katejeff
Unregistered User
(9/14/01 11:32 pm)
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Should we cancel now??

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We are very nervous about all that is happening in the USA and the world. We are supposed to got to Ireland in October for the first time. I am not sure if we should try and back out now or wait a bit......any opinions?????

DarrenA
Registered User
Posts: 5
(9/15/01 2:59 am)
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Re: Should we cancel now??

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No. To cancel would be allow the terrorists to win. In Northern Ireland, we quite often had to show the terrorists that no matter what they threw at us, life would go on as normal and they would not wreck community relations between Catholics and Protestants.

eyemann
Registered User
Posts: 1
(9/19/01 6:59 pm)
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Re: Should we cancel now??

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We are also planning a trip in October and are considering canceling. Any feedback would be appreciated, especially from those that are just returning. Is it safe and what about the security on the airplane?

Thanks in advance for your help.

ybilliesue
Unregistered User
(9/20/01 5:05 pm)
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we are to leave in (2) weeks

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We are supposed to leave in (2) weeks and as long as we can get a flight we are going. I feel that by not going would be giving in to these terrorists and it will only hurt our and Irelands economy. I have to admit I will probably be very nervous but I don't want them to take this freedom away from me.

tarlyn19
Registered User
Posts: 2
(9/20/01 8:28 pm)
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Re: we are to leave in (2) weeks

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I will being going to Ireland next weekend for the first time. Yes I'm afraid to fly, but I was afraid of flying before this. I will not let these less than humans stop me from going on with my life. I will go and I will have a great time.

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 247
(9/21/01 12:58 pm)
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My Experience

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Hello Everyone,

Thanks for your patience in awaiting an answer from me. I just returned from Ireland late last night. I flew from Dublin to London Heathrow on British Midland. Then from London to Newark to Chicago to Atlanta on United Airlines. That's four flights total. Like everyone else in the world who saw the terrorism on TV I didn't feel like flying but had to return home. This is my experience.

The security was very high at all airports. Armed security guards were everywhere. The security people really took their time reading the x-ray scans of the luggage and put many pieces through multiple times. My carry-on bags that were not inspected by hand when going to Ireland were inspected thoroughly by hand yesterday. My husband and other males were frisked at one airport after going through the metal detectors even though the detectors did not indicate any metal on them. Most people were very happy to comply with the new heightened security measures that are now in place. However, you must give yourself more time to get through security so arrive with plenty of time to spare.

Some airports may not allow people to drop off passengers near the terminal. At Atlanta Hartsfield police didn't want vehicles too close and didn't want people to stop for more than a moment.

Also, contact your airline to find out about carry-on rules. On the trip to Ireland I was allowed two carry-on bags. On the return I was allowed just one small piece and the rest that I usually take on had to be checked. Some items are banned from carry-on such as scissors, Swiss Army knives, knitting needles, etc. Check with your airline for a complete list of banned items.

All of the airline staff on the ground and on the planes were very helpful and going the extra mile to make everyone feel safe and comfortable. The only difference in service was that there were no metal eating utensils used for the meal service internationally in first class - instead plastic was used. On the domestic portion of the trip metal spoons and forks were allowed but plastic knives were used.

There is also "profiling" going on behind the scenes at the airlines, with certain suspicious actions being reported to the authorities in connection with ticket purchases and reservations. There are many other security rules in place that the average person will never see or hear about. With security at its highest alert flying right now is probably safer than it was a week ago.

Each individual must make the decision on their own as to whether they will fly to Ireland now or not. There are always risks associated with everything we do in life including crossing the street. I hope that my experiences will help you to make the correct decision for your trip.

If you have any more concerns, please post them and I will be happy to answer.

Happy (and safe) travels,

Michele

ybilliesue
Unregistered User
(9/21/01 5:30 pm)
Reply
Aer Lingus

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Assuming you flew with Aer Lingus, were you allowed carry-ons? I am glad you made it back safely, did you have to cut your trip short? Appreciate your help.
susie

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 250
(9/21/01 5:55 pm)
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Re: Aer Lingus

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Hi Susie,

I flew on British Midland and United but didn't fly Aer Lingus. I was allowed one carry on only. Usually United allows two but that has changed. I would suggest contacting Aer Lingus since each airline will have their own rules. It might ease up a bit later.

No, I didn't have to cut my trip short but I was concerned that I might be stuck in Ireland for several days beyond when I planned to return since my husband had to return to work at United Airlines. (What a wonderful place to be stuck!) The Irish people were so great and did everything in their power to help tourists everywhere across the country.

There was a big backlog of people waiting to get out of Ireland after the terrorist attack and the closing of all airports in North America. At Shannon Airport it was packed and standing room only. Everyone was in the same boat and just waiting to see if the flights would go. Once the airports opened again the airlines did their best to get as many people out every day as they could. Since Ireland has fewer flights each day to the United States than other European countries it will take longer to get everyone home. Delta had no open seats from Shannon till Monday September 24 - but that may have changed by now.

Michele

Lilith
Unregistered User
(9/25/01 4:17 pm)
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cancel

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going with Sceptre the end of Oct. I called and they said no refunds.

jmac
Unregistered User
(9/25/01 5:37 pm)
Reply
Cancel?

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I called AerLingus and as of today they are still allowing 1 carryon. Size on website is 9x14x18

Gayle
Unregistered User
(9/25/01 5:56 pm)
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Aer Lingus/British Air

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When I returned Sept 19, I had my one carry-on. However, I gather from the disarray that airlines are changing policies on things hourly. On British Air I had my one carry-on and a small shopping bag with me. Remember to put nail file and fingernail scissors in checked bags. I agree that to cancel one's planned trip would be to give in to the terrorists wishes.

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 257
(9/26/01 12:29 am)
Reply
Rules Changing Rapidly

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Hi Everyone,

My husband works at an airport and he says that security rules at the airlines and airports are changing rapidly. So I suggest that you contact your airline a few days before flying to be sure of the carry-on limits and other restrictions. Today I saw on the news that carry-on may be restricted entirely but that remains to be seen at this date.

Michele

eyemann
Registered User
Posts: 2
(9/30/01 7:20 pm)
Reply
Re: Rules Changing Rapidly

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We have decided to go (we were going to cancel) to Ireland this coming Saturday. We will have a reservation the first night in Dublin, after that we are going to wing it. What about a car, can we just rent one when we get to Dublin without a reservation? Would appreciate your thoughts. Thanks for your help and for this great web site. Your comments and the replies of others have given us the information we needed to make this trip a reality.

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 263
(10/1/01 12:45 am)
Reply
Renting a Car

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Hello eyemann,

It's good to hear that you are enjoying my site and forum. You can rent a car upon your arrival in Dublin. With tourism down I'm sure you will be able to find a good deal. This is what to do: go from one company to another asking for rates for the type of car you are interested in. When they tell you the price ask them if that's the best they can do. Then continue on to the next company doing the same. Tell them XYZ will give me a car for ____ can you do better? Think of it like a game of let's make a deal. Sometimes talking with the manager helps.

Some things to consider:

1. Does the rate include VAT (tax)?
2. Does it include insurance coverage?
3. Does it include the airport fee?
4. Does it include unlimited mileage?

I hope you get a good deal on a car and have a great trip to Ireland. Let us know how it goes.

Happy travels,

Michele

Mickk3
Registered User
Posts: 2
(10/13/01 12:50 am)
Reply
.

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KateJeff - Fleetingly, I was asking myself the same question about my January trip. My conclusion was that I'd actually be quite safe going to Ireland. Right about now, the last thing the Taliban would want was to take a politically neutral country, such as Ireland, and make yet another enemy. Not only that, you'll be safer by far in Ireland than you will be here in the States. I'm glad to read that you decided to go.