I am still trying to figure out just what Italy is hoping to accomplish with its new airport security system.
In the past, if I flew El Al MXP-TLV, I was sent to a special section of the airport for check-in. The area was guarded by two policemen and I went through the usual El Al questioning which it always asks passengers. If I flew Alitalia to TLV, however, I went to the regular check-in area and was treated as if I were flying to any other destination.
Yesterday, AZ ticket hot in hand, I went to the FC check-in and was told that I have to go to that special security area. She said that is the case now with all flights to Israel, America, and one other country (which I don't remember).
Okay, I walked to it, got in line, read the announcement that said I have to have my passport out and be prepared to state where I was flying to, and waited. As the line was very long, I expected a lengthy delay. A few minutes after I arrived, however, the AZ check in folks got to their desks and the line just walked right in.
The police -- now there were four of them, all armed with assault rifles -- did not actually look at the passports (I just showed the outside cover of mine) and were not asking for proof of your destination -- it was enough to say "Israel" or "US".
There were no additional security procedures while checking in, and after getting my boarding pass I was free to wander around the terminal or go outside for a cigarette. My hand luggage was x-rayed together with everyone else's, no matter what their destination.
(BTW, in Italy you do not have to take off your shoes, remove your computer from your rollerboard, or put liquids in Ziploc bags.)
If US security is a "dog and pony show" then the Italian version can only be described as a sign saying, "This way to the dog and pony show" but upon arriving you discover they didn't bother having either a dog or a pony.
