Travel Transportation & Logistics 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of a 'hub-and-spoke' airline routing system?
- To reduce the total number of aircraft in an airline's fleet
- To concentrate flights through central hub airports connecting smaller cities (Correct answer)
- To eliminate the need for layovers on all routes
- To provide direct nonstop service between every city pair
Correct answer: To concentrate flights through central hub airports connecting smaller cities
Hub-and-spoke routing funnels passengers through large central airports, allowing airlines to efficiently serve many city pairs that could not support direct flights.
Question 2: In the US Interstate Highway System, which number pattern indicates a highway running north-south?
- Even numbers
- Odd numbers (Correct answer)
- Numbers ending in 0 or 5
- Three-digit numbers
Correct answer: Odd numbers
By convention, odd-numbered interstates (e.g., I-5, I-95) run north-south, while even-numbered interstates run east-west.
Question 3: What is 'checked baggage' on a commercial airline flight?
- Luggage inspected by TSA and marked with a security check sticker
- Luggage transported in the aircraft's cargo hold, separate from the passenger cabin (Correct answer)
- Luggage that has been verified to meet carry-on size requirements
- Luggage equipped with an electronic tracking device
Correct answer: Luggage transported in the aircraft's cargo hold, separate from the passenger cabin
Checked baggage is luggage tagged at the check-in counter and loaded into the aircraft's cargo hold, not kept in the cabin by the passenger.
Question 4: What does 'GDS' stand for in the travel industry?
- Global Distribution System (Correct answer)
- General Departure Schedule
- Geographic Destination Service
- Group Discount Structure
Correct answer: Global Distribution System
A Global Distribution System (GDS) is a technology platform—like Sabre, Amadeus, or Travelport—that connects travel suppliers with travel agents and booking platforms.
Question 5: Which of the following is typically NOT included in a basic economy airline ticket fare?
- Seat assignment during check-in
- One personal item (e.g., purse or small backpack)
- One standard checked suitcase (Correct answer)
- A boarding pass
Correct answer: One standard checked suitcase
Most US airlines now charge separately for checked baggage, and basic economy fares typically do not include a free checked bag.
Question 6: What is the primary function of a 'connecting flight' in air travel?
- To provide in-flight Wi-Fi connectivity to passengers
- To link two flight segments allowing passengers to reach destinations without direct service (Correct answer)
- To formally connect two airline alliances for partnership purposes
- To automatically transfer luggage between aircraft without passenger involvement
Correct answer: To link two flight segments allowing passengers to reach destinations without direct service
Connecting flights allow passengers to travel between city pairs that don't have direct service by routing them through an intermediate hub airport.
Question 7: What is the standard track gauge used by most US mainline railroads?
- 3 feet (narrow gauge)
- 4 feet 8.5 inches (standard gauge) (Correct answer)
- 5 feet (broad gauge)
- 6 feet (wide gauge)
Correct answer: 4 feet 8.5 inches (standard gauge)
US railroads predominantly use standard gauge of 4 feet 8.5 inches (1,435 mm), which was adopted in the late 19th century to allow interoperability between rail networks.
Travel Transportation & Logistics 2
What is the primary purpose of a 'hub-and-spoke' airline routing system?