Reading comprehension

11 Form

Variant 5 text I: how to make your flight easier

Have you flown lately? From buying tickets to boarding a plane, it’s a new world out there. Increased security, fewer flights, earlier check-ins, luggage limitations: even if you’re not a fearful flier, getting from point A to point B still can be stressful, Here’s what I did to make a recent trip easier. Consider taking some of these steps the next time you fly:

(1). You’ll be shown a schema of the interior of the plane with available seats indicated. Click on the one you want, and its location is recorded. That way, you won’t arrive at the gate without a seat assignment and end up in the middle seat.

(2). Since I was flying on Northwest Airlines — the first airline to offer this option — I went to the Self-Service Check-In page on the airline’s site, keyed in my e-ticket pass code, and printed my boarding pass from my home computer 30 hours before take-off time. The boarding pass bears the traveller’s name, flight information, and abar code the flight attendant scans at the gate. Since I had no check-in luggage, having the boarding pass ahead of time spared me from waiting in a check-in line or at the gate to acquire one.

Bringing a downloaded boarding pass to the airport can spare you from having to wait in the check-in line.

(3). One of the stressors of flying — especially when you must change planes — is worrying whether your luggage will arrive the same time you do. If it’s a short trip, prepare down to the bare essentials and just take a wheeled carry-on that meets your airline’s size requirement. In most locations, you can buy what you need when you arrive. If you must bring more stuff along, consider sending it ahead via FedEx. It won’t save you money, but it will give you peace of mind — and free you from dragging that suitcase everywhere.

(4). Parking at an airport can be expensive. And asking someone else to drive you there can be in-convenient. In many cities, mass transit is non-existent or impractical for someone with a suitcase. Although I could have taken a taxi on the street where I live, I instead arranged for a private car the day before. The driver arrived a few minutes early in a perfect black sedan and helped me with my luggage. I was able to put the $50 charge (which included fee and tip) on my credit card, helpful for record-keeping.

(5). That means to come to the airport well before your flight departs. For my domestic flight, 75 minutes was recommended. If you’re departing from a large airport, add 15 minutes to that. It’s usually longer if your flight goes overseas.

Task 1. Match choices (A-H) to (1-5). There are three choices you do not need to use.

In order to make your flight less stressful you should...

A print out your boarding pass before you leave home.

B arrive at the airport on time.

C bring something to eat from home.

D take carry-on luggage — and send the rest ahead.

E select your seat online.

F pack your own “care package” before you leave home.

G hire a car for your trip to the airport.

H avoid the middle seat by buying your ticket early.