Time limits at gyms!?

ok,

I went to the gym today and was working out on the treadmill. It felt really good, going at a nice speed until it started slowing down. I was getting frustrated, then it began a "cool down" automatically. BUT I WAS NOT DONE! I was mad, it just interrupted my 10k workout with a 5min cool down from my pace and stopped. It has never done this before, I hit the machine was was like "What the!?!?" "Stupid thing!" Set it for what i thought was the remainder of time.

After this I asked the staff what was going on. They informed me they programed all the machines to stop after 30min. I explained that "often I require more then that and this does not work" for my workouts. I had some punk answers "everyone needs a turn" and continues with "we have a 30min policy". I reply "yah, thats fine and nice I think people can see what machines are in use and not kind of like a rest room (going to tell someone they are taking to long) and having it turn off in the middle is b-s". We are all adults I figure, I got fustrated at this, filled out a comment card and left.

I find it hard to understand how they can invoke a 30min limit the time when  a 5k is 20-30min in training alone.

 I can try and just keep restarting the machine maybe join another gym but that costs money. I have had other gyms post signs "respect 30min while others are waiting" but never set a 30min limit on a piece of equipment. I would love to re-program it but fear getting caught.

I apologies about my rant. Has anyone else ever experienced this or have a solution?

I agree that that's silly as long as there's nobody waiting to use the machine.  I think the machines at our rec center have a 30 minute limit too, but I've never lasted that long on one!  Haha.  Is there a track at your gym that you can run on instead?  Maybe you can work out an agreement where they have a set time for you to train.

Once I was at my rec center and heard the announcement that the gym was closing in 20 minutes, so I got on the treadmill to run one mile before it closed.  Right after I got done with the mile and started walking to cool down, the machine and all the lights cut off, and they were still supposed to be open for 15 more minutes!  I was so angry and didn't feel like arguing with the meatheads that work there, so I didn't even stretch and just left (and I regretted that the next day).  

Maybe you can just talk to someone on the staff before you run and have them re-program a certain machine for you, as long as you're not busy.  A gym should respect your right to train!  They are there for us to get healthy.