Wizz Air TLV-WAW is part of the #NoCollusion, No Albania for TPOL where I break my 100 country count mark. See the World Map for where I’ve been.
I’ve never been so happy to board a discount carrier as I was when I flew Wizz Air from Tel Aviv to Warsaw. By now you’ve read my two stories about being detained while entering Tel Aviv (see Detained in Tel Aviv: A Most Unwelcome Welcome) and the attempt to strip me of my dignity, but not my clothes, as I tried to leave Tel Aviv (see “You Leave Only with Passport!” Detained in Tel Aviv Again). If you didn’t read the latter, the simple-minded employees at immigration thought that yours truly was a terrorist at worst, suspicious at best, or they were just hating on me for being a globetrotting blogger of Arab descent. For the safety of my fellow passengers, they concluded that the only way I would not be a threat was if I flew only with my passport and Charles Schwab card. My belongings were packed into boxes and checked in while my Jambox speaker, laptop charger, toothbrush charger, and luggage would stay behind for further screening (bugging).
As a result of not having my phone, I had no way of capturing the beauty of Wizz Air’s hard product, the Emirate’s style shower I had on board (see Sheikh Dubai’s Chariot: First Class on Emirates Airlines A380), or the caviar and champagne experience that would make Cathay Pacific jealous (see Cathay Pacific First Class HKG-ORD).
All was not lost. I did manage to use my artistic abilities to capture the essence of Wizz Air in this stunning drawing. Most importantly, I was able to get out of Tel Aviv, a place that despite its great offerings (see Guns & Butter: Tel Aviv Travel Guide), I have no intention of visiting again.
Any complaints regarding this flight review should be directed at Tel Aviv’s airport security.
Pointless post… thanks
Pointless comment but you’re welcome
I read the previous post regarding your experience at TLV. A rule I learned decades ago is not to lie or mislead security personnel. They have huge responsibility and do not want to make a mistake that can have serious repercussions.
Although i was not there, it seems as though you started with untrue statements and things escalated from there.
Wrong.
I was born in the US so I’m American. Clearly, they don’t care if I was born there or Mexico. So long as my last name is middle Eastern, I’m getting detained. It’s naive to think saying Iraqi parents would’ve got me right through. See my arrival in the country.
When I read this portion of your experience it made me feel as though you were being less than forthright.
Security: What is this last name?
Me: American.
It seems as though they were triggered by your name in some way.They were focused on your name, not your passport. Once they felt that you were being less than forthright that really triggered them.
Color it any way you want to, They had their guard up and had to assure themselves that you did not represent a danger to others around you. I have experienced sloppy security all over the world. Israel has to be right every time because the risks are greater.
Yeah sure. That must be it. Again, you ignore my way in. Excuse their silly profiling and blame me.
And birthplace is USA. Do Irish American people say Ireland when their last name is O’Malley? Hmm I doubt it.
you did what you should have done.
keep on doing what you’re doing. and keep on posting.
Can’t stop, won’t stop. Go Blue!
you got what you deserved. Makes me happy actually.
Thanks James. Enjoy your miserable existence
The name Wizz Air makes me think people are constantly peeing on board. #sorrynotsorry
Lol lol I think Seinfeld
Dude, you really didn’t do yourself any favors. Looks like you answered “American” to the ol’ “What kind of name is that?” question not once but twice based on your other blog post. I gotta tell ya, I have never heard anyone describe their last name as “American.” Probably because outside of American Indians, there are no true “American” last names. Your answer presents itself as intentionally evasive (regardless of your true intent). That’s just the long and short of it. When you start off an interaction with law enforcement types in that way, you’re asking to be more closely investigated.
That’s not to say everything wouldn’t have gone exactly the same had you been more of a straight shooter with them. We don’t know. But since you weren’t, I don’t think you have a clear-cut case for playing the victim card here. Israeli security is about the last place where I would try getting cute with my answers.
All that said I appreciate your posts about this place.
Read what happened when I came in to the country. I’m sure saying American didn’t help but they had my number before I even arrived. See training day. I’ve been planning this all week son. I’m not a victim. I would never give them that power. They’re petty and misguided. In the end, I ended up with a great story, so who cares.
It’s not that I wasn’t being straight but I refuse to say my last name is Iraqi, herego, I’m a terrorist. Obviously, not ashamed of where I’m from but I’m not going to accept their profiling. So maybe I had it coming, but duck them for implying that a family name equals bad intentions.
If you don’t accept profiling, don’t go to Israel. Alternatively try to go to Iraq with a Jewish last name