best berths in 2nd class AC?

suiko

So... I think we want the side berths, so you'd go for 2AC?

But surely these measurements

Side Lower berth = length 180, width 59
Side Upper berth = length 180, width 59

are long enough?

Steven - why did you say 2AC is poor value for these berths?

brishti

why would you go for the side berths on 2AC?
2AC has two berths even in the 'cubicle' - go for them.
thats the whole point of going 2AC.



:brishti

suiko

I understood the side berths as being the ones in the cubicle. So what's the code for the cubicle ones?

brishti

i'm sorry - perhaps 'cubicle' is totally inappropriate even within inverted commas.
steven has referred to it as the 'inside' berths.

the codes to them inside berths would be UB/LB in 2AC
and they are numbered 1,2 - opposite berths would be 3,4
side berths would be 5,6
and so on...

[ them first 6 berths and last 6 berths are closest to the exit doors - so try and avoid...
as there are folks forever walking in and out of the compartment, as is but natural ]



:brishti

dipydoo

suiko,
if u are booking thru the net select LB, UB if u want a berth in the 'cubicle-thats-not-one'. if you want the side berths, the code is SLB, SUB 9side lower, side upper).
if both of you want window seats select lb against both names and also select the option "book my tickets only if two lower berths are allotted"
whatever said 2ac is okay if budget is not an issue.

(regarding the side berths, brishti, i am 6'+ and still managed to fit myself into one of the 2ac side berths. the 3ac and sl berths are a different matter though!)

brishti

that post was about the cons of 3 tier AC dipydoooo


:brishti

dipydoo

brishti

[ i'm blinking in and out - as the connection is doing the same - so before i blink out again... ]

its my turn to now dipsydoo...
since you mentioned 6'+ i assumed you referred to my post of discouraging a side berth... which i clarified was my post in reference to 3 tier ac.
uuffff... bas, no more clarification - i'm done.



:brishti

steven_ber

If you book 2 'inside' berths (not side berths), you have to book an Upper berth and a lower berth, unless you've got no control over the upper berth if you want to sleep during the day, a Lower berth is a window seat, an upper berth isn't, but if you've got a lower and upper, you'll be sitting next to each other.

OK, short story time,

How fast are you on the draw?

Phoolan Devi and her daughter look at the reservation chart as they enter the carriage, "We're sitting opposite a couple of foreigners" Phoolan says to her daughter.

Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow had already taken their seats and watched carefully as Phoolan walks in.

All 4 are seasoned train travellers and know the battle that await them, the tension seems high, they all know the countdown has already begun.

They all smile at each other as handshakes are exchanges, Phoolan wonders if these 'filthy tourists' have washed this week, whilst Bonnie & Clyde guess if Phoolan forgot to remove her Bollywood movie outfit.

All continue to smile as one by one they lock their luggage under the bottom berth, the keys are hidden quickly whilst others are still surveying the battleground.

The half open curtains allow sunshine through the surprisingly clear windows, as it shines into the cold eyes of Phoolan, Clyde realises this is going to be a tough battle, but one he must win.

Pleasantries and smiles continue to be exchanged as Phoolans’ daughter wonders if this unmarried western couple are going to start touching each other and if all the things she’s heard about western morals are true, Bonnie is working out what to say when Phoolan offers her some drugged biscuits.

But it’s too late, Phoolan and Clyde stare at each other, neither of them daring to look away, they know it’s time, the battle must commence.

Fingers are tingling, nerves are on edge, who’ll make the first move, then without moving his eyes Clyde’s hand reaches out, but Phoolan is too quick and Clyde despairs as Phoolan closes the curtains, he knows the battle is lost and this will be a long journey with only curtains to look at.

OK, yes, I’m exaggerating a little.

But this can be a big problem with ‘inside’ berths, we tourists want to look out of the window, where as many Indians want the curtains closed, especially if the window is clear.

__________________
.
SOS: Missing Person...

Please look at this thread, even if you are not in India.: Have you seen Jonathan Spollen?

He could be anywhere now: You might have met him, be able to help, or give information.

suiko

Nice story, thanks

So to recap, and to hold back the rising tide of confusion, if we want berths in the "cubicle-that-dares-not-speak-its-name-for-some-reason-as-yet-unknown-by-me" recommended for couples, these are SIDE BERTHS, not INSIDE BERTHS (code LB and UB)?

Am I wrong in thinking that there are only two berths in the "cubicle...", so LB and UB would both be window seats in daytime? That seems to contradict something someone said, but...

wabat

Not sure i want to get into this one .. but "in cubicle are" 4 berths in 2A and 6 in 3A there are two side berths aligned with each cubicle in both 2A and 3A

Steven - has provided attached berth layout diagrams...hope he does not mind me linking to them.

http://www.indiamike.com/photopost/s...4825/ppuser/40

Look at 2A eg seats 7-10 are in cubicle - and 11 and 12 are the two alinged side berths.... hope this helps.Latter two identified as SU and SL when booking.

All of that said .. i have done a number of bookings for 3 pax and my selection of two upper and one lower in "cubicles" have made no difference and i have more often then not been allocated a side berth with two in cubicle - which is fine anyway.

suiko

Oh dear... now I see the problem with the word cubicle...

Looking at the above diagrams, in 2 Tier AC we want 29-30, or the ones one either side. So what code is that? Presumably both of these (one lower, one upper) will be window seats in daytime?

wabat

on IRCTC booking site at drop down seat selector menu you select one "side upper" and one "Side Lower"

Note you cannot select particular numbers - most you can say is you want to be in same coach or as per below (one of only)

Like Steven said earlier they allocate seats first from centre of coach towards ends so earlier you book great is chance of 29 and 30. Yes there would be a window between any two adjacent side berths.


Extract from booking form ----

Berth preference does not guarantee allottment of prefered berth type. If you need assured Lower Berths or assured Compact Accomodation (in same coach) please select one of the options below:
None
Book my ticket only if atleast one lower berth is allotted.
Book my ticket only if atleast two lower berths are allotted.
Book my ticket only if all the above passengers are allotted berths in the same coach.

If no option/None is selected, the berths will be alloted based on the system logic, depending on availability at that point of time.

Nick-H

Among the disadvatages of side berths:

There is very little space for luggage under the two single seats.

Although I suppose the distance between the two seats is the same, there is no space to stretch the legs diagonally: you will feel short of legroom.

Width-wise, too, you have little space. The seats other berths could easily seat three (as they do in 3AC) so give plenty of space for two.

The relative privacy that they offer is probably about the only advantage.

__________________

.
SOS: Missing Person...

Please look at this thread, even if you are not in India.: Have you seen Jonathan Spollen?

He could be anywhere now: You might have met him, be able to help, or give information.

suiko

Thanks, Nick. But presumably the disadvantages you mention are mostly for daytime travel? Luggage is not much of an issue and we'll have hand luggage only. What seats would you go for, and do others agree with Nick?