Israeli airline's maximum security

El Al have more protection than any other airline

		By the BBC's Barbara Plett

Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion airport is probably one of the most heavily guarded civilian airports in the world.

Before checking in, people are grilled by "screeners", usually young people, often two at a time.

If passengers appear suspicious a superior is called to determine whether they or their baggage should be searched.

Plain-clothes security officials also watch quietly from the side-lines as people come and go, pulling aside any who seem nervous for questioning.

El Al's security measures could be model for the US

The national El Al carrier keeps its full security procedure under wraps, but according to the Jerusalem Post newspaper, measures include stronger-than-average cockpit doors and air marshals that travel on every flight.

The US sees Israeli techniques as a possible model for its own airline industry in the wake of the 11 September suicide attacks.

The Post reported that El Al security experts have testified before US congressional committees drafting an aviation security bill.

The paper said the El Al reps indicated that a gun used to be stored in every cockpit, but these were removed when armed guards joined the flights.

Discriminatory

Ben Gurion security measures may be effective but they are also discriminatory and sometimes unpleasant.

Palestinians and their friends are subject to much stricter procedures, including body searches.

Many travellers who match set categories of suspicious persons also have tales of missed flights and harsh interrogations to tell.

Reports quoting Israeli security experts said airport measures had been tightened after the US attacks.

According to Israeli Transport Minister Ephraim Sneh the authorities re-examined security procedures after Thursday's crash and found no fault with pre-flight checks.