El AL (Israel): Flown with them??

Ohenri · Apr 18th, 2006, 08:46 AM

I'm off to the US west coast this week, and thru some points redemption, I scored a free flight (other than airport taxes).

My agent mentioned that I was going to have to check in not the customary 2, but 3 hrs prior to departute, thus making my arrival @ the Pearson @ day break.

Ironically, the day of my booking, I ran into 2 people who had flown with them previously and mentioned to get ready for some very thorough searching and interrogation.

Anyone want to share their experiences??

H!

RevMatt · Apr 18th, 2006, 08:48 AM

Haven't flown with them, but most airlines now say 3 hours, in my experience.

HowEver · Apr 18th, 2006, 09:02 AM

I've never flown with El Al, but be prepared for heavy searching by people who are actually trained and paid commensurate with the task, unlike the minimum wage slaves in the U.S. who have never even seen the training video.

The good news is that as a result it's probably the safest flight you'll ever take.

Ohenri · Apr 18th, 2006, 09:23 AM

Most airlines that have bothered to say anything, have always recommended 2 hrs, and nothing else (for anything international), and 1 hr domestically - but who flies domestically anymore?? (lol).

But this agent was very clear in stressing the 3 hr window. I had read years ago that EL AL was no joke, and was pioneering in airport security.

I'll make sure to keep my briefs on top in my duffle bag.

H!

used to be jwoodget · Apr 18th, 2006, 11:40 AM

I've flown to Israel with El Al to give a talk at a research symposium. When I left Heathrow, I was interviewed twice by different (young) people. On hearing I was giving a talk with slides (it was 15 years ago) each actually asked me to go through my talk. Very thorough. On the way back from Tel Aviv, I was travelling with a guy who was around 40 but looked younger. He told the security people that his occupation was research director. They didn't believe him as he looked too young. They hauled him off and put out an announcement for me. Looking through a two way mirror, they asked me whether I knew him and what his occupation was..... He might still be there

These guys know all about security. Makes the changes in North American airports since 9/11 look superficial.

miguelsanchez · Apr 18th, 2006, 01:17 PM

Here's some reviews for you:

http://www.airlinequality.com/Forum/el_al.htm

http://www.epinions.com/trvl-Airline..._~1/pa_~1#list

I'm sure it'll be the safest flight you'll ever take (have you noticed the black SUV that drives out to the end of the runway at Pearson just before El-Al departs?) but be prepared to be thoroughly interrogated, and possibly intimately searched. Israeli security is no joke. And you will need to be there 3 hours in advance because of the security. You're getting on a plane with 200+ other people, and each one will take between 5 and 30 minutes (or more) in security. Do the math and you can see why the extra time is required.

Also, here is a seat map showing the best and worst seats for their 767. I hope it helps you pick a good seat:

http://lovemyseat.com/airlines/El_Al...2_Classes.html

Have a great flight!

Miguel

nxnw · Apr 18th, 2006, 03:11 PM

I, and many people I know, have flown El Al and I don't know anyone who has been "intimately searched".

Security will be much more thorough than you are likely accustomed to, however, and will take longer. In my most recent experience, (last summer) the security officers were almost all young Israeli women, not unpleasant or intimidating, just thorough. You can expect to be asked lots of questions and to pull items out of your hand luggage. I have never been bothered by this.

Also, your in flight meal will be kosher and, depending on what time you fly, some passengers may get up to pray for 10 minutes or so.

I'd be curious to know how full the flight is - it is a continuing flight from Tel Aviv, and I believe the majority of the passengers get off in Toronto.

wonderings · Apr 18th, 2006, 03:38 PM

I have flown EL AL the first time I went to the middle east. It was my favorite airline that I have flown with. Security is was very tight, and this was in 98. I can only imagine what it is like now. I had no problems with security as I had nothing to hide and felt safer knowing they check everyone very carefully. I have flow many different airlines: Air Transat, Air Canada, American Airlines, British Airways, Alitalia, and KLM. Of them all I found El AL to be my favorite. The service was good, clean plane, and they had the t.v's in the head rest, at that time it was still something very new. You do need to be there early because of the intense security, but in this day and age I dont mind. Again I have not flown them post 9/11 so I cant say much about the security now, but I deffinetely did not feel any hostility from the security department, just an honest attempt to make the flight as safe as possible.

Ohenri · Apr 18th, 2006, 05:27 PM

wow.

Oh well, I have nothing to hide. Just hope that all is smooth. I'll only have my iPod this time, and no lap. Might have a PSP. But those are the lone electronics.

Gracias Miguel para la informacíon y detalles. (lo siento pero, necesito praticar mas para el viaje jueves).

a la proxima vez.

Moscool · Apr 18th, 2006, 08:07 PM

Now H about this body search...

I'll echo comments above: El Al security is actually quite pleasant as long as you don't try to act smart. These guys have serious training in questioning!

On the Heathrow Tel Aviv leg it is a bit of a lottery as they are still using 757s (at least they did 3 years ago). On Toronto you should get a comfy wide-body.