Erm ... it's from the
Daily Mail, but it does seem to have some credibility:
Prove you're pregnant: Mother-to-be travelling in First Class is asked for proof she is expecting by a ticket inspector despite being SEVEN MONTHS goneClaire Hillard, 36, said rail inspector demanded she prove she is expecting
She sat in First Class section of delayed train amid fears of overcrowding
At seven months', she feared for her unborn child due to number of people
Great Western Railway ticket inspector apparently asked for doctor's noteA heavily pregnant mother has hit out at a rail company after claiming she was asked for proof she is expecting by an overzealous ticket inspector.
Claire Hillard took a seat in first class because she was worried about the safety of her unborn child after a crowd of people rushed for the delayed Great Western train.
The 36-year-old, who is seven months' pregnant with her second child, said she offered to pay for an upgrade but was shocked when the inspector on the London-bound train asked for proof she was expecting in the form of a doctor's note.
Claire Hillard, of Cookham, Berkshire, took a seat in first class because she was worried about the safety of her unborn baby as a crowd rushed for the delayed London-bound trainMrs Hillard, of Cookham, Berkshire, who had been travelling from Maidenhead, said: 'The train I usually get was delayed and it moved platforms from two to four. This created a stampede of people crossing to the platform and an overcrowded train so I headed to first class. I took a seat in first class, but I didn't just want to travel for free - especially as there were other people who had a first class ticket who were having to stand. When the guard asked for my ticket I told him I was seven months pregnant but happy to pay the difference. He then asked me if I had a cover note from my doctor to prove I was pregnant. I thought he was joking at first. He told me it was unfair I was sat there and he made me feel like a piece of dirt on his shoe. Other people in first class actually stood up for me and one guy, who was standing, said no-one would have made me give up that seat.'
Mrs Hillard, who already has one son, Max, with husband James, was forced to pay for a first class upgrade to her ticket, but felt she was made to look a bad person. The fashion trend forecaster added: 'It was an extreme situation and inspectors should be able to use their own judgment. I feel for the pregnant women who don't have the confidence to look after themselves and break the rules. I don't know about you, but I don't know many people that walk around with cushions stuffed up their t-shirts. He represents cold-hearted people that sadly exist, a cold-hearted company that sadly exists and clearly feels the need to stick up for first class passengers over a pregnant woman.'
Great Western Railway refused to comment on the incident directly, but a spokesman said: 'We offer a Mums2B pass allowing a free upgrade to first class for standard season ticket holders if there are no seats available in standard. Passengers wishing to upgrade from standard to first are welcome to do so.'
On the Great Western Railway passenger charter it states that in order to get this pass, a maternity certificate or family health services authority exemption certificate must be sent off, which can be obtained from a midwife of GP.
