I heard an airport worker saying aloud "Come here". I obeyed her. She was maybe a Korean, who was not good at speaking English. She would be able to talk only particular usual formulas in English. Our situation was above her English skills. The line of passengers who were walking toward the exit was gradually getting longer and longer. Our group leader, who had suffered from a knee problem, couldn't walk at a normal pace without any wheelchair. We almost lost our way.
On the way to the exit, I saw several dozen people gathering at the corner of the corridor. They were depositing their liquid possessions which they had bought after departure procedure in Vancouver, but why? They would apparently be confiscated at the re-embarkation from Korea. Why? They can put them in their luggage.
We got to the luggage claim. The conveyer was at a standstill. The luggage didn't come out. I knew that the luggage was locked in the cargo space of the plane. I understood the pilot's words now. I was supposed to get on board the same plane. The maintenance of the plane would start at daybreak, and the crew should take enough rest and sleep. I thought our next flight would be in the afternoon. When I began thinking where I could have a rest, I saw several buses come in, and airport personnel told us to get on the bus without any instructions. It was complete chaos.
(Vocabulary)
formula [C] (ほとんど意味のない) 決まり文句
His speech was full of the usual formulas and clichés. 彼のスピーチはありきたりな言葉と陳腐な表現に満ちていた．
deposit (安全な場所に) 〈貴重品など〉を預ける
confiscate (罰として) …を押収する, 没収する
daybreak 夜明け, 日の出
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