Imho this is somewhat a dead place. There might be a big chunk of semiconductor companies over there (what is the reason that Apple opens up there I guess) but brains wise it's a bad place. It's virtually impossible to hire good developers over there because everybody is located in the center from the beginning or moved to the center because there is no companies in the Haifa to work for (Intel, IBM, Microsoft, Google, Yahoo, Elbit,NDS, Philips, GE, Zoran doesn't really count as work places for most of the people)
Hmm.. Hope you didn't take offense with what I wrote. I see no personal insult anywhere in that text and certainly didn't intend any. That said:
- I had to remove my shoes at the Ben Gurion airport. Granted, only once so far
- Agreed (scanner)
- Braindead liquid rules still apply (maybe softened vs. the US? I cannot judge that)
And while Israelis have to do the same thing: If I travel with a coworker (we usually arrive separately) they pass all tests right away and have a couple of shortcuts (especially concerning passport control, inbound, for example). My experience with tourists, visitors and my own trips says that - well - foreigners start on the 'Might be a terrorist' scale at 3 out of 10, just because.
>- Braindead liquid rules still apply (maybe softened vs. the US? I cannot judge that)
I guess that it might apply more then usually when you fly to US. Flies to Europe/within Israel ok. You can buy whatever you want after security check and bring it with you.
Passport control shortcut, you probably mean electronic system. There is one like this in US for US citizens that I can't use :(
And yes, foreigners start with "Might be..." but usually it never goes beyond questions. "Luggage scan pass" Israeli might get only if they (scanners) are too loaded. In case line is short everybody goes through it. And Israelis can move to "might be" quickly in case they give "bad" answer. I once couldn't answer how old I am (I never know) and was questioned for 40minutes.
