Then tell the information you found out to another group-mate using discourse markers and connectors from the Appendix.

Travel Troubles

Match the words / word combinations in the box with the definitions below.

take off · air-traffic control · baggage reclaim · carousel · charter flight · check-in · departure gate · technical malfunction · industrial action · long-haul flight · passport control · scheduled flight

1. The place at an airport where you get your luggage after a flight.

2. A flight over a long distance.

3. In an airport, a circular conveyor belt from which passengers collect their luggage after a flight.

4. A flight in an aircraft in which all the seats have been bought by a travel company and then sold to the customers, usually at a cheaper price than seats on a scheduled flight.

5. The system or people involved in directing the movement of aircraft over a particular area, including the giving of instructions to pilots so that they know when and where to take off and land.

6. Of an aircraft, to leave the ground and begin to fly.

7. A place in an airport where you show your ticket, are given your seat number, get your luggage taken, etc.

8. The area in an airport through which passengers go to board their flights.

9. Action usually involving stopping work, taken by workers in protest against something, such as working conditions, insufficient pay, etc.

10. The examination of travelers’ passports; the place where this is carried out.

11. A flight in an aircraft which is organized by the company which owns it, and which operates on a regular basis at the same time of day, week, etc.

12. A temporary, often minor problem, often caused by the failure of a piece of machinery, etc.

Read the text and answer the questions that follow.

Travel Troubles

Every year, it seems, more and more people are going on holiday abroad. This means that more and more people are also experiencing discomfort of foreign travel. This often starts at an airport and doesn’t depend on the airline you are using.

At least at peak holiday times, there are queues at the check-in and then more queues at passport control as you go into the departure lounge. Then, there is often the possibility of delayed flights. These tend to be more common if you are travelling by charter flight, but they are no means unknown on scheduled flights.

Sometimes such delays are due to technical malfunctions or to the very large numbers of planes which now take off and land. However, some, in Europe at least, are the result of industrial action by staff. The holiday season is a favourite time for baggage handlers, air-traffic control personnel, or other airport staff to take such action.

Still, eventually you get to the departure gate, board the plane, find your seat and fasten your seat belt ready for take off. Members of the cabin crew will very likely serve you with food and drink and, unless you are on a long-haul flight, it will seem a relatively short time before you land.

Now it is the time to follow the signs to the baggage reclaim area of the airport and wait by the carousel for your luggage, hoping that it has not been left behind or been sent to the wrong airport. Not surprisingly, given the amount of luggage that is taken on board planes by travelers, it is quite common for luggage to go missing.

Fortunately, this is usually a temporary state of affairs. The individual pieces of luggage are labeled, making it relatively easy for airlines to track them.

1. Name the inconveniences faced by air travelers at the airport.

2. Give several causes for flight delays.

3. When industrial actions are usually taken by airport stuff? What staff usually takes them?

4. Why can luggage be lost? Why is it possible for it to be found?

5. Complete the sentences below by giving your view:

· I think that air travel has the advantage of…….

· I think that air travel has the disadvantage of…….

· If I have a choice of travelling by air or by another means, I would…….