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Screenshot via Channel 4 News

Holocaust survivor: 'I'm starting to see nasty things happen again in Europe'

Today marks Holocaust Memorial Day.

A SURVIVOR OF the Holocaust has spoken of his fears that what led to World War II ‘is happening again’ in Europe.

Speaking to Channel 4 News on Holocaust Memorial Day, Leslie Kleinman said he can see the ‘nasty things’ he witnessed when he was younger ‘coming up again’.

There are fears that antisemitism is on the rise in Europe.

“I’ve been through it, and believe me, I know I wouldn’t like it to happen again, I wouldn’t like to happen again,” he says, breaking down in tears.

“We should live together, in harmony, as one people. After all, we’re all human beings.”

In spring 1944, Kleinman was 15 when his father was taken to Auschwitz.

Weeks later, soldiers returned for the rest of his family. He, along with his mother and seven siblings, were taken to Auschwitz as well.

The Evening Times reports that he was told to say he was 17, and that saved him from execution. He told the paper previously:

My mother and six of my brothers and sisters were sent to the left of the line. I was sent to the right. I had no idea where they had gone but later that night other prisoners told me that they would have gone to be gassed and their bodies already cremated. My family would have been gone within hours.

After a horrific year, when he didn’t speak about for decades, he was liberated from the camp on April 13, 1945.

Kleinman now shares his experience with young people through the Holocaust Education Trust.

President Michael D Higgins spoke this evening at a memorial day ceremony in the mansion house, at which three survivors of the Holocaust were in attendance.

Germany-Auschwitz Investigations AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

“Seventy years after the Holocaust, it remains an atrocity which we regard and remember with horror, revulsion, and disbelief. We owe so much to the survivors of that atrocity, who continue to bear witness to the terrible inhumanity that can emerge from hatred, prejudice and intolerance,” Higgins said.

“We are approaching a time, however, when the Holocaust will become a chapter that has passed from the possibility of personal recall into history,” he warned.

It will remain important that future generations learn about and comprehend that baleful chapter in World history, and all of the hateful assumptions and practices that preceded it; assumptions and practices that now seek to re-emerge in so many places to continue the prejudice, discrimination and persecution which lead to the great failure of humanity that was the Shoah.

“As we remember the hateful discrimination that led to the Holocaust, and the horrors of that period, we must remember also today what emerged from that tragic episode of European history – in particular the resolution of the people of Europe to seek to found a new community of nations and peoples founded on the principles and values of human rights and human dignity,” he said.

300 Auschwitz survivors — most now in their nineties — will on Tuesday return to  Auschwitz-Birkenau.

Between 1940-45 some 1.1 million people, including one million Jews, perished in the twin death camps of Auschwitz-Birkenau created by Nazi Germany in Oswiecim, southern Poland.

Liberated by the Soviet Red Army on January 27, 1945, the camps have become an enduring symbol of the horrors of Nazism and the Holocaust, which claimed the lives of six million European Jews.

“It is the last big anniversary that we can commemorate” with a large group of survivors, said Piotr Cywinski, director of the museum at the site of the former death camp.

“Their voices became the most important warning against the human capacity for extreme humiliation, contempt and genocide.

“However, soon it will not be the witnesses of those years, but us, the post-war generations, who will pass this horrible knowledge and the crushing conclusions that result from it,” he said in a statement posted on the camp’s website.

One hundred Auschwitz survivors from Israel were expected to be among the group of around 300 former prisoners due for the landmark ceremonies.

Additional reporting © – AFP 2015

Read: ‘British Schindler’ honoured for saving hundreds of children from Nazi death camps >

More: 93-year-old former Auschwitz guard charged with 300,000 crimes >

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    Mute Richard King
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    Aug 6th 2012, 11:16 AM

    If you recline your seat, I hate you.

    184
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    Mute Tony Stanley
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    Aug 6th 2012, 1:44 PM

    Everyones entitled to recline their seat! Why don’t you do it too and then you’ll have the same space as before!

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    Mute Philip Doyle
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    Aug 6th 2012, 4:59 PM

    Unless you’re seated in the last row in which case your seat very often won’t recline but the one in front of you will! I never sit there!

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    Mute Bilbo Baggins
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    Aug 6th 2012, 5:30 PM

    Bull , reclining your own seat doesn’t move your kneecaps from 2inches into the reclined seat in front … I couldn’t do that to someone (unless I noticed they were short) especially for a long haul flight .

    13
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    Mute Owen Mc Dermott
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    Sep 14th 2013, 11:00 AM

    I hate you already – And I don’t even want to know you!

    2
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    Mute Colm mccormack
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    Aug 6th 2012, 11:11 AM

    A load of drink and a vuvuzala, everyone will think you are gas craic.

    181
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    Mute Tony Stanley
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    Aug 6th 2012, 11:22 AM

    I’m a little appalled you recommend to bring with you sleeping tablets!

    As crew I can say with certainty that sleeping tablets are one of the absolute worst things to use when flying as far too many people mix them with alcohol and subsequently end up reacting badly to them. Almost every case of air rage iv dealt with have been a result of bad reaction to sleeping tablets.

    But it’s not just air rage, DVTs occur from being stationary in unusual confined spaces which may not happen if you had not taken such pills and then there are the folk who for some reason either try to fight the tablets they’ve taken or decide they still have time to head to the loo and end up collapsing on top of other passengers!

    Not only does this all lead to create concern it also takes the majority of the crew away from their tasks of actually looking after the majority of the other passengers!

    136
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    Mute Sean ORegan
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    Aug 6th 2012, 3:44 PM

    I can’t agree with you – best thing going is to pop a sleeping tablet just before the first meal and then you sleep easy all the way to breakfast. Of course you should not mix alcohol and sleeping tablets even if you are not flying.
    Worst thing of all is the flight attendants who keep waking you to ask if you want a drink.

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    Mute Philip Doyle
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    Aug 6th 2012, 5:03 PM

    Actually, one beer with two motion sickness tablets works a charm. Did that right after take-off on a 14 hour flight from Seattle – Taipei and woke up with only 3 hours to go! :)

    11
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    Mute Ann Fitzpatrick
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    Aug 6th 2012, 11:44 AM

    Bring a scarf with perfume sprayed on it to avoid the smell emitted by the passenger next to you who thinks it’s okay to fart all the way to his destination, believing you don’t know it’s him doing it… ugh

    78
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    Mute Jambbie
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    Aug 6th 2012, 11:25 AM

    What if the bloke behind ya takes off his shoes and there’s a bang off his feet. I had to tell some yoke to put back on his shoes one nite, cos the air hostess wouldn’t. There was nearly a mill. Your mans case jumped off the carousel itself.

    73
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    Mute Daniel Hunt
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    Aug 6th 2012, 11:20 AM

    item number 6 to invest in before a flight?

    A kindle.

    49
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    Mute Ben Gunn
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    Aug 6th 2012, 11:21 AM

    Save up and go club class.

    48
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    Mute Anthony O'Brien
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    Aug 6th 2012, 11:23 AM

    OH! for a long haul flight !!!!!!!!

    44
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    Mute Will Monaghan
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    Aug 6th 2012, 11:08 AM

    by the way. Ryanair were one of the last to have bookable seats. so no need to be thanking them. in such a sarcasticall way.

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    Mute Aaron Broughill
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    Aug 6th 2012, 11:43 AM

    I’m surprised your comment wasn’t deleted, The Journal usually don’t like to be corrected but yes your comment is 100% correct :-)

    30
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    Mute Will Monaghan
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    Aug 6th 2012, 11:57 AM

    Air Linus have been doing it alot longer. but you just can’t help getting a dig at Michael.

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    Mute Ian Mullen
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    Aug 6th 2012, 3:08 PM

    Ryanair don’t fly long haul.

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    Mute Aaron Broughill
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    Aug 6th 2012, 3:20 PM

    Nobody said that they do

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    Mute Kevin O' Brien
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    Aug 6th 2012, 3:52 PM

    I lost all interest in the article after that dig at Ryanair..

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    Mute hjGfIgAq
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    Aug 6th 2012, 6:43 PM

    It wasn’t meant as a dig (I’m flying Ryanair on Wednesday)…as you can tell, the article is more light-hearted than taking swipes at any company. I wasn’t referring to the timeline of bookable seats, just the era that any ‘extras’ while flying are now usually charged for – and Michael O’Leary and Ryanair are leaders in that field. Again, not a swipe – it’s an extremely successful company. Just an observation from a regular flyer.

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    Mute Aaron Broughill
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    Aug 6th 2012, 7:33 PM

    Nice! Enjoy your holiday

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    Mute Will Monaghan
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    Aug 6th 2012, 7:37 PM

    Did you book a seat Sinead ?

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    Mute Fíona Ní Bhroin
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    Aug 6th 2012, 8:46 PM

    Ryanair were last to offer assigned seats but first to charge & of course other airlines followed suit. Aer Lingus have offered the option of choosing a specific seat should you wish, at a charge, but you can still avail of free assigned seating if you’re not fussy.

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    Mute libby
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    Aug 6th 2012, 11:18 AM

    I think nowadays just getting money out via an ATM when you land can be even more convenient than trying to get into your local bank. Buying clear plastic toiletry bags are useful, durable and often come in various sizes. Finding out if there are any rail/bus/air strikes ahead of where you are going is always worthwhile.

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    Mute Hank Scorpio
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    Aug 6th 2012, 1:38 PM

    Reclining your seat is the height of ignorance !! I’ve had many a falling out with these passengers !!

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    Mute Tony Stanley
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    Aug 6th 2012, 1:47 PM

    Why don’t you just recline yours???? You end up with the same space!

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    Mute Hank Scorpio
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    Aug 6th 2012, 3:10 PM

    Tony it’s not the body space it’s the knees being crushed.

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    Mute Sean ORegan
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    Aug 6th 2012, 3:39 PM

    you clearly don’t do to many long haul flight – you have to recline if you want to sleep

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    Mute Hank Scorpio
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    Aug 6th 2012, 3:55 PM

    Sean this isn’t about sleep it’s about manners and consideration for the people behind you. It’s not all about you ! Any one over 6 foot understands the discomfort caused by selfish passengers who put their seats back ! I’d love to kick it back but won’t because I understand the effects it has on the person behind me. Enjoy your sleep !

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    Mute Paul Mallon
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    Aug 6th 2012, 6:00 PM

    They should arrange the seats in order of height, to give more leg room to those of us who’s knees take a beating from the seats. :-D

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    Mute censored
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    Aug 6th 2012, 6:19 PM

    Not being allowed to recline your seat because there’s an angry 6 footer behind you is the height of ignorance.

    31
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    Mute Hank Scorpio
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    Aug 6th 2012, 6:36 PM

    Brilliant wow !! Both funny and insulting !!

    11
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    Mute Sandra Kinnear
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    Aug 6th 2012, 9:11 PM

    Reclining your seat without checking if the person behind has issue with is really rude I was on a flight home from the USA and the lady in front of me plonked her seat back on top of me I had a drink on my tray and was watching a movie I ended up with the screen in my face and drink all over the place, we asked the air hostess to speak to her and ask her to put her seat up and was told she is entitled to recline and we should do the same we gave up but it could cause an argument….

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    Mute ponythegringo
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    Aug 6th 2012, 11:14 AM

    Very useful article although I expect to see vegetarian food mass produced soon to keep up with all the people who will be ordering that instead from now on …

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    Mute Leah Richardson
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    Aug 6th 2012, 2:47 PM

    I think it’s polite to ask the person behind you if they are ok with you reclining your seat. I have lost count of the amount of times I have been on a flight with a drink in front of me and nearly had it knocked over by someone reclining.

    21
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    Mute John F
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    Aug 6th 2012, 12:05 PM

    If you prefer to sleep get a window seat, invest few quid in a decent neck pillow and noise cancelling headphones (usually does trick to drown out noise of any screaming babies!) ask for exit row at check in, if you can afford go Business Class

    20
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    Mute Andrew Telford
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    Aug 6th 2012, 1:41 PM

    A polite word with cabin manager that your avod is broken and is there any chance of another seat stands a good chance of an escort up to the front or a compensation cert for a few thousand airmiles or some cash off your next flight… Pick the sternest looking agent and don’t fly in sweatpants and an oversized T-shirt…

    13
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    Mute Tony Stanley
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    Aug 6th 2012, 1:50 PM

    Only works if a) your entertainment system is broken ( come on, you don’t expect most if the readers here to k ow what “AVOD” is, and B) there are no other seats to move you to!

    However there are a number of airlines out there who absolutely will not upgrade you for anything including Aer Lingus, Etihad, Emirates, BA, Qantas etc!

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    Mute Andrew Telford
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    Aug 6th 2012, 2:24 PM

    Haha shows what you know
    I’ve been op upped from Coach to First on BA for exactly that reason.
    Op upped to Business on Emirates because it was Ramadan and they switched off AVOD on the back of the plane.
    Op upped on Qantas because I was flying last min due to a bereavement
    Opped up on Aer lingus many times just because… Aer lingus is the easiest op up in the industry many United FF chose Aer lingus from Chicago as a united code share because upgrades are easy, my partners 6′ 7 and they are always sympathetic

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    Mute Tony Stanley
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    Aug 6th 2012, 2:50 PM

    Well Andy I think you’re fibbing cos I work for BA! We would never ever upgrade from traveller to first! Just doesn’t happen! Maybe to traveller plus or from club to first!

    And the entertainment switched off for Ramadan? Now I know you’re bullshitting! I was Qatar Airways before I went to BA (10 years ago) and Aer Lingus before that! I know my stuff!

    29
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    Mute Andrew Telford
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    Aug 6th 2012, 3:50 PM

    Well “unfortunately” the only other seat available on this plane from LGW to DFW and I was a very well behaved 16 year old travelling alone. I don’t even think traveller plus even existed back then

    The second is true also, I was also asked to change out of shorts and was rewarded with a reissued ticket in business as a curtsey

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    Mute Ian Walsh
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    Aug 6th 2012, 5:04 PM

    @ Tony, I went to Australia back in May and Qantas upgraded me from economy to business for free, just by asking at check-in. Your comment is incorrect.

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    Mute Philip Doyle
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    Aug 6th 2012, 5:11 PM

    I was upgraded from economy to first for the same reason before (broken IFE) on AA from Heathrow to Chicago. Hope you’re right about Aer Lingus and United FF from Chicago Andy, supposed to be flying back from Portland through there on UA miles and wouldn’t say no to an upgrade!!

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    Mute Andrew Telford
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    Aug 6th 2012, 6:41 PM

    I hear it from my friends who crew for Alaska… I have no first hand experiences of it my self I won’t make gold/plat elite with no EQMS so it’s not worth it.

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    Mute John F
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    Aug 6th 2012, 11:42 PM

    Hey Tony, I got upgraded from Economy to Economy Plus on a BA flight recently because my entertainment system was busted!

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    Mute Abi Dennis
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    Aug 6th 2012, 12:55 PM

    my dad got dvt a few years ago so whenever we were on long flights he’d wake me and my brother up to make us go for a walk.

    now i cant sleep on a plane to save my life so am up and down omce an hour for a walk and constantly do ankle rotations etc at my seat…

    9
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    Mute Niall Moynihan
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    Aug 6th 2012, 7:18 PM

    A lot of people seem to leave their manners on the ground, it would be nice if the cabin crew included a manners refresher in their flight safety pitch. the seats do go back, but does it really help, not picking on Ryan Air but they removed that option, cost saving. Long haul chicken or beef ?…..never a good choice…best to pass and whats with the 4am breakfast …. Upgrades are the bes !!!!t, pity they dont happen very often. I agree that alcohol is wrong when flying, but when you know whats ahead a long chat with Mr Jameson, might seem like the only option …..

    9
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    Mute Sean ORegan
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    Aug 6th 2012, 3:48 PM

    To your list of hardware I would add travel pack of baby wipes, something to clear/ moisten your nose, eyedrops, slipper socks

    6
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    Mute John F
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    Aug 6th 2012, 11:43 PM

    Emirates and Etihad are great for handing out hot towels every hour or so, even in Economy! :-)

    3
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    Mute Brendan Kelly
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    Aug 6th 2012, 7:19 PM

    I never really had trouble flying long haul. But I hate aisle seats i prefer the window seats where u can sleep against the window at least on not on someones shoulder. I always have a few drinks helps me get sleepy. The only thing I have is popping ears when descending it lasts for ever.

    6
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    Mute irishbinka
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    Aug 6th 2012, 12:01 PM

    Just off my long haul flights. One thing when going to America, print out your travel itinerary and have it on hand, along with drivers license. I was caught for 30mins before boarding and the security had to bring their manager over to real all questions and some more. After 20yeaes flying to the states I have never been questioned so much all because I am a frequent flier and don’t need those plastic folders that u see people shuffling around with all their itineraries, passports, travellers cheques. I was last in board after the gruelling questions, not what I expected this side of the water!

    6
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    Mute Sandra Murphy
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    Aug 6th 2012, 3:29 PM

    Karvol is great for anyone who gets sore ears when flying. Sniff a bit on a tissue when taking off and landing. Works wonders

    4
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    Mute Leah Richardson
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    Aug 6th 2012, 4:01 PM

    Also for anyone who is a nervous flyer I would recommend Rescue remedy. It can be taken as a spray or tablets and is a good alternative to sleeping tablets/medicines.

    11
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    Mute Jo Murphy
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    Aug 6th 2012, 7:01 PM

    Oh for god’s sake, who gave a thumbs down to Rescue Remedy?

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    Mute Nikolas Koehler
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    Aug 7th 2012, 1:02 AM

    @ Jo – someone who puts more faith in science and less in pseudo-science. Impolite to give a red thumb maybe, but it is the equivalent of saying that a small vial of holy water will sooth you. It may, but only because you’re a believer.

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    Mute Valentine Kane
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    Aug 6th 2012, 8:05 PM

    so tell me this someone, being shite scared of flying, and l have to fly quite alot, what type of sleeping pills do you recomend, and where do you ger them?

    3
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    Mute Aislinn Spillane
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    Aug 6th 2012, 7:54 PM

    glass o something before boarding, one after dinner then sit back and watch inflight tv does me fine get to fly long haul so little these days may as well make the most of it heading stateside in dec and I think flight is part of the excitement (for us who only fly for leisure!!!)However hubbie VVV bad flier and his ears always at him so sandra thanks for karvol tip!!!

    3
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