Check out the article in the Toronto Sun about the way that the Israelis handle security at their airports.
www.thestar.com/iphone/news/world/article/744199---israelification-high-security-little-bother
I think that their approach - looking for terrorists, while we look for weapons - is certainly the right way to go.
Excellent article Jim, thanks!! I sure wish this was "standard operating procedure" here.
I would love to see this type of security implemented in the U.S.
However...it cant be done.
Israel has one main airport. The U.S. has hundreds. To do this type of work, you have to have some level of intelligence. Think of your typical TSA screener.......they don't come close.
It's also not as great a show as searching luggage, and patting people down, and forcing people to tolerate virtual strip searches. Could you imagine the U.S. government explaining to Joe and Mabel Sixpack that they can tell who the bad guys are by "looking in their eyes?"
In Israel, airport security is serious business that has no political connections. In the U.S., it's very political.
Another reason the Israeli won't work, is the sheer number different languages involved. Screeners at Ben Gurion only have to deal with three languages: Hebrew, English, Arabic. Screeners in the US, would have to deal with a hundred different languages. Since the interviews are such an important part of the process, not being able to communicate is would be a real issue.
If American officials have to deal with "a hundred different languages," then how do customs and immigration staff manage to do it? If they can, why can't screening staff? And I would assume Ben Gurion staff would also have to deal with Russian, Spanish, French, German (after all, it's the Christian holy land as well), and even Chinese from time to time.
Hmmm...I've never spent more than about 20 minutes or so in an immigration lineup at an American airport. I've waited at least that long to go through security screenings, even in the quieter days.
"How much liberty are we going to give up for "safety?"...well Steve, I guess it depends on how much safety you want....and those flying with you.
If American officials have to deal with "a hundred different languages," then how do customs and immigration staff manage to do it? If they can, why can't screening staff? And I would assume Ben Gurion staff would also have to deal with Russian, Spanish, French, German (after all, it's the Christian holy land as well), and even Chinese from time to time.
Immigrations, and customs don't engage in conversation every passenger they deal with. Under the Israeli system TSA personnel would have to, and if they couldn't communicate they would hand search those passengers. and their bags. At an airport like LAX or JFK that would be a nightmare. It's safe to say that the US is a bigger tourist, job, and educational destination than Israel is...and from all corners of the globe. IMO it's not practical to implement a security system that works for a country the size of New Jersey, and has only one airport, and expect to work in a country that has a zillion airports, and fills up half of an entire continent.
The way as the security screening is done now is an enormous waste of resources and time. We have to look for terrorists and do just basic common sense screening for weapons. Can anybody on this forum tell me when was the last time when suicidal terrorist was not a male, under thirty years and a muslim? I think it is time to get away with political correctness in this field.
Perhaps it's time we looked at using a similar type of security as that used in Israel. The results seem to be speak for themselves!
Of course, it would probably have to be adapted and modified for North American circumstances.
It was announced on the News tonight that 12 (or so) airports in Canada will be equipped with full body scanners by "the spring" (at a cost of $250K each). I imagine it will be a high priority to get a couple of units installed at YVR right away, as the Olympics are only a month or so away. I believe they're going to give passengers a choice between the Scanners and a "pat down". The majority of people interviewed for the news report didn't seem to have any objections to the "privacy issue".
Immigration agents don't deal with everyone they meet? That's interesting....on dozens of trips into or thru the US, I have never failed to be questioned by US immigration. It's usually something simple like where are you from...where are you going...how long do you plan to be here. But they're really not interested in that....they're more interested in my body language...that's what they're trained to do.
Michael...you keep insisting Israel can do this because it's a small country with only one major international airport. But it's all a matter of scale. The US population is about 43 times that of Israel....but its GDP is about 45 times larger...essentially richer per person. It's simply a matter of scaling things larger.
Norm you're a Canadian citizen, who doesn't have to to fill out the immigration forms (just the customs landing card) or get an advance visa to enter the US. For those entering the USA from higher risk areas, the questioning, is done at the embassy. Are you saying you've never entered a country (US or otherwise)where the immigration officer simply gives a quick glance to the passport picture page, stamps it, and sends you on your way in 10 seconds flat?
As is the initial questioning at Israeli embassy for people needing visas to travel there. My experience has been that anyone with paperwork to submit has been even more closely scrutinized upon reaching the immigration desks....I always hope I don't get stuck behind one in line!
Sure, I've been waved through in other countries...but I thought the discussion was US versus Israeli security?
