anyone gone through security at TLV airport?

[Jayne]

Anyone gone through security at TLV airport as a civilian lately? I'm headed there next week for work (computer stuff).

Other than buying a new backpack as I'm sure my cool digital multicam pack would cause some suspicion, and not carrying anything useful (flashlights, medical kit, all that other cruft that I have in my daily carry pack), I'm not sure what else to do or expect.

The travel people have told me that getting IN is easy, it's getting OUT where the trouble tends to happen.

 

[Finris]

Re: anyone gone through security at TLV airport?

I have been in and out of Israel a lot in the last couple of years. What do you want to know.

 

[Jayne]

Re: anyone gone through security at TLV airport?

They say it takes 3 hours, is that just standing in line or are they actively talking to you or doing something for 3 hours?

Do they pull you into a room or something, or are you just standing around in a big line?

There are lots of scary stories on the net, but what do they really do?

 

[Switchblade]

Re: anyone gone through security at TLV airport?

First they speak to you in a nice romantic voice to calm you down(remeber these are all women). Then they look you in the eyes and wink as they take you to the back room. Once you get into the room, they close the door. ANother door opens up and two big guys come in. That's where I passed out from fear and when I awaoke I was in my hotel room. I wen timmedietly to hospital where the rape kit said nothing happened

 

[Veer_G]

Re: anyone gone through security at TLV airport?

Israeli security is all about physical separation of groups of people into a series of small areas that are designed to contain blasts as they proceed through processing. That, and shrewd, careful observation for profile markers.

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_p...i_security.html

 

[Jayne]

Re: anyone gone through security at TLV airport?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Veer_G</div><div class="ubbcode-body">http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_p...i_security.html </div></div>

I've read through that already, and it makes me wonder what would be so suspect to make them to take your luggage away? Obviously avoid weapons, drugs, religious or political material, etc. but what if having extra shoe laces or two types of deodorant or lots of q-tips is the magic trigger?

What if you act afraid? What if they catch you checking out their weaponry? What's a normal person act like? I try not to think like a sheeple and now that's what I want to be.

I can't just be me, I'm a member of this board so I must be some sort of hazard to the community.

 

[Veer_G]

Re: anyone gone through security at TLV airport?

Actually, there are so many armed people running around over there, both uniformed and not, that seeing weaponry isn't a big thing. Just act bored and blasé and you'll be fine unless you do something stupid.

 

[Finris]

Re: anyone gone through security at TLV airport?

Security in Israel is very active. IF you get dropped off at the curb and set you suitcase down for more than a second or two,some one will come by and ask is this your? IF you watch they are actively looking at every one all the time. If you are in the airport very long and watch the security they check the trashcans and every thing. If you stand for a while in one area not with family and stuff like that and are watching the security people will come by and talk to you. When you are checking in and waiting in line they have several security folks who will have you step aside and ask you 20 questions. You answer them and they either believe you or don't. IF they don't like the looks of you or your story, they will go get their supervisor. The sup will ask you more questions. They then will check your bags and ticket and send you on. About 4 years ago a U.S. Army vet who oddly enough had been born in Asscrakastan tried to go threw the airport their and the security folks grabbed him before passport control. Muslim guy trying to get into country and go to school via a U.S. program. He did not pass go and did not collect $200.
The last time I went through security leaving Israel. I got the double treatment. Why I have a U.S. and Israeli passport. I was working in the medical field down south dealing with the Bedouins. I speak Arabic and Hebrew and several other languages. When I speak Arabic more than Hebrew I start to speak Hebrew with an Arabic accent. Not very heavy its just the way I enunciate some words. The security girl picked this up and went and got her Supervisor also a female and kinda cute. I got the 29 questions again. I got out my national ID card and U.S. and Israeli passport and she even asked to see my Army ID. card. I got asked about my service you know who what when were. She left for a few minutes, she had too check a few things and gave me every thing back and I walked around the bag scanner and dropped the check bag on the lift and went through passport control and went and got on my flight.
So answer all the folks questions truthfully, and just be the nice guy we all know you are. Get ready to have you bag or backpack searched every where you go. You will get to see real security and when you go back too the states you will feel real safe know how inept the TSA folks are.... Leave your trusty pocket knife at home, caring them in Israel is Illegal. Most of all enjoy your stay. I mean go see Jerusalem or go up North outside of Haifa and see Elijah's cave see some sights and eat good food and drink good drink. Israel has some of the best wins in the world and they are cheap in country. IF I was at home I would offer to come and get you at the airport and take you around,unfortunately I'm abroad right now. IF you have any more questions let me know.

 

[Jayne]

Re: anyone gone through security at TLV airport?

Thanks for the info!

Apparently our travel arrangers can get us "VIP escorts" which are locals who will meet us at the plane and help us through the airport, security, etc and get us in a proper taxi. The reverse can also be done where they'll get us from the taxi and run us through.

Taxis are a good question though. Are there cabs available from a 'reputable' spot at the airport? How are fares handled, negotiated up front or via a meter or something else?

 

[Jayne]

Re: anyone gone through security at TLV airport?

The people at the company I'm meeting up with have also been really friendly on the calls we've had. They've offered to come get me if something goes wrong or if I get bored or whatever on my arrival day (showing up Saturday morning and don't have to be into the office until Sunday).

 

[Finris]

Re: anyone gone through security at TLV airport?

Well it depends on were in the country you are going. I have to go south to Arad when I come into the airport. I have a guy who runs a taxi that comes and gets me it runs me about 400NIS and that doesn't include tip. IF you have someone meeting you to help and the VIP service is worth it, have them negotiation with the cab driver, it will cost extra since it is on Sabbath. I would after the airport when I got to my hotel and wanted to go any where you will want to have them turn on the meter. IF for any reason you have a problem with a cabbie tell them you will turn them into the Tourist ministry. The bus service or the train for long hauls is best. The lack of Language skills might prove to be difficult. IF you are not afraid to ask questions some one will help you. English is taught in school here and it is required to get a master degree. Oh and convert your money at the airport if you don't you will get a bigger fee at the change places and the banks here are not like in the US, they keep strange hours and take breaks and so forth.

 

[Jayne]

Re: anyone gone through security at TLV airport?

Security coming in wasn't a problem at all. I got pulled aside by a guard about 30 seconds after I got off the plane and he wanted to see my passport, know where I was going, etc. Same at immigration and that was it.

The cab driver (after handing me a paper that said all rides must use the meter) tried to not use the meter and charge me a flat rate. I eventually got him to use the meter which was about 20 NIS less than the flat price he was asking... but maybe he would have changed that deal when we got there. Who knows.

Tomorrow will be the interesting part when I go through security on the way out.

Fortunately I'm on an encrypted connection and going through a proxy so no one can see which subversive web sites I'm on, like this one.

 

[Finris]

Re: anyone gone through security at TLV airport?

This is not a subversive website. You should see some of what the Russian guys have on their computers!!! Unless you have the free military grade encryption stuff... I had a friend who worked on small engine aircraft, its what Israel uses for lots of intel stuff. The recruiter from the army told him he should volunteer my friend said I'm too old, and the you cant make me...The guy said after a few months in jail you'll volunteer..My friend you can't do that!!!Their is no such thing as civil rights in Israel dude, and it wouldn't be the first time I've done it...

I hope you are having a good time. I also hope you went some where to see sights. Israel is the only place where you can get a real understanding of the Bible by being there and seeing the lay of the land so too speak.

 

[Jayne]

Re: anyone gone through security at TLV airport?

I'm back!

Now that I've been through it, the security isn't scary at all. I did have to show my passport to a dozen people or so, and answered a bunch of questions but otherwise it was easy. Bag searches took very little time at all, they weren't very interested in my books, papers or laptop.

The oddest part was when one of the guards saw I was born in California he showed me his CA drivers license. He's got an address about 10 miles from my house. Does he show that to every person from CA? Was it a test? Does he have a bunch of those and if he shows you a DL from a state you were born in and you don't recognize one of the major cities does it flags you? Now that would be interesting.

The only time anyone got any grief at all was going through the 2nd metal detector (inside the terminal as opposed to the one where you first go into the ticketing counter area). I went to take my watch off and the woman barked at me to keep my watch on and "don't take your shoes off!". Old habits die hard I guess.

Ah, and speaking of woman, most of the people you interact with verbally are really cute 20-30 somethings. Yes, they smile and flirt perhaps to put you at ease or catch you off guard, but as an old married guy I don't mind the attention.

Another thing about the trip was that I didn't see a single weapon. I didn't ride the trains on Sunday when the soldiers go to work so I missed that and 90% of my time was at work or in the hotel, but the guards at the malls, airport, etc were all unarmed (or CCW?)

We did have one run-in with the police, if you want to call it that. Walking to our hotel at 11:30pm, a car pulled up and after a few seconds of the 'no we don't speak Hebrew dance' I explained in my best American accent that we were walking from <office> and headed to <hotel> and asked if he wanted to see our passports. He asked if we needed any help and I said no, the equipment isn't that heavy and we've been inside all day and were enjoying the walk. With that they left. Between the three of us we had 9 macbook airs, 6 of them new in box. That could have looked a little suspicious.

Didn't get to see any sights, the locals took us to two clubs after work. Most of the DJs were stuck in the 80s and 90s but I like that stuff and the beer was good.

Next time I'll take and extra day and try to see something other than office buildings in Herzliya. The locals said that most of where we were didn't exist 40 years ago.

 

[Finris]

Re: anyone gone through security at TLV airport?

I'm sure the guard does not show every one his drives license. Every guard in the Airport is armed CCW. The guys at the entrance to the Airport are very visibly armed handguns and AR's or Tavors. Lots of guards at the malls and stores are armed SOB holsters some on the hip it just depends. Clubs most are not armed due too the clientele that go to those places. Yes most of the female guards are good looking they were most probably in a combat unit in the army or an instructor. If you get out Sunday or Friday when the Army kids are going to and from their bases you will see lots of guns. That most of the stuff their wasn't their 40 years ago is very true. Well it is a shame that you didn't get to see any sights. I hope that you do come back soon and have an even more enjoyable stay. G-d willing I'll be in country when you come and we can have a beer or some thing together.