So I’m stuck.
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And it is at moments like this that you realise that
COMPULSORY RESERVATION TRAINS ARE SHIT
I will happily stand the whole way from Paris to Liège, because better that than not getting there at all
But as the Eurostar is compulsory reservation I am likely not allowed on it
My need to get to my destination is higher than the mild inconvenience to some other passenger if I am standing beside them in an aisle
@jon I once had to wait two additional hours in Paris when going from Cologne to Rouen: After the Eurostar to Paris broke and I already had hours delay SNCF didn't let me onto the connecting train to Rouen in St Lazare because I didn't have the printed "Hop on the next train" paper required for this. it forced me to go back to Gare du Nord to get the HOTNT from Eurostar. Thanks for nothing
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@jon I once had to wait two additional hours in Paris when going from Cologne to Rouen: After the Eurostar to Paris broke and I already had hours delay SNCF didn't let me onto the connecting train to Rouen in St Lazare because I didn't have the printed "Hop on the next train" paper required for this. it forced me to go back to Gare du Nord to get the HOTNT from Eurostar. Thanks for nothing
@jon People in Germany like to rant about Deutsche Bahn, they don't know SNCF/Eurostar ...
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@jon I once had to wait two additional hours in Paris when going from Cologne to Rouen: After the Eurostar to Paris broke and I already had hours delay SNCF didn't let me onto the connecting train to Rouen in St Lazare because I didn't have the printed "Hop on the next train" paper required for this. it forced me to go back to Gare du Nord to get the HOTNT from Eurostar. Thanks for nothing
@footils why do you matter? You’re a passenger. The railway would work better without you!
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@jon People in Germany like to rant about Deutsche Bahn, they don't know SNCF/Eurostar ...
@footils Right. Exactly. DB’s attitude is better at least.
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@technicalotter @jon Yeah, just sit on the floor like it's Germany.
@J2 average northern rail experience
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And it is at moments like this that you realise that
COMPULSORY RESERVATION TRAINS ARE SHIT
I will happily stand the whole way from Paris to Liège, because better that than not getting there at all
But as the Eurostar is compulsory reservation I am likely not allowed on it
My need to get to my destination is higher than the mild inconvenience to some other passenger if I am standing beside them in an aisle
@jon At some point it does become miserable - when people can't even get to their assigned seats or to the toilets/catering. But that's the British railway experience where any disruption gives you the "it's 1975 and this is the last helicopter out of Saigon" experience
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And it is at moments like this that you realise that
COMPULSORY RESERVATION TRAINS ARE SHIT
I will happily stand the whole way from Paris to Liège, because better that than not getting there at all
But as the Eurostar is compulsory reservation I am likely not allowed on it
My need to get to my destination is higher than the mild inconvenience to some other passenger if I am standing beside them in an aisle
@jon but still there‘s heaps of people in countries Like Germany asking for compulsory reservations…
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@jon At some point it does become miserable - when people can't even get to their assigned seats or to the toilets/catering. But that's the British railway experience where any disruption gives you the "it's 1975 and this is the last helicopter out of Saigon" experience
@flangey Sure. But how many passengers from Laroche Migennes need a Eurostar to Liege? I agree there’s a limit, but a few can work!
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The train manager was friendly. So I’m on my #CrossBorderRail to Liège. In the bar for now…
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The train manager was friendly. So I’m on my #CrossBorderRail to Liège. In the bar for now…
@jon But you're right, having to rely on the courtesy of train staff is a terrible position to be in. That's what makes people take their car instead.
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The train manager was friendly. So I’m on my #CrossBorderRail to Liège. In the bar for now…
Sometimes in the bar is the best place to be, only beaten by having service direct to your seat.
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The train manager was friendly. So I’m on my #CrossBorderRail to Liège. In the bar for now…
@jon Great outcome. Or will they throw you out if you don't order every 15 minutes? Pace yourself!
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The train manager was friendly. So I’m on my #CrossBorderRail to Liège. In the bar for now…
Also I increased the chances of this working by knowing what type of Eurostar - Thalys runs the Köln service, and waiting right beside it before the platform was announced. That meant I was the first to see the train manager. That ought not be necessary! #CrossBorderRail
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Also I increased the chances of this working by knowing what type of Eurostar - Thalys runs the Köln service, and waiting right beside it before the platform was announced. That meant I was the first to see the train manager. That ought not be necessary! #CrossBorderRail
@jon this is why I say we should never book a train ticket, but buy a train ticket.
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Also I increased the chances of this working by knowing what type of Eurostar - Thalys runs the Köln service, and waiting right beside it before the platform was announced. That meant I was the first to see the train manager. That ought not be necessary! #CrossBorderRail
I tried the ticket office for Eurostar first. But there were 3 desks open and a crazy queue. That would not have worked. #CrossBorderRail
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I tried the ticket office for Eurostar first. But there were 3 desks open and a crazy queue. That would not have worked. #CrossBorderRail
@jon I was told at the ticket desk in Paris that I would need to talk to the train manager, after waiting for 15 minutes
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@jon I was told at the ticket desk in Paris that I would need to talk to the train manager, after waiting for 15 minutes
@webhat the problem is you can’t always get to the train manager! But yes, if you can it’s the best - for Eurostar. They have more power than SNCF ones.
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@webhat the problem is you can’t always get to the train manager! But yes, if you can it’s the best - for Eurostar. They have more power than SNCF ones.
@jon So you wait before the closed barriers, waiting for attendants to show up, and then you ask them to get the train manager for you? I don't suppose you had a valid ticket to actually get next to the train before that
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@jon So you wait before the closed barriers, waiting for attendants to show up, and then you ask them to get the train manager for you? I don't suppose you had a valid ticket to actually get next to the train before that
@bentorfs Correct. I showed my ticket for the 09:46 at the barrier, and asked to go see the train manager. And am on the 11:51.
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Also I increased the chances of this working by knowing what type of Eurostar - Thalys runs the Köln service, and waiting right beside it before the platform was announced. That meant I was the first to see the train manager. That ought not be necessary! #CrossBorderRail
@jon I'm taking this Sunday evening.
