Getting a seat on the train & tube

[DinosaurFanGirl]

Just wondering what other people's experiences are like with trying to get a seat on trains and tubes. I'm very obviously pregnant plus I have a baby on board badge but even with me asking I struggle to get anyone to give up a seat for me on trains and tubes. Most of the time people in the designated seats appear to be asleep or completely ignore me asking. Is it just me who has these issues and has anyone found a solution? I wouldn't mind standing but after a long day and an early start I'm completely tired and really suffer with headaches x

I've never had to ask but sometimes I don't get offered a seat, luckily I've always felt fine on those days so I don't bother asking. If I needed a seat I'd ask.

Totally agree though that some trains are better than others, I now get the dlr and a bus home as I was sick of being pushed and shoved on the overground in addition to rarely getting a seat.

Best one though was a man already standing asked me if I wanted his girlfriends seat, I said yes as was shattered. She gave him the dirtiest look and moaned at him for about 10 minutes because she found it hard to reach the handrail (I am 5'1" and was shorter than her)! I was embarrassed for about 2 minutes and then found it hilarious!

If you are travelling in to do an MA and can potentially ask if you can do it from home then why wouldn't you alter your travelling times to start with?

Travel in for 10am and it will ease the crush slightly? It's also worth missing a train or two and walking right to the end of the platform. Either end is always less crowded for boarding and for people queuing and shoving to get on.
10-6/7 or 8-4 is always a bit friendlier

Lectures starts at 9am and my final one finishes at 6pm. Wouldn't be much point in travelling in to uni at different times as not allowed in once lectures start as it disturbs the session. Would be better just studying from home 😕

Lectures starts at 9am and my final one finishes at 6pm. Wouldn't be much point in travelling in to uni at different times as not allowed in once lectures start as it disturbs the session. Would be better just studying from home 😕

I assume you're in London?
I'm from there originally. We moved back there when I was 8 months pregnant.
Sometimes I did get offered a seat.
However most of the time I didn't.
In fact, I was 2 days past my due date and travelling on the overground (going to my mums). The train was very busy, so I was standing (I was never the type to ask for a seat), a woman asked me when I was due, and I said that I was due on Sunday, I'm now 2 days late. She said oh, I hope the baby comes soon. But still didn't offer me her seat.
I just let it go.

I commute and last week I got on a very packed tube and just shouted out, 'can anyone let me sit down please'
It was the first time I had to do it but only one woman jumped up and offered it to me.

If you really need the seat you will have to ask as lots of people are oblivious and in their own worlds when they sit down on the tube. I also understand some people also need to sit if their jobs have seen them on their feet all day.

Oh my god I thought I was the only one who got peeved by this! We went away for a weekend in london recently while I was 16 weeks. For some reason I don't even look 6 weeks pregnant let alone 16! Flat as a pancake in my size 8 jeans needing a seat and could not get a seat. I didnt get too worked up as I clearly didnt look pregnant so to others I needn't the seat any more than they did. But can't believe even with an obvious bump people still didn't offer their seat! Crazy

I think the badge makes a huge difference- I asked someone for the priority seat and I could see them frown, clock the badge then say 'oh of course' but you have to ask if you need the seat, everyone is in their own bubble.

It was fine for me. People would fall over themselves to offer me a seat on SW Trains and the tube. Teenage/young boys particularly impressed me, bless them.

I'd sometime remove my badge if I was going one stop and would spent much of the journey thanking people for their seat offers but explaining that I'd be getting off soon.