In this podcast, you are going to hear a conversation between two people who are talking about the experience of travelling through an airport and going on an aeroplane. Let’s listen.

Claire: I’ve just got back from flying for the first time and the whole airport and flying experience was quite overwhelming I can tell you. My husband has worked at airports all his life, so he had told me what to expect but even so... Have you flown before?
Dave: Yes, but when I was a child, so my parents dealt with it all and I don’t remember much about it to be honest. I can imagine it’s changed considerably since then. I’m flying to Paris soon though, so I’m interested to know about the process. I’ve been a bit ignorant about it until now, as I’ve pretty much driven everywhere for my holidays for as long as I can remember.
Claire: I want to travel the world, so I guess in order to do that I need to just get used to the queuing and such like, that it all involves.
Dave: So, tell me what happens? Go through the entire experience from beginning to end. What do you have to do when you get to the airport?
Claire: Well, if you haven’t been able to get your boarding pass online prior to arriving at the airport, and you need to check in a suitcase, then you need to go to your relevant check-in desk. If you’ve only got hand luggage, then you can usually print your boarding pass yourself from one of the self-check-in machines.
Dave: How do you know where to go once you arrive at the airport? They are such huge places!
Claire: They are usually divided into departures and arrivals, so first you have to head for the departures building or area, and then find which check-in desk you need to go to by looking for your flight number on the flight information screen.
Dave: Ah, ok, got it. And they give you your boarding pass and check-in your bag you said, didn’t you?
Claire: First you have to join the queue if there is one. When it’s your turn the check-in staff will need to see your passport and any flight booking details you have. Then, if you have a suitcase to check in you are asked various security questions like, did you pack your bags yourself? Did anybody ask you to carry anything on board? Have you left your luggage unattended at any time? And they need confirmation that you’re not carrying any sharp objects, guns, firearms, or explosive devices.
Dave: That’s a bit disconcerting! Who would say yes to that last question anyway?!
Claire: I know! As you have to go through security screening before getting on the plane, I suppose they know any forbidden items will get picked up.
Dave: I guess so.
Claire: Then, you place your suitcase on the scale adjacent to the check-in desk. The airline staff check it’s not overweight and…
Dave: Wait, so there is a limit as to how much you can pack in your suitcase?
Claire: Yes, you’ll need to read the details about that when you book the flight, it depends who you fly with. Once it’s been weighed then the case is tagged with its luggage label which says where it’s going, and off it goes along the baggage belt to the aircraft.
Dave: Ok, is that the end of the check-in procedure? What happens next?
Claire: Before you leave check-in, they will give you your boarding pass and tell you which boarding gate to head for, if one has been allocated, or at least which zone the flight will leave from. If not, then you’ll be told to check the flight information screens once you’re through security. So, that’s where you need to head for, security, but usually you just keep following signs for departures or departure gates and you’ll arrive at the security screening area.
Dave: Ok, so what happens at security?
Claire: Well, this is where you say goodbye to any friends or relatives that have accompanied you to the airport but are not flying with you. There are some turnstiles where you scan your boarding pass to go through and then you’re into the security area.
Dave: Someone told me that you can’t take scissors through or things like that.
Claire: Yes, there’s a whole list of prohibited items. If you’re doing a short-haul flight like a city break then the majority of people now just take hand luggage which you take onto the plane with you. It doesn’t get checked in or go in the belly of the aircraft or the hold, as it’s properly called. All your hand luggage has to go through security screening. The most important things to know are that you’re not allowed to carry any liquids, gels, or aerosols over 100ml, and that includes water.
Dave: And don’t they have to go through the screening separately? I think someone told me that.
Claire: Yes, they give you a clear plastic bag and the toiletries have to fit in just one transparent sealed bag per passenger. I emptied my water bottle and then filled it up at a drinking fountain once I was in the departure lounge. I was travelling on a tight budget!
Dave: Good idea! I’ve also heard that airport shopping is quite expensive.
Claire: Yes, usually there are designer brand shops, travel shops, bookshops, restaurants and cafes, oh, and a chemist.
Dave: So, apart from the liquids issue, is there more to it than that when you go through the security process?