Originally Posted by
dubistokay
I’ve been going to TLV every couple of weeks for the past 2 years, and I find their risk categorisation outcomes very consistent. I’ve found it impossible to influence my number - in either direction.
The equation is simple for me (white Western European male in his early 30s). When I’m alone or with a colleague, I get a 5 (more recently, a Hebrew character followed by 5 or 4 - results in the same swabathon)
When I’m with my (same-sex) partner, we both get a 2 after ascertaining that we live together and have been together for over one year.
Colleagues, who are older than 45-50, get very little questioning and a low risk category, I believe 2 or 3.
Women are likely to attract more scrutiny and a 6 for my youngish female colleagues on their first trip to Israel is not unusual (usually means their last too).
I’ve heard many anecdotes from Europeans of Jewish background - a la if you get a 5, tell them you’re Jewish. I have tried. This leads to endless questions about my Hebrew skills, synagogue, relatives, etc etc, but doesn’t improve the category.
Some have recommended I bring a letter from my employer’s local office confirming my role (not the formal clearance). This is the worst - if given, interviewers will actually call the referenced contact which can take ages.
On a recent trip, I had barely slept and malfunctioned. When asked by the interviewer, I forgot the name of my colleague. I mumbled and came up with a fake name. The interviewer was visibly suspicious and caught me out - I still got a 5.
I agree the interviewers in TLV are professional (as supposed to those working for LY at LHR). However it’s important to be alert and raise alarm if newcomers are added to the queue before you, prolonging your waiting time. Access to fast track is inconsistent for passengers deemed high risk - I’d say 20% chance of getting in.
I'd say your comment above is pretty much spot on. Stamps from some muslim countries most probably will move you up to a 5 rather quickly, but 5 is the highest number still resulting in "half-acceptable" treatment in my eyes.
Besides that, all I experienced, spotted with collegues or random travellers I've seen getting "extra" treatment is pretty much consistent with what you wrote.
The only thing I'd add is that the advantage of travelling in C/F or as Elite pax is that you can jump the interview queue (ie, the thing before checkin) - not having access to the queue (and having to check baggage.. the interview queue for the hand luggage only queue seemed rather reasonable when I've passed it) will add MASSIVE to your time needed, while not getting "priority security" will not make that much of a difference - and as you point out, they'll basically tell you where to go, less of a choice.