"Facing" vs "Back" to direction of travel.

[satisnek]

Doesn't bother me personally but given the choice (as in an unoccupied table) I default to facing. However, when travelling alone I always insist on a window seat and will usually stand if none are available.

 

[Master29]

I slightly prefer facing but not too much preference. I get annoyed when some wally decides to sit next to me when there are many other window seats available. In those cases I often say someone is sitting there, although not on a crowded train.

 

[MonsooN]

Depends on the journey for me.

If it's a journey that I've done loads of times like Newcastle to King's Cross or Newcastle to Cardiff, I usually just do some work on my laptop or tablet. In this case, it makes absolutely no difference.

If, however, it's a journey that I don't usually do (I recently had my first trip on a Pendolino from London Euston to Birmingham and also did Newcastle to Kilmarnock across the Tyne Valley line and South West Scotland) I like to check out the scenery and enjoy the journey. So in these cases, I'd definitely go for a facing window seat.

 

[blue87]

I'll travel facing if a seat is available otherwise I don't mind facing backwards. Speaking of reversible seating I'm sure I've seen somewhere some Japanese trains have seats that can be swung round to face the other direction.

 

[Agent_c]

I'll travel facing if a seat is available otherwise I don't mind facing backwards. Speaking of reversible seating I'm sure I've seen somewhere some Japanese trains have seats that can be swung round to face the other direction.

Its not just in Japan, I believe country link XPT services in Australia also have this.

 

[Taunton]

Prefer to face backwards as its safer in the event of a front on collision.

This is incorrect as was shown by research done by aircraft manufacturers a while ago. Although you are liable to be thrown forward against the seatback ahead, more injuries and fatalities were found to be caused by other loose items (bags, catering equipment, people etc) also being thrown forward and striking rear-facing passengers in the body. The seat protects forward-facing passengers from much of this.

Worst seats for protection are sideways facing seats, yet these seem to be spreading like wildfire on the likes of TfL to pack more revenue into the same operating cost of a vehicle. Then of course there are those standing themselves, no protection at all, who have skyrocketed as passenger numbers double and seats per carriage are halved compared to what went before them (eg Metropolitan Line A60 to S stock "upgrade").

 

[theironroad]

Wow, I'm glad I don't board trains thinking ' which seat should I choose for when we crash!'

Having said that I do choose depending on scenery or sometimes time of day and if sun is strong.

 

[PermitToTravel]

This is fine because, by and large, trains don't crash.

 

[harz99]

Not the slightest interest in direction of travel/window.

What matters to me is that the cushion I sit on is in a good well padded condition so I don't have pieces of wood or metal from the seat sticking in my thigh/calf or buttocks, together with sufficient legroom for me not to have to sit legs splayed or jammed against the seat in front.

 

[me123]

I slightly prefer sitting backwards for some reason, and usually choose to do so if I can. Although I'm not particularly bothered. I do find people who absolutely have to sit facing forward quite odd. I recall being on a diverted Argyle Line train that did a shunt manoeuvre somewhere in passenger service due to disruption (don't know exactly where, somewhere near Motherwell I think) where the train reversed for about half a mile before heading down a different route. I saw a man stand up and walk to the other side of the carriage to face the direction of travel, and then return to his seat three minutes later. That's just weird.

 

[DarloRich]

Direction doesn't bother me, although after a few pints I find backwards in the dark on a pendo makes me feel a bit sea sick.

Then I stand in the vestibule.

seriously? You are telling me that in a carriage with every forward facing seat taken yet every rearward seat free you would stand in the vestibule. Really? :roll:

 

[HH]

My choice of seat is the outside of a 2-seat (3/2 seating on my train), because that way I can't be totally squashed by an obese commuter choosing to sit next to me (and I seem to be a magnet for them).

 

[3141]

No, not allegedly, empirically. I believe the AAIB, NASA and NTSB have all recommended it at different points in time, but airlines believe passengers wouldn't accept it.

I travelled on a Bristol Britannia with backward-facing seats in 1965. As it was an overnight flight the view was not greatly affected, but for a daytime flight it seems that airline passengers generally prefer to face forwards, since that's what most planes have. On trains I prefer to face forwards to get a better view and to have the chance to see what's coming before it's already gone past me, like several others on here. But I wouldn't stand if the only available seats faced the wrong way.

Worst seats for protection are sideways facing seats, yet these seem to be spreading like wildfire on the likes of TfL to pack more revenue into the same operating cost of a vehicle. QUOTE]

Ah, these cynics who KNOW there's an ulterior motive for everything. Even in the 1930s most tube stock had more perimeter seating than transverse seating. TfL's predecessors were removing the transverse seats 25+ years ago, and the reasons are that as the number of passengers increases there's more room for them if all the seating is sideways, and people can get on and off more quickly if they don't have to get past the person sitting beside the aisle on a pair of transverse seats.

 

[DarloRich]

My choice of seat is the outside of a 2-seat (3/2 seating on my train), because that way I can't be totally squashed by an obese commuter choosing to sit next to me (and I seem to be a magnet for them).

sorry, but I have to sit somewhere.

 

[notlob.divad]

I do find people who absolutely have to sit facing forward quite odd. I recall being on a diverted Argyle Line train that did a shunt manoeuvre somewhere in passenger service due to disruption (don't know exactly where, somewhere near Motherwell I think) where the train reversed for about half a mile before heading down a different route. I saw a man stand up and walk to the other side of the carriage to face the direction of travel, and then return to his seat three minutes later. That's just weird.

I have done this kind of thing before. The Liverpool-Nottingham when it reverses in Sheffield. If it is quiet enough I will switch seats so that I can remain facing forward. I don't go hunting one out, but if there is one near me I can see. I find the sensation of travelling backwards makes me feel sick.

But we all have our preferences and quirks.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

seriously? You are telling me that in a carriage with every forward facing seat taken yet every rearward seat free you would stand in the vestibule. Really? :roll:

Yes - in fact I did that this morning on the 09.34 from Epsom to Waterloo - a few rear facing seats were available, but no forward facing ones. Stood all the way.

 

[Silverlink]

I prefer sitting forwards, Sitting backwards makes me feel paranoid lol

 

[DarloRich]

Yes - in fact I did that this morning on the 09.34 from Epsom to Waterloo - a few rear facing seats were available, but no forward facing ones. Stood all the way.

why would you do that? I don't get it!

 

[Peter Mugridge]

why would you do that? I don't get it!

Simply don't like facing backwards.

 

[DarloRich]

Simply don't like facing backwards.

fair enough. I just don't think i would inconvenience myself in standing a long distance if a less than ideal seat were available.

 

[PermitToTravel]

Some people get travelsick if they face backwards. Obviously this is more inconvenient than having to stand.

 

[class387]

Normally I try to find seats facing forwards, but I prefer a backwards facing seat on my own than a forward facing one next to someone, especially on cramped seating layouts.