Surviving Check-In at El Al Airlines
There's a four-hour check-in. Now I know
why.
The journey of 1000 miles begins with a single
step. But nowadays, if you want to get overseas, you have to endure a security
check. And when you fly on Israel's airline, El Al, you are asked to check in
four hours early.
Oy
vey!
Because I was bringing some gifts
with me, and because my flight next week from Colombo to Tel Aviv is on Royal
Jordanian, I was treated to extra scrutiny. I did anticipate this. I did not
expect the radiation wand to be waved over the Ferero Rocher chocolates I was
ferrying to Sri Lanka from my friend's cousin to her
mother.
After being asked various intense
questions and even reading some printed Hebrew for them, I was waved in. Then, I
had three hours to wait on for the plane.
WHEEE!
When the flight was called,
everyone clumped around the entry gate. The flight is at least 12 hours.
Luckily, there was an empty seat between me and my row-mate. And thanks to
Ambien ("Works like a dream..."), I slept a few hours en route to Tel
Aviv.
Posted: Tue - March 15, 2005 at 01:44 PM