Aer Lingus workers were not so much shocked as apprehensive yesterday as they learnt of the company's plans for rationalisation.

"We were expecting something," said baggage-handler Mr Tom O'Neill, from Phibsborough in Dublin.

"We'd been warned earlier this year about cutbacks because of food-and-mouth disease so it's not a major shock."

Like many, however, he is worried about whether he will make the cut when the question of redundancies is decided upon.

"They're talking about a policy of last in first out. I might just escape as I've been in for two years now but there are a lot of people who won't make it.

"If you're not skilled you'd be very worried because it'd be difficult to get another job with the same money.

"I'd have to go out and get retrained again if I was let go."

Mr Darren Kelly, from Templeogue, who also works in Aer Lingus's loading section, only heard of the news yesterday evening as he came off his shift.

"It's very serious. We thought we might have got away with the foot- and-mouth disease but then this guy decides to wreak havoc in New York.

"It's amazing what one guy can do to the world," he said, in a reference to Osama bin Laden, the chief suspect in the World Trade Centre attack.

"I am only 18 months in the job and I would be worried at this moment in time.

"I've two kids and it would be a big blow were I to lose my job. But hopefully it won't come to that."

Union representatives are to brief staff on the company's rationalisation plan at meetings today.

Many workers at Dublin Airport said they did not know what to make of the plan until they heard details of it.

"We haven't been told anything yet," said one check-in employee. "We've been working all day and have only heard snippets.

"All I can say is no one expected the sort of job losses they are talking about."

Loading worker Mr Alan Richardson, from Balbriggan, added: "there's terrible uncertainty at the moment.

"This is going to affect everyone, catering, kitchen staff, right across the board and no one knows at this point who will be going and who'll be staying."

Mr Richardson added: "I'm here 11 years so I should be alright but they're talking about anyone here five years or less will be gone."

Mr Kelly added: "It's going to be very sad.

"There is a good bunch of lads in the loading section and it looks like not all of them are going to be there in six months' time."