buying 2 seats for yourself - train

scattersong

Sounds a bit like one of those weekly money moral dilemma things but here goes.

Was speaking to a friend earlier. He's an international student, so came to university here with tonnes of luggage. He was explaining how he'd bought/reserved 2 seats on the train for himself so he could put his luggage next to him in case luggage racks were full etc.

He said it was super busy so of course someone sat next to him, wasting the money he'd spent on the seat.

I thought it was rather odd, I mean seats are for sitting after all, not really fair if people are having to stand.

Just wondered what you all thought of this?

boliston

I doubt that reserving two seats would guarantee you can use it for luggage if it is busy.

I prefer having a free seat next to me even if I have no luggage but I doubt buying 2 seats would guarantee me this if it was busy.

p00hsticks

scattersong wrote: »

Just wondered what you all thought of this?

Don't forget that the person who occupied the seat will also have paid for a ticket - I'd say that a person with a ticket trumps luggage with a ticket any time.

cookie365

He can't be that bright if he didn't see that coming.

What university is desperate enough for students that they'll take on people with his level of common sense?

tomtontom

cookie365 wrote: »

He can't be that bright if he didn't see that coming.

What university is desperate enough for students that they'll take on people with his level of common sense?

It may be the norm in their country? It is permissible on most airlines, albeit for space rather than luggage - what makes a train so different?

(I'm not disagreeing with those saying it was right for someone to sit down, just that it's not as stupid as one might think.)

Altarf

tomtontom wrote: »

It may be the norm in their country? It is permissible on most airlines, albeit for space rather than luggage - what makes a train so different?

Have you seen many people stood in the aisle of the aircraft on take off? That is what makes aircraft different - no seat, no travel.

tomtontom wrote: »

it's not as stupid as one might think.)

The only way someone could think this was sensible is if they have never traveled on a train.

scones

This would be perfectly logical for somebody used to travelling by aeroplane or on trains in countries where reservations are compulsory. None of the rail booking websites offer the ability to book extra luggage, so kudos to him for at least trying to pay his way!

Of course, we have the slightly odd situation in Britain where buying a rail ticket doesn't entitle you to a seat - just the right to make a particular journey. Even specifically reserving an extra seat wouldn't necessarily work as the National Rail 'Conditions of Carriage' refer to a maximum of one reservation per person. So, buying an 'extra seat' falls down as a concept.

A look at the National Rail Conditions of Carriage online confirms the following:

• You can take one item of hand luggage and up to two pieces of luggage up to 30×70×90cm in size
• Luggage is carried subject to space being available
• Luggage should not occupy seats intended for passengers

The 'correct' thing to do if carrying more luggage than this is apparently to contact the relevant train company in advance. It's implied that there may be a charge. Probably no chance on some local and rural routes, but the big long-distance companies can be more helpful - Great Western even takes pre-booked surfboards on occasion!

NectarCollector

Unless he actually reserved 2 seats, then he did indeed waste his money. Just paying for 2 would not be enough - as he may not necessarily be able to find 2 adjacent seats on the train. although I doubt a reserved seat ticket with luggage on it would stop some of the frustrated and stressed commuters.

Things are different in Europe.

Altarf

NectarCollector wrote: »

I doubt a reserved seat ticket with luggage on it would stop some of the frustrated and stressed commuters.

As someone who commutes on very busy trains into London I love people who put luggage, a bag or a handbag on a seat. They are my personal seat reservation staff, who work for free.

No matter what time I get on the train you can always find a 'bag' seat and thus a seat when you get them to move it.

ERICS_MUM

Altarf wrote: »

As someone who commutes on very busy trains into London I love people who put luggage, a bag or a handbag on a seat. They are my personal seat reservation staff, who work for free.

No matter what time I get on the train you can always find a 'bag' seat and thus a seat when you get them to move it.

I love to hear their 'disgruntled grunt' at being caught out , then a flurry of activity and deep sigh as they find somewhere else to put coats, handbags, briefcases etc ! Especially if they are on their phone and have to cut the call short when you 'interrupt' them. Makes the daily commute worthwhile, more fulfilling somehow.

Altarf

ERICS_MUM wrote: »

I love to hear their 'disgruntled grunt' at being caught out , then a flurry of activity and deep sigh as they find somewhere else to put coats, handbags, briefcases etc ! Especially if they are on their phone and have to cut the call short when you 'interrupt' them. Makes the daily commute worthwhile, more fulfilling somehow.

Absolutely.

And if there are no empty 'set of two' seats so you have to sit next to someone else, I always pick a bag seat.

As I get on at Kings Cross, the train sits on the platform for about twenty minutes before it leaves.

It is always amusing to groups of two ladies who have been shopping in London get on early and sit in a bank of four seats around a table, and arrange all their shopping bags on the empty seats around them.

Then the train starts to fill, and initially they ignore it. Then you can see them making small adjustments to the bags, but them thinking "everything is OK, as the train leaves in three minutes".

And then the last minute rush comes and people ask them to move their bags so they can sit down, so they end up having to shift their carefully arranged bags and sit with a stack of bags under their feet or on their knees for the journey.