Travelling on business

Nowadays businessmen go on business trips by train, by plane, by boat and by car. All means of travel have their advantages and disadvantages. And people choose one according to their plans and destinations. Most businessmen are interested in speed, comfort and safety.

When I go on business I decide what kind of transport to choose and make all travel arrangement. It's rather difficult to get tickets on the day of departure and I book a ticket at least a week in advance. As I prefer travelling by train I get to Moscow railway terminal.

There are crowds of people there: at the timetable, at the inquiry-office, at the booking-office, waiting for trains at the platforms, getting a light refreshment at a cafeteria, seeing off their friends and relatives. They are in a hurry to catch their trains. On the platform the porters are very busy carrying luggage to the train or pushing it on their trucks. They are taking those trunks and suitcases to the luggage van.

I get all the necessary information at the inquiry office before buying or booking tickets. Usually I prefer a return ticket (round-trip ticket) to a single one (one-way ticket), a lower berth to an upper one. I like to travel by an express train as it's more comfortable than a passenger train. There's a buffet-car and a carriage hostess brings me tea and bedclothes. The fares are reasonable and the trains are always in time. They leave and arrive without delay.

When I get on the train I go to my compartment. Here I put my luggage on the luggage rack (roof rack) and make myself comfortable. I prefer a corner seat facing the engine in a smoker. My carriage is near the dining-car and I can order lunch when the attendant comes along. I'm very glad to have one or two other passengers in the compartment of my carriage for it's very pleasant to travel in a good company. Sometimes I read a book to while away the time during the journey. I always have a nice trip by train.

Very often I go on business to London by air as it is the fastest way of travelling. I ask my secretary to check flights to London as I want to take the earliest flight I can. She finds out the time of flights to London and reserves me a seat. Usually it's a direct non-stop flight, business class, non-smoking.

The secretary arranges everything for me (makes all necessary reservations for the flight) and I go home to pack a bag. I can't waste my time because passengers must arrive at the airport two hours before departure time on international flights and an hour on domestic flights. There must be enough time for them to complete all necessary airport formalities.

Passengers must check in for flights: register tickets, weigh and register their luggage. If your luggage is overweigh you have to pay extra, if it’s underweight you needn’t pay anything. My secretary arranges for a car to take me to the Airport Terminal and phones me to inform about the latest check-in time.

On the appointed day after packing my luggage, I proceed to the airport by car. At the check-in desk I put my luggage on the scales and pay an extra charge if it's necessary. Together with other passengers I wait at the department lounge.

The registration stops half an hour before the time of take-off. On hearing the announcement about the flight “Boarding the plane Flight 217 begins. Passengers are invited to take their places”. People say good-buy to their friends who comes to see them off and go to a special bus which takes them to the plane on the runway.

I collect my hand luggage and go to gate 1. I show my boarding pass to the stewardess and get on the plane. The stewardess meets the passengers at the gangway. She welcomes the passengers and shows them to their seats.

On board the plane the stewardesses or flight attendants are always very friendly and helpful. They help everyone get comfortable in the reclining seats adjustable to some positions. Very soon the plane takes off. At the moment I see a notice “No smoking. Fasten your seat-belts”. The pilot begins to taxi out into the middle of the airfield. In a few minutes the plane is above the clouds.

During the flight the passengers get information of the altitude, speed, the weather and distance covered. The airhostesses walk up and down the aisle bringing meals and drinks. They serve mineral water, juice, tea, sweets and sandwiches. Besides, newspapers and magazines are offered to the passengers.

As a rule, the flight is smooth. We don’t hit a single air-pocket. If the flight is going through some turbulence, they warn everybody that it might be a bit bumpy and ask the passengers to fasten their seat-belts. Everybody feels comfortable and nobody is airsick.

On a long flight I like listening to music through the headphones available to all passengers or watch a video, which is always available, too, and sometimes I have a sleep. I enjoy it all so much. Planes to London leave and land there without delay and when I get off the plane in London Mr. Smith meets me at Heathrow-Airport.