Residents returning to the Island yesterday spoke of suffering delays of up to six days because of Hurricane Erin and the terrorist attacks in the United States.

Some were fearful about flying after the hijacks and described increased security at airports in the US and Canada, but all were relieved to be home.

George Alford and his wife endured a six day delay in the US as their flights were cancelled first by Erin on Sunday, then the World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks on Tuesday.

The couple from Paget were due home on Sunday, but due to Erin, they touched down in Atlanta, Georgia, after leaving San Antonio two days late on Tuesday.

They were unable to find a hotel and eventually stayed three nights with a friend of a relative in Atlanta. But because their luggage had been checked through to Bermuda, they had to buy new clothes and toiletries for their unexpected stay in Atlanta.

"We are just glad to be here. There is no place like home and we are very humble," said Mr. Alford after getting off the delayed Delta Atlanta to Bermuda yesterday afternoon.

Jennifer Fearon, who was on the same flight, found herself about $300 out of pocket for hotels and meals because she lost the one night hotel voucher provided by Delta. She found it frustrating being in standby on Wednesday and Thursday waiting to get home

"I wished I was here while this was happening. It was the first time I had been Atlanta and I didn't know anyone and never wanted to be there," she said.

Another Bermudian, who did not give his name, said Delta paid for passengers' first night in Atlanta, but they were left to fend for themselves after that.

He said : "I sat around the hotel doing a lot of reading and meeting people. You have to rationalise it, it wasn't the airline's fault, it was the Federal Aviation Authority.

"There were some people who were financially embarrassed, but we were in the wrong place at the wrong time, but it was an experience."

A frustrated guest worker, who asked not to be named, said: "I've been in Atlanta for six days because of Erin and now this. I just want to get to my guest house. That's all I've got to say."

Resident Sue Pitt, who was forced to spend an extra night in Hartford, Connecticut, before arriving from Atlanta yesterday, said: "It was a bit eerie and apprehensive because it was so quiet. The thing that worried me was that ours was the only flight where they didn't check the hand luggage."

The Bermuda soccer team, which was playing in a tournament in Canada, was forced to spend two extra days in Toronto because the Air Canada flight was delayed. The team arrived back yesterday.

Former Royal Gazette photographer Nigel Richardson, who was with the team, said the atmosphere was calm, although some of the group who had children on the Island were anxious to see them.

BF&M employee John Wight, who was on the delayed Air Canada flight from Toronto yesterday said security was so tight that passports were checked three times.

"There was someone travelling with me who had nail scissors and they took them away from him," he said. "I felt better flying Air Canada than a US airline.

"The only apprehension was when we were flying through US airspace, but I wasn't upset, it was just a little unnerving."