Study the following dialogue.

Agent: Please lay your bags flat on the conveyor belt, and use the bins for small objects.

You: Do I need to take my laptop out of the bag?

Agent: Yes, you do. Take off your hat and your shoes, too.

(you walk through the metal detector)

[BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP]

Agent: Please step back. Do you have anything in your pockets – keys, cell phone, loose change?

You: I don’t think so. Let me try taking off my belt.

Agent: Okay, come on through.

(you go through the metal detector again)

Agent: You’re all set! Have a nice flight.

AT THE GATE

Airports are divided into terminals (the major sections of the airport) and each terminal has many gates. The gate is the door you go through to enter the airplane.

 

16. Here are a few announcements you might hear while you are at the gate, waiting for the plane to board. Study and translate them.00:0000:00

 

1) “Attention passengers of United Airlines flight 880. There has been a gate change. United Airlines flight 880 will now be leaving from gate 12.”

2) “United Airlines flight 880 to Miami is now boarding.” (this means it’s time for passengers to enter the plane)

3) “We would like to invite our first- and business-class passengers, Star Club Premium members, and passengers requiring special assistance to board at gate 12.” (this means that passengers who are “special” (first class, business class, or in the Star Club) or passengers who are elderly (old), disabled, pregnant, or with small children can go into the airplane first.)

4) “We would now like to invite all passengers seated in Zone 2 – that’s rows 16-35 – to begin boarding United Airlines flight 880 at gate 12.” (look at your boarding pass to know your “zone number” and what “row” your seat number is)

5) “We would now like to invite all passengers to board United Airlines flight 880 to Miami at gate 12.” (this means everyone can enter the plane)

6) “This is the last call for United Airlines flight 880 to Miami, now boarding at gate number 12.” (this means it is the FINAL OPPORTUNITY to enter the plane before they close the doors)

7) “Passenger John Smith. Passenger John Smith, please proceed to the United Airlines desk at gate 12.” (sometimes the announcement will call a specific passenger by name. The word “proceed” in this context is a formal way to say “go.”)

ON BOARD

‘There are only two emotions in a plane: boredom and terror.’

Orson Welles (1915 –1985), American actor, film director, writer 

 

1. You are on the plane. You may have the following conversation:

 

Conversation A

Flight attendant: Good morning, ma’am. What’s your seat number?

You: Uh, 34D.

Flight attendant: That’s on the right side of the airplane. It’s by the aisle.

You: Thank you.

Conversation B

You are near your seat.

You: Excuse me. You’re in my seat.

Man: Sorry?

You: That’s my seat 34D.

Man: This is 35D.

You: No, it isn’t.

Man: Well, where is 35D?

You: That’s 35D here.

Man: Oh, yes. It is. Sorry.

Conversation C

You are near your seat.

You: Excuse me. You’re in my seat.

Man: I don’t think so.

You: That’s my seat 34D.

Man: This is 33D. Look here!

You: Oh, yes. It is. Sorry.

Man: No problem.