Travelin’ Rick Visits an Airport

“Hello there, everyone,” said Travelin’ Rick, carrying a large suitcase under his arms. “I’m going on a trip in an airplane. Why don’t you join me? I’ve got a few more things to do, so grab your suitcase and meet me on my front porch.”

Travelin’ Rick set his suitcase down by the front door and picked up the telephone.

“This is Travelin’ Rick, calling,” said Travelin’ Rick into the receiver. “I need a taxi to come and pick me up and take me to the airport.”

Once he finished the telephone call, Travelin’ Rick locked all the windows and doors. He also made sure that his plants had plenty of water. Picking up his suitcase once again, Travellin Rick stood outside on his front porch.

“Well, I’m all set,” said Travelin’ Rick. “What about you? You are ready. Good, let’s get on our way. Oh, look, here comes the taxi.”

“To the airport,” said Travelin’ Rick to the taxi driver.

“Going somewhere,” said the taxi driver.

“Yes,” said Travelin’ Rick. “My friends and I are going to the airport. We are going on a trip.”

“A trip,” said the driver. “That sounds fun! Me, I go on trips every single day, driving trips, that is!”

“How nice,” said Travelin’ Rick. “Have you ever been on an airplane?”

“Me, on an airplane?” asked the taxi driver. “No, I’ve never been on a plane before. I’m too frightened.”

“There really isn’t anything to be frightened about,” said Travelin’ Rick. “Lots of people go on an airplane. As a matter of fact, about 500,000,000 people travel on airplanes every year!”

“Wow!” exclaimed the taxi driver. “That is a lot of people! Maybe I’ll just go on an airplane someday.”

“I’ve got an idea,” said Travelin’ Rick. “Why don’t you come for an airplane ride with us, today?”

“You mean right now,” said the taxi driver.

“Sure,” said Travelin’ Rick. “One more person won’t make any difference.”

“I don’t know,” said the taxi driver. “Airplanes are so big!”

“They are very big,” said Travelin’ Rick. “That still is no reason to be afraid of them.”

“I guess not,” said the taxi driver. “I could use a holiday anyway.”

“By the way,” said Travelin’ Rick. “What is your name? My name is Travelin’ Rick.”

“My name is Steven,” said the taxi driver. “You don’t have to tell me you’re name, Travelin’ Rick. Everyone in this town knows who you are.”

Steven pulled the taxi cab into the parking lot of the airport.

“Wow!” exclaimed Steven, while walking beside Travelin’ Rick. “This sure is a busy place.”

“Airports are very busy places,” said Travelin’ Rick. “A lot of activity takes place here.”

“This is so exciting,” said Steven, taking a deep breath.

“Well,” said Travelin’ Rick. “I suppose the first thing that we should do is to get our tickets.”

“Okay,” said Steven, following behind.

Travelin’ Rick and Steven soon came to a ticket booth. A ticket agent asked them a few questions and punched a few buttons on her computer. Soon, both men had their tickets in their hands.

“Your plane leaves in an hour,” the agent said. “Have a nice flight.”

“Yes,” said Steven. “We will!”

“Let’s go check our baggage,” said Travelin’ Rick.

Travelin’ Rick and Steven got lost while trying to find the baggage department. They noticed an information booth to their right.

“We are trying to find the baggage department,” said Travelin’ Rick.

“Go straight down the hall and the baggage department is two doors to your left,” a friendly clerk said.

“Thank you very much,” said Travelin’ Rick.

Once they checked their baggage, Travelin’ Rick and Steven decided that they would get something to eat. They stopped off at a snack bar and ordered a hamburger and fries.

“While we are here,” said Steven. “I should buy a postcard for my wife.”

“Good idea,” said Travelin’ Rick. “I noticed a little gift shop just around the corner. Come on. I want to get a couple of postcards too.”

Travelin’ Rick bought three postcards and some magazines. Steven bought a postcard for his wife and a little souvenir for her, too.

“I think Suzie will love her postcard,” said Steven. “It has a photograph of a deer. Suzie loves deer.”

“Yes,” said Travelin’ Rick. “I’m sure she will love it. Don’t forget to buy her another postcard when we arrive at our destination.”

“Oh definitely,” said Steven.

“Flight 133, now boarding at gate 11,” came a voice over the intercom.

“That’s us,” said Travelin’ Rick. “Let’s go!”

Steven began to get butterflies in his stomach when he saw the size of the airplane.

“I’m not so sure that this is a good idea,” said Steven.

“Now come on,” said Travelin’ Rick. “There’s nothing to be afraid of.”

“Is this your first flight?” a stewardess asked Steven, once he was seated.

“Yes, it is,” said Steven.

“Well, don’t you worry about a thing,” said the stewardess. “We have very competent and well-trained staff here to help make your first trip as pleasant as possible. Now, can I get you something to drink or eat.”

“A coffee would be great,” said Steven.

“And how about you sir?” the stewardess asked Travelin’ Rick.

“Yes, I’ll have a coffee too,” said Travelin’ Rick.

The stewardess returned a few minutes later with a tray of coffee and a whole lot of goodies.

“I feel better already,” said Steven.

“That’s good,” said the stewardess. “Now, can I get you anything else?”

“Not for me,” said Travelin’ Rick.

“Me either,” said Steven.

“Alright,” said the stewardess. “Would you like to watch a movie?”

“This is great,” said Steven, excitedly. “Yes, I would like to watch a movie.”

“How about you sir?” asked the stewardess.

“No thank you,” said Travelin’ Rick. “I’m going to read these magazines that I bought.”

“This is your pilot speaking,” a voice came onto the intercom. “We are experiencing good weather, at present. Fasten your seat belts and let’s get this plane into the air. I hope you have a wonderful flight!”

The plane started to taxi down the runway and within minutes was gliding in the air.

“That wasn’t so bad,” said Steven.

“I told you there was nothing to worry about,” said Travelin’ Rick.

Within a few hours, the airplane landed at a different airport.

“That was a great experience,” said Steven. “I think I would like to travel on a plane more often.”

“Yes,” said Travelin’ Rick. “That was fun!”

Steven and Travelin’ Rick both agreed that they would have to travel together again. Why don’t you come along on their next flight, too?