No it's not, I've told you it's not and I have been travelling on the busiest route in the bloody UK for years, I'm not relying on 'someone from my family'. Birmingham/Stafford/Lichfield/Tamworth to London, it's doesn't get busier long distance trains. I can't speak for 2nd class but on 1st it simply is a figment of your imagination based on Virgin Midlands to London trains.
First class Rail..
- Thread starter Hedge
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No it's not, I've told you it's not and I have been travelling on the busiest route in the bloody UK for years, I'm not relying on 'someone from my family'. Birmingham/Stafford/Lichfield/Tamworth to London, it's doesn't get busier long distance trains. I can't speak for 2nd class but on 1st it simply is a figment of your imagination based on Virgin Midlands to London trains.
At half past 7-half past 8 on a weekday morning on local commuter trains, yes it does. On almost all other train journeys it really doesn't, otherwise I wouldn't use trains because I couldn't just relax for a few hours and watch a film or two...
(As Fox mentioned, in standard class, first has no such issue 99.9% of the time).
![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}
So because once your Dad had to stand, you want to make the entire network compulsory reservation and remove everyones flexibility?
You are unbeleivable, but I guess it tallies nicely with the rest of your ridiculous opinions.
Either way I'm not entirely sure why you are moaning so much. It wasn't you that had to go through that "hell", your father didn't pay for the ticket in the first place AND the company that did pay for the ticket got the money back in the end anyway...
Why am I moaning? Do you really have to ask? My retired father with various medical conditions gets a first class ticket to London and ends up standing for 3 hours. Oh but it's ok, he could have waited on the cold platform at Preston for the next train, and maybe the next one after that if that one's busy as well.
Or he could have asked one of the members of the train staff to find him a seat due to said medical conditions.
No one suggested it was OK, you're just going off in a different direction as your silly generalisations have been shown to be based on little more than one 2nd hand experience.
He also got a FULL REFUND by way of an apology.
It was unfortunate, but it doesn't mean the system should be changed to disadvantage many people to avoid once in a blue moon situations like that.
Perhaps if your father was that frail, he should have taken advantage of the various disability services they offer - including a member of staff to help him onto the train, which usually involves a priority seat being made available for him.
Unless of course you are just exagerating to make a point. Your poor retired father...
Is obviously enjoying his RETIREMENT.
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Fine, you say it's not but I won't be finding out for myself due to the shabby way my Dad was treated by Virgin, I'll take the car thanks. Even if it takes 10 hours at least I have a seat.
Anyway, the point is that even if the OP does decide to get a first class ticket, he should make sure he has a reserved seat on the train. Don't assume that because you have a first class ticket, you'll get a first class service.
The difference is, that everyone gets a seat.
Aye, it's not quite as flexible or hassle free as an open ticket. You need to have a reasonable idea when you'll be travelling in the first place, which I think is less of an issue on long distance TGV routes.[TW]Fox;17930605 said:
I'm still a little confused with your obsession with fully reserved tickets. If that were the case then he would probably have had to wait on the platform for the next train because when ordering the ticket the attendant would have pointed out that he couldn't get on that train...
Either way if he is that "bad" then he should have taken one of the seats reserved for the elderly/infirm, of which there are a few, clearly signed, in each carriage.
A reservation is mandatory with his ticket type. There is no need to make sure, as a seat will be automatically reserved for him.
Is this the bit where you stop talking about and offering advice on subjects you've demonstrated you know nothing about?
Or is that later after some more digging?
Not on East Coast Trains there isn't - all trains have multiple First Class coaches and all services are operated by fixed formation units.
Cut your nose off to spite your face....2nd time i've posted this today on this forum...
Don't assume anything if you want to be 100% sure of anything is probably wise but we all know that usually, it's fine and these sort of one off's appear all over the place because people who have a bee in their bonnet want to tell the world while the happy punters just get on with enjoying their fried breaky in first class.
I'm still a little confused with your obsession with fully reserved tickets. If that were the case then he would probably have had to wait on the platform for the next train because when ordering the ticket the attendant would have pointed out that he couldn't get on that train...
Either way if he is that "bad" then he should have taken one of the seats reserved for the elderly/infirm, of which there are a few, clearly signed, in each carriage.
I didn't say he was elderly or infirm, but I'd prefer it if he didn't have to stand up for 3 hours. I just think if you have a first class ticket then you should be able to get a seat, hell I think if you have a second class ticket you should be able to get a seat because it's dangerous and uncomfortable otherwise.