Another Aer Lingus question

[Stitch's Greatest Fa]

Hello,

for those of you that have flown to Dublin first and gone through immigration there, do you have to get rid of all food when entering Dublin as you do when entering the US?

Am asking as I know there are not many places to buy food from in Dublin airport and was hoping to stock up in Manchester on food for my 16 month old son...and boy, can he eat lol! He isn't entitled to a meal on the plane other than jarred baby food which a.) we haven't EVER done and b.) he is way to old to be eating jars now.

Thanks

 

[Disney Burns]

We flew Aer lingus 2 years ago and are flying with them again in September this year. If I remember rightly we had sweets and crisps in our hand luggage and I'am sure we have and like boots meal deals etc in the past and I think it was only ever juice that was an issue, because your a connecting flight so liquid rules still apply.

Hopes this helps
Jenn

 

[Stitch's Greatest Fa]

Thanks Jenn, the liquids aren't an issue because he drinks water and doesn't have formula or milk in the day any more. As long as we can take the food that's great.

 

[Disney Burns]

No probs maybe consider keeping a hold of your receipts to prove that the food was bought after security in Manchester in case any questions are raised but I really don't see any issues x

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Basically you will need to stick to the normal importation regulations and safety rules. So; no food that is not allowed into the US and making sure those that are allowed and you want to take along are in a closed prepackaging with on it ingredientlist. Safety rules; the wellknown 1-1-3 rule. Baby food can exceed said rule, but that would apply to stuff like (breast)milk.

Within the rules it should be no problem. A 16-month old will eat enough options that you can bring along fitting within regulations and are prepackaged, yet still fit within your idea of how you want him to eat. Simply throw out any opened packages you might have from the first flight if not wanting to eat them before entering check point.

Be aware; after the checkpoint there are no real outlets for food other than perhaps a vending machine. So make sure that whatever you want to bring along is on you before hitting security. Read; if needing/wanting to shop at DUB airport do so before you go through security and CPB.

 

[Stitch's Greatest Fa]

Goofieslonglostsis, I am afraid your post was so long and complicated there are parts I didn't understand...what is the 1-1-3 rule? Also am not trying to be ruse so apologies if this sounds a little off, but I am well aware of what a 16 month old will eat since he is my second child so what he can eat is not the problem. I just get annoyed that it still costs us around £100 for him to fly and for that he gets no luggage allowance or meal! So in essence, what you are saying is that I can't take any foods into Dublin, since there isn't anything that is allowed into the US?

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Goofieslonglostsis, I am afraid your post was so long and complicated there are parts I didn't understand...what is the 1-1-3 rule?

It's the rules about liquids, gels etc in carry ons. This does not just applies to drinks but also to liquid foods (some officers have been known to qualify jam as such, for instance). For more info, take a look at; http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/3-1-1-carry-ons

Also am not trying to be ruse so apologies if this sounds a little off, but I am well aware of what a 16 month old will eat since he is my second child so what he can eat is not the problem.

I think you are reading things that are not in my post, nor suggested. I'm not saying more or less than every youngster has their own preferences and each parent/set of parents can also have their ideas about their childs diet (for instance when they can or can't have candy etc.) No judgement at all, just stating that each menu is different but you as parent will be more than competent enough to find options within the rules that fit both childs taste as your parental views. Read; stick with what you know and fits within rules.

I just get annoyed that it still costs us around £100 for him to fly and for that he gets no luggage allowance or meal! So in essence, what you are saying is that I can't take any foods into Dublin, since there isn't anything that is allowed into the US?

You can bring anything and all into DUB that is allowed under Irish rules. You were asking about the US-preclearance at DUB, right? That is a bit of US territory on DUB airport. Before you just need to adhere to Irish rules, to get through the US pre-clearance you have to adhere to the US rules, just like you would when you would when MCO would have been your first point of entery. So you will go through both TSA and CPB.

As far as the food goes getting through US pre-clearance I am totally saying the opposite;

- you are not allowed to bring OPENED packages of food, so if you open stuff on the first flight you would need to eat it up or throw out as it is not allowed through
- after checks there are no selling points other than perhaps a vending machine with poor expensive options, so by all means if you need to buy anything at DUB do so before going through the checks
- you can take anything with you as long as it fits US food importation rules and is in a closed prepackaging with an ingredient list on it. More info and some ideas of what is allowed;
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/de...-bringing-food-into-the-u.s.-for-personal-use
http://cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/arriving_travelers.xml


As far as luggage allowance; indeed no suitcase, but you are allowed to check one collapsible buggy/stroller for free.

 

[Stitch's Greatest Fa]

So basically if I bring him a prepackaged cheese sandwich, a packet of crisps and a chocolate bar I should be ok? That is the type of thing I was thinking of, basically no meat in the sandwich? He doesn't generally eat meat sandwiches anyway so think we will be fine.

I know he is allowed a stroller, but all other flights we have been on have allowed a stroller and 10kg baggage.

Thanks for the links, you have made yourself clearer now!

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

You're on the spot. Biggest thing is them trying to keep out risks like contaminations of food and mouth and other stuff. So meat is an obvious, as you've concluded. Cheese don't know about others that have brought prepackaged cheese sandwiches but I do now of fellow Dutchmen having brought along whole vacuum packed cheeses (we're as serious about our cheeses as many English are about good tea) on their trips to the US.

If you combine that with perhaps small packages of jam, jelly, spreads, honey or alike he also loves you'll have plenty of options you can combine with crackers as a quick but filling and healthy enough bite. These small packages will also fit within the 1-1-3 liquid rules and thus allowed in your carry on.


Peanutbutter is another option, but always have a back up if you go with PB. Sometimes they ask everybody to refrain from eating any peanutproducts if there is anybody on board with an airborn peanut allergy. Most airlines do not announce this until after door is closed and you can no longer grab another snack or lunch. So peanuts are smart to come with a back up option.