Intro
U.S airlines are a mess. Many of the major carriers like Delta and USAir havent turned a profit in a long, long time, They are nixing amenities like snacks and meals in order to cut costs,but they are still struggling to stay afloat.
John was recently in China and flew on two Chinese carriers. Listen to him and I talk about the experience
Dave: What airline did you fly?
John: I flew United there, but then once I was within the country I flew China Eastern and Air China
Dave:Okay
John: And both of the check-in procedures were just like here at the U.S and everything was in English. You know, they asked me if I wanted a window or an aisle seat, or asked for my Mileage Plus number with United ,because ther's a partnership with Air China
Dave: Yeah
John: So, yeah, I found it to be very easy
Dave: Were there complimentary drinks and food?
John: Yeah, there were complimentary drinks on the flight, you know, the alcohol, as well
Dave: Great
John: And, ah, full meals, which is something you dont see here in the U.S anymore
Dave: What about security checks? Did you get the pat down, body cavity search? Anything like that?
John: No, there was nothing like that. The metal detectors seemed to be a little bit more forgiving than here in the States
Dave: Oh yeah?
John: I could wear my belt and my shoes and, ah.there were no problems, You know. here you have to take all that off
Dave: Yeah, What about fingerpriting? I know they're doing that now in the U.S . for any foreign person visting. they fingerprit them.
John: There were no fingerprinting, ah, machines,but there were cameras everytime I went through security
Discussion
Since September 11,2001, security at airports in the United States has been very tight. People have to take of their shoes and belts, empty their pockest and get a pat down. It's very uncomfortable
Vocab
partnership
Definition
n. a relationship between companies
Examples
Apple has formed partnerships with many companies to boost sales of the iPOD
complimentary
Definition
adj. free; 'on the house'
Examples
They gave us complimentary tickets to the Counting Crows concert
pat down
Definition
n. feel around a person's body when searching for drugs or weapons
Examples
The police gave hime a pat down but they didnt find anything
body cavity search
Definition
n. look in your mouth and other places in your body for hidden weapons or drugs
Examples
They do a full body cavity search on all people going into the prison
mess
Definition
n. disordered, sloppy or not clean
Examples
Tim's bedroom is a mess! He needs to clean it up
Carriers
Definition
n. airlines
Examplse
I prefer flying on small carriers like Southwest
nix
Definition
v. cut or take away; remove
Examplses
He told me to nix the last paragraph,but he said the rest of the paper is fine
forgiving
Definition
adj. flexible or easy; not so strict
Examplse
I was really late to class, but my teacher was pretty forgiving
amenities
Definition
n. extra features
Examples
The hotel included all sorts of amenities,like a free massage, room service and brunch
procedure
Defnition
n. process or system. order of things to be done
Examples
The best procedure for removing a stain is to rub it with soda water and then put a stain stick on it
Dialogue
