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Dude


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Transport help, please
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Here is my dilemma. I am traveling with two young men, one to turn 15 on the day we leave for Ireland, the other about two weeks short of 14. I am in Kingsville, Texas. They can be delivered to the airport in Houston but I must fly in.

If I book us all three from Houston to Dublin (and from Shannon coming back), then I have to buy a separate ticket from Corpus Christi to Houston (and back). That not being an international flight, I will have to pay for my checked baggage. If I book them Houston-->Dublin-->Shannon-->Houston, and myself Corpus Christi-->Houston-->Dublin-->Shannon-->Houston-->Corpus Christi, then they look like a pair of unaccompanied minors, especially the younger one, and I'm not even sure that Continental, for example, would allow this on an international flight. And they have some pretty steep charges for the younger fellow on a domestic flight, so probably on an international flight, too, if it is even possible.

Because Aer Lingus doesn't allow open jaw booking with their travel partners, I can't take advantage of their specials. Should I bite the bullet and pay the domestic luggage fees for scenario one up there? I'm getting tempted to go to a travel agent friend and throw myself on her mercy.



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Slán go fóill, Judy
Itallian Chauffeur


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Judy -- The Travel Agent route might not be as painful as you think. Plus, they might actually save you some cash. If they can't, you can always walk away...

On the surface, I would think the extra baggage fee might be the most cost-effective, however knowing how much bounty you doubtless are planning to haul to-and-fro from the AnchorHold in Donegal, THAT could boost those fees dramaticaly!!

Have you querried the Live Help on the Continental web site? Perhaps, if you bought your ticket first, THEN added the boys, they could be detailed as 'Accompanied'???

As an aside, be sure to secure a Temporary Medical Power Of Attorney for the boys - in the unlikely event that either might need medical care while 'Irelanding'.

Have you settled on dates, yet? I snagged two tix for 12 June - 28 June from Aer Lingus and JetBlue.

Aer Lingus Sale ENDS, today, though ...

Bob

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Dude


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Thanks, Bob, I knew you would be among the first to reply. This sort of question is right up the Itallian Alley.

JetBlue doesn't fly out of any city close enough to us, and as I said, Aer Lingus won't do open jaw with their partners. If I remember correctly, the first two trips we went American to Boston and then on to Shannon via Aer Lingus, second two have been Continental all the way.

Our dates are pretty well set for June 20-28. Trying to take advantage of two weekends so less time away from my two jobs. The boys are still footloose and fancy free. And I have warned the parents that I will need both medical power of attorney and permission to remove their children from this country.

I was thinking that I might check one larger bag and carry on a smaller, but it will all depend on what Anchoress' needs are at the time. And I need plenty of room for that jam.....

Perhaps I will go see Mary Lou the Travel Agent on Monday.

Oh, dear, Dude's starting to obsess. Let's all walk away very quietly.....

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Slán go fóill, Judy
Anchoress


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Dude; please worry not re this Nun. Or any needs here. What matters is the boys on this trip. OK? OK! Or  I will get cross:) iBlessings.... 

Oh the JAM!! biggrin Must sort out the last few small jars:) 

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ahillhouse


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Hello fellow Texan! I just wanted you to know that I got a really good deal recently via Aer Lingus flying out of Houston International June 6-16. We only have one stop-over in NY. Would it be worth driving to Houston in order to fly with them?

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Michele Erdvig


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Dude,

I hope you get your airlines and routing settled soon. It is always more complicated than we would wish, especially when traveling with others. There is a time and place for travel agents. This might be the occasion.

Let us know how it works out.

Michele

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Dude


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I found a travel agent in Corpus Christi online and she suggests driving to San Antonio and flying Continental out of there. The grandsons will end up in Boerne, about 30 minutes north of San Antonio, so it's an obvious solution. Hadn't thought of it myself because we can't fly from Corpus Christi to San Antonio.

The downside is that I'll have to get off the plane coming home and drive 3 hours, but I guess I'll just buy the biggest Dr. Pepper I can find and head south.

This will also save us a good bit of money on the plane tickets.

Hurrah! We proceed apace.

Oh, yes, ahillhouse, the trip to Houston by car is 4-5 hours and I was not looking forward to that drive at the end of an exhausting trip. Not to mention driving in Houston. I can get from the San Antonio airport to I37.

On to the next challenge.....

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Slán go fóill, Judy
Michele Erdvig


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Dude,

I'm glad you have solved the dilemma with the help of your travel agent. Hey, maybe your husband will meet you at the airport and drive you home? Promise him a treat from Ireland if he does that (like seeing you again!).

Michele

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Dude


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After 45 years of marriage he might prefer some extra time away from me! Now that's an idea that hadn't occurred to me. We shall see.


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Slán go fóill, Judy
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Dude --

We are flying IN / OUT of Orlando MCO - about a 2 - 2.5 hour drive.  I've PROMISED my wife that we'll book a room and spend the night near the airport, and then drive home the next morning.

Added advantage -- you can USUALLY find hotels near the airport that will let you park your car there FOR FREE, as long as you spend either the night before OR the night after your trip.

Long term parking at MCO is over $8 per day, so I'm looking at $128 in parking fees.  If I can score a free parking deal, it means the hotel stay is FREE!

Bob

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Dude


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Bob, one of the grandsons in question lives about 30 minutes north of San Antonio (and the airport is on the north side) so I will drive up the night before and stay with my daughter's family, let them drive us to the airport, and then they can bring my car to me when they pick us up on arrival. Then I get to make the 3 hour journey all alone. If I just can't make it, I can go to my daughter's and drive home the next day, but I really hate to lose the day at work since I'm only working Mondays and Fridays as it is, and Tuesdays and Thursdays belong to the new granddaughter.

I like your idea, if it would just work for me. At least I won't have to pay for parking--unless my daughter charges demurrage for taking up space in their driveway. I'll have to check on that.

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Slán go fóill, Judy
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