Travelling on business

I’m a salesman. I had an invitation from one of the biggest British firms, Goodman & Co., to take part in the meeting in Amsterdam.

I wanted to reach my destination as quickly as possible. On the appointed day I got up earlier than usual as I had to catch an early morning train to Gatwick. I bought an economy class return ticket on the 9 o’clock train. Then I took a taxi and went to the railway station.

I reached Gatwick at about 1 o’clock and asked a porter to carry my luggage to the airport terminal. Passengers must arrive at the airport not later than one hour before departure time on international flights. I went to the check-and-desk and the clerk registered my ticket, weighed my luggage. I travelled by economy class. My personal belongings included only a handbag, a brief-case, an umbrella and a coat. Then I went through the passport control and the Customs and got my boarding card (pass). In the departure lounge I bought some souvenirs in the duty-free shop. I heard the announcement of my flight through the public address system and went to the departure gate. The hostess checked my boarding pass and ticket and showed me to my seat. When the plane began to take off, the “Fasten Seat Belts” sign went on.

In three hours I landed in Amsterdam Airport and went through the passport control and the Customs again. The customs officer examined my luggage. I forgot to say that in the plane I filled in the declaration.

Ex. 7. Answer the questions.

1. What invitation did the salesman get?

2. Why did he get up earlier on the appointed day?

3. What kind of ticket did he buy?

4. When must passengers arrive at the airport?

5. What did his luggage include?

6. What did he do in the departure lounge?

7. When did he land in Amsterdam airport?

8. What did he do in the plane?

Ex. 8. Read the dialogue and be able to answer the questions, which follow it.

Travel Expenses

A finance manager is trying to cut down expenses for business trips and he is questioning a salesman about a recent trip he made abroad.

F.M.: How did you get from London to Amsterdam?

S.M.: I flew, of course, from Gatwick.

F.M.: What time did you arrive?

S.M.: Eh, at about six o’clock.

F.M.: Where did you stay?

S.M.: At the Grand Hotel.

F.M.: Did you eat out?

S.M.: Yes, I went to a restaurant nearby.

F.M.: E-m. How much did that cost?

S.M.: Mmm, equivalent to about fifteen pounds.

F.M.: What time was your meeting the next day?

S.M.: At 11.

F.M.: So, how did you spend your morning?

S.M.: Well, I read over the report and then took a short walk through the center of Amsterdam.

F.M.: How long did the meeting last?

S.M.: Well, we finished at 6.

F.M.: So, you caught the next evening plane back to London?

S.M.: No, actually I slept another night at the Grand Hotel.

F.M.: So, you came back the next morning?

S.M.: Yes, that’s right. I managed to get the eight o’clock plane.

F.M.: Mmm. So, in all you had two nights in a first class hotel for one afternoon meeting?

Questions:

1. What is the finance manager trying to do?

2. Whom is he questioning about the trip?

3. What sort of questions is he asking?

4. Is he pleased with the answers?

5. Do you think the salesman was economical with the company’s finances? Why?

6. Where, do you think, he could spend less?

7. Did you try to save money on the trip? If so, how? If not, why?

Ex. 9. On your own: Trips and Travel.