Passengers arriving in Dublin from New York yesterday said they were surprised security had not been tighter at JFK Airport in the aftermath of last Tuesday's attacks.
Extra security personnel and increased restrictions on luggage items have been put in place in airports around the world since last week's terrorist attacks in the US.
However, according to passengers who caught the first flight from New York to Dublin yesterday, security at JFK was lax.
Mr George Kirwan, a passenger on Aer Lingus flight EI 2102 that landed at 6.27 a.m., was unimpressed. "I've seen tighter security going into Croke Park," he said. "All they did was check my passport but I wasn't even frisked."
Mr Ronan Gillespie from Swords, returning from a business trip to New York, was also surprised at the level of security.
"I'd expected a lot more and while there were a number of armed police officers around and US marshals there, my hand luggage was not even checked at the airport."
Mr Shane Murray, a J1-visa student from Kilkenny, was the only one of a group of four to have his luggage checked by security.
"A nail scissors, razor blades, deodorant and shaving foam were removed from my luggage. My friends were carrying the same items but their bags weren't checked," he said.
Meanwhile, at Dublin Airport, security checks for passengers leaving the State were "discreet but thorough", according to an Aer Lingus spokesman.
Mr Dan Loughery said hand- luggage was allowed on board transatlantic flights leaving Dublin but passengers were warned not to carry anything that could possibly be construed as a weapon.
Even sewing needles and nail files were ruled out as a precautionary measure. As part of the stepped-up security operation, which will remain in place for the foreseeable future, transatlantic passengers were required to check in 3-1/2 hours before departure time.
Meanwhile, check-in desks were closed an hour before take- off in order to facilitate increased security measures.
Each passenger had their bags thoroughly screened in a cordoned off area close to the check-in desks. Baggage was checked again just before being loaded onto the aircraft .
Mr Loughery said: "Airport security operates at micro-level. If it's done properly it should be discreet but thorough."
He said transatlantic passengers were more than willing to co-operate with staff, despite the strain of the past few days.
"The passengers fully understand that these measures are in their interests," he said. "After recent events, they are obviously necessary."
A spokesman for Aer Rianta said it was against company policy to comment on security matters.