16. Missing Connecting Flight

Exercise 1 Practice reading the following words and word combinations. Be sure in their pronunciation. Learn them by heart.

to keep track	отслеживать
to cover the cost	покрыть расходы
an alternate flight	альтернативный рейс
to get stuck	застрять
a shuttle	курсирующий автобус
a connecting flight	стыковочный рейс
to be tied in with	быть связанным с

Exercise 2 Learn the following dialogues

1

A: My flight just arrived late, and I need to know what to do. B: That's okay. The airline computer is keeping track of what is happening with you. A: Do I have to call anyone? B: By speaking with us at the arrival gate, we can fix the problem for you and direct you. A: What if there are no more connecting flights for today on this airline? B: We will go online to see if there is something available with this airline. If we need to, we can check for a flight with another carrier. A: What if I can't find another flight out of here tonight? B: We can help you find transportation to a local hotel. A: Will the airline pay for my room if I have to spend the night at the airport? B: Since the flight delay was our fault and you are continuing on with our airline, we will cover the cost of a hotel room. 2

A: Our flight was late, and I missed my connecting flight. B: We can help you find an alternate flight that will get you where you are going. A: Whom should I call? B: The arrival gate is where you need to find someone to help you. You are in the right place. A: I think the flight we missed was the last flight out of here today. B: We can go on the computer to try to find an alternate flight on another airline if we cannot accommodate you. A: What if I get stuck here and can't get out of this airport? B: There is a shuttle that is still running and can take you into town to a hotel. A: I don't have any money for a hotel room. B: The flight that you missed is not with our airline, and we would not have suggested booking the flights so close together. We won't pay for your hotel room. 3

A: I had a connecting flight, but our arriving flight was late. B: We will help you make alternative plans. A: Can you give me the number of the airline so that I can call? B: The airlines always have personnel at the arrival gate to help direct you when a flight is late. We can help you right here. A: I remember that when we booked this flight, our connecting flight was the only one on this day. B: Our ticketing is tied in with other airlines. If we cannot accommodate you, perhaps another airline has some open seats to your destination. A: Where will I stay if I can't get another flight tonight? B: Since I believe there is a flight out of here at 5:45 in the morning, you may want to consider just staying at the airport. A: I don't think I should have to pay for a hotel room. B: We will pay 50 percent of the price of your room.

Exercise 3 Render the contents of the dialogue in indirect speech with the use of the highlighted words.

Exercise 4 Give all possible answers to the given phrases:

1) – My flight just arrived late, and I need to know what to do.

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2) – What if there are no more connecting flights for today on this airline?

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3) –  What if I can't find another flight out of here tonight?

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