Posted on 10/15/2001 12:05:31 AM PDT by truther
Israel’s El Al has become legendary for its airtight security measures. Now, as Americans grapple with fears of terrorists and cockpit ambushes, Israel’s attitude is shaping up to be the ultimate solution.
Necessary steps
With cold and deadly precision, Israel has forged its national airline into the toughest and safest in the world. Since 1968, Israel has had no hijackings and no damage to any of its flights. While these procedures have long been a tightly guarded secret, a Business 2.0 article has revealed some of these techniques.
Armed responses
Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport, considered ground zero for terrorism, always has two F-16s on call. In addition, there are armed uniformed guards who thoroughly inspect every vehicle, and plainclothes guards who patrol all airport buildings.
Armed undercover agents are also stationed on every flight, and all El Al pilots are former Israeli air force officers. These armed responses were effectively used on Feb. 21, 1973, when a civilian Libyan Boeing 707 accidentally crossed into Israeli airspace.
Though Israeli fighter jets were called to intercept, the 707 ignored the warning shots, forcing the fighter jets to shoot down the flight, killing all aboard.
Airport workers take extra precautions
Airport workers thoroughly investigate all passengers. During the lengthy check-in procedures, security agents freely profile in terms of gender, race, nationality and any other causes for possible alarm. The agents then carefully observe the fliers’ responses. On occasion, the agents separately question the fliers and their companions, gauging them for conflicting stories.
The agents also screen passports and tickets for enemy visas and tickets paid with cash payments, and check all passengers’ names through Interpol. Passengers must also account for their bags, both on the flight and when making connections.
Airplane equipment highly effective
Israeli airport workers are highly skilled with their sophisticated machinery. Liquid explosives and bombs are constantly screened by airport X-rays. And before all flights, all baggage is placed in decompression chambers to prevent altitude-sensitive triggers.
Finally, cockpit doors are bulletproof and are locked during the entire flight. These precautions are necessary in a land of constant turmoil, and Israel has proven its take-no-prisoners attitude works against terrorism.
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