Farnborough Airshow

Hi everybody,

Can you stay away from the blog? It seems I can't.

Just a reminder about one of the biggest airshows in the world Farnborough, which is taking place right now in England. Everybody is expecting Qatar Airways to announce a major order for new aircraft.

Let's wait and see. Until then, I think it's a good idea to find out more about the show and why it is that important in the aviation business.

Enjoy the videos.

They come from http://www.euronews.net/business/farnborough-airshow-2010/

Check the link for more information.

Regards and enjoy the show.

RV

End Of Course

Hello,

I am very pleased to announce that all students have done very well on the exam. Thank you for your hard work and dedication.

As you know, your final mark is acccumulative, which means both your mid-term exam and final exam will be added to your participation on the blog (homework mark), your attendance and mini quizzes.
I hope things will be clearer very soon.

Until then, one more thing I'd ask you to write on the blog.

Can you share your thoughts on how useful you consider the blog in your preparation for the exam? What areas do you think the blog has been useful or not?

Thank you for your comments in advance. They are important feedback in view of the future development and improvement to the AOM course.

Have a nice summer and do keep in touch.

Kind regards
RV

A Reply To a Letter of Complaint - Situation 3

Hello,

This is my last post to the blog for this course. I will leave the blog open during the summer for students to share their travelling experiences.

If you feel you are missing the blog and your classmates, keep writing on the blog. It will be nice if we keep in touch during the summer break.

Here is the last writing task.

You received a letter of complaint. Write a reply to the letter in which you provide an explanation of the security procedure.

This is the letter of complaint that you received.

Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to complain about the treatment I received at the hands of your airport security staff. First of all, when I was departing from the airport, the security attendant at the medal detector was very rude, and did not allow me to take my sunscreen lotion in my carry-on luggage. There was no explanation; she just took it from me.

Then, when I arrived back from my trip, I was thoroughly searched by customs, and it was an extremely embarrassing experience. They provided no explanation for why I was being searched. In fact, they were even more unfriendly than your security personnel. I was very insulted by the treatment I received in your airport, and I would like an explanation.

Sincerely,
Mr. Peter Codfrey

Some expressions you may decide to use:

provide an explanation
security staff/personnel
do a search at random
have the authority to perform/do a search
restrictions on liquids, gels, aerosols
not exceed 100 ml.

Looking forward to reading your final posts.

Regards,
RV

Dangerous Goods

Hello,

The last topic for this course is related to HAZARDOUS GOODS and RESTRICTED ITEMS.

Task 1

We first look at DANGEROUS and HAZARDOUS GOODS.

Check the Australian flag carrier website and answer the questions:

http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/airlines/dangerous-goods/global/en

1. What are dangerous/hazardous goods? Provide a definition.

2. Describe each category listed in the diagram. Provide a short definition for the category.

3. Look at the guide to dangerous goods. You have 4 options:

a) permitted in as carry-on luggage

b) permitted in as checked luggage

c) permitted on one's person

d) the approval of QANTAS is required.

Answer the questions below with Yes, No or It depends. If the answer is 'It depends', provide more imformation so that it becomes clear on what it depends.

i) Can a passenger take his/her wheelchair?

ii) Can a passenger take spare batteries?

iii) Can a passenger take a packet of safety matches?

iv) Can a passenger take hair spray or perfume?

4. Check Qatar Airways website http://www.qatarairways.com/global/en/carriageconditions.html#2.RighttoRefuseCarriage

Check article 9 Baggage.

Read article 9 on Items Unacceptable as Baggage and answer the questions:

i) if a passenger wants to transport an antique firearm, will he be allowed to do that?

ii) where does the airline recommend a passenger to include his/her jewellery, money, business documents, passport?

iii) what are the regulations related to the transportation of live animals?

5. Finally, The American Transportation Security Administration TSA

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm

i) is sporting equipment allowed in the cabin?

ii) are replicas of fireworks or toy guns allowed on the plane?

iii) is ammunition permitted?

iv) are scissors allowed?

Regards,

RV

A Reply to a Letter of Complaint - situation 2

Hello,

Here is a second letter you received from an angry customer. Write a reply in which you provide an apology and an explanation. Write 150 words.

The letter reads:

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to complain about the unkind treatment my grandfather received from your security staff last week. My grandfather is 82 years old, and he is not a threat to national security at his advanced age. Nevertheless, when the metal detector went off, security personnel at your airport did a complete search of his clothing, and even his shoes with a handheld detector.

He was very upset following this search (which found nothing), and said that he was very worried that he would have a heart attack right there in the airport. He also mentioned that the security attendant who did the search was very cold and rude, and did not give him any explanation for why he was being searched.

I do not understand why our elderly citizens have to be embarrassed and upset in this way.

Ms. Janet Barrington

Reply to a Letter of Complaint

Hello,
Imagine the following situation:

You work at the airport as a Customer Service Representative. You receive this letter of complaint from a customer. Reply to the letter in 150 words. Be courteous, apologise for the inconvenience and explain the procedure.

You can use some of the expressions below:

I apologise for .......
Please, accept my (our) apologies for ........
On behalf of customer service, I would like to .................
The reason why ......................................... is................
potential risk of an explosive device hidden in ..........................
This is part of the security measures in place in our airport.
to ensure the security
in the interest of all passengers

Here is the letter:
January 12, 2009
Dear Sir or Madam,

The other day I brought my 16 year-old daughter to your airport because she was flying to Sri Lanka for the first time by herself. I attempted to park in the drop off area so that I could help her get to the check-in desk with all her luggage.
I was told (in a very rude manner) that I could not stop there, and that I had to move my car immediately. Consequently, I had to leave my daughter there all by herself while I parked the car, and she was almost late for her flight. I would appreciate an explanation.

Sincerely,
Mr. Francois Lecavalier

Biometrics

AIRPORT MEASURES

Task 1

Check the guide to biometric technology on the bbc site:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/guides/456900/456993/html/default.stm

and brifly summarise in 30-40 words what biometrics is.

Task 2
Watch the video and answer the 3 questions below:

1. How does facial recognition work?

2. What can it be helpful for?

3. What happens to rejected passengers?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7568686.stm

Task 3

Choose 3 of the measures listed, research them on the internet and write a short description of how they work and what they are used for. You can also attach pictures.

surveillance cameras

sniffer dogs

security patrols

carry-on restrictions on liquids, gels, and aerosols

x-ray machines

full-body scanners

Task 4 - Homework

Check the article about security measures at Dubai airport and list the advice given to passengers.

http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/crime/dubai-airports-consider-use-of-face-recognition-cameras-1.650650

Regards,

RV

Reasons for Airport Security

Hello,

This week we are opening a new topic- Airport Security and will try to answer the question WHY IS AIRPORT SECURITY IMPORTANT IN GENERAL AND ESPECIALLY NOWADAYS?

In the meantime, can you please take a few seconds to do the poll and vote on what you consider the most important when you travel by air? Please, do not choose more than 2 answers. The voting closes tomorrow.

Airport Security

Airports and aircraft are attractive targets for terrorism and other acts of crime. Large number of people pass through airports, which means that there is a high concentration of people in a small area. At the same time large aircraft such as Airbus A380 can carry more than 500 people on board, so any attempt to blow up a plane has the potential to produce a high mortality rate.

On the other hand, incidents involving aircraft attract huge media interest, which can be used by terrorists to create fear. A hijacked plane is a 'flying bomb', explosive devices can be hidden in checked luggage causing the death of hundreds of innocent civilians.

Task 1
Find the meaning of the 8 words in red and provide a short definition for each one.

Check http://dictionary.reference.com/.

Task 2
1. Find out about some of the incidents invoving aircraft that changed the way airport security is viewed today.
2. What did these incidents lead to regarding airport security?
a) 9/11
b) 10/08/2006
c) 25/12/2009

Write three short paragraphs summarising briefly the incidents and what security measures were put in place as a result of that.

Task 3
Write a short text of 150 to summarise the topic and answer the question: Why is airport security important in general and especially today?

Regards,
RV