This is a quick thread about the one behaviour that, over and over, has saved me on my rail trips

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Proactively finding the train manager before they find you
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If you *ever* have some sort of grey area or absence of clarity, do this. *Always* do this

Due to the total chaos trying to get to Bourgogne this morning, yesterday I made an error

It was not me, but my partner, who managed to secure literally the last ticket available on the TGV Paris-Montbard

So it is her name on the ticket, not mine

There was no way to change the name, and cancelling the ticket was too risky - because there was no guarantee I would then get the spot freed up

I have seen fines dished out on SNCF trains to people doing this in the past - but when the train manager found *them*

But I proactively went to find them, BEFORE THEY FOUND ME

I had all the documents on my laptop - the ticket, my reduction card, my partner's reduction card (both are the same, so the price she paid would have been the price I would have paid) and explained the situation

Strictly speaking, the train manager said, this is not allowed (and he is correct), but you came and found me and I accept your explanation

Now whether this should be the rule is itself questionable. Whether indeed a train should be compulsory reservation is also questionable (and despite it being "sold out" on ticket portals, there are a few seats - presumably no shows)

But to simply get yourself to your destination in situations where you're not strictly in the right, but there is a reason, speaking to the train manager before they find you ALWAYS HELPS

@jon Yes. Respecting the position of power they have, even just subconsciously, and proactively acting on that typically opens up a world of generosity. This is a general rule in my experience. Especially when you allow them to explain something you already know but you listen intently to their version :) People are good. Almost always.
@jwildeboer The specific problem that can crop up here is they earn a personal bonus for fining people. So you are essentially denying them that. But overall, yes, I am with you.

@jon @jwildeboer > they earn a personal bonus for fining people

Is this true? That's a weird and quite frankly questionable incentive.

@nikcorg @jon @jwildeboer At SNCF, between 4% and 10% of the fine if it's paid on the spot.
@jbqueru That's why @jon 's tip to go straight to the train manager is so valuable. He/she is at the the top of the hierarchy in this situation, so more inclined to feel him/herself to be above such petty cash hunts ;) That's for the underlings to focus on. @nikcorg