Vocabulary
Security Check.
Identity proof
Ticket
Passport
Boarding pass
Security check
Frisking
Check in Counter.
Check-in
Check-in counter
Check-in baggage
The cabin
Security tag
Hand baggage
Cabin baggage
Cargo hold
Inside the Cabin.
Window seat
Aisle seat
Overhead bin
Seat belt
Flotation cushion
Oxygen mask
Purser
Flight attendant
The words that you might come across during check-in are:
Identity proof - This is your identification. It could be your passport, your social security
card, your driver’s license etc.
Ticket - This is the ticket issued to you by the airline.
Passport - If you are traveling abroad, you may need a passport which has information about
you.
Boarding pass - This is the pass that allows you to board the aircraft. You usually get it from
the check-in counter, but sometimes you might also get it online by checking in online.
Security check - It’s the process when you and your baggage are checked to make sure you
are not carrying any prohibited items onto the airplane.
At the check-in counter.
Check-in - During check-in, you register at the airline counter, submit your luggage and get
your boarding pass which allows you to board or get onto the aircraft.
Check-in counter - The counters or tables where the airline staff are available to process
your check-in request.
Check-in baggage - This is the baggage you give to the airline staff. This baggage is carried
into the cargo hold.
Cabin baggage or Carry-on baggage - This is the baggage you are allowed to carry onto
the aircraft.
Security tag - To identify that the baggage has been checked at the security check, a tag is
added to the hand-baggage. This is the security tag.
The cabin - The cabin is the name for the interior of the aircraft where the passengers sit.
Inside the aircraft.
Window seat - This is the seat next to the window and you can look outside the aircraft from
it.
Aisle seat - This is the seat next to the gallery inside the aircraft. It makes it easier to move
around.
Overhead bin - This is an area above the seats where you can store your cabin baggage.
Seat belt - It’s a belt that’s used to fasten you to the seat and keep you secure during the
flight.
Flotation cushion - Sometimes when you fly over the sea, a flotation cushion or device is
provided as a safety measure in case of a sea-landing.
Purser - The purser is in charge of the flight attendants to make sure things are running well
inside the aircraft.
Flight attendants - Also called air attendants or sometimes air hostesses. They are airline
employees whose job is to take care of the passengers during the flight.
At the Airport - Interactive Practice
A: "Welcome. May I have your tickets?"
B: "Here you go."
A: "Is anybody else traveling with you two?"
B: "No. It's just us."
A: "Do you have your passports with you?"
B: "Yes. Here it is."
A: "I'm going to ask you a series of questions. Please respond with a yes or a
no."
B: "Ok."
A: "Did someone you do not know ask you to take something on the plane
with you?"
B: "No."
A: "Did you have possession of your luggage since you packed?"
B: "Yes."
A: "Did you leave your luggage unattended at all in the airport?"
B: "No."
A: "Are you carrying any weapons or firearms?"
B: "No."
A: "Are you carrying any flammable material?"
B: "No."
A: "Do you have any perishable food items?"
B: "No."
A: "Great. Can you place your baggage over here?"
B: "Sure."
A: "Would you like an aisle or a window seat?"
B: "Window seat please."
A: "Ok. I am placing you two in 21A and 21B. The gate number is C2. It is on
the bottom of the ticket. They will start boarding 20 minutes before the
departure time. C2 is located around the corner through the hall. Thank you."
B: "Can you point me to gate C2?"
A: "Sure. It's that way. Around that corner."
B: "Great. Thank you."
At the Counter
When you first reach the counter, you should give them your ticket and your
passport. The first question they usually ask is how many are traveling with
you.
"Is anybody traveling with you today?"
"Is anybody else traveling with you?"
"Are just you two traveling today?"
All airlines have a list of questions they have to ask you. Let's look at some
of these questions.
"Did someone you do not know ask you to take something on the plane with
you?"
"Did you have possession of your luggage since you packed?"
"Did you leave your luggage unattended at all in the airport?"
"Are you carrying any weapons or firearms?"
"Are you carrying any flammable material?"
"Do you have any perishable food items?"
If you don't understand, you can't say yes or no to all of them. The correct
answer for some of them is 'no' and some of them is 'yes'.
"How many luggage are you checking in?"
"Do you have a carry on?"
"Can you place your bag up here?"
"How many carry on bags are you taking with you?"
Afterwards, they might ask if you prefer an aisle seat or a window seat.
"Do you prefer window or aisle?"
If they are out of aisle seats, they will ask you if window is ok.
"We do not have any aisle seats remaining. Is a window seat ok with you or
would you prefer a middle seat?"
Some people like to be by the emergency exit. You can ask for that seat.
"Do you have a seat next to the emergency exit?"
"Can I have a seat closest to the emergency exit?"
If they do, then you will get a seat by the exit, but if they don't, they will try
to give you one that is close.
"All the seats next to the exit have been taken. I have a seat directly in front
of it. Would you like that one?"
Finally, they will tell you the gate number and the boarding time.
"Here are your tickets. The gate number is on the bottom of the ticket. They
will start boarding 20 minutes before the departure time. You should report
to gate C2 by then. C2 is around the corner and down the hall. Thank you.
Finding the Gate
"Which gate did you say it was?"
"What was the gate number again?"
"Can you point me towards the gate?"
"How do I get to the gate again?"
"How do I get to gate C2?"
"Where is gate C2?"
