I just flew CO91 the other day and got a very nice suprise... Screening equipment was being moved to Term 3 and there was only one baggage screener for the CO flights (as I always say, Laufer's VIP service is invalueable - I got there 1 hr before the flight). I asked the ticket agent whats going on and she said they are getting ready for the Big move to T3. I will be flying LY001/002 in F at the end of the month... Who knows, mabye T3 will be up and running!

I thought I would be the first FlyerTalker to leave from T3 (I am going on Nov 6) but I imagine I can survive if you beat me.

If you do fly out of there this month, please let us know if the machines that allow you to avoid the passport lines are up and working.

Returned on Tue Oct. 19th from BOS and searched for the Biocheck (finger tip entry) machines.

They were all moved to T3

Had to stand in line as in the old days.

I'm departing on Nov 10th and returning on the 20th. I will have my digi-cam with me and will post a link to the pictures. Should be a great terminal but it will also introduce some very long walks that were non-existing in Terminal 1.

My wife and I will be arriving Nov 23rd and returning the 28th. I'll be sure to read about what we should anticipate...
-JMP

I'll be arriving in the wee hours of the morning on Nov. 5, and leaving early on Nov. 7. Crazy trip, I know. I'll try to take some photos with my digicam, too, although I may be so exhausted I'll forget.

I am flying out on the 6th and returning on the 27th. I will let you know what to expect on departure if you will let me know what is happening on arrival.

Rumor is that not all facilities will be opening with the new Terminal on Nov 2nd. They say the only thing that is completely ready is the Duty Free shops (number one priority for Israeli travelers of course). I'm not sure what will be the lounge situation and restaurant or other food sources.

In general, there are supposed to be 3 lounges in the new terminal - one for each wing. LY will host the largest lounge and the other 2 will be for all the other airlines.

This is not important. The crucial thing is that they all be open on Nov 6 when I want to fly.

(Dang, I am getting my Israeli attitude down pat!)

I found this on the otherwise really annoying IAA web site.

Interactive Map
http://www.iaa.gov.il/Rashat/en-US/A...ALAIRLINES.htm
and click on "link to map"

Wow. That's the most absurdly overdone interactive map in history! I love how detailed it is, and yet they still spelled "customs" "costumes" in one place.

Just out of curiosity, does anybody know why Israeli websites are so incompatible with non-Microsoft web browsers? The Ben Gurion site, El Al's, Israir's, the Dan Hotels website, and others all break when I try to use them on Firefox. Firefox works on the vast majority of websites I use, including both simplified and traditional Chinese language sites, and almost every major USA site. But for some reason all the Israeli travel sites break on Firefox. It doesn't seem to be the Hebrew, since a few sites like Haaretz.co.il work just fine. It has something to do with the way all the travel sites are designed. Is FrontPage the only web design software available in Hebrew or something?

It seems like the last 2 flights out of terminal 1 will be LY to Paris and LH to Frankfurt (special flight).

Only ElAl and Arkia are coming in tonight until the airport closure around 2 AM.

Arriving from IST after a few days in AMS. If I can see straight, I will try and post impressions about the arriving experience. I am just hoping that I will be able to find my taxi guy to take me home expeditiously...

Terminal 3 opened today with no significant problems. Most flights departed on time.

Shuly