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        

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