Roger and Ann needed to meet Sergey in San Francisco. "Should we take the train, a steamboat, or a plane?" Ann asked.
"The train is too slow, and a steamboat journey around South America will take several months," Roger replied. "Let's fly by plane."
He accessed the central network with his personal computer and waited for the system to confirm his identity. With a few keystrokes, he logged into the electronic ticket sales system and entered the codes for the departure point and destination. Within seconds, the computer displayed a list of suitable flights, and he chose the earliest one. The dollars for payment were automatically deducted from his personal account.
The planes departed from the city airport, which they reached via the city train. Ann changed into travel clothes consisting of a lightweight blouse made from a synthetic fabric based on polycarbonates that highlighted her vibrant physique, which had not been genetically enhanced, and dark blue textile trousers. Her pretty brown hair remained uncovered.
At the airport, Roger presented their identification cards to an airline representative who used her own computer system to verify their identities and obtain information about their flight. She entered the confirmation number and issued them two coupons granting access to the boarding area. Then they were screened by security – a necessary measure for all flights. They handed their luggage over to another representative; it would be transported in a separate compartment of the plane where artificial pressure is not maintained.
"Do you think we will fly on a propeller plane? Or on one of the new jets?" Ann asked.
"I'm sure it will be a jet plane," Roger said. "Propeller planes are practically outdated. On the other hand, rocket engines are still in the experimental phase. They say that when they start to be widely used, such flights will take only an hour at most. And our flight today will last up to four hours."
After a brief wait, they were led onto the plane along with other passengers. The aircraft was a massive steel cylinder at least one hundred meters long, with streamlined wings angled backward and four jet engines mounted on them. They peeked into the cockpit and saw two pilots checking all the necessary equipment for operating the aircraft. Roger was relieved that he didn’t have to fly the plane himself – it was a complex profession that required years of training.
In an unexpectedly spacious passenger section, soft benches stood; there were also windows through which they could look down at the countryside, flying 11 kilometers above it at a speed of over 800 km/h. Nozzles releasing pressurized air maintained a warm, comfortable temperature in the cabin, despite the surrounding cold stratosphere.
"I’m a bit nervous," Ann said before takeoff.
"There’s nothing to worry about," he reassured her. "These flights are completely routine. You’re safer than on ground transportation!"
Despite his calm words, Roger had to admit that he was a little nervous too when the pilot lifted the plane into the air and the ground dropped away. He and the other passengers stared out the windows for a long time. He could barely distinguish between houses, farms, and moving vehicles below.
"There are more people heading to San Francisco today than I expected," he noted.
"Some of them may be going to other places," she replied. "You know, it would be very expensive to connect all points on the map with flights. So we have a hub-and-spoke system, with people from small towns traveling first to a hub before heading to their final destination. Fortunately, you found us a flight that goes directly to San Francisco."
When they arrived at San Francisco airport, airline representatives helped them disembark from the plane and retrieved their luggage, checking the tags with numbers on them to ensure that each bag returned to its owner.
"I can’t believe we’re already in another city," Ann said. "Just four hours ago, we were in Chicago."
“Well, we haven't arrived in the city yet!” Roger corrected her. “We're still at the airport, which is located some distance from the city because it requires a large area, as well as for rare emergencies. From here, we will go to the city on smaller transport.”
They chose one of the ground vehicles powered by carbon fuel that were waiting in line outside the airport. The cost of the trip was low enough to be paid in cash rather than through electronic transfer. The driver headed his car toward the city; and although he was driving at only about 100 km/h, it felt to them like they were moving faster since they were just a meter away from the concrete road. He glanced at Ann, worried that such speed might excite her; but she seemed to be enjoying the ride. A tough and smart girl!
Finally, the driver stopped his car, and they arrived at their destination. The automatic electronic doors welcomed them into Sergei's building. The entire trip took no more than seven hours.
Source: habr.com
