CONVERSATION VOCABULARY AND PHRASES

Instead of “Where are you flying today?”the agent may ask “What’s your final !destination?” The answer will be the same
You can say “Here you go”anytime you give something to somebody
To check your bags means to put them on the airplane inside the cargo compartment. The small bag you take with you on the airplane is called a carry-on. You need to put your carry-on bags through the X-ray machine at security
The scaleis the equipment that tells you the weight of your luggage (45 kilograms, for example)
A stopover or layover is when the airplane stops in a different city before continuing to the final destination
If the agent says that your luggage will go straight through, it means it will go directly to the final destination (and you don’t need to pick it up during your stopover)
Boarding passes are the tickets that permit you to enter the airplane
When a plane begins boarding, it means that the passengers start to enter the plane Usually boarding time is 30-60 minutes before takeoff (when the plane leaves)

OTHER QUESTIONS & PHRASES FOR THE AIRPORT

?Excuse me, where is the American Airlines check-in desk
?How many bags can I check
?Will my luggage go straight through, or do I need to pick it up in [Chicago]
?How much is the fee
If your bag is heavier than the weight limits, or if your bag is larger than the size limits, you may need to pay extra: an oversized baggage fee or overweight baggage fee (this can be $75 to $300). Some airlines in the United States also charge a fee for ALL checked bags (usually $15 to $30)
Please mark this bag as ‘fragile
Say this if you have fragile or sensitive items in your bag that might break
?Is the flight on time
The agent will respond either “Yes” if the flight is on time, or There’s a 20-minute delay (for example) if the flight will leave later than expected

EXTRA QUESTIONS IN THE U.S

On flights going to or inside the U.S., you might be asked some extra security questions before or during check-in. Here are some sample questions

:Answer YES to these questions

?Did you pack your bags yourself
?Has your luggage been in your possession at all times
?Are you aware of the regulations regarding liquids in your carry-on
(Liquids must be 100 mL or less, and stored in a single quart-sized clear plastic bag)

:Answer NO to these questions

?Are you carrying any firearms or flammable materials
?Have you left your luggage unattended at any time
?Has anyone given you anything to carry on the flight

CONVERSATION #2 – GOING THROUGH SECURITY

There are two pieces of equipment in security: you put your bags through the X-ray machine, and you walk through the metal detector. Some airports also use a body scanner for a more careful check

The X-ray machine has a conveyor belt that moves your bags automatically through the machine. You can put small items like keys or money into plastic bins

In the picture below, the woman is walking through the metal detector
Her suitcase is on the conveyor belt after going through the X-ray machine

Agent: Please lay your bags flat on the conveyor belt, and use the bins for small objects
?Dan: Do I need to take my laptop out of the bag
Agent: Yes, you do. Take off your hat and your shoes, too
(he walks through the metal detector)
[BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP]
?Agent: Please step back. Do you have anything in your pockets – keys, cell phone, loose change
Dan: I don’t think so. Let me try taking off my belt
Agent: Okay, come on through
(he goes through the metal detector again)
Agent: You’re all set! Have a nice flight

The phrase “you’re all set” is a common expression that means،you’re finished and everything is OK

Phrasal Verbs: SET OFF and GO OFF

When the alarm sounds, we say “the alarm went off.” To describe what caused the alarm to sound, we say “set off” – for example, “My keys set off the alarm” or My keys set off the metal detector