. I’m generally scared something will go wrong and I worry about security threats in London.

anyone do it regularly? My husband says IBU and lots of people do it everyday with no issues.

ugh 😭

Millions of people do it regularly. How else do you think people get around?

Yes grown up in London getting on the tube with parents then every day to work alone since I was 18 (now 31)

Is there anything I could put your mind at rest about? X

TBF I think if anxious about who you will encounter on the tube, you’re merely increasing your odds of meeting some dodgy scrotes by travelling on a bus.

what time will it be?

It’s literally just a train, you know.

Terror attacks are very, very unlikely. Higher chance of being hit by a car.
I wouldn't wear a Rolex, but otherwise I still do believe that London is pretty damn safe for a huge city.

You will literally see 10 year- olds take the Tube daily to school.

When I was a young adult, I lived in a town called Warrington in the NW of England. The IRA set off two bombs in the town centre on the day before Mother’s Day. Two
children died and others were injured.
I am telling you that only to make you aware that terrorism happens outside of London too. You are not more at risk by going there.

Maybe think of it like an adventure- like being in a film. Do some people watching and you might even have a nice dog in your carriage.

I went with my mum who had literally never left the tiny village that she was raised in and she absolutely loved it!

The tube map can be a bit confusing if you’re new to it but your journey sounds straightforward.

Honestly, you’ll be absolutely fine.

I get it every day for work. My daughter and her friends have been going to school by tube since they were 11 years old. It is a really safe form of transport. Much safer than travelling by car.

Yes think about how many people do it every single day including old people and kids.

They wouldn’t take the risk if it was that dangerous.

Your husband is right.

You’ll be fine. You can get the northern line to go Tottenham Court Road and then the Elizabeth line to Paddington. I think you’ll be amazed at how fast it is.

I was very close to a terror attack once. Like very close. It wasn’t on the tube. I still walk down the street - which is where I was - although admittedly for a while it was a challenge.

I went though a period of not being able to get the tube and the more you avoid it the worse it becomes. Better to bite the bullet and so next time you won’t be so scared. I took the tube today and it didn’t even occur to me, and you should have seen how anxious it made me before.

I do it when I have to, but I get what you are saying and I really don’t enjoy it. Sometimes I put headphones in, something calming and just accept it as necessary to do something I want (or coz of work! ;)

It depends what she’s anxious about though.

You’ll be fine. You can get the northern line to go Tottenham Court Road and then the Elizabeth line to Paddington. I think you’ll be amazed at how fast it is.

Or direct on the Bakerloo!

Walk🤷🏻‍♀️

Millions of people use the tube every day.

Terror attacks and your common or garden nutters can attack or go on rampages anywhere at any time.

I do this exact journey every week. When you walk down the steps at Charing Cross onto the platform for the Bakerloo line to Paddington, stay near to that end of the platform by the steps. It's quieter and easier to get on the tube train there. When the tube gets into Paddington there's a lift at that end of the platform where you'll step off to the station entrance which bypasses all the crowds. Look for the lift sign when you get off the train. I always use it as I have a case with me due to travelling for work, and it's unusual if there's more than 1 other person going for the lift. Take the lift to Lawn Ticket Hall level and then out through the barriers in front of you, up the escalators to your immediate left and then at the top you will see Paddington station in front of you.

Things always seem scarier in your head, do it once and you’ll wonder what you were worrying for.

I did a long motorway drive for the first time in a while last week, I was really worried the night before but it was fine once I got going.

Ok, here's a good strategy, one I use myself. Picture yourself coming out of the tube at Paddington, feeling great, because you did it! Hold that feeling and focus on that tonight. You might still be stressed getting on the tube but once you've done that, well, it's done, then that good feeling is ten minutes away. You will be fine.

There's an end to every thing, focus on that.

Of course lots of people get the tube regularly! How do you think people get to work in Zone 1! At peak times - 6am - 9am more regular commuters (95%) on the tube than tourists or people going in for a hospital appt or similar trip - thousands use it daily without a second thought.

That said it’s a tad quieter in the mornings this week because Easter school hols - evenings are still busy more young people and families returning from days out at museums / shops / etc

I commute often by Tube. It will be fine. The chances of an incident are astronomically low. Your journey is no more dangerous than a bus or car ride.

It’s not unreasonable to be nervous, but you will be perfectly fine

The only thing most likely to go wrong would be to use the wrong platform, head in the wrong direction and need to get off to switch platforms and go back in the right direction

Charing Cross has both the Bakerloo & Northern lines, so follow the brown signs.
You will be heading northbound, but signs will also list the stations in each direction

If there are delays or things are too crowded, then note that stations often aren’t very far apart and sometimes it can be quicker to get off one stop early to walk etc (but that may be a step too far for your first trip)