Passport control times thread
 

I have found wait times rather variable at TLV so thought we should do a thread where we report at what time/date we arrived at passport control, which line we stood in (Israeli or foreign) and how long the wait was. Optional to report how much longer or shorter was the other type of line.

Please no smug posts from biometric passport holders going through the machines with their handprints or otherwise.

Ready - go!

Now that the machines are accepting all Israeli passports, biometric or not, and most Israeli frequent flyers have the cards to use on the older machines, I don't see why there should be any wait at all for Israeli travellers.

No smug posts from biometric passport holders will be a big challenge.

Because pax don't know/don't want to use the machines.
I arrived to TLV about 2 months ago, and despite having agents calling up pax from the queue to use the machines many with Israeli passports stayed in the queue, which with only 2 desks open started at the entrance to the hall.

My sister (who has an American passport) waited over an hour on Monday at 6pm. Apparently there were only four lines open for the entire airport.

Why though?

Dunno, I didn't ask :D:D

I think it can also vary on days of the week. And sometimes more charters than other times.

It really is crazy.

Not sure if is a ministry issue or airport operations..but its pretty painful, and I do think its gotten worse over time.Its really is the most byzantine process.

Not sure why they wont just set up a snake line instead of the cinema style lines.

This afternoon around 6pm crazy long lines, going until the back of the hall, and even further, towards the ramp. Very few open booths. Israeli passports much shorter as usual.

Yesterday was dumb. All kiosks outside the hall were covered and in the hall, only 2 were open - all others were covered. So the line was long, and there were 2 lines open - staff/disabled and foreign passports. All handprint kiosks were open.

On the way out last week, there were 6 passport lines open, all for Israeli passport holders, and were all long.

Were the old machines which take the biometric cards still in operation?

On departure, didn't see any at all. Looks like they've moved everyone to the new kiosks. On arrival, where they're stricter (non-Israelis still can't use kiosks), they all seemed to be operational

I'm longing for that day...

there must be something going on- maybe work to rule?
supporting LY pilots?
Take some photos next time, send them in to TOI.