On my first post, since I have not visited Israel, I wonder how tight and the immigration
authorities are in Israel
From my experience, the countries I visited shows fast & efficient clearing, even in USA,
suppose to be the most stringent checks in the world especially after the 911 incident.
I heard stories in Israel that I may even be held up by immigration authorities for a
lengthy period and eventually send packing home without even stepping on
to an Israeli soil or breathe of Israeli air.
Secondly, I wonder how many bags are allowed and the weight allowed by
the airlines in Israel airport.
Well, this was my experience. When I return from USA, the airlines allowed
2 bags totalling 60 kgs and when I transit an overnight stay in Taiwan, I was only allowed
1 bag @ 20 kg.
Imagine the hassle I have to go through and finally allowed the on board at the last minute.
Now, I have to stand with my bags on a home weighing scale before I board any airport and to check
with the airlines.
Dear Zeus
You have asked a difficult question. I think you need to ask your travel company for those kind of details. It may be useful to visit the Ben Gurion airport site at http://www.iaa.gov.il/Rashat/en-US/Airports/BenGurion/InformationforTravelers/ .
Israel is eager to host tourists, so if there is not a very good reason or a really stupid mistake I am sure you should not have trouble with the immigration authorities. Airports are crazy places where immigration officers can be very unnerving. I was almost arrested at London Heathrow because of a mistake made by an immigration official. When I told him that there must have been a mistake, the official said, "we are immigration, we never make mistakes" I then asked to speak to his superior, and he called over an officer from the special branch to deal with me. I proved the mistake to the special branch officer, and demanded an apology. We are all humans and no one is perfect. I suppose it must be a very difficult and demanding job working at a major airport deciding who is unwelcome and who can pass through immigration.
Good luck
Have a safe journey, and enjoy.
Thanks admin.
Your info & website is invaluable.
Cheers