How easy going are Virgin West Coast (changing seats)

Harlesden · 16 Apr 2016

The one thing worse than finding myself in a backwards facing seat is being seated next to a bulkhead with only a very limited view out of the window. VTEC are very cool about people with reserved seats moving elsewhere in the train. Are VTWC equally tolerant?

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crehld · 16 Apr 2016

They wouldn't care less so long as you're on the train you're supposed to be on.

The downside is that your allocated seat might end up being unused because it will say reserved above it. Perhaps next time use the seat selector on Virgin Trains' website to choose your preferred seat?

Chrism20 · 16 Apr 2016

I've never had an issue with simply moving to an unreserved seat when boarding.

If you have booked and then looked at the seating plans online and decide you want another seat they will change it for you if you DM them on Twitter - takes them two minutes.

If you message them your booking reference number and the seat number you want moved to (do a dummy booking before asking to check the seat is available) they can cancel your existing seat reservation and book you the one you want. I've done it a few times and they are always quite happy to do it.

DarloRich · 16 Apr 2016

andymaynard said:
The one thing worse than finding myself in a backwards facing seat is being seated next to a bulkhead with only a very limited view out of the window. VTEC are very cool about people with reserved seats moving elsewhere in the train. Are VTWC equally tolerant?

They Is this a serious post? They don't care where you sit as long as you are on the right train and move if someone who has reserved that seat comes along

Harlesden · 16 Apr 2016

DarloRich said:
They Is this a serious post? They don't care where you sit as long as you are on the right train and move if someone who has reserved that seat comes along

Yes it is a serious post. It is not unknown for conductors on one TOC (can't remember which one) to insist a passenger returns to his reserved seat.
I always take my Reservation card with me when moving leaving my reserved seat free for anyone who wants to sit there.
Website seating plans do not indicate which seats are "full view" and which are "restricted view" (next to a bulkhead). This is something I have raised with VTEC who appear to have an excellent and friendly Twitter team.

Bletchleyite · 16 Apr 2016

DarloRich said:
They Is this a serious post? They don't care where you sit as long as you are on the right train and move if someone who has reserved that seat comes along

Some GNER guards I believe used to be picky about it, and I think it was GNER that had "must be in the booked seat" put in the Advance T&Cs.

VTWC however do not care as long as you are on the correct train.

By the way the WC seat selector does show restricted view, I think it is a purple tag. Wish they would just show the window positions.

bnm · 16 Apr 2016

andymaynard said:
I always take my Reservation card with me when moving leaving my reserved seat free for anyone who wants to sit there.

That's a bit difficult to do on VTWC. No reservation cards. Electronic displays.

najaB · 16 Apr 2016

bnm said:
That's a bit difficult to do on VTWC. No reservation cards. Electronic displays.

And soon on VTEC as well.

scotsman · 17 Apr 2016

Neil Williams said:
Some GNER guards I believe used to be picky about it, and I think it was GNER that had "must be in the booked seat" put in the Advance T&Cs.

Never heard of it

Agent_c · 17 Apr 2016

scotsman said:
Never heard of it

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/ticket_types/46546.aspx

When and where the ticket can be used

Tickets are valid ONLY on the date and train service(s) shown on the ticket(s).
Where applicable, you must travel in the Class and reserved seat(s) shown on the ticket(s).
Tickets may only be used on the services of the Train Company (or geographic route where applicable) shown next to Route on the ticket.
If the Route also states and Connections, travel is allowed on appropriate connecting trains where shown on the ticket(s) or other valid travel itinerary.
If the route is prefixed with a +, the ticket includes the cost of travelling across London on London Underground, Docklands Light Railway or Thameslink services as appropriate to the journey.

DarloRich · 17 Apr 2016

Agent_c said:
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/ticket_types/46546.aspx

When and where the ticket can be used

Tickets are valid ONLY on the date and train service(s) shown on the ticket(s).

Where applicable, you must travel in the Class and reserved seat(s) shown on the ticket(s).

Tickets may only be used on the services of the Train Company (or geographic route where applicable) shown next to Route on the ticket.

If the Route also states and Connections, travel is allowed on appropriate connecting trains where shown on the ticket(s) or other valid travel itinerary.

If the route is prefixed with a +, the ticket includes the cost of travelling across London on London Underground, Docklands Light Railway or Thameslink services as appropriate to the journey.

whatever.

In the roughly 35 years I have been travelling by train I have been made to sit in my reserved seat once on a GC train.

I honestly cant believe this thread! Sit where you like but be prepared to move if someone is actually booked into that seat. If it is Virgin WC they have 2 completely unreserved coaches on an 11 car train ( F & U) I tend to sit there regardless of where my reservation tells me to sit. If there is a free table I will sit there.

Agent_c · 17 Apr 2016

DarloRich said:
whatever.

In the roughly 35 years I have been travelling by train I have been made to sit in my reserved seat once on a GC train.

I honestly cant believe this thread! Sit where you like but be prepared to move if someone is actually booked into that seat. If it is Virgin WC they have 2 completely unreserved coaches on an 11 car train ( F & U) I tend to sit there regardless of where my reservation tells me to sit. If there is a free table I will sit there.

*shrugs* the rules are there, follow them or not at your own peril.

If you don't believe it, click and discover yourself.

DarloRich · 17 Apr 2016

Agent_c said:
*shrugs* the rules are there, follow them or not at your own peril.

If you don't believe it, click and discover yourself.

I know what the rules say. One issue in 35 years suggest the odds are in my favour. I will carry on thanks.

Robertj21a · 18 Apr 2016

DarloRich said:
whatever.

In the roughly 35 years I have been travelling by train I have been made to sit in my reserved seat once on a GC train.

I honestly cant believe this thread! Sit where you like but be prepared to move if someone is actually booked into that seat. If it is Virgin WC they have 2 completely unreserved coaches on an 11 car train ( F & U) I tend to sit there regardless of where my reservation tells me to sit. If there is a free table I will sit there.

Couldn't agree more, not sure why it's even a valid question. If I don't like where the reserved seat is, I sit wherever I like that isn't reserved.

gordonthemoron · 18 Apr 2016

it's a lot easier with Virgin Pendolinos for us who know which are the unreserved coaches, with Virgin Voyagers and other operators I don't have a clue where to start

How easy going are Virgin West Coast (changing seats)

Harlesden

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