Re: [NTLK] Airplanes & carry ons

From: Tim Palmer (tcpalmer_at_netvision.net.il)
Date: Mon Oct 01 2001 - 03:13:05 EDT


Mr Monk wrote:

"the security is still a complete joke on flights with
in the U.S. it's like the airline people still don;t get it... they need to
fly into israel or something to get the picture."

I hate to disillusion people but I have carried my Leatherman with a 3.5
inch blade onto numerous El Al flights... likewise cutting blades (for audio
editing before we went digital) etc etc. El Al's inspection of carry on
luggage is in most cases no different from anywhere else.

My wife flew from Bangkok to Tel Aviv a few weeks ago with only the most
cursory question and answer session and no inspection of baggage beyond that
any other airline would employ. The date - Sept 11.

Yes El Al does have locked cockpit doors, and sometimes 2 hours of grilling
before you get on a plane (single females are the most suspect!) but it
doesn't guarantee security and most airlines will never adopt the model - it
costs too much. The Israeli Government pays for its own security to be at
every El Al destination.

Israel is also legally enabled to down any deviating aircraft with its own
airforce. Unfortunately in one case many years ago that meant bringing down
a civilian Egyptian jet just a bit off course. Not a great security
improvement for those on board.

Still the most likely item to be plucked from my bag and inspected anywhere
I've been? - you guessed it - my 2100

regards
Tim Palmer
Jerusalem

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