Is there any reason to fly with El Al if you are not Jewish?
Feb 11, 2016, 6:25 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 36
Is there any reason to fly with El Al if you are not Jewish?
I'm just wondering why people fly with El Al.
El Al is one of the worst companies I've ever flown with, and the list of reasons is huge:
1. The company does not fly in the weekends, no Friday evening flights due to religion/god affairs. This automatically makes El Al not an option at all for people like me who work Mon-Fri, and who won't take one day off from work just because El Al do not fly on Friday. I hope that god is compensating them for the loss. Looks very stupid to ground entire fleet of jets for 24 hours.
2. Another layer of security (except when departing from Tel Aviv). Anyone who has flown with El Al know that on the gate they have a closed section where they have unpleasant and unskilled security people, who interview, interrogate, empty bags and inspect every atom of anything you have. This is supposed to be "random", but usually, non-jewish passangers (exluding families with kids) are automatically elected to be humiliated. They take them into a room on the side, they interview/interrogate/empty bags.
3. Crappy website / booking system.
4. Unskilled and unpleasant flight attendants.
5. Very old air planes.
So why people fly with El Al?
El Al is one of the worst companies I've ever flown with, and the list of reasons is huge:
1. The company does not fly in the weekends, no Friday evening flights due to religion/god affairs. This automatically makes El Al not an option at all for people like me who work Mon-Fri, and who won't take one day off from work just because El Al do not fly on Friday. I hope that god is compensating them for the loss. Looks very stupid to ground entire fleet of jets for 24 hours.
2. Another layer of security (except when departing from Tel Aviv). Anyone who has flown with El Al know that on the gate they have a closed section where they have unpleasant and unskilled security people, who interview, interrogate, empty bags and inspect every atom of anything you have. This is supposed to be "random", but usually, non-jewish passangers (exluding families with kids) are automatically elected to be humiliated. They take them into a room on the side, they interview/interrogate/empty bags.
3. Crappy website / booking system.
4. Unskilled and unpleasant flight attendants.
5. Very old air planes.
So why people fly with El Al?
Feb 12, 2016, 12:07 am
#2
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I agree with everything but number 4.
FAs are usually very friendly, even if at times somewhat unprofessional.
In short, I would think the answer is no, especially as I can't find many reasons to fly them myself as a Jew (and an observant one too).
FAs are usually very friendly, even if at times somewhat unprofessional.
In short, I would think the answer is no, especially as I can't find many reasons to fly them myself as a Jew (and an observant one too).
Feb 12, 2016, 4:51 am
#3
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Feb 12, 2016, 4:57 am
#4
Join Date: Nov 2009
Programs: LY-PL, A3-*G
Posts: 1,680
Unskilled security?
Feb 12, 2016, 7:40 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 36
Yes. Unskilled and unfriendly
They ask stupid intrusive questions. They even asked me once to have a look in the pictures in my phone, and even more than that, they asked me to see an evidence that I'm employed, such as an employment contract, that happened at the airport. Oh, other company which operates inside Israel, asked me in the past, when I tried to board an aircraft for a domestic flight, " can we phone one of your colleagues at work?" and the question, how efficient these security questions are
Feb 12, 2016, 7:44 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 36
I also do not blame them, this is what fits the Israeli society.
Feb 12, 2016, 10:13 am
#7
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
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Feb 12, 2016, 10:37 am
#8
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: TLV
Programs: UA Platinum, Avis Chairman, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, GA Pilot
Posts: 3,225
To avoid Angry Flyers?
Ultimately there are only a few reasons people really fly LY:
1) Perception of security
2) Convenience of schedule
3) Corporate travel departments of Israeli companies
4) Nationalism
Those four factors have been enough to keep them in business, despite their shrinking market share.
Ultimately there are only a few reasons people really fly LY:
1) Perception of security
2) Convenience of schedule
3) Corporate travel departments of Israeli companies
4) Nationalism
Those four factors have been enough to keep them in business, despite their shrinking market share.
Feb 12, 2016, 10:43 am
#9
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Canada
Programs: Star Alliance G*, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium,
Posts: 3,585
fly El Al because they have the best security in the industry
The answer to your query (which IMO is quite offensive) is obvious. The reason to fly El Al is because they take security seriously. Don't take my word for it............security experts have long recognized that a risk-based approach to security screening is more effective and secure. See, for example:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/daniel...b_4978149.html
Why is your question offensive. Every passenger (i.e. not only Jews) cares about airline security. I prefer leaving this important task in the hands of the experts.
By contrast, North American airlines rely on passenger reports, which are based on stereotypes. For example:
http://blogs.wsj.com/middleseat/2009...s-on-a-flight/
Yes, AngryFlyer, El Al has the industry's best security. That should be reason enough to fly them - whether or not you are Jewish.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/daniel...b_4978149.html
Why is your question offensive. Every passenger (i.e. not only Jews) cares about airline security. I prefer leaving this important task in the hands of the experts.
By contrast, North American airlines rely on passenger reports, which are based on stereotypes. For example:
http://blogs.wsj.com/middleseat/2009...s-on-a-flight/
Yes, AngryFlyer, El Al has the industry's best security. That should be reason enough to fly them - whether or not you are Jewish.
Feb 12, 2016, 11:00 am
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 36
How about copy pasting the entire thing:
The attendants are good people indeed, they are also "neighbourhood".
The attendants are good people indeed, they are also "neighbourhood".
Feb 12, 2016, 11:04 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 36
To avoid Angry Flyers?
Ultimately there are only a few reasons people really fly LY:
1) Perception of security
If it is being targeted, it is safer not to fly with them.
2) Convenience of schedule
I agree on this.
3) Corporate travel departments of Israeli companies
Probably.
4) Nationalism
Huh? The title suggests that this company was designed for Jewish people. I'm not Jewish so I can't be nationalist for the Jewish state.
Those four factors have been enough to keep them in business, despite their shrinking market share.
Ultimately there are only a few reasons people really fly LY:
1) Perception of security
If it is being targeted, it is safer not to fly with them.
2) Convenience of schedule
I agree on this.
3) Corporate travel departments of Israeli companies
Probably.
4) Nationalism
Huh? The title suggests that this company was designed for Jewish people. I'm not Jewish so I can't be nationalist for the Jewish state.
Those four factors have been enough to keep them in business, despite their shrinking market share.
Feb 12, 2016, 11:24 am
#12
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: YYZ
Posts: 765
Record Profits for EL AL :http://www.businesswire.com/news/hom...-Profits-EL-AL
Best performing airline stock of 2015
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe...ticle27919757/
I will add my 2 (cdn) cents and say that on occasion, the airline can be price competitive (in form of getting to point A to B and back) for direct flights.
Best performing airline stock of 2015
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe...ticle27919757/
I will add my 2 (cdn) cents and say that on occasion, the airline can be price competitive (in form of getting to point A to B and back) for direct flights.
Feb 12, 2016, 2:26 pm
#13
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 14
It's not just an airline, It's Israel
I would suggest the question should really be "Is there any reason to fly El Al if you are not Israeli?"
The answer? Probably not.
It's an issue that El Al is clearly aware of... The slogan of the company: "It's not just an airline, it's Israel". They must realise that their airline isn't amazing, that the security is cumbersome and intrusive and that flight times aren't exactly convenient for everyone. But if you're Israeli they want to use national pride to encourage people to fly the flag carrier.
For non Israeli's you are probably going to have to rely on some bargain air fares that the company floats around from time to time as the carrot to fly them. In the UK, the competition is stiff - Fly BA and get far better service. Fly Easyjet or Monarch and get a great fare. Choose any alternative and avoid the tough security regime (And let's be honest on this point - whether you argue that you feel safer because El Al take security 'seriously', that is still no excuse for the rude, abrupt and abrasive manner in which their agents carry out their duties).
El Al have their work cut out for sure.
The answer? Probably not.
It's an issue that El Al is clearly aware of... The slogan of the company: "It's not just an airline, it's Israel". They must realise that their airline isn't amazing, that the security is cumbersome and intrusive and that flight times aren't exactly convenient for everyone. But if you're Israeli they want to use national pride to encourage people to fly the flag carrier.
For non Israeli's you are probably going to have to rely on some bargain air fares that the company floats around from time to time as the carrot to fly them. In the UK, the competition is stiff - Fly BA and get far better service. Fly Easyjet or Monarch and get a great fare. Choose any alternative and avoid the tough security regime (And let's be honest on this point - whether you argue that you feel safer because El Al take security 'seriously', that is still no excuse for the rude, abrupt and abrasive manner in which their agents carry out their duties).
El Al have their work cut out for sure.
Feb 12, 2016, 3:12 pm
#14
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: JAX
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I worked for LY for a while, years ago now, and they took me on a fam-trip with some travel agents. I had cleared an employment background check, I was wearing my LY staff ID, I was with the tour leader, a well known LY employee - and I was still questioned, at CKIN and at the gate. And that's fine. I had nothing to hide, I answered their questions, whatever they were, and they let me pass easily. I was a little surprised I still got 'grilled' but it's okay. That's their job. I was happy knowing they were doing the same to everyone. Maybe it's theatre, maybe they find those who they're looking for and pull them aside. LY is a higher profile target, they have higher security measures, maybe some are redundant. Just go with it and know that once past it, you're safer for it.
Feb 12, 2016, 5:17 pm
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 36
They're watching your reaction, trying to measure your behaviour. Seems like you give off vibes that make them want to ask you more questions!
I worked for LY for a while, years ago now, and they took me on a fam-trip with some travel agents. I had cleared an employment background check, I was wearing my LY staff ID, I was with the tour leader, a well known LY employee - and I was still questioned, at CKIN and at the gate. And that's fine. I had nothing to hide, I answered their questions, whatever they were, and they let me pass easily. I was a little surprised I still got 'grilled' but it's okay. That's their job. I was happy knowing they were doing the same to everyone. Maybe it's theatre, maybe they find those who they're looking for and pull them aside. LY is a higher profile target, they have higher security measures, maybe some are redundant. Just go with it and know that once past it, you're safer for it.