Diverted plight dialogue

Holiday over, Mr. and Mrs.Marshall are flying home. There is still forty-five minutes' flying time to go when a voice on the public address system says: "This is the captain speaking. We are having to divert to another airport because of local weather conditions. I now expect to land in sixty minutes' time". What does it all mean? Mr.Marshall stops a passing steward.

Mr.Marshall: Steward, do you know where we are going or why we can't land at London?

Steward: I understand that Heathrow Airport is closed because of thick fog. It's difficult to believe that there's fog with zero visibility down there below us when you look at all the sunshine up here above the clouds.

Mr.Marshall: It makes me shiver just to think of it. But where are we diverting to?

Steward: Our first alternate is Manchester, hut there is the possibility that the weather at Londonmight improve soon enough for us to go in and land, so we might cruise around in the stack for a while to see what happens.

Mr.Marshall: I'm afraid that all sounds too complicated for me. What does it mean?

Steward: On every flight the captain makes plans to be able to fly safely to another suitableairfield if his proper destination is closed to him by weather or some other reason. He plans for a second alternate as well.

Mr.Marshall: That sounds very sensible.

Steward: And the stack - well, that's a sort of moving multi-storey parking area. When aircraft have to wait for one reason or another - bad weather, too many others wanting to land at the same time, and so on the air traffic controllers arrange them in a neat stack, circling round and round, with 1,000 feet between each aircraft and the ones above and below it.

Mr.Marshall: So we should soon see several other aircraft stacking above and below us?

Steward: It's possible, sir. But remember I said only that we might wait for the London weather toimprove. At the moment.our plan is still to divert to Manchester.

Mr.Marshall: But what would we do in Manchester? After all we want to go to London.

Steward: We would probably put you in the airport restaurant for a meal, hoping that the London weather would soon improve, and then fly you hack to London without too long a delay.

Mrs.Marshall: But suppose the weather stays had for a long time?

Steward: I can't really say, madam. But I do know that on one occasion some years ago, when London was closed for two days, we sent people down from Manchester by train and coach.

Mrs.Marshall: Oh, I wouldn't like that. It would he most uncomfortable after this flight.

Steward: Let's hope the weather will let us fly you into London then.

Mrs.Marshall: If we have to land at Manchester and travel on by road or rail, will there be any problems about paying?

Steward: Oh no, madam. International Airlines will pay for all your transport, and also for your meals.

Mr. Marshall: I suppose you'll look after our luggage too?

Steward: Of course. We'll do everything to minimize any inconvenience.

Mrs.Marshall: I must say I feel very nervous, about landing at an airport that's not on our normal route, has the captain ever landed at Manchester before

Steward: Oh, yes. Manchester is on our route to America and our aircraft make scheduled calls there every day. Our captains are familiar with all the airports at which they might ever have to land.

Mrs.Marshall: Well, you're very reassuring, but I still don't fancy a long train or road journey to London. Perhaps we could stay in a hotel there and fly down later. Would International Airlines pay our hotel bill?

Steward: I'm afraid not. You'd have to accept our offer to alternative transport to London or else pay for yourself.

Mr.Marshall:Well, the weather may improve so or and then we won't have to divert at all.

Steward: In fact, sir. I can see by the sun that we're changing direction now. That may mean the captain has made a new decision about landing. If you'll excuse me, I'll go and find out.

Mr.Marshall: Thank you. We'd be grateful for some definite information.

Mrs.Marshall: How very helpful that steward was. It makes travelling so pleasant when there's someone to take an interest in one's problems.

Mr.Marshall: I found his explanations very interesting. Even though I've been flying for.years, there's always something new to learn.

Steward:Well, sir, I've just had a word with the captain and he's had a more hopeful weather report from London.

Mr.Marshall: That's good news. 'So we'll be landing at London after all.

Steward: I can't say that yet. They forecast that the fog should lift sufficiently in the next hour or so for aircraft to land.

Mr.Marshall: Can we stay in the stack, as you call it, for another hour? Have we got sufficient fuel?'

Steward: Yes, we carry ample fuel reserves for occasions like this. Of course, the aircraft that are first in the stack will have to land first, so this might delay us a little longer. But on the other hand, the weather may improve sooner than forecast.

Mrs. Marshall: But it's certain we won't divert to Manchester?

Steward: Practically certain, madam. The captain will inform us fairly soon of the latest weather situation, our position in the stack, and the time we can expect to land.

Mr.Marshall: Things seem to be turning out better than we thought.

Steward: Yes, they are. While we're waiting for further news, can I get you something to drink?

Mrs.Marshall: How about another cup of that excellent coffee?

Steward: Certainly. I'll be back in a few minutes.

Mr.Marshall: How all we have to do is relax and wait.

Steward: I'm preparing your coffee, but in the meantime I thought I ought to let you know that the news is not so good after all. A later weather forecast for London Indicates that the fog willremain all day, so I'm afraid that we'll have to divert to Manchester.

Mr.Marshall: How very annoying. But thank you so much for keeping us informed. We've both appreciated your help.

Дата добавления: 2015-08-26