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Category: American Society and Culture Group: 9. Travel Topic: 1. Travelling
Category: American Society and Culture Group: 9. Travel Topic: 1. Travelling
Category: American Society and Culture Group: 9. Travel Topic: 1. Travelling
GROUP: 9. TRAVEL
Topic: 1. Travelling
Introduction:
Traveling by air these days is more complicated than it used to be. You must arrive
very early at the airport before your flight, and there are many restrictions. You must
prepare and plan well in advance before flying.
Dialogue:
Choi has been looking forward to a trip back home to Korea for the past few months.
He booked a flight leaving at 10:00 am on Thursday, June 10th. Today is the 10th and
Choi has overslept and missed his flight. Now he is at the airline desk at the airport.
Choi: Yes, thats correct. Can I just take the next flight going to Korea instead?
Airline agent: Let me check our systems for the next available flight. OK, there is one
leaving at 4:00 pm this afternoon. However, there will be a $500 service fee to
change the flight.
Choi: What?!? $500 dollars? I thought it would be free to just switch the time to a later
flight.
Airline agent: No, sir. Unfortunately, our policy states that there is a $500 service fee
for all missed flights that must be rescheduled. This policy was clearly written in
the fine print on the back of your ticket.
Choi: Well, I didnt read all of that.
Airline agent: Im sorry sir, but what would you like to do?
Choi: Well, I have to get to Korea today, so I guess Ill just have to pay the fee.
Airline agent: OK, let me check the availability for the 4:00 pm flight. Oh, actually sir, it
appears that the 4:00 pm flight is already overbooked. We cant put you on the
flight right now. The only option is going to be to try to fly standby.
Choi: Standby? What is that?
Airline agent: Right now, the flight is full. But sometimes there are people who miss
their flight, so seats become available. Standby means that you wait at the gate
while the flight boards, and if someone doesnt show up, you can travel in their
seats.
Choi: So there is a chance that I wont get to make the 4:00 pm flight?
Airline agent: Yes, you never know until just before the plane takes off whether you can
get on or not. Also, you can only bring carry-on luggage. You cant check any
luggage on a standby flight.
Choi: But I have four suitcases here.
Travel agent: Unfortunately, youll only be able to bring on three small bags that could fit
under your seat or in the overhead compartments.
Choi: But that is ridiculous. Im going to be in Korea with my two sons for three weeks.
We need all of our clothes.
Copyright 2007 English 1 on 1 Corp. All rights reserved. No reproduction without expressed written permission of English 1 on 1.
Airline agent: Im sorry sir, but this policy is for the safety of all passengers aboard the
flight.
Choi: No, no, that wont work. Is there another open flight?
Airline agent: The next available flight is tomorrow at 1:00 pm. But after 24 hours from
the time of your original flight, you no longer have the option to switch your flight
time. If you want to take the flight tomorrow you will have to purchase another
ticket, which will be $1345 each.
Choi: I cannot pay that much again. This is a nightmare. I guess we will have to try to
fly standby. Ill just buy new clothes once we get to Korea.
Airline agent: OK, sir. Just wait at gate 12 and let the agent at the desk there know you
are flying standby. Here are your tickets. Just show these to the agent and
theyll tell you what to do.
Choi: OK.
Airline agent: Is there anything else I can do for you today?
Choi: No.
Airline agent: I hope you make it, and Im sorry for any inconvenience.
Choi: This is crazy. Next time Im going to set three battery-operated alarm clocks.
Vocabulary:
looking forward to something: anticipate something with interest, happiness
to oversleep: to sleep past the time you wanted to get up
a blackout: a time when the electricity goes out
fine print: the small words written on documents that explain the details
overbooked: the number of tickets sold is more than the number of seats available
standby: a cheaper plane ticket that allows you to fly in place of another person who
does not arrive on-time
carry-on luggage: luggage that you carry with you onto the plane and place below your
feet or above your head
aboard: on
Discussion questions:
1. When was the last time you went to the airport? Why did you go?
-The last time I went to the airport was in May. I went to the Atlanta airport to
pick up my aunt and uncle. They were visiting me from California for two weeks.
Copyright 2007 English 1 on 1 Corp. All rights reserved. No reproduction without expressed written permission of English 1 on 1.
Copyright 2007 English 1 on 1 Corp. All rights reserved. No reproduction without expressed written permission of English 1 on 1.
10. Do you like camping, staying at motels, or staying at luxury hotels when you
travel?
-I dont like camping or motels. I prefer to stay in a nice, clean place. I cant
afford luxury hotels, but if I could, I would stay there while traveling.
Copyright 2007 English 1 on 1 Corp. All rights reserved. No reproduction without expressed written permission of English 1 on 1.