Testing Trenitalia

Today a trip to Rome for a meeting. We got the train at 0640 (early!) and were due to head back at the end of the meeting at 1852. In fact, the evening traffic was more accommodating than that of the morning, so Luciano and I tried to change our tickets for the (10 minutes delayed) 1830 service.
The lady in the Eurostar lounge started the process, checking the availability and then canceling our original reservations in order to print the new tickets.
Then the problem hit.
The time was now 1831. The train was standing at the platform, with empty seats. And we had a booking on the train.
But, no tickets. As the original departure time of the train had passed, the system thought the train had left and refused to print the tickets needed.
We could, the lady helping us said, board and change our tickets on board. But the fine would be 8 euros per head. Not worth it for a few minutes. But really, what a system! In the end we had to reissue the new tickets, - but thankfully at no additional cost!
On Sunday we have more problems with Trenitalia. They have organized a strike for Sunday evening, exactly the day when many of our classmates were due to be heading away from a weekend in Florence.
This means that, amongst other people, Giulia can't come to Florence. Ironic when you think that her partner works for Trenitalia as a capo treno - like a train guard / ticket inspector - literally the head of the train.
When bemoaning the Trenitalia strke to Giuli last night, she told me that the last time there was a strike, he boyfriend finished work in one place, and, because the strike started, couldn't get home. He had to call in a lift from a friend half of the way, and another from Giuli for the remainder.
I hope a similar strategy will work for the friends that are coming, and might struggle to make it home on Sunday....