BEP 135 INT – Travel: Airport Security

In recent years getting through the security check at the airport has become a chore.

In some cities, the whole process can take fifteen to twenty minutes or more. This
includes standing in line, sending your bags through the X-ray machine, and walking
through a metal detector, which “detects” or finds any metal you might have hidden on
your body. Most security checks thus require passengers to take metal items out of their
pockets and put them on a tray – or flat container – to send through the X-ray machine.
Some countries – notably the United States – may even insist that passengers remove
their coats and shoes.

And of course it’s not just airports that have high security – more and more tourist
attractions are “beefing up” or increasing their security too. So negotiating security
checks is a good skill to practice.

In this episode, Honesto and Alan are on their way home. They arrive at the airport late,
so they are anxious about missing their flight. When the dialog begins, they have
checked in to get their boarding passes. Now they need to go through security.

As you listen, try to answer the following questions.

Listening Questions

1. At the beginning of the dialog, what does the security officer ask passengers to
do?

2. What problem does security find with Alan’s baggage?

3. Alan has to leave an item behind at the security check. What is it?

Dialog

Honesto: We’re cutting it kind of close.

Alan: No worries, the line’s quite short.

Security 1: Okay everyone, laptops out of your bags, put them on the tray. Take your
shoes off, coats off. Any items in your pocket please remove them—coins, keys,
billfolds—and put them on the tray.

Alan: Security sure is tight, huh?

Honesto: Good thing I changed my socks…. Damn, I always set off the metal
detector.

Security 1: Please step through again, sir. Keys, coins? Any items in your pocket?

Honesto: I don’t think so. Oh wait, I’ve got some gum here.

Security 1: The Gum wrapper is aluminum. That’s probably it.

Honesto: Whew, I made it.

Alan: Yeah, they should call it a dummy detector instead of a metal detector.

Security 1: Laptops out of your bags. Shoes, coats off. Please remove any items in your
pockets. <fade out>

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Security 2: Excuse me, whose bag is this?

Alan: Uh, that’s mine, officer.

Security 2: Could you please open it for me?

Alan: Sure.

Security 2: These toilet articles should be enclosed in a quart-sized ziplock bag.

Alan: Oh, sorry, I didn’t know.

Security 2: Please be more careful next time. And I’m sorry, but this bottle of
moisturizing lotion is too large.

Alan: Oh really?

Security 2: You’re not allowed to take anything over 3 ounces, sir.

Alan: What should I do?

Security 2: You can return to the departure hall or you can leave it here.

Alan: I guess I’ll just leave it here.

Honesto: Moisturizing lotion? Now who’s the dummy…

Alan: Well my skin gets so dry on the airplane.

Debrief

Alan and Honesto have made it through security, but not without incident. Let’s examine
in detail how they handle the check.

How does the dialog start off?

Honesto: We’re cutting it kind of close.

Alan: No worries, the line’s quite short.

To “cut it close” means to be short on time. Honesto is anxious they might miss their
flight.

What are some other useful idiomatic expressions that refer to being in a hurry?

1. Time idioms
• We’re getting short of time. Let’s try to kick it up a notch.
• We’re really pressed for time. Try not to drag your feet.
• We made it with seconds to spare.
• We arrived not a moment too soon.
• We made it just in the nick of time.
• Take your time – we’ve got ages.

“To be short of time” is the same as “to be pressed for time” – both mean to be in a
hurry.

“Let’s kick it up a notch” refers to making a bigger effort – in this context, it is the same
as “try not to drag your feet”: They both mean, “try to hurry up.”

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 “To make it with seconds to spare” is similar to “to make in just in the nick of time.”
Both mean “to arrive not a moment too soon,” that is, to arrive just when, for example,
a plane is leaving or a movie is beginning.

“Take your time” means “don’t hurry.” It’s the same as “We’ve got ages.” In other words,
we have plenty of time.

Now, what directions does the security officer give Honesto and Alan as they approach
the check? Let’s listen again.

Security 1: Okay everyone, laptops out of your bags, put them on the tray. Take your
shoes off, coats off. Any items in your pocket please remove them—coins, keys,
billfolds—and put them on the tray.

Alan: Security sure is tight, huh?

Honesto: Good thing I changed my socks.

Alan and Honesto have to take off their shoes, so Honesto is glad that he is wearing
clean socks!

When Alan says security is “tight,” he means that it is strict – the officers are checking
passengers carefully.

What happens next? Do they get through security the first time without a problem? No,
Honesto of course sets off the metal detector.

Honesto: Damn, I always set off the metal detector.

Security 1: Please step through again, sir. Keys, coins? Any items in your pocket?

Honesto: I don’t think so. Oh wait, I’ve got some gum here.

Security 1: The gum wrapper is aluminum. That’s probably it.

Honesto has forgotten about the gum in his pocket. He is perhaps surprised that such a
small thing as the wrapper can set off the detector.

But when the officer asks him about the items in his pocket, Honesto handles the
situation politely, with tentative language – “I don’t think so… Oh wait….” Using such
courteous language helps us get through security quickly and smoothly.

Let’s look at some other phrases we can use when the security officer asks us to check
again.

2. Checking again
• Let me see. Oops, I must have forgotten to take off my watch.
• I’m sorry, it’s probably my belt buckle. Let me take it off.
• Sorry about that, I must have missed a couple of the coins in my pocket.
• Silly me, I didn’t take out my keys.

What happens next? Honesto makes it through the metal detector the second time, but
Alan can’t resisting teasing him.

Honesto: Whew, I made it.

Alan: Yeah, they should call it a dummy detector instead of a metal detector.
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Security 1: Laptops out of your bags. Shoes, coats off. Please remove any items in your
pockets.

A “dummy” is slang for a dumb person. Alan is saying that the machine hasn’t detected
Honesto’s gum but rather his lack of brains.

But now it’s going to be Alan’s turn to attract attention from security.

Security 2: Excuse me, whose bag is this?

Alan: Uh, that’s mine, officer.

We should note that despite Alan’s surprise, he is sure to address the man politely and
respectfully with “officer.”

What is the problem? Listen again.

Security 2: Could you please open it for me?

Alan: Sure.

Security 2: These toilet articles should be enclosed in a quart-sized ziplock bag.

Alan: Oh, sorry, I didn’t know.

The security officer instructs Alan that all of his toilet articles – that is, toothpaste,
cologne, deodorant, and so on – must be placed in a “quart-sized ziplock bag.” This is a
small plastic bag – about 18 by 20 centimeters – that can be “zipped” or sealed shut.

When a security officer asks you about your personal items, it is important to respond
appropriately. Alan’s response – “Oh, sorry, I didn’t know” – is both polite and honest.
Let’s listen to a few more similar phrases that will be useful when talking to security.

3. Responding appropriately
• Excuse me, officer? Can I just ask a quick question?
• Officer, do we need to remove our shoes as well?
• I’m sorry, I had no idea about that.
• I’d forgotten that was in there. I’m sorry.

Before they let him through the check, Alan has one more surprise waiting for him.

Security 2: And I’m sorry, but this bottle of moisturizing lotion is too large.

Alan: Oh really?

Security 2: You’re not allowed to take anything over 3 ounces, sir.

Alan has brought a bottle of moisturizing lotion with him – cream that helps keep skin
from getting to dry – but the bottle is too large to carry on the airplane. (For your
reference, one U.S. fluid ounce is about 30 milliliters.)

It’s good to check the regulations for the countries you will be visiting each time you
travel. The rules change. Currently, the U.S. allows a maximum size of 3.5 fluid ounces,
or about 100 milliliters, per item.

Listen again to how Alan responds.

Alan: What should I do?

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Security 2: You can return to the departure hall or you can leave it here.

Alan: I guess I’ll just leave it here.

If a security officer informs you that a personal item cannot pass the security check,
don’t hesitate to ask for your options. Anything left at the security check will usually be
destroyed. Often, however, passengers will be allowed to take the forbidden item back
into the departure hall – that is, the place where you get your boarding pass. There you
may be able to check it in as baggage or give it to a friend.

Let’s practice more language for politely asking for your options.

4. Asking for options

• What are my options?
• What would you advise doing?
• Is there any other option?
• If I take it back into the departure hall, can I go to the head of the line when I
come back?

The last phrase may be particularly useful if you are in a hurry to catch a plane – many
security checks will allow you to go or “skip” to the head of the line – that is, they will
not ask you to stand in line again – if you have to take something back into the
departure hall.

How does the dialog finish?

Honesto: Moisturizing lotion? Now who’s the dummy…

Alan: Well my skin gets so dry on the airplane. <fade out>

Honesto can’t resist making fun of Alan, since Alan has just been teasing him.

Now, let’s try to practice what we have learned.

Practice 1:

First we’ll review some time idioms. You’ll hear a series of sentences. In each sentence,
one word is blanked out with a beep. Repeat the sentence but say the missing word.

For example, if you hear:

We’re <beep> it kind of close.

You can say:

We’re <beep> it kind of close.

The correct answer will follow each question.

Let’s give it a try.

Cue 1: We’re getting <beep> of time.

Learner 1: We’re getting short of time.
Answer 1: We’re getting short of time.

Cue 2: Let’s try to kick it up a <beep>.

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Learner 2: Let’s try to kick it up a notch.
Answer 2: Let’s try to kick it up a notch.

Cue 3: We’re really <beep> for time.

Learner 3: We’re really pressed for time.
Answer 3: We’re really pressed for time.

Cue 4: Try not to <beep> your feet.

Learner 4: Try not to drag your feet.
Answer 4: Try not to drag your feet.

Cue 5: We made it with <beep> to spare.

Learner 5: We made it with seconds to spare.
Answer 5: We made it with seconds to spare.

Cue 6: We made it just in the <beep> of time.

Learner 6: We made it just in the nick of time.
Answer 6: We made it just in the nick of time.

Cue 7: We arrived not a <beep> too soon.

Learner 7: We arrived not a moment too soon.
Answer 7: We arrived not a moment too soon.

Cue 8: Take your time – we’ve got <beep>.

Learner 8: Take your time – we’ve got ages.
Answer 8: Take your time – we’ve got ages.

Practice 2:

Now, let’s practice responding to a security officer. You will hear a security officer asking
you questions. After each beep, respond politely and appropriately.

Security officer 1: Excuse me, sir, is this your bag? <beep>

Learner 1: Yes, sir, that’s mine.
Security officer 1: Could you please open it? <beep>
Learner 1: Certainly, no problem.

Security officer 2: I’m sorry, but you’re not allowed any toilet articles over three fluid
ounces. <beep>
Learner 2: Oops, I forgot that was in there.
Security officer 2: I’m afraid you’ll have to leave it here. <beep>
Learner 2: Is there any other option?

How did you do? Listen to some example answers:

Security officer 1: Excuse me, sir, is this your bag? <beep>

Learner 1: Yes, sir, that’s mine.
Security officer 1: Could you please open it? <beep>
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Learner 1: Certainly, no problem.

Security officer 2: I’m sorry, but you’re not allowed any toilet articles over three fluid
ounces.
Learner 2: Oops, I forgot that was in there.
Security officer 2: I’m afraid you’ll have to leave it here.
Learner 2: Is there any other option?

That’s all for this episode on airport security checks. We’ve studied time idioms and
responding politely and appropriately to security officers, including asking for options
and checking again.

For more practice, podcast scripts, and complete vocabulary definitions, head over to
the website at www.businessenglishpod.com.

Thanks for listening and see you next time!

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Vocabulary

To carry on: This refers to the practice of taking bags on to the plan with you. Most
airlines allow passengers one carry-on bag (notice that hypen when used as an adjective)
and one “personal item,” such as a laptop, shopping bag, etc. “Be careful to check the
size restrictions for carry-on bags – these days airlines are getting stricter and stricter
with them.”

Check in: To go to the airline counter when one first arrives at the airport to hand over
one’s bags to airline representatives and to obtain a boarding pass. “Let’s check in
before we get a coffee – I don’t know how long the lines are.”

Boarding pass: At the check-in counter, passengers show their tickets or check in with
an e-ticket (electronic ticket) to get a boarding pass, a piece of paper that allows them
to board the plane. “Don’t lose your boarding pass.”

To cut it close: To be short on time. “We’re cutting it really close. Do you think we’ll
make it?”
No worries: Used to reassure someone. “No worries, we’ll make it.”
Tray: A flat container, on which passengers place metal and other personal items to
send through an X-ray machine.
Tight security: Strict security. “Security is getting tighter and tighter around the
world.”
To set off something: To cause a reaction; usually a machine. “Don’t touch that button,
you might set something off.”
Metal detector: A device used to detect or find metal that is used in security checks to
look for weapons. “I set off the metal detector twice before I realized I had left my keys
in my pocket.”
(Aluminum) gum wrapper: Many brands of chewing gum enclose the gum in small
pieces of aluminum (a type of metal) paper. “In the United States, even gum wrappers
have been known to set off metal detectors.”
Dummy: Slang for a dumb person. “Don’t underestimate him – he’s not a dummy.”
Officer: A polite, respectful form of address for security personnel. “Excuse me, officer,
may I ask a quick question?”
Toilet articles: Also called “toiletries,” this refers to such things as toothpaste,
toothbrush, cologne, deodorant, etc. “It’s good to limit the number of toilet articles you
take on the plane with you because nowadays it can be hard to get through security with
them.”
Quart-sized: Adjective that describes something the size of a quart. A quart is about
950 milliliters. There are two pints in a quart and four quarts in a gallon. “You’re allowed
to take as many toilet articles as you can fit in a quart-sized plastic ziplock bag.
Ziplock bag: A plastic bag that can be “zipped” or locked shut with pressure from the
fingers. Usually used to store food in the refrigerator or freezer. “You can put your food
in a ziplock bag to keep it fresh.”
Moisturizing lotion: This is a kind of lotion or cream that helps to moisturize or keep
your skin moist, that is, prevents it from getting too dry. “Most airlines now stock
moisturizing cream on the airplane, so it’s something you might consider putting in your
checked bags instead of carrying on the airplane.”
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Ounce(s): Formally referred to as fluid ounces and abbreviated “oz.,” the U.S. fluid
ounce is about 30 milliliters and the UK fluid ounce is a little less, just over 28 milliliters.
“It’s good to check the latest regulations on how many fluid ounces are allowed per
carry-on toilet item when traveling by air in the states.”
Departure hall: The large hall in an airport where passengers stand in line to check in
their bags and get their boarding passes. “If you forget to remove an item from your
carry-on baggage that is not allowed on the plane, you can usually bring it back to the
departure hall to check in.”
To be/get short of time: To not have much time. “I’d advise moving more quickly –
we’re pretty short of time.”
Let’s try to kick it up a notch: To make a bigger effort. “You’re moving too slowly on
this. Can you please kick it up a notch?”
To be really pressed for time: To not have much time. “We’re getting pressed for
time. We should leave soon.”
To hurry up (a little): To speed up. “Please hurry up. We’re going to be late.”
To arrive/make it with seconds to spare: To make it just on time. “We made it with
seconds to spare. Just after we arrived the doors closed.
To arrive/make it just in the nick of time: To make it just on time. “He arrived just
in the nick of time. A second later, and we would have left without him.”
To arrive not a moment too soon: To make it just on time. “His letter arrived not a
moment too soon. A couple more days, and she would have left for the United States
without hearing from him.
Take your time: Don’t hurry. “Please take your time, there’s no hurry.”
To have/have got ages: To have plenty of time. “We got to the airport three hours
To go/skip to the head of the line: To move to the first place in line so that one does
not have to wait. “After disposing of your item, please go to the head of the line, sir. You
don’t need to wait in line again.”
Confiscate: Take away from someone (without compensation). “Toiletries over a certain
size may be confiscated.”

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Practice

A. Time Idioms

Fill in the blanks to review time idioms. What does each idiom mean? Can you use it in a
sentence?

ages moment drag spare

nick pressed notch short

1. We’re getting ________ of time.

2. Let’s try to kick it up a ___________.

3. We’re really __________ for time.

4. Try not to __________ your feet.

5. We made it with seconds to __________.

6. We made it just in the ________ of time.

7. We arrived not a __________ too soon.

8. Take your time – we’ve got ___________.

B. Jumbled Sentences

Place the following sentences in order to practice useful language we studied in this
episode.

Study Strategy

Can you think of a situation for each of the time idioms we’ve learned? For example, is
there a time that you arrived somewhere just in the nick of time, or when you had ages
to spare? What happened? Practice the idiom and your spoken English by telling a friend.
You may also wish to write a dialog to perform the situation.

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Answers

Listening Questions

1. The security officer asks passengers to place personal items on a tray to send
through the X-ray machine. Specifically, he requires them to 1) take their laptop
computers out of their bags; 2) take off their shoes and coats; 3) remove all
items from their pockets.

2. Honesto sets off the metal detector because he has a stick of gum in his pocket
that he forgot to take out. The gum has an aluminum wrapper.

3. Security tells Alan that all of his toilet articles that he wishes to carry on the
airplane with him should be sealed in a “quart-sized ziplock bag.” This is a small
(about 9cm by 9cm) plastic bag that can be locked or “zipped” shut. Passengers
boarding planes in the United States are required to put all toilet articles (also
called toiletries) they plan to carry on such as toothpaste, moisturizing lotion,
perfume or cologne etc., in such a bag before carrying it on the airplane. This
practice assists them in searching bags.

4. The security officer requires Alan to leave behind his moisturizing lotion because
it is over three ounces. (The United States has recently increased its limit to 3.5
U.S. fluid ounces per carry-on toilet article, which is about 100 milliliters.)

Answers

A. Time Idioms

1. We’re getting short of time.

2. Let’s try to kick it up a notch.

3. We’re really pressed for time.

4. Try not to drag your feet.

5. We made it with seconds to spare.

6. We made it just in the nick of time.

7. We arrived not a moment too soon.

8. Take your time – we’ve got ages.

B. Jumbled Sentences

Place the following sentences in order to practice useful language we studied in this
episode.

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