Very confused. Please help!

Date: 1:05 AM, 03/03/11

Very confused. Please help!

Green Dragon · Guru

Personally, I really dislike any connection less than 2 hours, especially for an international flight. O'Hare can be a nightmare. If they have changed the times, you should have the option of having them rebook you for a different flight. If it is all on one ticket, then, if you miss a flight due to delays, they will get you there even if on another airline - you may have to push for that. I've had my share of mad dashes through airports, including those when I needed to re-check luggage, as you describe.

Customs will be on your arrival, and you'll need to bring your checked luggage for that, I'm afraid. I think that's standard for any arrivals in the US.

As for restrictions, yes, each airline has different rules, and you should plan for the most stringent.

egnolive · Veteran Member

In May 2010, we flew out of Shannon to Heathrow via Aer Lingus and then to LA via American. I have to tell you that the walk from the Aer Lingus arrival gate to our AA departure gate in Heathrow must have been a mile at least, more likely closer to two. I would definitely check with AA whether they think you have enough time or will rebook you on another later flight thorugh a different US airport. I know how difficult it can be to get correct information from AA, so I would even call a couple of times for verification. But I think its better to be prepared for long wait times tbetween flights han to run through an airport to make a flight. Especially with Heathrow where you may be delayed taking off anyway.

On a good note, while Heathrow is crowded, I find it to be extremely well signed and organized.

I have also found Aer Lingus to have more stringent carry on restrictions. Don't know about checked, as we never do that. As Green Dragon advised, plan for the most stringent.

Good luck.

tony2phones · Guru

This link gives the Aer Lingus baggage information

http://www.aerlingus.com/help/help/baggageinformation/#d.en.1215

Date: 6:03 PM, 03/04/11

Many thanks to all your help. Really apprecaiate it.

I am getting very nervous about the flight arrangement. I called up both AA and Aer Lingus but they were not very helpful. AA just insisted on there would be enough time to do all the connection. As Egnolive suggested, I will call them again. Since my flights were booked through a travel agency, I really am not sure if I will be able to change anything.

Egnolive, can you please tell me if you did get to do preclearance for US while you were at Shannon Airport since you had a similiar route as mine (Shannon - London - Dallas - LAX). It would really help if I could get preclearance at Shannon instead of having to pick up our checked suitcases at Dallas. My, thanks for the advice on the walk from Aer Lingus arrival gate to AA departure gatel too. Is it possible to take a bus/train?

Thanks again to all your help. I am keeping my fingers crossed that things will work out.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Holland,

Call your travel agent to see how they booked your flights. If it was booked on one airline via code share they are obligated to get you to your destination. If your agent booked it one flight at a time I would be concerned and try to change things for longer connect times.

In either Shannon or Dublin they now have pre-clearance of customs and immigration for direct flights from Ireland to the US. Since you are traveling to London and then the USA that is not available to you.

Michele