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 A friend was fined €50 on the Mont-Blanc Express yesterday. She got on at Aiguille du Midi, which is an unmanned halt without a ticket machine, nodded hello to the ticket collector on board and sat down.

He controlled the train, asked where she came from. She mistakenly said Chamonix - an easy mistake to make for a visitor because the Aiguille du Midi halt is in the conurbation of Chamonix. He fined her €50 for evasion (Chamonix gare is manned).