AIBU to think empty first class should be opened on crowded trains?

[boredsoscrollingonMNagain]

I was on a long journey this weekend , It was a 5 and a half hour journey with one change.

our first train was massively delayed , meaning we missed our next one. But , we coped and it’s all done now and we will get compensated .

However , I was really cross at this:

We had reserved seats on both trains. We don’t travel on trains with no reserved seats as my eldest is autistic and gets distressed with nowhere to sit. He prefers a certain seat, so we always try for that, but the main thing is he has a seat. The train was taken from 9 to 4 carriages so all reservations cancelled and this first train was a 2 hr journey for us. My husband wasn’t with us and we had large cases so I was stressed ! My eldest was obviously worried - luckily we found seats and all was ok . But , when the train came in I saw a carriage empty and my worry was getting these cases on alone and having no space , so I went to the empty carriage and was turned away because it was first class. We got on fine in the end, thanks to the help of lovely strangers and we got seats right next to first class and I could see in and it said all seats were available- not reserved - and maybe 2 people in the whole carriage. For the whole journey , the other carriages were like sardines - it was awful. They announced they couldn’t get the refreshment trolley out because it was so busy ( also it was during a heatwave ) . First class was empty. I saw a family - including a woman with a tiny baby in a carrier and young children, turfed out. I saw many families struggling to find places to sit.

Now , I understand if you have paid for first class and the carriage was full of people who hadn’t , you would be angry . I agree if you have paid first class you should be able to sit in it. But if it’s empty , why were people turfed out when everyone’s reserved seats were cancelled ? I would understand if first class was busy , so all were reserved and they kept that carriage for that reason - it costs a lot . I also would understand if maybe they usually had 2 first class carriages ( I don’t know if they do ) , took one off , so kept all the first class seats for those with first class tickets , but on a first come first served basis. But to have them all free , the whole journey , with lots of people - families coming back from holiday - who reserved seats for a long journey and lost them , standing and struggling - but then keep it empty and leave people standing , and actively turn people holding babies in arms away - I found this disgusting !

Just to add - this isn’t about me wanting to go in first class , we had seats , we were ok and I did offer my seat up too.

They often do declassify, but normally when a previous one has been cancelled. It's very annoying when you've paid, and a bonus when you haven't...

I’d be very annoyed if I paid for first class then they started letting anyone in

Nope .. if I pay for First Class, I don’t want to be sharing with people who haven’t. Part of the pleasure is the space and the quiet.

If I have to do a long train journey with autistic DS I book first class specifically because we know it will be quieter and better for him so it’s worth the extortionate price the extra money.

Nope. If I’d paid for first class I would be really fucked off if they started letting people who hadn’t paid in too.

Yes, imagine if a standard class passenger breathed near to you? It would be awful.
They might be wearing polyester, you could get a static shock if they touch you.

Nothing to do with that. I’m as working class as they come.

Nope.

They usually declassify in the very unlikely event absolutely no first class tickets have been sold.

But outside of that, they weren't to know whether anyone was going to get on at a later stop.

To the OP: yes they should declassify.
The railways are a mess, the pain should be shared.

Exactly this. I pay a lot more for First class so I can travel in peace in an uncrowded carriage, wait in a first class lounge etc. I don't want families with children in there( unless they've paid of course) or people who can't find a seat.

I've only started travelling First a couple of years ago and I did it exactly for the reasons you stated - shorter trains, cancelled reservations etc. I was fed up with it so decided to avoid it by paying more.

Why do you automatically assume it's a social class thing?

No way. I use the train for business. No way would I continue this if they opened it up for all passengers.

I think the whole concept of First Class is ridiculous.

I dont think entitled people should be allowed to use first class just because its empty. But I wouldnt object either on a train or flight if I was asked if I minded you and your son because he had additional needs and it would help, no decent person would.I fly a lot and they always ask before bringing people into business on Qatar Airways, its usually locals or gold members. Most flights some people wander in and they it on and they are marched back out. Theres a huge difference.

You can usually upgrade on board to first class for a fairly reasonable price.

Did you ask about upgrading? Normally it's possible onboard.

Why should people who have paid a lot more have to share it though?

Paying first class fares is a way of trying to shield yourself from overcrowding etc, that's exactly why I pay for it. Travelling first class makes train travel so much better in every way, of course you can't get round the problem of a delayed train but it's sure as hell better to be delayed in First.

I agree at present. They need to get the basics right!

It's a public service and should just serve the public at a flat fair price.

Also this, especially at weekends

I'd be very annoyed if I was crowded in regular class without a seat id paid for because they'd cancelled the previous train. The heatwave is causing issues. It's not normal service. When these things happen there are compromises to be made that cause the least issues for the fewest. Having passengers seated and spaced out comfortably as possible should take priority over people getting huffy because some people got something for free.

Oh, I'd do away with first class. Then no one would have to pay more.

No , I was ok . It’s more about other people and the fact people had lost their reservations and sitting on laps , standing etc , whilst first class was empty .

Why? Do you also think the concept of different classes of travel on planes is ridiculous? Everyone should travel economy?

It's like most things in life, you pay more so you get a better experience/quality, nothing wrong with that.

But , first class could also be fully booked. If they opened it up , managed not a free for all , it would be no different. You could pay for first class but still have all the other first class seats full - and there aren’t rules to say no children so you could easily book first class and share the carriage with children.

If I was in first class and they opened it up to everyone I'd expect a refund of the difference between the first class and standard fare.