Let's Talk About Security...

Post 9-11 Airport Security to be more precise. I was totally amazed at the security measures during this trip.

My first trip to Israel was 14 years ago and I flew El Al. During that trip security was very through, even pre-9/11. I'm not sure what I expected this time, but it was not what occured.

I wore slip-on leather shoes--leather, to provide "foot protection" (assuming they remained on in an emergency). In case of airplane failure you're also supposed to wear sturdy jeans as opposed to shorts or something flimsy--the weather was cool, so I had no problem wearing jeans. I wore slip on shoes to facilitate the security process. However, because I was prepared for security, the only place I was required to remove my shoes was during the DFW->Philly leg of my journey and the corresponding Philly->DFW return. Philly->DFW was also the only place I was patted down--even though I never once set off the metal detector. In principle don't object to the pat-down. I personally have given more thorough pat-downs as a Psych Nurse. But my thought is: either do it thouroghly or don't do it at all, just don't do it half-way!

Israeli Security was interested in our Associate Pastor who had made two Missions Trips to Iran. When he returns to Iran, they will probably grill him about his reasons for going to Israel. The grilling is not likely to deter him. He has a heart for spreading the Good News to everyone, no matter what their nationality or "deservingness."

On the other hand, Israeli Security barely asked me any questions--coming or going. In fact, on the return trip, Israeli Security at Ben Gurion was rather lax with the agents joking around and flirting with one another. However, on the way to Israel, I felt DWF was overly obsessed with my laptop and can of black-eyed peas. I took the peas, and a box of plastic spoons to share with the group for New-Years-Day-good-luck-eatting. Ben Gurion and Philly Security couldn't have cared less about my black-eyed peas.

While I don't want to be grilled, I do want to feel as if everyone on my plane has been thoroughly screened and is in the air with legitimate, non-terroristic reasons. Maybe the Christmas Underwear Bomber had the US airports on heightened alert status, but honestly, have you ever seen a middle-aged, SWF, armed with a laptop and can of black-eyed peas as a terrorist?! I even left the can opener at home so they wouldn't be alarmed. Didn't work though, DFW was so alarmed they took my carry-on bag, laptop, and can of peas away and inspected them out of my presence. Wes and Aidia Riddle also wielded a can of black-eyed peas; however, nary an eyebrow was raised at their can. I guess I fit some little-known black-eyed-pea-terrorist-profile. Either that or my infamous cooking reputation preceeded me.

Speaking of food, when we finally arrived at our hotel in Caesarea, we were treated to the first of many sumptous buffet meals...