Battles

Seems like everytime I plan on taking a flight to/through London, something bad happens. Last time it was the September 11th 2001, and this time it's the British terror attack threat.

I've just been through the security check at the Israeli airport where they separated those going to the UK from the rest of the sane world. Those going to the UK got special scans and questions.

Coming up to the British Airways desk we were all handed brochures saying what we are allowed and not allowed to bring on the plane with us inside the handbag. Notebooks and electronic devices were on the forbidden list and I was worried, since I've seen the way registered baggage is treated and there was no way my notebook computer would survive anything like that. I asked them what I should do and they replied "Sir, nothing we can do, Sir, you just have to soften the notebook with your clothing or something like that". Same goes for the digital camera, of-course.

I took off from the waiting-line, sat down with my big suitcase and my notebook and started thinking how I'm going to pull this off. I took everything out, weighted how soft every piece of clothing was and went on to redesign a suitable packing. I struggled for about 10 minutes, and even after all that, I was sure this wouldn't do any good. I got back in line, and then an English-speaking-only representative of British Airways came with the latest instructions. I asked her again if there wasn't any way I could carry the notebook with me, to which she responded with a new question of where I was headed to. When she heard I was going no further than London, she explained – "Israeli terminal security is very sufficient for the British government, so if you're really sure that you're leaving the airport in London then you may take it with you. Anywhere else in the UK ? nothing I can help you with on that". Relieved, I went to rearrange my bag the way it was before, moving my laptop to the safety of my handbag. The poor British folks taking a domestic flight had no choice. It was apparent that British Airways were just as confused as the rest of us.

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It's been almost 5 months since I came back to Israel and obvious truth is that throughout the time in Israel I mostly felt bored and tired. There's a war going on, things are happening every second, but I think that – ironically – all this 'action' became the Israeli 'routine'. To get a small taste of Israeli mood right now – when I told some of my friends two weeks ago that I'm heading out to the UK, some of them – not one or two but a few – responded with the short lethal "running away from battle, are we?". Sadly, I guess that I'll be 'joining' the British battle against terror for a short while …