Going on inrenational business trip

Lesson 7

Getting Ready to Go: Checking-In at the Airport

1. DIALOGUE Ω disk 1-20

Listen to the dialogue and note the numbered expressions.

(checking-in at the airport departure counter)

Ticket Agent: Next, please⁶⁰…

Passenger: Yes. I'm traveling to Tokyo today... .

Ticket Agent: May I have your passport and ticket voucher⁶¹, please?

Passenger: Certainly.⁶² Here you are... .

Ticket Agent: All right, Mr. Kasakawa, how many bags will you be checking today?

Passenger: Just one.

Ticket Agent: OK...I have to ask you some security questions, sir.... Has all of your luggage been in your presence and did you pack all of your bags yourself?

Passenger: Yes, of course.

Ticket Agent: Has any stranger given you or asked you to carry any items or bags for this trip?

Passenger: No.

Ticket Agent: Let's see...what type of seat assignment would you like today, sir...a window or aisle seat?⁶³

Passenger: Let me think⁶⁴...I prefer to sleep, so I guess I'd like a window seat today. On the off-chance, ⁶⁵ there isn't an exit row seat available, is there? I'd like the extra leg room.

Ticket Agent: Ummm...hmmm...⁶⁶ Gee, I'm sorry. There doesn't seem to be any seat available in an exit row...but I do have a window seat on a bulkhead⁶⁷ row...

Passenger: Perfect. I'll take it. Actually, that would be better anyway, I think.

Ticket Agent: All right, Mr. Kasakawa, you're all set.⁶⁸ Here's your passport back and your boarding pass. Your flight leaves from gate 28. Please go to the gate at least 20 minutes before departure. Have a nice flight. ⁶⁹

Passenger: Thank you.

⁶⁰ Next, please…= this is the usual phrase that counter personnel will use to summon a customer, especially with long counters with many positions (like in banks, fast-food restaurants, and airports) where customers line up.

⁶¹ passport and ticket voucher = when traveling internationally, it is necessary to show your passport upon checking-in. The "ticket voucher" is the coupon that is exchanged for a boarding pass.

⁶² Certainly. = Yes. [e.g. A: Can you hand me that bag, please? B: Certainly. Here you are.]

⁶³ window or aisle seat = if the flight isn't too full, often a passenger will be offered a choice of seats. Some people prefer the window seat in order not to be disturbed, while others prefer the aisle seat in order to be able to get up and move around more easily. It's a personal choice.

⁶⁴ Let me think... = this is a filler phrase that is used when one wants a few extra seconds to think or to formulate an answer, [e.g. A: Are you driving to work tomorrow? B: Let me think...no, I'm taking the bus.]

⁶⁵ on the off-chance = relying on a remote possibility [that there is an exit row seat available]. Some passengers have learned that certain economy seats offer a more comfortable seat, like an exit row seat. It offers more leg room which is important for tall people on long flights.

⁶⁶ Ummm...hmmm = these are verbal "thinking sounds" that people use when they are trying to formulate a thought into words, but need a moment to do so.

⁶⁷ bulkhead = the small partition (wall) between sections on an aircraft. Seats behind these walls offer passengers more comfort because they guarantee that no one will be sitting directly in front and reclining his/her seat; and they also offer a bit more leg room.

⁶⁸...you're all set = everything is in order and ready, [e.g. A: Are you all set to give your speech tomorrow? B: Yes. I've practiced it twice.]

⁶⁹ Have a nice flight. = Service oriented staff-people who come into contact with the public will often end with a friendly phrase to wish the customer well. Other possible phrases are: Have a nice day; Take care; Have a safe trip.

2. COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

Answer the following questions with short answers from the dialogue.

1. Where is the passenger traveling to?

2. What does the ticket agent ask the passenger to give her?

3. What security questions did the ticket agent ask Mr. Kasakawa?

4. How many bags does Mr. Kasakawa want to check?

5. What type of seat assignment does Mr. Kasakawa finally receive?

3. MATCHING

Match the best combination of sentences from Column A and B.

COLUMN A	COLUMN B
• Will you be traveling today? • May I see your boarding pass? • Is this your passport, madam?	- Certainly. Here you are.
- How many bags will you be checking today?	• To where? • Too few. • Just two.
• Here you are. You're all set to go.., • That's perfect. I'll take it... • I prefer to sleep. Yes, of course....	- Thank you. Is this my boarding pass?
- Have a nice flight.	• Thank you, you too. • Thank you, I'm sure I will. • Thank you, next please.

4. MINI-DIALOGUES Ω disk 1-21

Listen and fill in the blanks and then role-play the dialogues with a partner.

A: ( ) please... B: Yes. I'm ( ) to Hong Kong via Los Angeles today... . A: All right, ma'am...may I have your ( ) and ticket, please? B: ( ). Here's my passport...and let's see...where's my ( )? Oh, yes, here it is, in my purse. Here you ( ). A: Thank you. What ( ) of seat would you like? B: An ( ) seat, please, near the front of the ( ).

A: ( ), I need to ask you some ( )-related questions... . B: Certainly. Go ( )... A: Have you been in possession of all of your ( ) today? B: Yes. A: Has ( ) you don't know asked you to ( ) any item or bag today? B: No. A: All right, you may proceed to ( ) 9. Please ( ) at least 20 minutes before your ( ) is ( ) to leave.

A: ( ) the off-( ), is there an ( ) ( ) seat available today? B: Yes, there is. Which do you prefer - a ( ) or an aisle seat? A: Let's see... ummm...the ( ) seat, please. B: All right, sir. Here's your ( ) ( ) and exit row instruction sheet. ( ) read this before boarding. Have a nice ( ). A: Thank you.

5. PAIRWORK-PRACTICE

Rearrange the sentences to make a conversation, then practice the conversation with a partner.

Conversation A

– All right. Here's your boarding pass and passport. Have a nice flight. – Yes, I'd like a window seat, please. – Yes. All our flights are non-smoking. Do you have any seating preference? – Is this the line to check-in? – Yes, ma'am it is. May I have your passport and ticket, please? – Certainly. Here you are. Is this a non-smoking flight?

Conversation B

– Let's see...yes, there are still some exit row seats available. – All right. May I see your boarding pass, sir? – Here you are. I was wondering if I could change my seat to one in an exit row... – Good, I'll take that. – By the off-chance, is there an aisle seat available? – Good afternoon. How may I help you? – I'd like to change my seat, if possible. – Yes, there is.

6. READING. AMERICAN BUSINESS CULTURE

Security Issues at the Airport Ω disk 1-22

The ticket counter at the airport will be your first point of contact with the airline as you embark upon your international business trip. Going from Japan to a foreign country is easy because you are operating in your native language and culture. Returning to Japan, however, can be more daunting. Here are some basic hints to help ensure the check-in procedure and passing through security are easy and painless.

It is best to always reconfirm your flight at least 48 hours in advance. Many airline carriers overbook their seats and if you fail to reconfirm in advance, you could lose your seat and have to fly "standby" (which means you wiil have to "stand by the side" and wait; you will only get a seat if a reconfirmed passenger fails to show up in time). This is risky, especially if you are on a tight schedule and need to get to your destination for a business meeting, etc. Avoid this situation by reconfirming in advance.

When traveling internationally, it is best to check in at least two hours before your flight is scheduled to depart. Currently, airlines are recommending that passengers allow a lot of extra time due to increased security checks. Post 9/11 (the date terrorists attacked the United States by crashing planes into the World Trade Center towers, the Pentagon, and into a Pennsylvania field) has forced airlines worldwide to be extra vigilant and cautious when allowing people to board planes and when passing through security. You may have your bags searched, as well as having your body patted down before boarding. Always allow yourself extra time.

In addition, airlines are asking passengers to keep their carry-on luggage to a minimum; and to check all other luggage that cannot fit easily under the seat in front of them. It is best to check any items that may cause problems for you while going through security (i.e. razors, sharp objects, novelty items like toy guns or weapons). The atmosphere in airports and on jetliners has changed drastically due to the threat of terrorist attacks. It is always best to anticipate any potential problems beforehand. Never joke with security personnel about carrying any restricted item. Always be respectful and courteous when dealing with airline personnel and airport security.

Answer the following questions using information found in the essay.

1. How many hours in advance should one reconfirm a flight?

2. How many hours before a flight should a passenger check in?

3. What types of objects should be packed in the checked luggage?

UNIT 3