Unit 8b:Business travel
Listening
1.Any regular business traveller
will tell you how important this is if you want to feel ready to face a whole day of business meetings.
Sometimes,you work straight through meal-times,
so it might be the only thing you'll get until you step on the plane for your flight home.
And who wants to ahve to start looking for a burger bar at midnight?
From the business traveller's point of view,flexibility and choice are absolutely crucial.
Businesses can't depend on airlines offering a flight on a particular day or time of their choosing.
I really do feel that getting to and from your destination at a time which suits you and fits in with your plans is essential,
and one of the main reasons for choosing an airline.
3.I just find it really annoying.
After I've eaten,I just want to sit quietly,
have a drink and read my newspaper.
The last thing I want is to listen to people screaming with laughter
at some ridiculous comedy.
4.On a short trip,it's not so important.
You're not there long enough to ahve more than a drink and a quick look at the paper.
But on a long trip,you realy need to be able to stretch out,
lie back and get some proper sleep.
Of course,I could get a cheaper seat,but that's not the point.
With a long day of meetings and negotiations ahead of me,
I need a bit of comfort and looking after,and my company understands that.
It's also a good place for networking,and I've often got into conversation with the person next to me,
who's developed into a useful contact.