New Irish flight regulations started yesterday
So yesterday Ireland joined their close neighbours, England, by increasing restrictions on carry-on baggage in accordance with new EU regulations.
Last week I flew over to England on business. As it was just for a few days, I decided to forego checking any baggage and carry the few items I needed on board as carry-on luggage. Grand; all well and good.
The problem happened on the way back. Standing in our English airport we were faced with some bright red cautionary signs warning us about new regulations leaving England to . . . anywhere. Ironic that the flight that brought us in was more permissive than that which would bring us back. Of course, as of Monday all that is moot because Ireland’s regulations pretty much parallell those of england.
So, standing there in line I realised that I had some shaving cream, aftershave, toothpaste and hair product in my bag. As a musician who has never so much as checked his guitar for a flight I was going to toss the bits that wouldn’t pass inspection – I had noted the large containers around the airport full of toothpaste, makeup and other fluids. The guy I was travelling with was of like mind until he realised that he’d just bought perfume for his girlfriend to the tune of £60.
We checked a bag.
So, Ireland’s new regulations are slightly more permissive than those I was subject to in England; you can bring onboard containers with 100ml or less of liquids, gels, pastes, lotions or cosmetics just so long as they are in a transparent re-sealable bag of no more than one litre capacity. Baby food and medicine are exempt from the rules, but even these items should be in a transparent re-sealable bag and presented separately at the passenger security screening area.