Help Compile Master Thread: LY Security, What to Expect?
 

I'm looking to make a master thread about what to expect from LY security abroad, as well as TLV security in Israel.
While I assume the exact qualifications for 1-6 are secret, and probably shouldn't be posted anyways, I was wondering if it's possible to post some general guidelines, so people at least know what number to expect.

Also, I've only ever gotten a 1 I believe, which entailed the basic questions, X-Ray of checked luggage, though sometimes not even, and an extremely quick hand luggage check.

Anyone know what people with 2-6 can expect? After PMing another FTer, it sounds like 6 is not too pleasant at all. Any other experiences here with 6?

Finally, anyone know what the other numbers mean on the sticker?

(Yes, this is a combination of both LY and TLV security)

I'm a little confused as to the purpose of this thread, and whether we should really be discussing this here?

I'm with clubman. I am sure we could figure it out if enough put in input. Hey, I'm curious too. BUT I do not think we should. When the details of a system become apparent it is easier to beat the system. We do not want the system to be beaten or become transparent, That would, IMO put a whole lot of people in danger. This is a public board. We do not know who and how many people who never post are reading. It is nice t think of this place as a comfortable closed community but that isn't the case. Certain things should be left unsaid!

Agree details shouldn't be discussed here, am only curious how do you know which number you are?

I dont know.
But it irks me to no end when they place the stickers on the back of my passport.
My ticket and or boarding pass- do whatever you want..

OK, never mind then. Certain details I figured should be left unsaid, but some (such as practical "what to expect" matters) that are constantly posted about might be able to be answered here.

Well, what to expect is pretty simple:
if you're a Jewish Israeli or North American Jew, and have nothing to hide, it won't take long at all.

If you're not, then it may take quite a bit of time/trouble.

I remember a few years ago I participated in a similar thread at airlines.net. Although many of the posters wrote a lot of cock-sure "facts" -- in typical a.net style -- many "facts" were simply not true or a misunderstanding of how security at TLV really works. I was thinking at the time that if a prospective terrorist would read this thread and use this "information" to plan an attack, he would surely get caught.

On Flyertalk I've found that posters generally speaking have a much deeper understanding for how things work, so I'm afraid that a master thread compiled by Flyertalkers could indeed contain information that should be left unsaid.

I think it's safe to post the following text which is in the Wikipedia entry for Airport Security under the Israel subsection:

As part of its focus on this so-called "human factor," Israeli security officers interrogate travelers using racial profiling, singling out those who appear to be Arab based on name or physical appearance.[24] Additionally, all passengers, even those who do not appear to be of Arab descent, are questioned as to why they are traveling to Israel, followed by several general questions about the trip in order to search for inconsistencies.[20] Although numerous civil rights groups have demanded an end to the profiling, Israel maintains that it is both effective and unavoidable. As stated by Ariel Merari, an Israeli terrorism expert, "it would be foolish not to use profiling when everyone knows that most terrorists come from certain ethnic groups. They are likely to be Muslim and young, and the potential threat justifies inconveniencing a certain ethnic group."[25]

Passengers leaving Israel are checked against a computerized list. The computers, maintained by the Israeli Ministry of Interior, are connected to the Israeli police and Interpol in order to catch suspects or others leaving the country illegally.[26]

Despite such tight security, an incident occurred on November 17, 2002 in which a man apparently slipped through airport security at Ben Gurion Airport with a pocketknife and attempted to storm the cockpit of El Al Flight 581 en route from Tel Aviv to Istanbul, Turkey. While no injuries were reported and the attacker was subdued by guards hidden among the passengers 15 minutes before the plane landed safely in Turkey, authorities did shut down Ben Gurion for some time after the attack to reassess the security situation and an investigation was opened to determine how the man, an Israeli Arab, managed to smuggle the knife past the airport security.[27]

Yes, the terrorist did slip through at TLV security. The screeners did not find the pocketknife. The security did not find it. It wasn't their own fault. Nobody who blame on TLV security. It wasn't good enough at all. They should have retraining again. They have improved the aviation security levels. They have followed the rules. Must stay within the rules and don't try to make another mistake again in the future. They have be responsible for own safety rules. The weapons is prohibited from security.

I always thought that that what meant what on the stickers was changed every day - i.e. the screeners could circle based on the perceived risk without it being apparent to the passenger. I once missed my flight and hence traveled the next day. My risk was unlikely to change, but IIRC what was circled did.

Is there a meaning to all the numbers after the first one?

Me too. I just use a cover for my passport; they always place the stickers on the cover.

Shuly

Just like you guys, the stickers used to bother me.

My mentality changed about a year ago, after I started traveling pretty heavily out of TLV (once every couple of months).

Now, I just leave all of those stickers on the back of the passport. My theory is that the screener sees I'm a frequent flyer, and possibly sees me as less of a risk.

I can understand why others don't want screeners to 'deface' THEIR passports, but it doesn't bother me anymore.

With you on this one. I like the idea of the "battle-worn" passport, filled with stickers on the back and stamps inside.