I want to share a very enlightening experience I recently had when I had to fly to Tel Aviv for a business meeting. And I finally experienced what is REAL AIRPORT SECURITY arrangements are.
In light of the recent attacks in Mumbai and talks about stricter internal security in Indian this is really going to be an eyeopener.
The Israel Airport security drill starts the moment you step in the Mumbai airport and move to El Al airlines check-in counter. If you are traveling to USA or Europe on other airlines at the most you are asked 2 or 3 questions by the security agents... which are kinda dumb...Did you accept anything from anyone before boarding your flight? ...Did you pack your bags yourself?..Did your bags ever leave your sight or supervision before they were checked in?
However the scenario is different when you are taking any flight to Israel. I was told to STRICTLY report 3 hrs in advance. Once I got to the airlines check-in desk, I was initially interviewed by 2 agents at the airport. One asking me the questions and another simply watching me answer the questions and in the middle doing some cross questioning.
The interview started with they asking me basic question on why I am visiting Israel, did I pack my bags etc. etc. which was a cake walk. But I was not prepared for what happened later. They looked at my check-in bag which had the initial “HG” on it and asked me what does “HG” stand for ? I promptly answered “HG” is Harpreet Gondal my wife and it was her bag I was carrying. In the mean time they were frisking through my 4 passports (including the old ones which have valid visa). The noticed that I have traveled many times to Dubai, Malaysia, China, South Korea and then they started very intense questioning. When was my last trip to Dubai ? Where did I stay ? What is the name of the hotel ? What was the rent I paid ? What all did I do ? for every answer I gave they had a cross question and kept me on the hook! They then moved to Malaysia and asked me about my trip there. Frankly I had made my trip there over 2 years back and did not remember a thing! Which I frankly told them... except the fact that I visited the Petronas Towers... everything on that trip was a blur.
They then started asking me more about my business vist and asked me to furnish emails and the back communication which lead to the visit. They also asked me in detail about the business names of people, revenues we have done with them and even made me show them the presentation which I was going to make to them during the meeting. They inquired about my hotel booking in tel aviv and look at all the reservation documents.
One thing which “Flagged” me was when they saw that I was making a side trip to Cairo... apparently this was a big deal.. They wanted to know why I was going to Cairo... did I know anyone there and why it was just a day trip?? As the Cairo trip was about 4 days away I had still not made the hotel booking.. which was apparently ODD I had to convince them that I would make a booking close to the trip as it was more of a tourist trip....Then then asked me a question which took me in a tizzy... Do I have a Lonely Planet to Cairo ? and how do I know what to do there?? It was certainly a good question and I explained them that how I use tools like Google and social networking tools like Facebook (they knew all about web 2.0) to find out what I will be doing in Cairo. Almost 1 HR had passed. The entire interview process seemed like a mind game the agents were trying to play with me.....
They went upto their supervisor and consulted him and after about 6 mins came back and told me that they want to interview me privately. I was cool with it...
I was later informed by some of my friends that many passengers who are flagged in this phase are not allowed to board the flight... I was lucky to go to Phase II and quiet a few are cleared in Phase I itself.
They then took me and all my luggage (1 laptop bag and 1 carry on) to their back office. They had a special office just for ’special interview’. It was a nice 10 feet x 10 Feet room with x-ray machines and other security gear. Along with curtains and a nice sitting area.
They took my permission and one of the security agent took all my bags and started unpacking them all. The other security agent took me and searched me and frisked me. They also used Explosives Detection equipment a system which look very much like Smiths Detection Trace and check all my luggage
They then took my laptop removed the battery, charger and laptop and packed them in separate boxes and took my laptop bag and decided to check it in. They asked me to take whatever I want to carry in a separate bag which they provided me. While all this was under progress they offered me a nice cup of tea. Finally after almost 2 hrs 30 mins they said I am good to go.. but they will be organizing special escort to make me to the flight. I was then escorted by a security agent directly to the flight through immigration and local security check (i later was told this is to make sure I don’t interact with any 3rd party before boarding the flight).
Everything was thoroughly checked not once but twice.
During the entire process they were very polite and very apologetic and kept telling me that they are doing this for my own safety. I was completely cool with this and FULLY APPRECIATE THIS.
I was finally taken to my seat....as the flight was about to take off... I was think will this process be repeated again as I land....
however the scene there was different.. looks like the security agents in Mumbai had already informed their colleges in Israel. They did not even ask me any questions at the immigration....I was greeted by a very good looking young lady officer “SHALOM“.
While this time the security agents were wrong....and I was just an over excited business traveler. I am sure this process has helped them filter many unwanted travelers to their country.
During my stay in Israel when I narrated this incident to some of my local business associated they were very apologetic and sorry. They told me that many visitors do get offended with the extensive check. I told them that I have nothing but praises for their security agents who work so hard to keep their country safe and fully appreciate and understand the security concerns.
I think Airports and security authorities all over the world should just blindly follow the process adapted by Israel for Air Safety... this is the only way it can work specially if the world is serious to fight terrorism... and passengers should be ready for report early and co-operate.
When Mumbai was under attack on 26th Nov.. I was in Tel Aviv....probably the safest place in the world!
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Comments (33)
Thank you!
My son is working in Jerusalem. It’s good to know that they mean business when it comes to security!
I am glad to hear that your security officers were polite. A friend of ours is born/raised in the US but has family roots in Iran. He often must go there to deal with family business. I’m sorry to say, he is not always treated very politley by the airport/ us security.
Great article, nice post. I agree with your comment irene
This system looks really nice specially when u plan to visit a different country.. hope we at least try to implement few of these steps hich will not only benefit us but even the foreigners would feel safe and secured as you felt in Israel
Terrorists with every attack are getting more unconventional in there approach. The Mumbai terror attack was brought by terrorists who used motor boats to travel from Karachi to Mumbai.
One of the reasons Israel, USA or UK are making themselves more secure is by making their intelligence network more strong.
USA is the biggest target of most of these terrorists outfits, but after 9/11 they have managed to kept themselves immune to any further attacks. And I don`t think the airport security is as tight as in Israel.
To counter terrorism, this might be only one step, and maybe a small step. What we Indians need is more intelligent and powerful ”intelligence network”. For every bomb exploded, RAW officials should be cross questioned.
If RAW remains so ineffective, it would be wiser decision to outsource our intelligence to Mossad. This might be an offense or a shameful act, but what could be more shameful then getting out innocent citizens killed.
Amazing security measure by Israel. The way it was explained in the article, i wondered if the interview would ever end...he he he...well! jokes apart, if we talk about India, it has a long way to reach such a level. They can easily be bribed. How can you trust the security agents there?
Its the basic duty of the govt of any country to provide complete security to
its citizens. Israel seems to be performing their duty very well while India failed completely on the security part. It need to ensure that incidents, such as mumbai attack, shall never repeat in future.
Security agents can’t do anything till the time they are provided with the proper facilities and the equipments. I’ve seen some lady guards who are paid minimum and made to stand on the female entry gate, continuously for hours. They are simply not treated as humans. The owners of the private firms, treat them like machines. Its sad...
The X ray machines should be compulsorily placed in all the airports and all the passengers should be thoroughly examined along with their luggage. If the security measures will be made strict at the entry level, im sure these anti social elements can be prevented from carrying the harmful weapons on the airports.
Hats off to your patience man...I would have never be able to give 2 and a half hour long interview. And that too at the airport. Its alright to examine a man properly at the ground level, but the passengers have to suffer due to few nasty elements.
I think Airports and security authorities all over the world should just blindly follow the process adapted by Israel for Air Safety... this is the only way it can work specially if the world is serious to fight terrorism....
Serious to fight terrorism! You must be kidding. The whole world has the evidence that Pakistan has the militant base in its territories...Does anyone bother to destroy them...No one.
Yaa...and we were in India, probably the most unsafe place on this planet. Unsafe due to our weak security services. Weak security services due to our corrupt politicians. Don’t know how can we get rid of them. Indian public is the most shameless in the world. Still giving high percentage of votes to these blood suckers.
well, that is the reason why Israel can breath safe in the Middle East. Perhaps the strict vigilance is only the way to escape the powder keg that the mideast is sitting on because of the terrorism. this should be followed everywhere and everyone who goes through this should take it as the security concern than merely as the mean for offending anyone.
this is must you know...coz u cn’t end terrorism and the threats to security. n it makes more sense all the time to make ur borders safe than to complain later...n israelis are doing it fine...
this is nothing but to tease the people...when u have done everything at the airport why not let the person to talk to others...isn’t is hypocrisy...they pretend to be what they are not...but why they forgot that they will never be...
@ Nadia
This is not teasing but the security concerns that I appreciate like the writer does. so there are shouldn’t be hassles on security issues. Only those who have something wrong in his/her mind will object to such measures, but surely not the security loving people like Vishal.
I wish India to do the same and put strict security measures to avoid 26/11 in near future. Had this been done earlier, Mumbai carnage would have been put off which would have saved scores of lives.
Its still not too late than forgetting, as usual like many others, Mumbai attack and wait for another one to jolt you from the forgetfulness and slumber.
Its good to see people admiring our security system from all over the world. Even i believe that all the nations should implement such strict procedures on the airports itself before any unknown man enter their country. If it is prevented from entering the nation, i suppose 80% of battle against terrorism is won.
At least somewhere in the world, people feel themselves safe. Wish our nation was safer as well. But i think India has a long long way to go. This is not something that we can’t achieve but the point is that how seriously do we take our country’s security.
The day we’ll get serious, it will be achieved.
i wish this post is read by the people in the indian security system .as current security is nothing less than a joke
thanks for all the comments... as i said before the system is not very friendly... and many people do get pissed with this..
but this a small price to pay.. compared to the security of yourself and friends & family...
remember no Gains without pain!
As Vishal has said in his concluding remarks that the security system, adopted by Israel may not be necessary be user friendky in India where everyone aspire to be a VIP and wish to be a law unto himself, but such foolproof security arrangements is necessary for our own safety. When George Fernandes, ad India’s Defence Minister was frisked thoroughly at the US airports, ge did not raise any objections but Somnath Chatterjee, our prolteriariat Speaker of the Lok Sabha cancelled his trip abroad when he was told about the security arrangements. He raised objections on the impending humiliation to an elected representative of India. Let us demand for a blanket ban on all VIP treatment at the airports to a selected fews.
Good news-and more on air safety security for travelling a globe:
http://mkwrk2.instablogs.com/entry/australia-winds-of-opportunity
Really good post... I knew Israel has one of the best security team around but I never thought of this kind of check ever...
I really wish, India adopts this kind of security measures in near future...
Regards,
Deep
i used to stay in london for 2 years and hats off to the security there as well..they had a bomb blast once in 2004 was it? even till this day they are so alert because of that..instead of some stupid chalta hai attitude or hailing mumbai spirit etc...i was stopped once when i visited the palace..they were polite..but meant business..they checked my bags and were apologetic (this mind you is in 2008, 4 years later)..our politicians are a disgrace..they wont even spare dead soldiers who laid their lives down for the country (the coffin scandal!)..i respect israel for their security & intelligence system and hope that with the new developments post 26/11 israel will provide us training and better direction!
Great information
Best regards, your post so informative
Great artickle about israel security. Wow amazing
Wow Vishal, that was a good read. I can say that after reading your story, U.S. agents could use a bit of a refresh when it comes to security. Every time that I have traveled internationally, it has been alarmingly easy. It sounds like they have their system down, and boy it is hardcore.
Great information.
thanks for this article
was here and i found and interesting article, thank you
it was a cool article :D
thanks admın its good topic
nice post