Every line has a ▶ button — tap it to hear that line spoken, one word at a time.
Theo: Welcome aboard! Can I see your boarding pass?
Welcome aboard! — the greeting at the door · have your boarding pass out, they check the seat number
Mia: Here you go. Twenty-three A, is that the window?
Theo: Yes, on the left, past the wing. All the way down.
Mia: Thanks. Oh, the bin above my seat is already full.
the overhead bin — the shelf above the seats · wheels first, handle in
Theo: Let me check. There's room two rows back. I'll put it up for you.
Mia: Great. Can I keep my tote under the seat?
under the seat in front of you — your personal item goes there, not at your feet · the carry-on goes in the bin
Theo: Under the seat in front of you, yes. And if you need anything during the flight, just press the call button.
the call button — the button with the person symbol above your seat · press it once · also: the reading light, the air vent
Mia: Perfect. Thank you.
Theo: Enjoy the flight.
Theo: Excuse me, ma'am. We have a mom and a little boy who got split up. Would you mind switching seats so they can sit together?
Would you mind…? — the polite favor request · yes: Sure, no problem · no: I'd rather not, sorry
Mia: Oh. Where's the other seat?
Theo: Eighteen C, an aisle seat. Same cabin, a little closer to the front.
Mia: Hmm, I'd rather keep a window, to be honest. Is there a window anywhere?
I'd rather… to be honest — I'd rather = I'd prefer · to be honest softens a no
Theo: Let me look. Actually, twenty A is open, and that's a window. Would that work?
Would that work? — is that okay for you? · open = free, available
Mia: Sure, I can do that.
Theo: Thank you so much. That's really kind of you. I'll move your bag for you.
That's really kind of you. — thanks for a favor · the reply: Happy to help / No problem
Mia: No problem. Happy to help.
Mia: Excuse me, is it okay to use the lavatory now?
the lavatory — the toilet on a plane · occupied / vacant on the door · "restroom" on the ground
Theo: I'm sorry, the captain has turned on the seatbelt sign. Please stay seated for a few minutes.
the seatbelt sign — when it's on, sit down and buckle up · the captain turns it on and off
Mia: Oh, okay. Is something wrong?
Theo: No, we're expecting a few bumps. It's just some light turbulence.
turbulence — rough air that shakes the plane · normal, not dangerous · bumps = small shakes
Mia: Got it. And could I get a blanket? It's a little cold.
Theo: Of course. There's one in the seat pocket, with the headphones. I'll bring you an extra.
the seat pocket — a blanket, headphones, the safety card, the sick bag
Mia: Thank you. I'll wait for the sign to go off.
go off — go off = turn off · go on = turn on · "the seatbelt sign is off, you're free to move around"
Theo: I'll let you know as soon as it does.
Theo: Something to drink? We have water, juice, soda, coffee and tea. Wine and beer are complimentary on this flight.
the drinks cart — water, juice, soda, coffee, tea · wine and beer free on international flights
Mia: Sparkling water, no ice, please. And a coffee, if that's okay.
no ice — US drinks come with a lot of ice unless you say so · "just a splash" = a little
Theo: Of course. Cream and sugar?
cream and sugar — milk and sugar for your coffee · black = no milk, no sugar
Mia: Just a little cream, please.
Theo: Here you go. Careful, it's hot. Could you lower your tray table?
the tray table — folds down from the seat in front · up for takeoff and landing
Mia: Sure. Do you have pretzels or anything?
Theo: Pretzels and cookies. And the meal service starts in about an hour.
Mia: Cookies, then. Thank you.
Theo: You're welcome. I'll come back around for trash in a bit.
trash — garbage · the attendant passes with a bag: hand over your cups and wrappers · "any trash?"
Theo: Dinner service. Chicken or pasta?
Chicken or pasta? — the classic question · The chicken, please / I'll have the pasta · "What's the pasta?" is fine to ask
Mia: What's the pasta?
Theo: Penne with tomato sauce and cheese. The chicken comes with rice and vegetables.
comes with — is served with · "What does it come with?"
Mia: I'll have the chicken, please.
Theo: Here you go. There's a roll and a salad on the side. Anything to drink with that?
the meal tray — the main dish, a roll, a salad on the side, a small dessert
Mia: Some red wine, please. Is it really free?
Theo: On international flights, yes. Just let me know if you'd like another.
free on international flights — meals, wine and beer are included · on US domestic flights you pay for alcohol, cards only
Mia: Perfect. And when I'm done, do I leave the tray here?
Theo: I'll come by and collect it. Just leave it on the tray table.
come by and collect — come by = pass · collect = take away · leave the tray on the table
Mia: Thanks so much.
Theo: Ladies and gentlemen, we've begun our descent into Dallas. Please return to your seats, and make sure your seat back and tray table are in the upright position.
seat back and tray table upright — the landing announcement · we've begun our descent = we're coming down to land
Mia: Excuse me, do I need to put my laptop away?
Theo: Yes, please. Large electronics go in your bag for landing. Your phone is fine.
large electronics — laptops and tablets go in a bag for takeoff and landing · phones can stay out
Mia: Okay. And is there a customs form to fill out?
the customs form — the paper declaration · most US airports don't use it anymore, you answer the officer · if you get one, fill it in on the plane
Theo: Not on this flight. You just answer the officer's questions when you get there.
Mia: Oh, good. That's easier.
Theo: It is. We land in about twenty minutes, and the local time is four fifteen in the afternoon.
the local time — the time where you land · your phone changes by itself, your watch doesn't
Mia: Thank you.
Mia: Excuse me. I have a connection at six thirty. Will I make it?
Theo: You should. But first you go through passport control, pick up your bag, clear customs, and re-check the bag. Then security again.
passport control → customs → re-check — the five steps of an international arrival with a connection · allow two hours
Mia: That's a lot. How long does it usually take?
Theo: About an hour, more if it's busy. Give yourself two hours to be safe.
to be safe — allow two hours · to be safe = to avoid any risk
Mia: I have a work visa. Which line do I use?
a work visa — permission to live and work in the US for a fixed time · not a citizen, not a green card
Theo: The visitors line. Citizens and green card holders have their own lane, and Global Entry has one too.
which line? — US citizens and green card holders · visitors (visas and ESTA) · Global Entry members · crew
Mia: Got it. Thanks for the help.
Theo: Good luck. Have your passport out and ready.
out and ready — in your hand, not in your bag
Officer Grant: Passports out, please. Are you a US citizen?
Are you a US citizen? — the line officer's question · No, I'm a resident / I'm visiting / I have a green card
Mia: No, I'm a resident. I have a work visa. Can I use the app, Mobile Passport Control?
Mobile Passport Control — a free CBP app: answer the questions before you land, use the MPC lane · citizens, green cards, Canadians, ESTA only
Officer Grant: The app is only for citizens, green card holders, Canadians and visa waiver travelers. You're in the visitors line, on the right.
visa waiver travelers — tourists from about forty countries who don't need a visa · they apply online for an ESTA before the trip
Mia: Okay. Is it a long wait?
Officer Grant: About thirty minutes right now. Have your passport open to the visa page.
Mia: Do I need anything else? My work permit?
a work permit — the card or letter that shows you may work in the US · a visa holder carries the approval notice
Officer Grant: Just the passport for now. The officer will ask if he needs more. And no phones at the booth.
no phones at the booth — phones away, no photos, no calls in the hall · the booth = the officer's counter
Mia: Understood. Thank you.
Officer Grant: Next. Passport, please. Look at the camera.
the booth — the camera compares your face with your passport photo · look, don't smile
Mia: Here you go.
Officer Grant: Where are you coming from?
Where are you coming from? — the first question at the booth · answer with the city or country you flew from
Mia: London. I was there for a conference, about a week.
Officer Grant: What do you do here in the US?
What do you do? — = what's your job · I'm a designer / I work for a software company
Mia: I'm a designer at a software company.
Officer Grant: How long have you lived here?
the visitor questions — purpose of your visit? · how long are you staying? · where are you staying? · a return ticket? · enough money for the trip?
Mia: About a year. I moved here for work.
Officer Grant: Are you bringing back any food, plants, or alcohol? Anything over ten thousand dollars in cash?
over ten thousand dollars in cash — cash or checks over $10,000 must be reported · not illegal, just declared · food, plants, alcohol too
Mia: Just some chocolate and a bottle of wine. No cash.
Officer Grant: That's fine. Welcome back.
Welcome back. — what a resident hears · a visitor hears "Enjoy your stay."
Mia: Thank you!
Officer Grant: Ma'am, I need you to step over here for a moment. We have a few more questions.
step over here · secondary — an extra check in a side area · common, usually ten to thirty minutes · not an accusation
Mia: Okay. Is there a problem?
Officer Grant: Not necessarily. It's a routine check. Who is your employer?
a routine check — routine = normal, done regularly · employer = the company you work for
Mia: A design studio downtown. I have my approval notice with me, if you need it.
the approval notice — the letter that comes with a work visa (the I-797) · carry it with your passport
Officer Grant: Let me see it. And what's your job title?
Mia: Product designer.
Officer Grant: When does your visa expire?
When does your visa expire? — expire = stop being valid · know the date by heart
Mia: Next October. It's in the passport.
Officer Grant: All right. Everything checks out. Have a seat, and someone will bring your passport back.
Everything checks out. — is confirmed correct · "have a seat" = sit down and wait
Mia: Thank you. I have a connection, so I hope it's quick.
Officer Grant: Ten minutes at most.
Officer Chen: Good afternoon. Bags on the table, please. Anything to declare?
Anything to declare? — declare = tell the officer what you're bringing in · food, plants, alcohol, gifts, cash
Mia: Some chocolate, a bottle of wine, and a piece of cheese.
what you bring back — chocolate, wine, hard cheese: allowed · under $800: no duty
Officer Chen: What kind of cheese?
Mia: Hard cheese, vacuum-packed. From the airport shop.
Officer Chen: That's fine, hard cheese is allowed. Any meat, fruit, or seeds?
meat, fruit, seeds — fresh fruit · no | meat · no | hard cheese · yes
Mia: No. Oh, wait, there's a sausage. A gift from a colleague.
Officer Chen: I'm sorry, meat products can't come in. I'll have to take that.
I'll have to take that. — the officer confiscates it · can't come in = not allowed into the country
Mia: That's okay. And the wine, is there any duty on it?
duty — import tax on the things you bring in · duty-free = no tax
Officer Chen: One liter is duty-free, and you're under your eight hundred dollar exemption. You're all set.
the exemption — after two days abroad: $800 of goods, one liter of alcohol, 200 cigarettes without duty
Mia: Thank you.
Officer Chen: Ma'am, hold on a second. The dog is interested in your bag. Do you have any food in there?
the beagle — trained to smell food · CBP has about 160 dog teams at US airports
Mia: Oh, just an apple from the plane. I forgot about it.
Officer Chen: Fresh fruit has to be declared, even from the plane. Can you take it out for me?
has to be declared — even an apple from the plane · declared = no fine · found = a fine
Mia: Sure. I'm so sorry. Is that a problem?
Officer Chen: It can be. An undeclared item is a three-hundred-dollar fine. But since it's from the flight, I'll let it go this time.
a three-hundred-dollar fine — for an undeclared fruit, meat or plant item, first offense · more the next time · let it go = not punish it
Mia: Thank you. I didn't know.
Officer Chen: Most people don't. Next time, eat it on the plane or leave it in the seat pocket. Good boy, Rocky.
leave it in the seat pocket — the airline's food is fine on board · just don't carry it off the plane
Mia: Thanks again. Have a good day.
Mia: Hi. I just cleared customs, and I have a connecting flight at six thirty. Where do I drop my bag?
cleared customs — clear = get through · next: re-check the bag, then security
Malik: Right here. Is it tagged through to your final destination?
tagged through — the tag from London already shows the final city · just drop it on the belt
Mia: Yes, I think so. It's the tag from London.
Malik: Let me check. Yes, you're all set. Put it on the belt, and it'll be on your flight.
Mia: Do I need to check in again?
Malik: No, you're checked in. You just go through security again to get to your gate. Terminal C, take the Skylink.
security again — everyone goes through TSA again after customs · shoes on, laptop out (see Part 1)
Mia: Is it a long walk?
Malik: Ten minutes on the train. Security is right at the top of the escalator.
the Skylink — the train between the terminals at Dallas · every airport has one: AirTrain, SkyTrain, people mover
Mia: Great. Thank you!
Mia: Hi. I just cleared customs. My next flight is on a different airline. Where do I re-check my bag?
Malik: If it's a separate ticket, we can't tag it through. You'll need to take it to their counter and check in again.
a separate ticket — two bookings = two airlines · the first one can't tag your bag through · book one ticket when you can
Mia: Where's their counter?
Malik: Terminal C, on the departures level. Take the Skylink, then go up one floor.
the departures level — the check-in floor, usually upstairs · arrivals = downstairs
Mia: My flight is at six thirty. Is that enough time?
Malik: It's tight. And if you miss it, they won't rebook you for free, because it's not their delay. So go straight there.
It's tight. — very little time · "they won't rebook you for free" = you'd buy a new ticket
Mia: Oh no. Okay, I'll hurry.
Malik: Good luck. And next time, book it all on one ticket.
on one ticket — one booking = the airline protects your connection
Mia: Hi. Immigration took almost two hours, and I missed my six thirty flight.
immigration — = passport control · the line can take two hours at busy times
Malik: I'm sorry. Let me look you up. Is your whole trip on one ticket?
Mia: Yes, London to Dallas and then home.
Malik: Then we'll rebook you, no charge. The next flight is at eight forty-five.
rebook you, no charge — on one ticket a missed connection is rebooked free, even when the delay wasn't the airline's
Mia: Yes, please. Do I get a meal voucher?
Malik: I'm afraid not. The immigration line isn't the airline's delay, so there's no voucher. But your seat is confirmed.
not the airline's delay — immigration, customs, weather = no meal or hotel voucher · crew, mechanical = vouchers (Part 1)
Mia: I understand. And my bag?
Malik: Already re-tagged to the eight forty-five. Here's your new boarding pass. Gate C twenty.
re-tagged — your bag gets a new tag for the new flight · you don't touch it
Mia: Thank you. That was easier than I expected.
Malik: Safe travels. Welcome home.
Welcome home. — what you hear at the end of the trip · safe travels = have a good journey