What is a Slot?
There are several terms used to describe the slot machine. The most common are the word “slot” and “taste.” The former refers to the small amount of money paid to keep a player seated while he/she waits to receive the maximum payout from the machine. The latter term was derived from electromechanical slot machines, which had tilt switches that broke when the machine was tilted. Tilt was often associated with a tampered machine, but most modern machines don’t have tilt switches. Still, tilt is used to describe any technical fault.
Airplane slots are granted to an airline when the runway throughput and parking space are too limited. These can be traded and can be very valuable – in 2016 one airport slot sold for $75 million! Other slots are issued by the air traffic management organization EUROCONTROL as part of its role in managing air traffic flow and capacity. While some people are uncomfortable with this system, many have seen its benefits. In a busy airport, slots are a great way to manage the flow of air traffic and avoid repeated delays caused by multiple flights.
Another term for a slot is “slave of technology”. This describes the person who is addicted to gadgets and cannot live without them. The term applies to both guys and girls. For example, an airline employee may be a SLOT if he/she works in the slots of an airplane. A slot also serves as a job opening. Slot is also a synonym for “slot machine.”