That's actually the point of my post - you'd think that not many people would want to be the 3rd (still understandable for some cases) or especially the 4th (absolute torture for everyone involved) person in a table cluster, but that's the opposite of what I found during my commute. Almost every day I witnessed people joining 3 strangers at a table, when pretty much all airline seats were occupied just by single passengers.
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Commuter seat choices - interesting observation
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DynamicSpirit
Established Member
They may be people who have been sitting at desks all day and so to them, standing for a short time feels like stretching their legs. I personally much prefer sitting than standing, but occasionally if I have been sitting for a very long time, it may feel more comfortable to stand. And I can think of at least one work colleague who has actually told me that he is usually more comfortable standing than sitting.
One other point - if it's a group of friends travelling together, than standing may allow them to remain close together and able to chat.
WIth Avanti trains only having about 6 tables per carriage, three of which will be on the left, that leaves just 3 tables to pick from as I prefer RHS. Chances are they'll have one person at each, usually at the window as they fill first, more so than airlines. Its even worse when you don't have a seat reservation and a 9 car pulls up! (Meaning only Coach C is unreserved)
So therefore I have to join them if I've exhausted all options, but also by the window because its what I need on journeys sometimes as a mental stimulant. Even when working with a laptop as explained in my earlier posts.
I will happily be polite about it and ask if I can sit at the window instead or explain why I prefer it, so long as they aren't rude or judgemental about it. You also have people running up and down the aisles so I prefer to be cosy at a window.
I'm also relatively small and I keep to my space, and my legs are always in my own space so unless they encroach into it we won't be playing footsies.
In an ideal world there would be a carriage dedicated to tables, especially on long distance services like Avanti.
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LittleRedTrain
Member
My preference on most stock is generally for an airline (window seat preferably) to avoid the risk of playing 'footsie' with a person opposite at a table. It especially doesn't help when people think it's acceptable to plonk their bag by their feet encroaching into the legroom of the person opposite!
It also reduces the risk that some oik has had their dirty trainers up on that seat previously.
However, on the Chiltern Mk3s, most of the airline seats have been replaced with newer 'disabled friendly' seats, which I find much less comfortable, so tend to opt for a table with the old style seats instead.
Like most have suggested above, I'll go for a table window seat, if the opposite window seat is unoccupied.
The situation I dislike most is when the only available option is a table with one other person already sat in a window seat, and you know the train is likely to get busy.
You can either:
a) Sit directly opposite them in the other window seat, and risk playing footside, which can look a bit odd, but at least you know you won't get disturbed later by other passengers taking the aisle seats.
b) Sit diagonally opposite in the aisle seat, but then can't relax too much because when the train gets busy, you 'll have to either shuffle across to the window seat or get up and let someone into the window seat.
It's also a difficult call to work out if/when to move pre-emptively as the train starts filling up, so you don't look like a jerk trying to block the window seat!
Don't get me started on people who sit in an aisle seat on a busy train, then fill up the window seat with all their stuff to try and 'block' it. I am very good at saying "Is that seat taken" in a way that strongly implies that they'd better move it or else!
It also reduces the risk that some oik has had their dirty trainers up on that seat previously.
However, on the Chiltern Mk3s, most of the airline seats have been replaced with newer 'disabled friendly' seats, which I find much less comfortable, so tend to opt for a table with the old style seats instead.
Like most have suggested above, I'll go for a table window seat, if the opposite window seat is unoccupied.
The situation I dislike most is when the only available option is a table with one other person already sat in a window seat, and you know the train is likely to get busy.
You can either:
a) Sit directly opposite them in the other window seat, and risk playing footside, which can look a bit odd, but at least you know you won't get disturbed later by other passengers taking the aisle seats.
b) Sit diagonally opposite in the aisle seat, but then can't relax too much because when the train gets busy, you 'll have to either shuffle across to the window seat or get up and let someone into the window seat.
It's also a difficult call to work out if/when to move pre-emptively as the train starts filling up, so you don't look like a jerk trying to block the window seat!
Don't get me started on people who sit in an aisle seat on a busy train, then fill up the window seat with all their stuff to try and 'block' it. I am very good at saying "Is that seat taken" in a way that strongly implies that they'd better move it or else!
1D54
Member
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- 1 Jun 2019
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- 1,079
Airline window seat on right hand side and i hate having company!
Magdalen Road
Member
First coach not through laziness but so it’s quicker to get to work when the train is inevitably late. Airline seat by window frame to use as head rest for napping. Halfway down as people usually don’t walk that far so unlikely someone will sit next to me* I do not want to sit next to anyone. Particularly not leg spreading men, people eating takeaway (two McDonalds on the train back yesterday ) or squealing children.
Why do men preferentially choose to sit next to women on a semi-busy train, or even when there are plenty of empty seats?
*once I was asleep and a man removed my rucksack from the adjacent seat and woke up me with the sound of him hoisting up into the overhead storage. No excuse me, or can I move your bag. I got up and moved after telling him off and taking my bag back from him!
No problem with me moving my bag off a seat on a busy train but who picks up someone else’s bag, someone asleep.
Why do men preferentially choose to sit next to women on a semi-busy train, or even when there are plenty of empty seats?
*once I was asleep and a man removed my rucksack from the adjacent seat and woke up me with the sound of him hoisting up into the overhead storage. No excuse me, or can I move your bag. I got up and moved after telling him off and taking my bag back from him!
No problem with me moving my bag off a seat on a busy train but who picks up someone else’s bag, someone asleep.
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Jamiescott1
Member
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- 1,082
Seat in wheelchair space for me going home. The carriage this is in is arrives next to the exit stairs at my exit station. Also can sit in window seat without having to ask anyone to move when you need to get up as there's enough space to get past the person sitting in the aisle seat.
My preference to the terminal station is window seat, airline style facing forward
My preference to the terminal station is window seat, airline style facing forward
I commute into Charing Cross and have definite set preferences of seat and will even on occasion take a slightly later train to get them. I like seats with no neighbour. My rationale being I like to plug myself into a film on my phone for my 50 minute journey and sometime have a beer/G&T to go with it. It’s my “down time” between work and being at home with children and I can. Also, I feel having a drink next to someone is a bit antisocial:
Joint first preference:
- single seat (no neighbour) next to the loos on a 465
- single seat on a 707
Second preference:
Table or fold out table on the former first class section of a 465/9
Avoid at all costs:
Class 376: they are ghastly all round.
Joint first preference:
- single seat (no neighbour) next to the loos on a 465
- single seat on a 707
Second preference:
Table or fold out table on the former first class section of a 465/9
Avoid at all costs:
Class 376: they are ghastly all round.
I actually like them (and they're getting better), but I do have the luxury of doing contra-flow journeys so can always get a bay of 4.
Main commute is on 444s, and I observe broadly the same pattern as the OP. I'm always using a laptop so the table is the aim, but will usually settle for the second seat in an airline pair rather than invade a half full table (because of the taper to the aisle, though legs also an issue).
An observation I've made on here before is what I call parrot syndrome - people who sit in the airline seat immediately behind the bay of four on a lightly loaded train, when there's planty of other airline seats. Last Friday morning no more than about ten people in the coach, all four bays were vacant but oddly two had parrots, so not wantig to crowd I went for one that didn't.
Aisle seat at a table. What’s this about vetting the others sat at a table? I must have low standards as I don’t mind people eating, chatting, on their laptop. People with leaky music never use tables.
A lone window seat with a table in a declassified first 2+1 LHCS is the best, but that rarely fits in with my solo journeys.
A lone window seat with a table in a declassified first 2+1 LHCS is the best, but that rarely fits in with my solo journeys.
Peter Mugridge
Veteran Member
My first choice is always a forward facing airline window seat; doesn't really matter if it's left or right hand side; although I do prefer right hand side it can depend on where the best scenery is going to be...
My second choice would be a forward facing window seat in a bay without a table.
Tables are usually a last resort for me.
If I can't sit facing forwards, I will nearly always choose to stand.
My second choice would be a forward facing window seat in a bay without a table.
Tables are usually a last resort for me.
If I can't sit facing forwards, I will nearly always choose to stand.
I've never actually had the misfortune of playing footsie at a table on a loaded train, but I have stepped on someone's shoe before. On a FLIRT the person behind me managed to stick their legs so far out that their feet were under my legroom! I accidentally stepped on their shoe and they had the nerve to loudly complain about it to the person they were with!
720 loadings are always interesting to see. No tables at bays of 6, so it's just generally more awkward. I've usually seen 3 diagonal, two on either end on one set of 3 seats, and one in the middle opposite. Though I've only used the 720 once during the morning peak as I had to get to Romford. On the way back I went into Liverpool Street to get a FLIRT.
720 loadings are always interesting to see. No tables at bays of 6, so it's just generally more awkward. I've usually seen 3 diagonal, two on either end on one set of 3 seats, and one in the middle opposite. Though I've only used the 720 once during the morning peak as I had to get to Romford. On the way back I went into Liverpool Street to get a FLIRT.
xotGD
Established Member
- Joined
- 4 Feb 2017
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- 6,829
On 158s and 331s I will go for a table seat if possible. I prefer not to be looking at the back of a seat in front. Often in the morning on a 158 there is the opportunity for the "two at a table, sitting diagonally" set up. Except when it is a 2 car in place of a 4 car!
On 333s, boarding at Leeds on the way home I'll try and get a window seat in a bay of 6, knowing that the middle seat is very unlikely to be occupied. Failing that, the aisle seat in a 6. Ideally, you only have 3 sitting in the bay so everyone gets unlimited leg room.
When a 333 is really crowded, I'll sit in the middle of a 3 rather than stand, but not many people do this.
On 333s, boarding at Leeds on the way home I'll try and get a window seat in a bay of 6, knowing that the middle seat is very unlikely to be occupied. Failing that, the aisle seat in a 6. Ideally, you only have 3 sitting in the bay so everyone gets unlimited leg room.
When a 333 is really crowded, I'll sit in the middle of a 3 rather than stand, but not many people do this.
DarloRich
Veteran Member
in the olden days the concept of "choice" in seating on a train to London was mythical!
These days I prefer a two seater. I am not paid to work outside my hours so don't need a table
These days I prefer a two seater. I am not paid to work outside my hours so don't need a table
Dave W
Member
Same, but I need somewhere to put my bag of cans. Or 20 quid M&S meal deal with an obnoxious sandwich filling.in the olden days the concept of "choice" in seating on a train to London was mythical!
These days I prefer a two seater. I am not paid to work outside my hours so don't need a table
The only right answer to number 1 seat on a 700 is the single seat in first by the cab door. We all know it.
WestAnglian
Member
I tried to write down my algorithm but it got too complicated. It also depends heavilly on how long the journey is, the train type and how busy it is/will be. My basic rules are:
0. Avoid the worst of the tourists on Stansted Express. They're rarely badly-behaved but can be noisy and spend the whole journey chosing their seats and settling down, their luggage placed randomly about the train. Luckilly they rarely move far down the 12-car 745.
1. A table window seat if quiet
2. An airline window seat
2. A window seat in a bay of 4
3. A window seat in a six, but that can be risky especially duirng school holidays
4. An aisle seat in airline
5. Any other aisle seat
6. A seat with no window view
7. Stand or get the next train rather than the middle seat
This is further complicated because I prefer to face the direction of travel and to sit on the right, so at times these factors may bump a seat up the list.
0. Avoid the worst of the tourists on Stansted Express. They're rarely badly-behaved but can be noisy and spend the whole journey chosing their seats and settling down, their luggage placed randomly about the train. Luckilly they rarely move far down the 12-car 745.
1. A table window seat if quiet
2. An airline window seat
2. A window seat in a bay of 4
3. A window seat in a six, but that can be risky especially duirng school holidays
4. An aisle seat in airline
5. Any other aisle seat
6. A seat with no window view
7. Stand or get the next train rather than the middle seat
This is further complicated because I prefer to face the direction of travel and to sit on the right, so at times these factors may bump a seat up the list.
Falcon1200
Established Member
Forward facing window airline seat for me, please! Table seats a last resort, unless the train has left its last intermediate stop so the remaining seats will stay unoccupied.
The annoyances:
Bags placed on seats (very often to dissuade others from sitting adjacent);
Aisle seat sitters when the window seat is empty (prevalent on buses as well as trains), meaning others have to ask, and get the sitter to move, before they can take a seat. Often with bags placed on the window seat too, for the same reason as above.
The annoyances:
Bags placed on seats (very often to dissuade others from sitting adjacent);
Aisle seat sitters when the window seat is empty (prevalent on buses as well as trains), meaning others have to ask, and get the sitter to move, before they can take a seat. Often with bags placed on the window seat too, for the same reason as above.
Lewisham2221
Established Member
If you don't want somebody to move your bag off the seat whilst you're asleep, it's probably best to put your own bag in the overhead rack and leave the seat available for someone to sit in - which is, apparently surprisingly, what they are intended for.
Brent Goose
Member
When commuting into London I did try and get some rest on the journey so the primary consideration was avoiding noisy people already on the train or people alighting at my station who were likely to become irritating.
Secondly trying to minimise the chance of a nearby seat being taken at a subsequent station by a noisy group, particularly if sat right behind me.
Quite often that is people who worry about missing their stop or getting trapped/not wanting to ask someone to move. Although obviously a lot of the time they are just selfish
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
While I prefer window, I don't see why people shouldn't sit in the aisle if that is their preference and don't consider it selfish to do so. If you want to sit in the window simply ask them to let you in. If they then don't, or they moan about it, then that would be selfish.
Absolutely, that's fine. But a proportion of people are doing that because they don't want someone next to them, not just because they prefer they aisle sear
My seating preferences would be:
1) A seat going backwards to direction of travel.
2) A window seat
I prefer airline seats to tables, I don't want people sat opposite me if I can help it. Then earphones in, book in hand or window to look out of and switch off completely from all others travelling.
On really busy services I'd sit in an airline seat next to someone, even though I'm not keen on aisle seats. I generally avoid table seats. I always thought it a bit rude for solo travellers to bag a table to themselves, these are better for groups. Yet if push came to shove I'd sit where I could.
On really busy services, I prefer to stand.
1) A seat going backwards to direction of travel.
2) A window seat
I prefer airline seats to tables, I don't want people sat opposite me if I can help it. Then earphones in, book in hand or window to look out of and switch off completely from all others travelling.
On really busy services I'd sit in an airline seat next to someone, even though I'm not keen on aisle seats. I generally avoid table seats. I always thought it a bit rude for solo travellers to bag a table to themselves, these are better for groups. Yet if push came to shove I'd sit where I could.
On really busy services, I prefer to stand.
Forward facing window airline seat for me. If not available, then backward facing window airline seat. If that's not available either, then a table seat by the window. Aisle seat, either airline or table, as a last resort.
One journey I particularly remember was a mid-week trip on a deserted train. I was the only person in my coach (forward facing window airline seat of course). An absolutely stunning girl gets on at the next station and sits in the aisle seat right next to me. Completely empty coach and she chose to sit next to me. Being a single bloke and intensely attracted to her, my pulse immediately started racing. Imagine my dismay when she spends the whole journey looking at her phone with headphones in, seemingly completely oblivious to me. So I was unable to try and strike up a conversation with her.
To this day I still regret not trying my luck!
One journey I particularly remember was a mid-week trip on a deserted train. I was the only person in my coach (forward facing window airline seat of course). An absolutely stunning girl gets on at the next station and sits in the aisle seat right next to me. Completely empty coach and she chose to sit next to me. Being a single bloke and intensely attracted to her, my pulse immediately started racing. Imagine my dismay when she spends the whole journey looking at her phone with headphones in, seemingly completely oblivious to me. So I was unable to try and strike up a conversation with her.
To this day I still regret not trying my luck!
station_road
Member
Where someone chooses to sit if a seat is not occupied is none of your business, whether you find it rude or not
Magdalen Road
Member
That person walked past several empty seats to reach where I was, ignoring ones with no bags on them to move mine.
Would you actually pick up someone's property rather than say excuse me?
Would you walk past empty seats to pick one with a bag on it?
Would you walk empty seats next to men and pick the seat next to the sleeping woman?
Other people have managed to be polite and say something before sitting down.
I don't like putting my bag on the overhead shelf because it's often got a heavy work laptop in it, that I'd rather keep close to me. One arm through the rucksack strap does that.
If there's been cancellations and the service is obviously going to be busy, then I have my rucksack on my knees.
parkender102
Member
Yes I aways prefer Aisle Seating on both Trains and Planes. More Legroom (feet can move into Aisle if not being used), easier to get out for toilet / shop, more elbow room, not hemmed in by Window/Wall and other passenger. My wife and I always travel in Aisle Seats adjacent to each other across the Aisle when flying (only ever Economy Class) for these reasons. Only time we wouldn't would be when 2-4-2 (Virgin to Caribbean) or 2-3-2 configuration is available. Most Flights Long and Short Haul seem to be 3-3 or 3-4-3.
I'd say a higher proportion of people prefer the Aisle Seat - I know I do - maybe I/They get ever so slightly claustrophobic?
Forward facing table seat for me, ideally on the non-sunny side so that I can get my laptop out and get some work done, although on the way home there isn't an entirely sunless side...
On the way in the train is generally quiet enough that I can easily get my preference. I'll generally get people sitting diagonally opposite me first.
On the way home, although the train at Victoria is quieter when I get on and has spare seats, it'll be jam packed by the time we leave Clapham Junction so I'll happily sit opposite someone. I'm always surprised at how often I end up sitting on a table with someone at Victoria who's going Worthing or beyond. I also try to leave the last table free on the way home in case there's a family that need it.
On the way in the train is generally quiet enough that I can easily get my preference. I'll generally get people sitting diagonally opposite me first.
On the way home, although the train at Victoria is quieter when I get on and has spare seats, it'll be jam packed by the time we leave Clapham Junction so I'll happily sit opposite someone. I'm always surprised at how often I end up sitting on a table with someone at Victoria who's going Worthing or beyond. I also try to leave the last table free on the way home in case there's a family that need it.
Not in my experience, individual travellers generally take the window seat. But train capacity and likelihood of someone sitting next to you might influence that, so if you live somewhere with permanently rammed trains then perhaps there are more people who choose an aisle seat