Activity Leaders - excursions

2 – excursions, arrivals and departures

Apart from setting up and supervising activities, you will often be called on to accompany excursions and be Elac's representative when students arrive or depart.

You will be the representative of the entire organisation – no pressure, then. At arrivals and departures, you are the first person people see and sometimes the last person from Elac that they meet. First and last impressions are both enduring.

Excursions

This is a good time to remind yourself of the information in the excursions part of the general induction for all staff. Re-do the test now .

If you found that difficult, go back to the information page for excursions and re-read what's there. It is very important that you understand this information. Click here to go to the excursions induction page. It will open in a new window, close it to return.

Arrivals

Here's the drill.

	Go to the Airport Information and ask where the Coach Marshall is located at the airport and the area where coaches pick-up groups.
	Once you have done that, stand at the arrival area with Elac and any other group-specific signs.
	Look at the airport arrival information on the screens in the airport to see that the flight has arrived and see if you can find an area where the group can go when they arrive without blocking any thoroughfares.
	When people arrive, welcome the Group Leader and the students. Ask about the flight and make some small talk.
	Provide information to group leaders – journey time to the centre, arrangements when they arrive at the centre. It is important at this stage to keep the group together and go immediately to the coach. (If anyone needs toilet facilities then check with the driver to see if there is a working toilet on the coach. If there is no toilet on the coach, let them go when you are all at the coach and it is being loaded up with the luggage.)
	Make sure that you communicate with the driver regarding the way he would like to load the luggage on to the coach. DO NOT let the students chuck their bags into the coach as this may cause problems with space.
	Count and re-count the student numbers and check this is correct with your information and with the group leader.
	Make the rules clear – seat belts, sitting down throughout the entire journey, litter, eating and drinking.
	Briefly explain where the coach will take them when they arrive at the centre. Let them know not to leave the coach at the centre before they have been met by their Elac guide.

Departures

	Familiarise yourself with the airport layout (different terminal buildings) and also the relevant group check-in desks.
	Go to the Airport Information desk to locate the area where coaches drop-off groups and locate yourself there ready for the arrival of the coach. You can also contact the coach driver if you have the number to find out their estimated time of arrival.
	Guide the group to the relevant airline check-in desk and make sure that they stay together with their luggage and don't block any aisles. (DO NOT let them go to the shops or toilets now – there will be plenty of time once through to the departures lounge.)
	After the whole group has checked in make sure that all of the group have their hand luggage and also their passports and flight tickets.
	Guide the group to the departure / security area and make sure that they have all passed through successfully you wait for the next group or leave the airport if it is your last group.


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