After leaving my Hotel in Tel Aviv at 4am this morning (2am GMT), arrived at the airport 4.45am...

Now, if you think the UK has tight Airport security!!!

The first security check, pre-check-in, full interogatton (where have you been, who have you spoken to etc...) all bags x-ray'd...
Then a security guard pretty much unpacks your bag with you, asking about anything which isn't clothing!

Next passport control, 25 mins it took, they called the hotel to check I actually stayed there (at 5.30am!!), further interogattion!!!!

Next, normal x-ray and metal detector....

Had to remove shoes and belt to be x-ray'd, bag x-ray'd 4 times, was checked with wand twice, frisked once!!!

This is the fifth time I've been through this, and still can't get used to it...
mind you, the security is mainly female (and pretty cute which makes up for it!)

And for anyone who is planning a trip to the US in 2004.. it's worth mentioning that they are planning on introducing extra security for people entering the country on temporary visa's.
Basically, they will fingerprint you, and take a photo in addition to the current checks, and possibly a blood sample for DNA!

you look suss mate.. i always did think that

me????? I'm sweet and innocent I am!

what a contrast
i walked through kuala lumper air port
in the oct after new york disaster
could have been carrying a cannon
and i dont think they would have noticed

It was like that before september 11th.... and hasn't changed much (I don't think it needs to!)

The only change from then is that now, all ElAl flights have armed guards aboard.

It's like that at Munich airport - removing your shoes, belts etc to put through the X-Ray machine

[quote name='Claire G' date='Jun 6 2003, 03:27 PM']It's like that at Munich airport - removing your shoes, belts etc to put through the X-Ray machine[/quote]
Yeah, Munich is probably the toughest in Europe... but nothing compared to Israel..