Think Coming in is Hard, Try Leaving!!!!

We are now on our last leg of our journey and just spent the night in London, to catch a flight back to Vancouver this afternoon. Our flight yesterday left Tel Aviv at around 4:00 pm and knowing that we might face some difficulty with our baggage, we arrived at the airport at 12:00 pm. After waiting for one hour for the counter to open, we first waited for our bags to be screened (right after our Passports and identity went through the ringer). Each of our suitcases was put through the X-ray machine, and any bag that had any dishes, boxes, anything but clothes, went to a personal screener who hand checked the luggage. What this meant was that every wrapped ceramic plate we had, every box we had, any lotion, etc. was opened and checked.

My sister in law was travelling with us and she had a stuffed Giraffe with her that she bought. Poor giraffe, by the time they got done with it, he had a whole in his back, belly, and neck. Complaining that she wanted compensation for the stuffed animal, she was taken to a room and was given a body search, then escorted through ticketing and then to immigration.

Immigration was as expected, with me being stopped, asked my father and grand fathers name 10 times, and then having my passport taken for more checks while Iman and the kids were let go. I told them to wait for me at the gate so they went on ahead. Like when I came in, I was made to wait and wait and wait until they did whatever checks they had to do. A person sitting next to me, most likely Dutch or German, whose name was Hal, after being handed back his passport asked why he always had to be checked, was told it was because of his name. He asked what he could do to prevent it from happening next time and the security officer smiled and said, short of changing your name, nothing!!! Anyway the wait was about one hour this time, but I didn't have the luxury of time. Coming in, I didn't haven't a flight to catch!!!! It came time for my boarding and still no response and when I asked the officer, he kept telling me to wait. The Swiss Air agent came to ask me what is going on and where my family was, and I apprised them of the situation. She just looked at me and said "ok" then walked away. About fifteen minutes before departure, I was given my passport and boarding pass back, with no questions, comments or anything. It is a ten minute walk to the gate!!!

I finally got to the gate and Iman and the kids were not there. I looked around for them and still nothing. Having told them to wait for me to board, I became worried and asked the agent. They knew who I was because I didn't even have to ask and she said, they just boarded the plane. After getting on board, Iman told me that they had waited as long as the agents allowed them to, and then she came up to her and asked, "they might not let your husband leave Israel, would you like to get on board?" Duh!!! of course not, and she left returning a few mintues later saying that I had been cleared and she should get on board and I would join shortly thereafter.......