connecting in dublin

[willieboy]

Hi All, I am looking at flying to mco from Glasgow through dublin. I know i pass US immigration in dublin on the way out but am i right in thinking i wouldnt pass uk immigration till glasgow?? There isnt a lot of time between connections at dublin on the way home...Would i just get of the orlando flight and head straight to flight connections??

cheers

 

[starrysky]

Hi I take it you are going with Aerlingus?

We did that trip last year from Edinburgh and it was great.

You pre clear as you said on the way out and it was fantastic to get off the flight in Orlando and get our bags and off to the ME. We were at our resort in 1 !/2 hours max. Remember to fill out the blue customs forms before you go through the desk, they have plenty kiosks and desks to do this and you only need one per couple/family group.

Yes just get off the flight and follow the signs for connections it will take you where you need to go. The pre clearance area is big and well sign posted. Just look for the large American Flag. We were early for our flight so the first guard told us to go back upstairs for an hour as once you go through there is not much there. One small food stand and a very very small last minute duty free which had just a couple of bottles of spirits and a limited tabbacco selection.
There were a number of security checks to go through. I think it was one when we left Glasgow, One when we got to Dublin, and one before we got on the flight. Two in Dublin on the way back as well. Seemed to be a never ending run of them But if you have all you liquids and belts/shoes off quick they don't take long to pass through.

On the way back you go through Immigration for Dublin for entry to Ireland and then again on entry to the UK at Glasgow. Both of these were very quick.

 

[willieboy]

Thanks Starrsky, yes i am thinking about aerlingus (depending on price). they seem to have the best connecting times to get back to glasgow 10.00 in the morning iirc... not flying till 01 jan 2013 so trying to get as much info on the various options available....BA seem to have decent prices also...


Cheers

 

[starrysky]

We have used them twice now and they have always been good. On time, and clean. Baggage allowance is better than BA with 23kg hold and 10kg carryon.

Movie choice not bad and the food as airline food goes was pretty decent.

Service on board good too and staff all friendly and helpful. Plus its free soft drinks as well.

BA are ok but I found the fact that you are not able to pre book the extra legroom in economy very off putting as DH is 6feet 10 we need the space but can't afford the PE prices which in most flights hardly offer much more room anyway.

Dublin is a pretty decent airport to transfer through and we have always found the staff including the security teams to be friendly and helpful.

 

[willieboy]

thanks again starrsky

 

[starrysky]

one word of advice is keep an eye on their prices they seem to go up and down quite often. If you can have a look at both the Ediburgh and the Glasgow option as they can be vastly different in price.

If you are interested in the extra leg room seats call them and request it. They do charge for this but I can't remember exactly how much and you can do it for all the legs of the flight at once (unlike BA). One person I spoke to last time said no but I called back and the next person was more than helpful. So it pays to call back and ask.

They did not check our hand lugggage last time either on the way out or back but I can't be 100% sure that they will not at some point. You are allowed one bag at 10kg and another laptop sized bag or hand bag as well. I took a reasonable size handbag and DH his laptop style bag on the way out. On the way back we both had the disney sports bags and those bags and it was not a problem. They were only interested in the weight of the checked bags.