Originally Posted by
charlieboy77
If you've reserved a seat and then choose to sit somewhere else, you've effectively taken up 2 seats as nobody likes to sit in a reserved seat that isn't reserved for them and will more often than not remain empty. I don't think this is a very British thing to do. Especially if the train is busy.
I disagree.Virgin will book up reserved seats face to face, and in blocks of four first, leaving empty seats available and you face to face with a stranger. The seats on my route have never been full in First class on a weekday in over 8 years of travelling regularly, if they are first class (it will be full if decomissioned on delays to trains). So there are plenty of seats available and I am not denying anyone a valid seat if they want it. I'm usually sitting in a block of 4 seats by myself.
So the problem you describe is just not a problem in First class on a weekday. Plenty of seats. Most people squeezed into their allocated seats.