Bringing EIR in line with EI policies makes things much easier. Flying DUB-BHX when it's a lottery what size plane you get each way was a right pain especially when 3 or 4 of us travel and we only have 1 7kg sized case in the house. Although whoever said status can board these first, you might get on the bus early (although it's hit and miss if they even bother) but it's a free for all when you get off at the plane. Although if you do board the bus early it's not hard to stand by the door on the left side of the bus and make a run for it.